The Official #17 vs. #3 Houston Game Thread, 6:00 PM ET, TNT

#1
YankeeVol

YankeeVol

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#1
Player Era Festival


#17 Tennessee Volunteers: 6-0 (0-0 SEC)

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vs.

Houston Cougars: 6-0 (0-0 B12)

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GAME 7 | TENNESSEE vs. HOUSTON - Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2025 | 6 p.m. ET | Las Vegas, Nev. | MGM Grand Garden Arena (17,000)

Line: UT +3.5
O/U: 134.5

TV: TNT / Watch
Radio: Vol Network / Listen / Live Stats
Satellite Radio: SiriusXM 106 & 190 / Internet: SXM App
Online: HBO Max app

Houston Game Notes

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#2
#2
THE MATCHUP
• The sides played twice in 1970-71, plus once each in 1971-72, 1994-95 and 1995-96. They then met in the 2025 Elite Eight in Indianapolis.
• Both teams' head coaches are from North Carolina. Rick Barnes (Hickory) and Kelvin Sampson (Pembroke) grew up 165 miles apart. They also separated by just 15-plus months in age.
• Barnes (Texas) and Sampson (Oklahoma) squared off 20 times while both were in the Big 12 from 1998-99 to 2005-06. The Longhorns went 8-12, but were 6-3 in the last nine meetings.
• Tennessee is 32-32 against the current Big 12 members. Barnes is 168-100 versus such opponents, including 10-9 with the Vols.
• Houston (110) and Tennessee (84) own the two longest active AP top-25 streaks in the country.
• Coming off a 35-5 (19-1) campaign that included sweeping the Big 12 titles and reaching the NCAA Tournament final, Houston placed first in the Big 12 preseason poll.
• Redshirt senior guard Emanuel Sharp is the Cougars' leading scorer at 17.7 ppg.
 
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#3
#3
NEWS & NOTES
• Tennessee is 22-11 against AP top15 foes since 12/22/21, including 7-6 versus the top five. Its 22 AP top-15 wins over the last five seasons (2021-26) lead DI.
• UT has won each of its six games this season by 19-plus points, including each of the last five by at least 25.
• The Volunteers are 16-13 all-time in the Pacific Time Zone (15-12 in December, 1-0 in November, 0-1 in March). Their only previous outing in the last 15 seasons (2010-25) was an 86-79 setback versus Gonzaga in Seattle on 12/19/15.
• UT's only prior trips to Nevada— all in Las Vegas—came in Dec. 1977 (0-2) and Dec. 1982 (1-1).
• In Rick Barnes' tenure, UT is 13-10 in nine multi-team events (MTE's). That includes 6-9 record in America (4-5 in continental U.S.) and a 7-1 ledger in the Bahamas.
• Tennessee won two of its last three MTE trips, claiming the Battle 4 Atlantis in 2022 and the Baha Mar Championship in 2025.
• With 842 wins, Rick Barnes leads active DI coaches and ranks ninth all-time (min. 10 years in DI).
• Tennessee is 22-11 against AP top15 foes since 12/22/21, including 7-6 versus the top five. Its 22 AP top-15 wins over the last five seasons (2021-26) lead DI.
• UT has won each of its six games this season by 19-plus points, including each of the last five by at least 25.
• The Volunteers are 16-13 all-time in the Pacific Time Zone (15-12 in December, 1-0 in November, 0-1 in March). Their only previous outing in the last 15 seasons (2010-25) was an 86-79 setback versus Gonzaga in Seattle on 12/19/15.
• UT's only prior trips to Nevada— all in Las Vegas—came in Dec. 1977 (0-2) and Dec. 1982 (1-1).
• In Rick Barnes' tenure, UT is 13-10 in nine multi-team events (MTE's). That includes 6-9 record in America (4-5 in continental U.S.) and a 7-1 ledger in the Bahamas.
• Tennessee won two of its last three MTE trips, claiming the Battle 4 Atlantis in 2022 and the Baha Mar Championship in 2025.
• With 842 wins, Rick Barnes leads active DI coaches and ranks ninth all-time (min. 10 years in DI).
 
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#7
#7
Houston returns 3/5 of their top players (Sharp, Uzan & Tugler) from their national runner up team last year.

Houston had a sluggish start last season, losing 3 games in November...

Then going 31-1 rest of the year until losing to Florida in the national championship (where they had a lead under 1 minute to go).

Despite being undefeated, Houston has had another sluggish start this year, sneaking out victories over Auburn and Syracuse to start the season.

Coming off an overtime game that started later than us yesterday, I think we have a solid chance. If you are gonna catch Houston being vulnerable, now is the time.
 
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#8
#8
omghulkhands said:
Houston returns 3/5 of their top players (Sharp, Uzan & Tugler) from their national runner up team last year.

Houston had a sluggish start last season, losing 3 games in November...

