Tennessee vs. Iowa State live score, updates, highlights from March Madness Sweet 16 game originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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The final game on Friday night for the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament features the Tennessee Volunteers (24-11, 12-8 SEC) against the Iowa State Cyclones (29-7, 14-7 Big 12). One of the outside upset games in this Sweet 16 round puts this matchup in Chicago.
The Cyclones are a perfect 15-0 in non-conference play this season. Also, they’re a tough opponent by holding a 25-3 record in games decided by 10 or more points. On the other side, Tennessee is trying to survive as a six-seeded team. Ja’Kobi Gillespie leads the Vols and averages 18.4 points, 5.6 assists and 2.1 steals this season
Tennessee vs. Iowa State live updates, highlights from 2026 March Madness game
2nd Half- 1:46
This game is all Tennessee 73-62
2nd Half- 2:12
The two teams are trading buckets with the Vols up 73-59
2nd Half- 3:00
Tennessee is up 68-58. Iowa State is trying to stage a comeback. But too litle too late?
We are trading buckets in Chicago 👀
Watch LIVE: https://t.co/hW9Yt9N5pXpic.twitter.com/3WWF0MojPN
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 28, 2026
2nd Half- 6:32
Iowa State pulls within 10 at 62-53
2nd Half- 8:06
Tennessee holds a 61-49. The teams are trading buckets.
2nd Half- 9:40
The Vols are coasting with a 59-48
2nd Half- 11:26
The Vols up 57-45. The Cyclones are flat to start out the half.
2nd Half- 12:57
Tennessee leads by 13. Iowa State calls a timeout to regroup.
2nd Half 13:34
Tennessee takes 11 point lead
Gillespie corner pocket ☔️
Tennessee bench is lit 🔥#MarchMadnesspic.twitter.com/L6y7AFhr0q
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 28, 2026
Nate Ament finds Gillespie 💪#MarchMadnesspic.twitter.com/PzytLO6bbP
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 28, 2026
2nd Half- 15:54
Tennessee takes the largest lead of the game at 46-39
2nd Half- 16:34
Everytime Tennessee seems like they’ll pull ahead, Iowa State has a response.
TOUGH finish from Ja’Kobi Gillespie 💪#MarchMadness@Vol_Hoopspic.twitter.com/H5k6wS72T6
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 28, 2026
Halftime
Tennessee 34, Iowa State 33
Team Stats
| Sweet 16 Halftime | Tennessee | Iowa State |
|---|---|---|
| FG | 15-32 | 12-28 |
| Field Goal % | 47 | 43 |
| 3PT | 2-11 | 4-13 |
| Three Point % | 18 | 31 |
| FT | 2-4 | 5-5 |
| Free Throw % | 50 | 100 |
| Rebounds | 22 | 10 |
| Offensive Rebounds | 10 | 2 |
| Defensive Rebounds | 12 | 8 |
| Assists | 9 | 10 |
| Steals | 2 | 4 |
| Blocks | 3 | 0 |
| Total Turnovers | 10 | 7 |
| Points Off Turnovers | 5 | 11 |
| Fast Break Points | 4 | 12 |
| Points in Paint | 22 | 16 |
| Fouls | 7 | 5 |
| Technical Fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Flagrant Fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Largest Lead | 5 | 4 |
| Percent Led | 43 | 42 |
1st Half- 1:16
Iowa State regains the lead at 33-32 after Tennessee held the lead for most of the first half
WHAT A SEQUENCE 🤯 pic.twitter.com/4PSwqfdUzM
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 28, 2026
1st Half- 3:19 TV Timeout
ISU’s Nate Heise: 11 points in 12 mins
1st Half- 3:37
Neither team has led more than five thus far. Tennessee is up 30-26
Felix Okpara up 🔝#MarchMadness@Vol_Hoopspic.twitter.com/UE7jU6IIS1
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 28, 2026
1st Half- 6:36 TV timeout
Tennessee takes 22-19 lead in the very close 14 minutes of play
What a feed from Pleta 🍽️#MarchMadness@CycloneMBBpic.twitter.com/KN4797urnI
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 28, 2026
1st Half- 7:37
Amari Evans nails three point jumper to give Tennessee 20-17 lead
1st Half- 9:18
Both teams are going back and forth with a 15 all tie.
Nate Heise is up to 9 points 🔥#MarchMadnesspic.twitter.com/NiGLVDDYxU
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 28, 2026
1st Half- 11:53 TV Timeout
Killyan Toure makes 24-foot three point jumper to give Iowa State a 13-11 lead.
1st Half- 12:40
Tennessee takes an 11-10 lead after trading buckets with Iowa State
1st Half- 15:38
Iowa State jumps out to an early 8-4 lead. Nate Heise with a quick 5 points
1st Half- 19:12
Tamin Lipsey opens the game with a triple 🎯
Tap in live with us: https://t.co/hW9Yt9N5pXpic.twitter.com/lkh1y6TZwu
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 28, 2026
Source: Iowa State star forward Joshua Jefferson will not play against Tennessee tonight in the Sweet 16 for the No. 2 Cyclones. He suffered a low ankle sprain against Tennessee Tech in the first round on March 20. pic.twitter.com/tR9F6H3BV2
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) March 28, 2026
Iowa State has made 49.0% of its shots from the field this season, which is 8.3 percentage points higher than Tennessee has allowed to its opponents (40.7%). This is where the Vols defense will need to play flawless. As for their offense, Tennessee scores 14.1 more points per game (79.4) than Iowa State gives up to opponents (65.3).
Both teams are 6-4 in the past 10 games, which means this might be closer than many are projecting.
What channel is Tennessee vs. Iowa State on today?
Tennessee vs. Iowa State How to Watch
Date: Friday, March 27
Time: 10:30 p.m. ET
United Center- Chicago, IL
TV: TBS Available on Paramount+
MARCH MADNESS HQ:Live NCAA bracket | TV schedule | Latest news and more
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