Tennessee Basketball ended the Cinderella dreams of 11-seed Miami (OH) with a dominant 78-56 win over the RedHawks on Friday afternoon in Philadelphia’s Xfinity Mobile Arena. The Vols now advance to the round of 32, where they will take on 3-seed Virginia to earn the right to advance to the Sweet 16 next week in Chicago, IL.
Ja’Kobi Gillespie led the way for the Vols in his first NCAA Tournament appearance with his home-state program. Gillespie scored a game-high 29 points on 11-of-21 shooting from the field and a 6-of-11 mark from three-point range. He also nearly captured a double-double on the day with nine assists. Someone who did record a double-double, though, was Tennessee junior forward JP Estrella. He finished the game with 14 points and 10 rebounds.
Tennessee will keep its dancing shoes on for at least another 48 hours. The Vols will be back in Xfinity Mobile Arena on Saturday for a shootaround and press conferences before the second round matchup on Sunday.
More From RTI: Why Nate Ament Did Not Play Down The Stretch In Tennessee’s Win Over Miami
Check out some of the top reactions to Tennessee’s win on social media below:
I think a date with Rick Barnes off a First Four win is a nightmare because if you’re going to have a chance you have to be ready to match their physicality/toughness and it’s such a quick turnaround. Tennessee dominated Miami in the opening 20. Ja’Kobi Gillespie. Hooping.
— John Fanta (@John_Fanta) March 20, 2026
Gillespie… ACTIVATE FLAMETHROWER!!! #GoVols pic.twitter.com/HII2bUo2II
— Ron Slay (@TheRonSlay) March 20, 2026
Auburn watching Miami Ohio get smoked by Tennessee pic.twitter.com/mX1l0Ap6T3
— FanDuel Sportsbook (@FDSportsbook) March 20, 2026
Tennessee was the worst possible matchup for Miami. It’s showing.
— Pat Forde (@ByPatForde) March 20, 2026
Same mean mug energy we get from the dweebs in accounting. pic.twitter.com/WE2RQ3BV3S
— Weigel’s (@weigelsstores) March 20, 2026
what are our guys doing this reporter🤣 pic.twitter.com/XcT8Gb0ClI
— Barstool Rocky Top (@BarstoolTenn) March 20, 2026
Miami Ohio when it’s time to play a good team pic.twitter.com/tjkN8tUfcW
— BetMGM 🦁 (@BetMGM) March 20, 2026
Great year for Miami Ohio… they just never seen defense like what @Vol_Hoops can put on you. Clinic by Barnes
Advertisement— Jimmy Dykes (@CoachJimmyDykes) March 20, 2026
Tennessee held Miami (Ohio) to a season-low 56 points and a season-worst 35.2% shooting.
The Redhawks had not scored fewer than 69 points this season.
— Mike Wilson (@ByMikeWilson) March 20, 2026
ROCKY TOP!!
— Donté L. Stallworth (@DonteStallworth) March 20, 2026
Rest…. Hydrate…… Recovery!!!!
UVA on deck!!! #GoVols #CTAWK pic.twitter.com/Jq2fYVcBzj— Ron Slay (@TheRonSlay) March 20, 2026
Haters will say this is Ai 🤷🏽♂️🍊 pic.twitter.com/jk8bkClnBl
— Ramon Foster (@RamonFoster) March 20, 2026
Tennessee improved to 15-1 this season in games it shoots 70% or better from the free throw line.
— Ryan Schumpert (@ryanschumpert00) March 20, 2026
Tennessee puts an end to the historic season of Miami (OH) 🍊 @Vol_Hoops pic.twitter.com/oksqkhnYzJ
— SEC Network (@SECNetwork) March 20, 2026
Anything for some more competition
— Josh Dobbs (@josh_dobbs1) March 20, 2026
https://t.co/c01uIMEYV3 pic.twitter.com/eft9g1UziG
— Paul Cross (@pcrossvol) March 20, 2026
Vols beat Miami 78-56
Kobi with 29 points went 6-11 from 3 pic.twitter.com/K5LomdF6eH— Vol Twiitter (@VolTwiitter) March 20, 2026
Vols win. pic.twitter.com/BtLLCXprxx
— Blackniss Everdeen™ (@RockyTopKeith) March 20, 2026
— Barstool RedHawks (@BarstoolMiamiU) March 20, 2026
