Tennessee Volunteers Defeat Virginia Cavaliers 79-72
Sunday, March 22, 2026, 6:10 PM ET · Xfinity Mobile Arena
Tennessee Volunteers 79, Virginia Cavaliers 72, 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 Virginia Cavaliers?
Tennessee Volunteers beat Virginia Cavaliers 79-72 at Xfinity Mobile Arena on March 22, 2026.
Who was favored in Tennessee Volunteers vs Virginia Cavaliers?
Tennessee Volunteers were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -115 (about 53% implied). The favorite won.
The Tennessee Volunteers secured a 79-72 victory over the Virginia Cavaliers in a thrilling matchup at the Xfinity Mobile Arena. This game was notable as it marked the Volunteers' first win against the Cavaliers in their head-to-head history, improving their record to 1-0 against Virginia. Tennessee's strong performance comes on the heels of a mixed recent form, as they entered the game with a record of 6-4 over their last ten outings, while Virginia boasted a more impressive 8-2 record in the same span, albeit with a recent loss.
In the lead-up to the game, Virginia had shown solid form, averaging 77.7 points scored and allowing 70.7 points over their last ten games. They had a perfect home record of 6-0 in their last six games, although they had recently faltered with a loss to the Duke Blue Devils on March 15. In contrast, Tennessee had been slightly less consistent, averaging 74.2 points scored and allowing 68.4 points, with a recent record of 6-4. The Volunteers had also lost their last game against the Vanderbilt Commodores on March 13, suggesting they were looking to bounce back.
The betting market reflected the competitive nature of the matchup, with DraftKings pricing Tennessee as a 1.5-point favorite. The total for the game was set at 137.5, indicating expectations for a moderately high-scoring affair. Tennessee's moneyline was listed at -115, while Virginia's was at -105, suggesting a closely contested game.
As the game unfolded, Tennessee took control in the second half, with Ja'Kobi Gillespie making a series of crucial free throws that helped seal the victory. He scored multiple free throws in the closing moments, contributing significantly to the Volunteers' final score. Virginia, despite their efforts, could not close the gap, ultimately falling short in their attempt to secure a win.
The game was played under standard conditions, and both teams were looking to make a statement in this pivotal matchup. Virginia's loss marked their second straight defeat, while Tennessee aimed to build momentum heading into the later stages of the season. The outcome of this game could have implications for both teams as they navigate their respective paths forward.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | TENN -1.5 | 137.5 o -108 / u -112 | Tennessee Volunteers -115 · Virginia Cavaliers -105 |
Leaders
- PointsThijs De Ridder22Virginia Cavaliers
- AssistsDallin Hall7Virginia Cavaliers
- ReboundsDallin Hall7Virginia Cavaliers
- PointsJa'Kobi Gillespie21Tennessee Volunteers
- AssistsBishop Boswell9Tennessee Volunteers
- ReboundsFelix Okpara8Tennessee Volunteers
Recent form
Virginia Cavaliers
Last 10: 8-2Streak L177.7 scored · 70.7 allowed per game6-0 at home
- L70-74at Duke Blue DevilsMar 15
- W84-62vs Miami HurricanesMar 13
- W81-74vs NC State WolfpackMar 12
- W76-72vs Virginia Tech HokiesMar 7
- W75-70vs Wake Forest Demon DeaconsMar 4
- L51-77at Duke Blue DevilsFeb 28
- W90-61vs NC State WolfpackFeb 25
- W86-83vs Miami HurricanesFeb 21
- W94-68at Georgia Tech Yellow JacketsFeb 19
- W70-66at Ohio State BuckeyesFeb 15
Tennessee Volunteers
Last 10: 6-4Streak L174.2 scored · 68.4 allowed per game3-2 away
- L68-75at Vanderbilt CommodoresMar 13
- W72-62vs Auburn TigersMar 12
- L82-86vs Vanderbilt CommodoresMar 7
- W78-59at South Carolina GamecocksMar 3
- L69-71vs Alabama Crimson TideFeb 28
- L69-73at Missouri TigersFeb 25
- W69-65at Vanderbilt CommodoresFeb 21
- W89-66vs Oklahoma SoonersFeb 19
- W73-63vs LSU TigersFeb 14
- W73-64at Mississippi State BulldogsFeb 12
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 |
| Duke | 35-3 | - | 17-1 |
| Virginia | 30-6 | 2 | 15-3 |
| Miami | 26-9 | 4 | 13-5 |
| North Carolina | 24-9 | 5 | 12-6 |
| Clemson | 24-11 | 5 | 12-6 |
| Louisville | 24-11 | 6 | 11-7 |
| NC State | 20-14 | 7 | 10-8 |
| Florida State | 18-15 | 7 | 10-8 |
| California | 22-12 | 8 | 9-9 |
| Stanford | 20-13 | 8 | 9-9 |
