Missouri Tigers Edge Tennessee Volunteers in Close Contest
Tuesday, February 24, 2026, 9:00 PM ET · Mizzou Arena
Missouri Tigers 73, Tennessee Volunteers 69, 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 Missouri Tigers?
Missouri Tigers beat Tennessee Volunteers 73-69 at Mizzou Arena on February 24, 2026.
Who was favored in Tennessee Volunteers vs Missouri Tigers?
Tennessee Volunteers were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -192 (about 66% implied). The underdog won.
In a tightly contested matchup, the Missouri Tigers triumphed over the Tennessee Volunteers with a final score of 73-69 at Mizzou Arena. This victory marks a significant turnaround for Missouri, who had previously lost to Tennessee in their last meeting earlier in the season, where they fell 81-85 on February 6, 2025.
Both teams entered the game with contrasting recent forms. Missouri had a record of 5-5 in their last ten games, with an average of 77.7 points scored and 81.1 points allowed. Their recent performance included a loss against the Arkansas Razorbacks, where they were defeated 86-94, and a narrow win against the Vanderbilt Commodores, finishing 81-80. In their last five games, Missouri had a record of 3-2, averaging 79.8 points scored and allowing 80.6 points.
On the other hand, Tennessee came into the game with a strong record of 8-2 over their last ten outings, riding a four-game winning streak. They averaged 77.9 points scored while allowing only 70.5 points. Their recent victories included a win against the Vanderbilt Commodores (69-65) and a decisive 89-66 win over the Oklahoma Sooners. Tennessee's last five games featured a record of 4-1, with an average of 75.0 points scored and 66.4 points allowed.
The matchup was particularly intriguing as it featured two teams with different styles of play and recent trajectories. Missouri had struggled defensively, allowing more points than they scored on average, while Tennessee had been more balanced, with a solid defensive showing in recent games.
In terms of home and away performance, Missouri had a home record of 3-2 in their last five games, while Tennessee boasted a 4-1 record in their last five away games. This home advantage for Missouri was crucial in the context of this matchup.
Injuries did not play a significant role in this game, as both teams appeared to have their key players available, allowing for a full-strength contest that showcased the talents of both squads.
The betting market, as provided by DraftKings, had Tennessee as the favorite with a spread of 3.5 points and a moneyline of -192, while Missouri was listed at +160. The total points line was set at 143.5, with over odds at -115 and under odds at -105. This indicated a competitive expectation for the game, reflecting the close nature of the teams' performances leading into this matchup.
Conditions in Mizzou Arena were favorable for basketball, with a lively crowd supporting the Tigers. This atmosphere likely contributed to Missouri's ability to secure the win, as they capitalized on their home court advantage.
As the game progressed, key moments defined the outcome. In the second half, Ja'Kobi Gillespie made a crucial 26-foot three-point jumper that brought the score to 67-65 in favor of Missouri. Following that, T.O. Barrett made a layup to extend the lead to 69-65. Tennessee's Nate Ament responded with an 8-foot jumper, narrowing the gap to 67-69, but Missouri's Jacob Crews sealed the victory by converting four free throws in the closing moments, bringing the final score to 73-69.
