Tennessee Volunteers Edge Houston Cougars in Close Contest
Tuesday, November 25, 2025, 6:00 PM ET · MGM Grand Garden Arena
Tennessee Volunteers 76, Houston Cougars 73, final. Our NCAAB picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.
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Quick answers
Who won Tennessee Volunteers vs Houston Cougars?
Tennessee Volunteers beat Houston Cougars 76-73 at MGM Grand Garden Arena on November 25, 2025.
Who was favored in Tennessee Volunteers vs Houston Cougars?
Houston Cougars were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -170 (about 63% implied). The underdog won.
In a thrilling matchup at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, the Tennessee Volunteers narrowly defeated the Houston Cougars with a final score of 76-73. This game showcased the competitive spirit of both teams, with Tennessee extending their undefeated record to 8-0 while Houston fell to 6-2. The Volunteers have now won seven consecutive games, displaying a potent offense that has averaged 84.0 points over their last ten contests.
Houston entered the game with a strong home record of 8-0 and had been on a ten-game winning streak, scoring an average of 74.8 points while allowing just 58.8 points per game. Their recent form included a victory against the Syracuse Orange, where they won 78-74, and a dominant 91-45 win over the Rider Broncs. The Cougars' last five games saw them winning all five, averaging 77.0 points while allowing 56.8 points, indicating a solid defensive effort.
Conversely, Tennessee has been on a remarkable run, with their last ten games yielding a record of 9-1. Their recent victories included an 85-60 win against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights and a 91-66 triumph over the Rice Owls. The Volunteers' offense has been particularly effective, averaging 91.8 points in their last five games while allowing 61.6 points.
In terms of home versus away performance, Houston has maintained a perfect record at home this season, while Tennessee has also been successful on the road, holding a 1-1 record in away games prior to this matchup. The teams had not met recently, making this game a fresh encounter between two strong programs.
Injury reports indicated that both teams were at full strength, which allowed them to field their best lineups. This absence of key injuries contributed to the high level of play witnessed during the game.
The betting lines from DraftKings reflected a close contest, with Houston favored by 2.5 points. The total points line was set at 136.5, indicating expectations of a moderately high-scoring game. The odds for Houston to win outright were -170, while Tennessee's moneyline was set at +142.
As the game unfolded, it was marked by tight scoring and lead changes. Houston was able to keep pace with Tennessee, but in the final moments, free throws by Ja'Kobi Gillespie and a crucial three-point jumper from Kingston Flemings helped secure the victory for the Volunteers. The final scoring plays highlighted the tension as both teams fought hard for every point, with Tennessee ultimately emerging victorious.
This matchup not only showcased the skills of both teams but also set the stage for future encounters, as both programs continue to build on their respective seasons. Fans can look forward to seeing how each team performs in their upcoming games, particularly as they navigate through their conference schedules.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | HOU -2.5 | 136.5 o -112 / u -108 | Tennessee Volunteers +142 · Houston Cougars -170 |
Leaders
- PointsKingston Flemings25Houston Cougars
- AssistsJoseph Tugler5Houston Cougars
- ReboundsChris Cenac Jr.11Houston Cougars
- PointsJa'Kobi Gillespie22Tennessee Volunteers
- AssistsJa'Kobi Gillespie4Tennessee Volunteers
- ReboundsJaylen Carey7Tennessee Volunteers
Recent form
Houston Cougars
Last 10: 10-0Streak W1074.8 scored · 58.8 allowed per game8-0 at home
- W78-74vs Syracuse OrangeNov 24
- W91-45vs Rider BroncsNov 21
- W73-72at Auburn TigersNov 16
- W78-45vs Oakland Golden GrizzliesNov 13
- W65-48vs Towson TigersNov 8
- W75-57vs Lehigh Mountain HawksNov 4
- W72-64vs Arizona WildcatsMar 15
- W74-54vs BYU CougarsMar 14
- W77-68vs Colorado BuffaloesMar 13
- W65-61at Baylor BearsMar 9
Tennessee Volunteers
Last 10: 9-1Streak W684 scored · 65.7 allowed per game1-1 away
- W85-60vs Rutgers Scarlet KnightsNov 24
- W89-60vs Tennessee State TigersNov 21
- W91-66vs Rice OwlsNov 18
- W99-66vs North Florida OspreysNov 13
- W95-56vs Northern Kentucky NorseNov 8
- W76-61vs Mercer BearsNov 4
- L77-86at Florida GatorsMar 16
- W70-65at Auburn TigersMar 15
- W83-72vs Texas LonghornsMar 14
- W75-65vs South Carolina GamecocksMar 8
Standings
| Team | Overall | Games behind | In conference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florida | 27-8 | - | 16-2 |
| Arkansas | 28-9 | 3 | 13-5 |
| Alabama | 25-10 | 3 | 13-5 |
| Vanderbilt | 27-9 | 5 | 11-7 |