Then going 31-1 rest of the year until losing to Florida in the national championship (where they had a lead under 1 minute to go).

Despite being undefeated, Houston has had another sluggish start this year, sneaking out victories over Auburn and Syracuse to start the season.

Coming off an overtime game that started later than us yesterday, I think we have a solid chance. If you are gonna catch Houston being vulnerable, now is the time.
Click to expand...
I like it. Let's go with that
 
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#10
#10
Great win last night, and we started to get an idea of what Rick is thinking regarding the rotation. We need 1-2 guys to step up as additional offensive options (Estrella?), and getting consistent 3-pt. shooting from any combination of Burg, Boswell, Abram and Henderson would create space and kick out opportunities for JG and NA.
 
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#12
#12
My biggest concern beyond the obvious is how well our perimeter guys handle Houston’s on ball D and them jumping the passing lanes when we pass it around the perimeter. Seems like Rutgers almost got us on those a couple times. Gonna be tough to win if we have 15+ turnovers or we let Houston grab a rebounding advantage.

But I like our chances, especially if JG & Ament are accurate from the 3 again!
 
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#13
#13
What I’ll be looking at closely is how our front court depth and our size advantage plays out. We have the beef and length to really punish teams down low this year, and I’m hoping we can get a taste of what that looks like today. Houston does not have great size.

They played 10 guys yesterday and only have two guys at 6’11” that get playing time, Cenac being the one with the most minutes. After that, it’s Tugler at 6’8” and a bunch of guards from 6’3” to 6’6”.

For contrast, we’re playing 6 guys right now at 6’8” or taller.
 
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#14
#14
walkenvol said:
My biggest concern beyond the obvious is how well our perimeter guys handle Houston’s on ball D and them jumping the passing lanes when we pass it around the perimeter. Seems like Rutgers almost got us on those a couple times. Gonna be tough to win if we have 15+ turnovers or we let Houston grab a rebounding advantage.

But I like our chances, especially if JG & Ament are accurate from the 3 again!
Click to expand...
We have to slow sharp down. That’s for sure
 
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#15
#15
TheMookieMonster said:
What I’ll be looking at closely is how our front court depth and our size advantage plays out. We have the beef and length to really punish teams down low this year, and I’m hoping we can get a taste of what that looks like today. Houston does not have great size.

They played 10 guys yesterday and only have two guys at 6’11” that get playing time, Cenac being the one with the most minutes. After that, it’s Tugler at 6’8” and a bunch of guards from 6’3” to 6’6”.

For contrast, we’re playing 6 guys right now at 6’8” or taller.
Click to expand...
There defense still plays relentless … they just swarm the ball wherever it goes . Hard get good look at the basket on them. We need get down hill on them play up tempo I think
 
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#16
#16
TheMookieMonster said:
What I’ll be looking at closely is how our front court depth and our size advantage plays out. We have the beef and length to really punish teams down low this year, and I’m hoping we can get a taste of what that looks like today. Houston does not have great size.

They played 10 guys yesterday and only have two guys at 6’11” that get playing time, Cenac being the one with the most minutes. After that, it’s Tugler at 6’8” and a bunch of guards from 6’3” to 6’6”.

For contrast, we’re playing 6 guys right now at 6’8” or taller.
Click to expand...
Last season, they could offset any size disadvantages by hustling, and being super active with their hands and tapping any loose balls out to their guards. We have to be ready for that today.
 
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#17
#17
iVolSoHard said:
Last season, they could offset any size advantages by hustling, and being super active with their hands and tapping any loose balls out to their guards. We have to be ready for that today.
Click to expand...
Tapping goes for rebounds, too. Must be something Sampson has taught them to focus on cause I’ve seen that alot.
 
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#18
#18
I enjoy the in game chat with you guys. I won’t be in this one as I have a patient to see at 5PM central and by the time I’m home, it will be 7PM. Recording it and excited to watch tonight.

I predict a lower scoring game.

Carey and Philips will be a physical force.

Houston is going to body Ament all game. He will have a poor first half and then a really good second half once he steps through the adversity.

Boswell is this years Mashack and will get the minutes to shut down the Houston guards.

Okpara gets 3+ blocks

Abrams gets 10+ points and has a break out game.

Waiting on ANGRY Estrella.


Go Vols and have fun today men.
 
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#20
#20
TheMookieMonster said:
What I’ll be looking at closely is how our front court depth and our size advantage plays out. We have the beef and length to really punish teams down low this year, and I’m hoping we can get a taste of what that looks like today. Houston does not have great size.

They played 10 guys yesterday and only have two guys at 6’11” that get playing time, Cenac being the one with the most minutes. After that, it’s Tugler at 6’8” and a bunch of guards from 6’3” to 6’6”.

For contrast, we’re playing 6 guys right now at 6’8” or taller.
Click to expand...
Tugler looks and plays taller than 6’-8”
 
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