Louisville 79 - 60 5Tennessee
Final
  for this game

Tennessee eyes first Elite Eight appearance

Mar 27, 2008 - 1:49 PM No. 3 Louisville (26-8) at No. 2 Tennessee (31-4) 9:57 pm EDT

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina (Ticker) - Tennessee has had little trouble advancing to the Sweet 16 in recent years. Securing an Elite Eight berth, however, has proven far more difficult.

Second-seeded Tennessee tries to advance to the round of eight for the first time in school history on Thursday when it faces No. 3 seed Louisville in the East Regional.

The Volunteers are making their fifth all-time and second consecutive appearance in the round of 16 after escaping with a 76-71 overtime victory against No. 7 Butler on Sunday.

Wayne Chism scored 16 points to lead Tennessee, which committed 20 turnovers and made just 5-of-19 3-pointers.

Despite advancing to the Sweet 16 five times in 16 all-time showings, the Volunteers are 0-4 in regional semifinal games, including a disappointing 85-84 loss to eventual runner-up Ohio State in the 2007 NCAA Tournament.

Louisville had no trouble advancing past the opening weekend, posting an 18-point win over No. 14 Boise State on Friday before dominating No. 6 Oklahoma, 78-48, on Sunday.

The Cardinals have won 11 of their last 12 meetings against Tennessee, including an 85-62 drubbing the last time the teams met during the 2005 season.






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