| Tennessee | 25-12 | 5 | 11-7 |
| Texas A&M | 22-12 | 5 | 11-7 |
| Georgia | 22-11 | 6 | 10-8 |
| Kentucky | 22-14 | 6 | 10-8 |
| Missouri | 20-13 | 6 | 10-8 |
| Texas | 21-15 | 7 | 9-9 |
| Auburn | 22-16 | 9 | 7-11 |
| Oklahoma | 21-16 | 9 | 7-11 |
| Mississippi State | 13-19 | 11 | 5-13 |
| Ole Miss | 15-20 | 12 | 4-14 |
| South Carolina | 13-19 | 12 | 4-14 |
| LSU | 15-17 | 13 | 3-15 |
| Arizona | 36-3 | - | 16-2 |
| Houston | 30-7 | 2 | 14-4 |
| Iowa State | 29-8 | 4 | 12-6 |
| Kansas | 24-11 | 4 | 12-6 |
| Texas Tech | 23-11 | 4 | 12-6 |
| TCU | 23-12 | 5 | 11-7 |
| BYU | 23-12 | 7 | 9-9 |
| UCF | 21-12 | 7 | 9-9 |
| West Virginia | 21-14 | 7 | 9-9 |
| Cincinnati | 18-15 | 7 | 9-9 |
| Colorado | 17-16 | 9 | 7-11 |
| Arizona State | 17-16 | 9 | 7-11 |
| Oklahoma State | 20-15 | 10 | 6-12 |
| Baylor | 17-17 | 10 | 6-12 |
| Kansas State | 12-20 | 13 | 3-15 |
| Utah | 10-22 | 14 | 2-16 |
Box score
| Stat | Tennessee Volunteers | Houston Cougars |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 24-51 | 28-61 |
| Field goal % | 47 | 46 |
| Three-pointers | 5-17 | 9-24 |
| Three-point % | 29 | 38 |
| Free throws | 23-29 | 8-11 |
| Free throw % | 79 | 73 |
| Rebounds | 32 | 33 |
| Offensive rebounds | 13 | 15 |
| Defensive rebounds | 19 | 18 |
| Assists | 15 | 16 |
| Steals | 6 | 3 |
| Blocks | 3 | 4 |
| Turnovers | 9 | 9 |
| Team turnovers | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls, total | 0 | 0 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Points off turnovers | 10 | 4 |
| Fast-break points | 8 | 10 |
| Points in the paint | 38 | 30 |
| Fouls | 15 | 21 |
| Largest lead | 6 | 11 |
How the scoring went
- 2nd Half39-42Felix Okpara made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half41-42Bishop Boswell made Layup.
- 2nd Half41-44Emanuel Sharp made Jumper. Assisted by Milos Uzan.
- 2nd Half41-46Joseph Tugler made Layup.
- 2nd Half42-46J.P. Estrella made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half43-46J.P. Estrella made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half45-46Bishop Boswell made Two Point Tip Shot.
- 2nd Half47-46J.P. Estrella made Layup. Assisted by Bishop Boswell.
- 2nd Half49-46J.P. Estrella made Layup. Assisted by Ja'Kobi Gillespie.
- 2nd Half50-46Nate Ament made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half51-46Nate Ament made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half51-47Milos Uzan made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half51-48Milos Uzan made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half53-48Cade Phillips made Layup. Assisted by Nate Ament.
- 2nd Half53-50Milos Uzan made Jumper. Assisted by Joseph Tugler.
- 2nd Half56-50Ja'Kobi Gillespie made Three Point Jumper. Assisted by Cade Phillips.
- 2nd Half56-52Chris Cenac Jr. made Dunk. Assisted by Kingston Flemings.
- 2nd Half58-52Felix Okpara made Layup. Assisted by Bishop Boswell.
- 2nd Half58-54Kingston Flemings made Jumper.
- 2nd Half60-54Nate Ament made Layup.
- 2nd Half60-57Emanuel Sharp made Three Point Jumper. Assisted by Joseph Tugler.
- 2nd Half60-59Kingston Flemings made Layup.
- 2nd Half63-59Ja'Kobi Gillespie made Three Point Jumper. Assisted by Nate Ament.
- 2nd Half63-62Milos Uzan made Three Point Jumper. Assisted by Joseph Tugler.
- 2nd Half64-62Felix Okpara made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half66-62Jaylen Carey made Two Point Tip Shot.
- 2nd Half66-64Kingston Flemings made Jumper.
- 2nd Half68-64Jaylen Carey made Dunk. Assisted by Ja'Kobi Gillespie.
- 2nd Half68-66Kingston Flemings made Layup.
- 2nd Half69-66Ja'Kobi Gillespie made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half70-66Ja'Kobi Gillespie made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half70-68Joseph Tugler made Dunk. Assisted by Milos Uzan.
- 2nd Half71-68Bishop Boswell made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half72-68Bishop Boswell made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half72-70Milos Uzan made Layup.
- 2nd Half73-70Ja'Kobi Gillespie made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half74-70Ja'Kobi Gillespie made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half74-73Kingston Flemings made Three Point Jumper.
- 2nd Half75-73Ja'Kobi Gillespie made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half76-73Ja'Kobi Gillespie made Free Throw.
Win probability
Above the line favours Houston Cougars, below favours Tennessee Volunteers.
Venue
- MGM Grand Garden ArenaLas Vegas, NV
- Attendance5110
- OfficialsRandy McCall, Olandis Poole, Edwin Young
Elsewhere
- Carson Crawford, No. 46 in '27 class, commits to Arizona St.
- Tennessee's Ralph Scott to have knee surgery, out at least 6 months
- Men's NCAA basketball 2026-27 Way-Too-Early Top 25 rankings
- Transfers, recruits and roster moves for key men's NCAA basketball teams
- Michigan 5-star freshman Brandon McCoy Jr. (knee) to miss season
- With $6.5 million left on deal, UCLA fires AD Martin Jarmond