Tennessee Tops Texas in SEC Tournament Quarterfinal Showdown

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Texas Longhorns faced a daunting task at the SEC Tournament on March 14, needing at least two wins to solidify their hopes for an NCAA Tournament at-large bid. Unfortunately for the Longhorns (19-15), their journey concluded in the quarterfinals as they fell 83-72 to the No. 8 Tennessee Volunteers (26-6) at Bridgestone Arena.

Texas had previously managed to pull off two significant upsets in the tournament, but they could not replicate that success against a formidable Tennessee side aiming for a top seed in the upcoming NCAA Tournament. The Longhorns now face uncertain options, which include entering the NCAA’s First Four in Dayton, Ohio, or landing a position in the National Invitation Tournament (NIT).

“We came in here hoping to make a strong statement,” Texas coach said. “We just didn’t execute well enough to hang with a team like Tennessee today.”

Tennessee’s backcourt shone brightly, with Zakai Zeigler contributing 19 points and six assists, while Chaz Lanier led all scorers with 23 points. Their combined effort stymied Texas, which struggled to keep pace in pivotal late-game moments.

Despite the loss, Kadin Shedrick and Jordan Pope sparked Texas with 14 points each, demonstrating flashes of resilience. Shedrick’s early dunk showcased the Longhorns’ potential, but it was not enough to shift the game’s momentum.

“We fought hard, but we just didn’t have it in the second half,” Pope said. “We need to regroup and see if we can get a shot in the NCAA tournament.”

The game saw Texas exhibiting a balanced scoring effort with seven players contributing to the scorebook, yet they could not penetrate the Vols’ staunch defense, which significantly out-rebounded the Longhorns, leading 22-15 in that critical aspect.

Throughout the first half, Texas shot 54.2% from the field, making it clear they could hold their own offensively. However, defensive lapses allowed Tennessee to exploit inside looks, with Lanier hitting significant shots early on.

Absent from the final outcome were critical moments, including Tramon Mark’s foul out, which compounded Texas’ challenges as the game neared its close. With the crowd predominantly favoring Tennessee, the Longhorns found themselves fighting for every point amid an energized environment.

“This crowd was incredible,” Tennessee’s coach noted. “They really pushed us to finish strong. We know what’s on the line and we’re just glad to come away with the win.”

As Texas awaits the NCAA Selection Committee’s decisions on Sunday, they will look back on their SEC Tournament run— a valiant effort but ultimately falling short against their highly-ranked opponent.

The Volunteers’ victory positions them well for a hopeful No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament, as they prepare for what could be an exciting postseason ahead.