Volunteer Surge, Commodore Heartbreak and Blue Raider Transition: Three Tennessee Teams in March

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Vols dominance on the glass send Tennessee to the Elite Eight

CHICAGO — Tennessee advanced to the Elite Eight for the third straight season after a physical, controlled 76-62 victory over No. 2 seed Iowa State at the United Center Friday. The Volunteers (25-11) dominated the glass and got timely scoring from freshmen and veterans alike to punch a ticket to face top-seeded Michigan for a Final Four berth.

Tennessee built a modest halftime edge, then turned the game into a second-half rebounding and efficiency clinic. Freshman forward Nate Ament led the Volunteers with 18 points and drilled a late 3-pointer with 1:58 remaining to essentially seal the win. Senior Felix Okpara posted a 12-point, 10-rebound double-double and finished with three blocks, while Jaylen Carey’s 11 points and 10 rebounds gave Tennessee a second double-double. Senior guard Ja’Kobi Gillespie added 16 points and made 5-of-6 two-point attempts in a veteran performance.

The Volunteers were rugged on the glass — out-rebounding Iowa State 43-22, including a 16-8 edge on the offensive glass that produced 14 second-chance points — and shot 50.8 percent for the game while holding the Cyclones to 21.7 percent from deep. Tennessee’s bench outscored Iowa State’s 20-3 and the Volunteers finished with a 42-30 advantage in paint points. Iowa State’s Nate Heise and Tamin Lipsey each finished with 18, but the Cyclones could not overcome Tennessee’s physicality and efficiency.

With the win, Rick Barnes notched another milestone in an already-legendary run: the program’s fourth Elite Eight appearance and Barnes’ sixth Elite Eight as a head coach. Tennessee now turns its attention to No. 1 Michigan on Sunday with a chance to reach the Final Four.

Blakes’ record season and two-star scoring outburst aren’t enough in narrow Sweet 16 loss

FORT WORTH, TX — A season of breakthrough and program momentum for Vanderbilt ended in a narrow 67-64 Sweet 16 loss to No. 6 seed Notre Dame. The Commodores finish 29-5 — the program’s third-most wins in a single season and their first Sweet 16 berth in 17 years — and exit with plenty to build on.

Vanderbilt got huge scoring nights from sophomore Mikayla Blakes (26) and freshman Aubrey Galvan (24). Blakes shattered the SEC single-season scoring record with 918 points, breaking Chamique Holdsclaw’s long-standing mark and setting the NCAA sophomore scoring record in the process. Galvan closed her freshman year with program marks as well — a new Vanderbilt freshman steals record (89) and a freshman assists total that ties the school record.

The Commodores battled back from a 10-point third-quarter hole and grabbed a 60-59 lead on a Blakes free throw with 2:16 remaining, but Notre Dame answered late and hit the decisive three-point stretch in the final 14 seconds. Justine Pissott finished the season tying Vanderbilt’s single-season 3-point mark with 95 made triples, and Sacha Washington closed a decorated career with 1,344 points and 972 rebounds — good for top spots on several school leaderboards.

Head coach Shea Ralph praised the program’s progress and the culture built this year, calling the season a foundational step toward sustained success despite the disappointing finish.

Insell era ends as Vikings’ zone, offensive rebounding close out Lady Raiders

MURFREESBORO, TN — Middle Tennessee’s WNIT run ended at Murphy Center, 66-56, as Cleveland State’s balanced attack and disruptive zone defense closed out the Lady Raiders in the Super 16. The result also marked the conclusion of Rick Insell’s 20-year head-coaching tenure at MTSU; Insell departs with 506 career wins.

MTSU battled early deficits and found life late — freshmen Blair Baugus and Macie Phifer each scored 17 points and Phifer’s late 3 cut the margin to six — but Cleveland State’s length and offensive rebounding (12 offensive boards) were decisive. CSU got five players into double figures, led by Colbi Maples with 19, and exposed matchups inside that gave the Vikings second-chance opportunities.

Insell reflected on the loss and his future candidly, saying the zone gave his team fits but that he might remain involved at MTSU in a supporting role next season. His son and newly hired associate head coach Matt Insell will take over as head coach in 2026-27; the staff’s immediate focus is retaining the roster and building on the foundation Rick established. Only senior Alayna Contreras graduates from this group, and Insell stressed continuity and player development as keys going forward.

What Nashville fans should know

Tennessee Volunteers: The Volunteers’ physical identity — elite offensive rebounding and interior defense from Okpara and Carey — makes them a team well-suited to make another deep run. Expect Tennessee to lean on its paint dominance and balanced scoring while preparing for Michigan’s size and spacing in the Elite Eight.

Vanderbilt Commodores: Despite the loss, Vanderbilt’s breakout season gives Nashville reasons for optimism. With Blakes and Galvan emerging as bona fide stars and pieces like Pissott and Washington providing returning leadership, Vandy appears positioned to be a consistent contender in the months and years ahead.

Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders: MTSU’s season-ending game closes a significant chapter but not the program’s story. With Matt Insell taking over and most of the roster returning, the Lady Raiders should remain a competitive Sun Belt program. Nashville-area fans can expect continuity in culture and an emphasis on recruiting and player development.