Houston vs. Tennessee: How to watch Cougars and Volunteers clash for Final Four berth

Sunday afternoon’s men’s March Madness action is a heavyweight tilt between Houston’s suffocating defense and Tennessee’s balanced attack.

How to watch No. 1 Houston vs. No. 2 Tennessee

• What: Midwest Regional, Elite Eight
• Venue: Lucas Oil Stadium — Indianapolis
• Time: 2:20 p.m. ET, Sunday
• TV: CBS
• Streaming: Fubo (try for free)
• Watching in-person? Get tickets on StubHub.

These are two of the more physical defenses in the country, both ranking in the top three in adjusted defensive efficiency.

I don’t expect this to be a fun game to watch, as it may be low-scoring, with a ton of free throws and foul calls. Oddsmakers set the total in the 120s. I think the first to score around 67 wins the game.

The little things in this game will determine the outcome — hustle plays, momentum shifts and shot selection.

Houston is nearly unbeatable when they shoot around 42 percent from the field, posting a 31-1 record.

Tennessee, at times, can be offensively challenged, so its ability to get stops is even more important. Sometimes getting down by 5-7 points seems like a double-digit deficit. Of the Vols’ seven losses this season, three have come when they shoot 35 percent from the floor, and the other four have come when they shoot less than 25 percent from 3.

Houston is the best 3-point shooting team in the country, but almost no one guards the 3 like the Volunteers (third nationally). The Cougars will need their three-headed monster of guards in LJ Cryer, Milos Uzan and Emanuel Sharp to all play well and make shots.

Tennessee has size in the paint, so to create paint touches, they must make shots.

Matchups to watch are Uzan versus Zakai Zeigler and Cryer versus Chaz Lanier.

This matchup can also be streamed on the NCAA March Madness Live app and Paramount+. 

Houston vs. Tennessee odds

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(Photo of Chaz Lanier: Gregory Shamus / Getty Images)