Jimmy Fallon Predicts Tennessee Basketball's March Madness Success Jimmy Fallon, a widely admired comedian known for his engaging humor and relatable personality, has shared his predictions for the upcoming March Madness tournament. Among the teams he highlighted, the Tennessee Volunteers stand out as a key focus. Fallon believes the Vols will advance in the tournament, starting with their first-round matchup against the Miami OH Redhawks, which is scheduled for Friday. He envisions Tennessee securing a victory in that game. However, Fallon’s confidence in the Vols does not extend beyond the second round. He predicts that the team will face the Virginia Cavaliers in the tournament’s second round and ultimately fall to them. This outcome would mark the end of Tennessee’s run in the current bracket. Looking further into the tournament, Fallon outlined his expectations for the final four teams. He included St. John's, Illinois, Arizona, and Iowa State in this group. Among these four, he believes St. John's and Arizona have the potential to make a deep run toward the championship. Specifically, Fallon forecasts that St. John's will emerge as the team to beat, with Arizona likely to reach the final but falling short of the title. Fallon’s bracket projections reflect his assessment of team strengths and potential matchups, though his predictions are based on his personal insights rather than formal analysis. His comments add an entertaining dimension to the anticipation surrounding the tournament, as fans often look to celebrities for their unique perspectives. The article originally appeared on www.si.com/college/tennessee, providing further details on Fallon’s full bracket and other related content.#march_madness #tennessee_volunteers #virginia_cavaliers #miami_oh_redhawks #jimmy_fallon
HALFTIME: Tennessee's Ja'Kobi Gillespie Dominates in First Half Against Miami (OH) Redhawks The Tennessee Volunteers are halfway through their first-round March Madness game against the Miami (Ohio) Redhawks, holding a 51-32 lead. The contest has seen Tennessee's physical defense and offensive efficiency shape the first half, with the Volunteers showcasing their ability to control the game's tempo. The game began with a tight exchange, as both teams traded baskets in the opening minutes. Tennessee quickly asserted dominance by limiting Miami to zero points in the paint during the first six minutes. This early control set the tone for the Vols' ability to dictate play in the paint, a key factor in their lead. By the 10-minute mark, Tennessee had built an eight-point advantage, fueled by a 13-2 run and several Redhawk turnovers. The Volunteers' relentless pressure and ball security allowed them to maintain momentum. Ja'Kobi Gillespie emerged as the star of the first half, finishing with 22 points. His scoring ability, combined with Tennessee's defensive intensity, helped the Vols stretch their lead to 14 points with less than eight minutes remaining in the half. Gillespie's performance highlighted Tennessee's offensive firepower, while the team's physical style of play stifled Miami's ability to score inside. Rebounding also played a critical role in Tennessee's success. The Volunteers capitalized on second-chance opportunities, extending possessions and creating additional scoring chances. This dominance on the boards allowed the offense to operate at a higher level, further widening the gap. Despite Miami's efforts to stay competitive, particularly through three-point shooting, Tennessee's defense and ball control kept the Redhawks from mounting a significant threat.#miami_oh #march_madness #tennessee_volunteers #ja_kobi_gillespie #redhawks
Tennessee vs. Miami (OH) odds, prediction: 2026 NCAA Tournament picks from proven model The 2026 NCAA Tournament kicks off on Friday with the No. 6 seed Tennessee Volunteers facing the No. 11 seed Miami (OH) RedHawks in the first round. The matchup takes place at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia at 4:25 p.m. ET. Tennessee enters the game with a 22-11 record and a 11-7 mark in Southeastern Conference play, while Miami (OH) secured its NCAA Tournament berth after winning all 31 of its regular-season games before a first-round loss to UMass in the MAC Tournament. The Volunteers are listed as 12.5-point favorites in the latest odds, with the over/under set at 149.5 points. SportsLine’s Projection Model, which has demonstrated strong performance in previous tournaments, has simulated the matchup 10,000 times. The model’s analysis suggests the total points scored by both teams will exceed the over/under, and it identifies one side of the spread as