The Sweet 16 showdown between Texas vs Tennessee is loaded with legacy, talent, and tension. It’s not just a high-stakes March Madness game—it’s a meeting between two of women’s college basketball’s most iconic brands.
The No. 1 seed Texas Longhorns (33-3) have looked dominant through the first two rounds and are eyeing their first Final Four since 2003. On the other side, the No. 5 seed Tennessee Lady Vols (26-8) are hungry to prove that Rocky Top still belongs in the national spotlight.
They already met earlier this season in Knoxville—Texas narrowly escaped with a 75-72 victory. Expect another war on Saturday in Birmingham.
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🐂 How Texas Got Here
- Round of 64: Texas 81, Norfolk State 49
- Round of 32: Texas 65, Illinois 48
The Longhorns are firing on all cylinders. Their signature suffocating defense has held tournament opponents to just 48.5 PPG, and the offense has clicked with Madison Booker leading the charge.
Booker, the SEC Player of the Year, is averaging 19.3 PPG and is the go-to option for head coach Vic Schaefer, whose high-pressure, half-court defense is once again wreaking havoc. With support from Taylor Jones and Aaliyah Moore, Texas has one of the most complete frontcourts left in the tournament.
This is Texas’ fourth Sweet 16 in five years—and perhaps their best shot at going the distance.
🟠 How Tennessee Got Here
- Round of 64: Tennessee 72, Princeton 61
- Round of 32: Tennessee 70, Baylor 66
The Lady Vols have looked tough, composed, and well-coached. They survived a gritty battle with Baylor thanks to Rickea Jackson, who poured in 23 points and continues to look like one of the most NBA-ready players in the tournament.
Jillian Hollingshead has emerged as a powerful interior presence, while Destiny Wells and Sara Puckett provide steady scoring from the perimeter.
With head coach Kellie Harper at the helm, Tennessee is playing with that classic Lady Vol swagger. They’re physical, they’re poised, and they believe this is their time.
💰 Texas vs Tennessee Odds & Betting Trends
| Bet Type | Odds/Line |
| Spread | Texas -6.5 |
| Moneyline | Texas -250 / Tennessee +200 |
| Total Points | Over/Under 141.5 |
Best Bets:
- Texas -6.5: Tennessee has grit, but Texas is deeper and better defensively. If Booker gets going, this could be a double-digit win.
- Under 141.5: Both teams prefer to operate in the half-court. Expect physical play and a slower pace.
- Rickea Jackson Over 19.5 Points (Prop): Win or lose, Jackson will get her touches—and her points.
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📊 Texas vs Tennessee Head-to-Head Comparison
| Stat Category | Texas Longhorns | Tennessee Lady Vols |
| Record | 33-3 | 26-8 |
| Points Per Game | 78.2 | 74.5 |
| Points Allowed | 58.1 | 63.7 |
| FG% | 46.7% | 44.3% |
| 3PT% | 36.2% | 35.1% |
| Rebounds Per Game | 41.8 | 42.5 |
| Assists Per Game | 17.3 | 16.2 |
| Tournament Seed | No. 1 | No. 5 |
⭐ Players to Watch in Texas vs Tennessee
Texas Longhorns
- Madison Booker (G/F): The SEC Player of the Year has been sensational—her mid-range jumper and court vision set the tone for Texas.
- Taylor Jones (F): A force inside who averages 12.2 PPG and nearly 2 blocks per game.
- Aaliyah Moore (F): Physical and efficient, she’s key to Texas controlling the paint and limiting second-chance opportunities.
Tennessee Lady Volunteers
- Rickea Jackson (F): Arguably the best pure scorer in the women’s tournament. Her ability to attack off the dribble and draw fouls is elite.
- Jillian Hollingshead (C): A rebounding machine who’ll be tasked with slowing down Jones and Moore in the paint.
- Destiny Wells (G): Quietly averaging 12.8 PPG in March. Her three-point shooting could stretch the Texas defense.
🧠 Coaching Matchup
- Vic Schaefer (Texas): A defensive mastermind who consistently gets his teams deep into March. If Texas wins, it’ll be thanks to Schaefer’s game plan.
- Kellie Harper (Tennessee): A former player under Pat Summitt, Harper has the Lady Vols playing confident, smart basketball.
🔑 Keys to Victory
What Texas Must Do:
- Shut down Jackson early: Force others to beat you.
- Dominate the glass: Win second-chance opportunities.
- Control tempo: Keep the game in the half-court and don’t let Tennessee run.
What Tennessee Must Do:
- Survive the first quarter: Texas has come out hot in both tourney games.
- Create chaos defensively: Try to turn Texas over and score in transition.
- Rickea needs 25+: If she doesn’t have a big game, the upset likely isn’t happening.
🏆 Texas vs Tennessee Prediction
This matchup has all the ingredients: elite scorers, deep rosters, and a ton of tournament history. Tennessee is scrappy, but Texas is too polished, too deep, and too good on defense.
Final Score Prediction:
Texas 74, Tennessee 64
Pick: Texas -6.5
Best Prop: Madison Booker Over 18.5 Points
Total: Under 141.5
📺 How to Watch Texas vs Tennessee
- When: Saturday, March 29, 2025
- Time: 3:30 PM ET
- Where: Legacy Arena – Birmingham, Alabama
- Watch: ABC
- Stream: ESPN+, NCAA March Madness Live
💬 Final Word: Can Tennessee Break Through?
The Texas vs Tennessee Sweet 16 battle is a clash of tradition and trajectory. Tennessee has the talent, but Texas has the momentum—and maybe the makings of a championship run. Saturday will reveal whether the Lady Vols can shock the bracket… or if the Longhorns are simply on a different level.
