For the third time in the last three years, Tennessee Basketball is headed back to the Elite Eight. The Vols advanced through the Sweet 16 with a 76-62 win over 2-seed Iowa State on Friday night in Chicago. Tennessee put together a strong performance against its Big 12 foe and led for 28 minutes of the 40-minute game.
Tennessee has never reached the Final Four in program history. Recent attempts have seen Dalton Knecht, Zakai Zeigler, and Chaz Lanier fall short of the third weekend, but could this be the year that Tennessee finally breaks through the mold? The Vols are playing impressive basketball right now, but Michigan presents a massive test for Rick Barnes and his program.
Tennessee’s win over Iowa State sent social media into a frenzy, as anyone would expect. Some folks are celebrating the Vols’ win, while others are already looking ahead to Tennessee’s Elite Eight matchup.
More From RTI: Three Quick Takeaways As Tennessee Basketball’s Bigs Deliver In Sweet 16 Win Over Iowa State
Check out some of the top reactions from social media below:
Tennessee. Sharpie.
— Seth Davis (@SethDavisHoops) March 28, 2026
Tennessee is now 11-3 in the last four NCAA Tournaments under Rick Barnes.
Three straight trips to the Elite Eight.
The Vols have NEVER been to the Final Four.
They get another crack on Sunday against Michigan.
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) March 28, 2026
Go Vols! Let’s Go Get Em! pic.twitter.com/OcdFDTpZRM
— Ramon Foster (@RamonFoster) March 28, 2026
— Dallas Bowlin 🇺🇸 🍊 (@dallas_bowlin) March 28, 2026
We were the most bet against team in the first round
— Things Vol Fans Say (@ThingsVolsSay) March 28, 2026
Tennessee is in the Elite 8 and we are sitting at home 💀 pic.twitter.com/EL2kvdY3Gn
— Florida Gators 🐊🔥 (@gatorsszn) March 28, 2026
Jaylen Carey aka Big Tennessee
— Liam Blutman (@Blutman27) March 28, 2026
Tennessee is the first 6-seed (or worse) to have a +40 point differential or better (+43) through the Sweet 16 since 2022 UNC (+46)
The Tar Heels reached the championship that year
(CBS Sports Research)
— Jordan Dajani (@JordanDajani) March 28, 2026
3 straight trips to the Elite 8 for Rick Barnes and Tennessee. Pretty incredible.
— Chris Gordy (@ChrisGordy) March 28, 2026
PLAY THE SONG pic.twitter.com/eTQ5SPVDex
— Tennessee Basketball (@Vol_Hoops) March 28, 2026
As Rick Barnes left the podium and walked towards the Tennessee locker room, he saw Iowa State’s T.J. Otzelberger and players waiting for their postgame presser.
He peaked his head in, shook their hands, and said “God bless you guys, great season”
Barnes is first class
— Trey Wallace (@TreyWallace) March 28, 2026
WE ARE GOING TO GET OUR GET BACK ON MICHIGAN FOR GIVING OUR SIGNS TO SOUTH CAROLINA IN 2022 WOW
— Hugh Janus (@HughJanus556) March 28, 2026
This was a Rick Barnes masterclass. As good of a gameplan as I’ve seen from him since he got here. Completely dictated the terms of agreement for the final 35 minutes. Respect is owed https://t.co/1AAkiqES6S
Advertisement— Will Warren (@statsbywill) March 28, 2026
The last SEC team standing is the TENNESSEE VOLUNTEERS #MarchMadness
— JT (@JtDirtyBirdy) March 28, 2026
Rick Barnes is still the greatest coach in Tennessee basketball history and it is not particularly close. Give the man his flowers, because what do you mean THIS team made the Elite 8!?!!?!
— Dennis Barker Jr (@DennisBarkerJr) March 28, 2026
Tennessee’s size is just insane.
— Cyclone_everyday (@EverydayCyclone) March 28, 2026
Tennessee just bullying Iowa State in Chicago. From the jump.
— Jake Marsh (@JakeMarsh18) March 28, 2026
I didn’t watch all of Rick’s seasons at Texas but this has to be possibly his best coaching job ever. I NEVER would’ve thought this team could make an elite 8 watching them earlier this season. Incredible.
— Charlie Burris (@Charlie_Burris) March 28, 2026
GROWN ASS MAN CAREY LET HIM EAT
— DRVawl (@DRVawl) March 28, 2026
Thank youuuuuuuu @BarstoolVandy pic.twitter.com/hEebo4nxHy
— Barstool Rocky Top (@BarstoolTenn) March 28, 2026
THE VOLS ARE ELITE‼️
Shaking up brackets everywhere 😱 pic.twitter.com/ymGAlCWTrG
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) March 28, 2026
Tennessee has THE MOST wins against ranked opponents IN THE SEC.
The Vols are the FINAL remaining SEC team in the NCAA Tournament.
THE SEC RUNS THROUGH TENNESSEE.
— SEC Numbers Guy (@secnumbersguy) March 28, 2026
Iowa State defense is good. @Vol_Hoops defense is ELITE
— Jimmy Dykes (@CoachJimmyDykes) March 28, 2026