This game not only showcased Missouri's resilience but also highlighted their ability to perform under pressure, particularly in a close game where every possession counted. The victory serves as a boost for Missouri as they look to build on this performance moving forward.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | TENN -3.5 | 143.5 o -115 / u -105 | Tennessee Volunteers -192 · Missouri Tigers +160 |
Leaders
- PointsT.O. Barrett28Missouri Tigers
- AssistsTrent Pierce3Missouri Tigers
- ReboundsTrent Burns7Missouri Tigers
- PointsJa'Kobi Gillespie19Tennessee Volunteers
- AssistsJa'Kobi Gillespie6Tennessee Volunteers
- ReboundsJaylen Carey10Tennessee Volunteers
Recent form
Missouri Tigers
Last 10: 5-5Streak L177.7 scored · 81.1 allowed per game3-2 at home
- L86-94at Arkansas RazorbacksFeb 21
- W81-80vs Vanderbilt CommodoresFeb 19
- L68-85vs Texas LonghornsFeb 15
- W86-85at Texas A&M AggiesFeb 12
- W78-59at South Carolina GamecocksFeb 7
- W84-79vs Mississippi State BulldogsJan 31
- L64-90at Alabama Crimson TideJan 28
- W88-87vs Oklahoma SoonersJan 24
- L72-74vs Georgia BulldogsJan 21
- L70-78at LSU TigersJan 17
Tennessee Volunteers
Last 10: 8-2Streak W477.9 scored · 70.5 allowed per game4-1 away
- W69-65at Vanderbilt CommodoresFeb 21
- W89-66vs Oklahoma SoonersFeb 19
- W73-63vs LSU TigersFeb 14
- W73-64at Mississippi State BulldogsFeb 12
- L71-74at Kentucky WildcatsFeb 8
- W84-66vs Ole Miss RebelsFeb 4
- W77-69vs Auburn TigersFeb 1
- W86-85at Georgia BulldogsJan 29
- W79-73at Alabama Crimson TideJan 25
- L78-80vs Kentucky WildcatsJan 17
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 |
Box score
| Stat | Tennessee Volunteers | Missouri Tigers |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 27-63 | 26-55 |
| Field goal % | 43 | 47 |
| Three-pointers | 7-24 | 4-17 |
| Three-point % | 29 | 24 |
| Free throws | 8-14 | 17-22 |
| Free throw % | 57 | 77 |
| Rebounds | 42 | 30 |
| Offensive rebounds | 18 | 9 |
| Defensive rebounds | 24 | 21 |
| Assists | 13 | 9 |
| Steals | 7 | 9 |
| Blocks | 4 | 3 |
| Turnovers | 15 | 8 |
| Team turnovers | 1 | 0 |
| Technical fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls, total | 0 | 0 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Points off turnovers | 7 | 23 |
| Fast-break points | 4 | 15 |
| Points in the paint | 32 | 40 |
| Fouls | 14 | 13 |
| Largest lead | 10 | 8 |
| Lead changes | 5 | 5 |
| Time in front | 63 | 28 |
How the scoring went
- 2nd Half38-36Felix Okpara makes layup (Nate Ament assists)
- 2nd Half38-38Mark Mitchell makes layup
- 2nd Half40-38Felix Okpara makes layup
- 2nd Half42-38DeWayne Brown II makes 9-foot jumper (Ja'Kobi Gillespie assists)
- 2nd Half43-38DeWayne Brown II makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half43-40T.O. Barrett makes layup
- 2nd Half43-41Mark Mitchell makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half43-42Mark Mitchell makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half43-43Mark Mitchell makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half45-43Ja'Kobi Gillespie makes layup
- 2nd Half45-45T.O. Barrett makes 22-foot jumper
- 2nd Half45-48Trent Pierce makes 25-foot three point jumper (Anthony Robinson II assists)
- 2nd Half45-50Mark Mitchell makes layup
- 2nd Half48-50Bishop Boswell makes 27-foot three point jumper (Ja'Kobi Gillespie assists)
- 2nd Half48-53Anthony Robinson II makes 26-foot three point jumper (T.O. Barrett assists)
- 2nd Half48-56Anthony Robinson II makes 25-foot three point jumper (Mark Mitchell assists)
- 2nd Half50-56Nate Ament makes 0-foot tip in layup
- 2nd Half52-56Bishop Boswell makes layup
- 2nd Half52-58T.O. Barrett makes layup (Trent Pierce assists)
- 2nd Half54-58Bishop Boswell makes layup
- 2nd Half55-58Bishop Boswell makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half55-60T.O. Barrett makes layup
- 2nd Half56-60Nate Ament makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half57-60Nate Ament makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half57-62T.O. Barrett makes layup
- 2nd Half58-62Nate Ament makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half58-64T.O. Barrett makes layup
- 2nd Half59-64Nate Ament makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half60-64Nate Ament makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half60-66Mark Mitchell makes 10-foot jumper
- 2nd Half60-67Mark Mitchell makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half62-67Ja'Kobi Gillespie makes layup (Nate Ament assists)
- 2nd Half65-67Ja'Kobi Gillespie makes 26-foot three point jumper
- 2nd Half65-69T.O. Barrett makes layup
- 2nd Half67-69Nate Ament makes 8-foot jumper
- 2nd Half67-70Jacob Crews makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half67-71Jacob Crews makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half69-71Bishop Boswell makes layup
- 2nd Half69-72Jacob Crews makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half69-73Jacob Crews makes free throw 2 of 2
Win probability
Above the line favours Missouri Tigers, below favours Tennessee Volunteers.
Venue
- Mizzou ArenaColumbia, MO
- Attendance11094
- OfficialsKipp Kissinger, Chuck Jones, A.J. Desai
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