| Virginia Tech | 19-13 | 9 | 8-10 |
| SMU | 20-14 | 9 | 8-10 |
| Wake Forest | 18-17 | 10 | 7-11 |
| Syracuse | 15-17 | 11 | 6-12 |
| Pittsburgh | 13-20 | 12 | 5-13 |
| Notre Dame | 13-18 | 13 | 4-14 |
| Boston College | 11-20 | 13 | 4-14 |
| Georgia Tech | 11-20 | 15 | 2-16 |
Box score
| Stat | Tennessee Volunteers | Virginia Cavaliers |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 26-55 | 27-69 |
| Field goal % | 47 | 39 |
| Three-pointers | 8-19 | 12-35 |
| Three-point % | 42 | 34 |
| Free throws | 19-25 | 6-11 |
| Free throw % | 76 | 55 |
| Rebounds | 39 | 35 |
| Offensive rebounds | 11 | 16 |
| Defensive rebounds | 28 | 19 |
| Assists | 20 | 12 |
| Steals | 4 | 5 |
| Blocks | 6 | 5 |
| Turnovers | 10 | 7 |
| Team turnovers | 0 | 1 |
| Technical fouls | 0 | 1 |
| Technical fouls, total | 0 | 1 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Points off turnovers | 9 | 12 |
| Fast-break points | 2 | 5 |
| Points in the paint | 28 | 26 |
| Fouls | 14 | 19 |
| Largest lead | 9 | 4 |
| Lead changes | 4 | 4 |
| Time in front | 84 | 8 |
How the scoring went
- 2nd Half44-39Ugonna Onyenso makes layup (Devin Tillis assists)
- 2nd Half46-39Ja'Kobi Gillespie makes 12-foot floating jump shot
- 2nd Half46-41Chance Mallory makes driving layup
- 2nd Half48-41Nate Ament makes layup
- 2nd Half48-44Chance Mallory makes 23-foot three point jumper (Dallin Hall assists)
- 2nd Half50-44Jaylen Carey makes layup (Bishop Boswell assists)
- 2nd Half51-44Jaylen Carey makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half51-46Thijs De Ridder makes layup (Dallin Hall assists)
- 2nd Half54-46Ja'Kobi Gillespie makes 25-foot three point jumper (Bishop Boswell assists)
- 2nd Half54-48Malik Thomas makes 18-foot pullup jump shot (Thijs De Ridder assists)
- 2nd Half55-48Felix Okpara makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half57-48Felix Okpara makes layup (Bishop Boswell assists)
- 2nd Half57-51Thijs De Ridder makes 24-foot three point jumper (Dallin Hall assists)
- 2nd Half60-51Ja'Kobi Gillespie makes 25-foot three pointer
- 2nd Half60-53Thijs De Ridder makes layup
- 2nd Half62-53J.P. Estrella makes 3-foot alley oop dunk (Ja'Kobi Gillespie assists)
- 2nd Half62-55Chance Mallory makes layup
- 2nd Half63-55Nate Ament makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half63-58Thijs De Ridder makes 24-foot three point step back jumpshot
- 2nd Half63-60Dallin Hall makes driving layup
- 2nd Half66-60Bishop Boswell makes 25-foot three point jumper (Ja'Kobi Gillespie assists)
- 2nd Half66-62Dallin Hall makes driving layup
- 2nd Half66-64Johann Grunloh makes 2-foot dunk (Dallin Hall assists)
- 2nd Half66-65Thijs De Ridder makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half66-66Thijs De Ridder makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half67-66J.P. Estrella makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half68-66J.P. Estrella makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half68-68Thijs De Ridder makes layup
- 2nd Half70-68J.P. Estrella makes 10-foot turnaround jump shot (Bishop Boswell assists)
- 2nd Half70-71Thijs De Ridder makes 25-foot three point jumper (Dallin Hall assists)
- 2nd Half71-71Nate Ament makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half72-71Nate Ament makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half73-71Bishop Boswell makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half74-71Ja'Kobi Gillespie makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half75-71Ja'Kobi Gillespie makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half76-71Ja'Kobi Gillespie makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half77-71Ja'Kobi Gillespie makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half77-72Chance Mallory makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half78-72Ja'Kobi Gillespie makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half79-72Ja'Kobi Gillespie makes free throw 2 of 2
Win probability
Above the line favours Virginia Cavaliers, below favours Tennessee Volunteers.
Venue
- Xfinity Mobile ArenaPhiladelphia, PA
- Attendance19279
- OfficialsDon Daily, Mike Reed, Tony Henderson
Elsewhere
- 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
- All-SEC F Mitchell reenrolls at Missouri, avoids transfer battle
- Duke's Coach K Court to have sponsorship logo for first time
- Sankey, SEC 'prepared to contest' judge's order in Louisiana