having a high probability of success, with over 50% of simulations favoring that outcome. The model’s track record includes an 11-1 record on top-ranked over/under picks since last year and a 28-22 performance on top-rated college basketball side bets. These results highlight its reliability in predicting tournament outcomes. For fans looking to make informed betting decisions, the model’s insights provide a data-driven approach to the matchup. The game’s outcome will depend on how both teams perform under pressure. Tennessee’s experience in high-stakes games and its SEC schedule could give it an edge, while Miami (OH)’s undefeated regular season and strong defensive play may pose challenges. The underdog RedHawks will need to capitalize on their home-court advantage and limit turnovers to keep the game competitive.#ncaa_tournament #sportsline #tennessee_volunteers #miami_oh_redhawks #wells_fargo_center
Miami vs. Tennessee: RedHawks, Volunteers to clash in 1st round of NCAA Tournament The Miami RedHawks advanced to the first round of the NCAA Tournament after a dominant performance in the First Four, defeating the SMU Mustangs 89-79. The victory propelled Miami to a 32-1 record on the season and set the stage for their next challenge against the sixth-seeded Tennessee Volunteers in Philadelphia. The matchup is scheduled for Friday, with a potential early start time due to the game being the second contest in the session. The first game of the day, Wright State vs. Virginia, will tip off at 1:50 p.m. Fans unable to travel to Philadelphia can watch the RedHawks vs. Volunteers game on TBS. Tickets for Friday’s session are still available, with prices starting around $70. A single ticket grants access to both games held at Dayton’s UD Arena. Miami’s historic First Four performance included a school-record 16 three-pointers, led by Eian Elmer, who shot 6-of-9 from beyond the arc. The RedHawks’ offensive firepower helped secure their place in the tournament. Tennessee, finishing fourth in the SEC—the most represented conference in the tournament—brings a top-heavy scoring attack to the matchup. Three players average double-digit points, with two of them ranking among the top 10 in the SEC in scoring. Ja’Kobi Gillespie leads the Volunteers, averaging 18.0 points per game and shooting 33.2% from three-point range. His 8.0 three-point attempts per game rank second in the league. Despite their strong regular-season finish, Tennessee’s underlying statistics are less impressive, and the team ended the season on an uneven note. The Volunteers will face the winner of the session’s first game—No. 3 Virginia vs. No. 14 Wright State—in the second round on Sunday.#virginia #smu_mustangs #tennessee_volunteers #wright_state #miami_redhawks
Kaiya Wynn steps away from Tennessee women's basketball after 'breaking point' Kaiya Wynn has announced her decision to leave the Tennessee Volunteers' women's basketball program, citing a "breaking point" that led to her departure. The announcement came after a contentious Senior Day game, where Wynn was not included in the starting lineup and was instead asked to check into the game with less than a minute remaining in a losing effort. This moment marked the culmination of frustrations that had been building over her five-year tenure with the team. Wynn, who has been a key player for the Lady Vols, expressed her disappointment in a social media post. She wrote, "For the past five years I have given my all for Tennessee and have not regretted doing so once. Obviously, my last two seasons on the team have been less than ideal for many reasons, but the one night I was most looking forward to was senior night." She emphasized her desire to start her final game at Thompson-Boling Arena, a tradition for senior players, but was instead forced to enter the game in a losing situation. The incident sparked criticism from fans and analysts, with some questioning the team's approach to senior players. A Twitter user noted, "I feel you should play a scholarship SR on SR day. Especially when they stay at a school 5 years, & don't transfer after a coaching change. Especially when Tenn WBB system is hockey line subs, going deep in rotation anyways. From afar I'm not impressed with Tenn WBB culture." This sentiment reflects broader concerns about the program's handling of senior athletes and its rotational strategy. Wynn's career with the Volunteers included 103 total games, with her most productive seasons coming in her first three years, during which she appeared in over 30 games each season.#kaiya_wynn #thompson_boling_arena #tennessee_volunteers #tennessee_wbb #senior_day
