After two electric matchups on Friday ended in an upset and in-state bragging rights, men’s basketball returns on Saturday with even more high-level, down-to-the-wire hoops that are must-see.
Here’s a look at some of the day’s most exciting moments and games.
No. 6 Tennessee outlasts No. 7 Texas A&M for first ranked road win
No. 6 Tennessee (22-5, 9-5 SEC) escaped College Station, TX unscathed on Saturday, hanging on to beat No. 7 Texas A&M, 77–69, in a back-and-forth matchup. The victory added to the team’s school record of AP Top 25 ranked wins (seven) in a season.
The Aggies (20-7, 9-5 SEC) were in the driver’s seat for most of the first half by spreading the love. Seven players scored in the first 10 minutes of play for Texas A&M, resulting in a lead as much as nine.
Yet, there was one reason Texas A&M couldn’t up their lead to double digits — Volunteers guard Chaz Lanier. Lanier single-handedly kept Tennessee in the contest, scoring 22 of the team’s first-half points and knocking down six of seven threes. The Vols led 36-32 by the break.
Lanier’s hot hand cooled down to just eight points after the break, but his slowed production reflected each team’s shooting performance in the second half. The SEC foes contributed their fair share of scoring droughts and lack of field goals. In the first 11 minutes, the Aggies made five shots to the Volunteers’ four.
The difference maker was Tennessee’s clutch shots down the stretch. While TAMU fought to stay in the contest using the charity stripe, the Volunteers’ final three field goals were three-pointers, including guard Zakai Zeigler’s with 21 seconds left.
THE DAGGER. WHO ELSE BUT Z. pic.twitter.com/fBfTulXHkD
— Tennessee Basketball (@Vol_Hoops) February 22, 2025
The eight-point win moves Tennessee above Texas A&M in the SEC standings as both teams trudge through a gauntlet-like schedule in the SEC. The Aggies lost their second straight contest and ranked matchup.
Oregon stuns No. 11 Wisconsin in overtime
Oregon pulled off a gritty road upset over No. 11 Wisconsin, outlasting the Badgers 77-73 in overtime at the Kohl Center. Nate Bittle delivered in the clutch, scoring five of his game-high 23 points in the extra period to push the Ducks to their fourth-straight win.
Wisconsin led for nearly 36 minutes, building a 15-point advantage in the first half behind John Tonje’s 22 points. But Oregon clawed back, fueled by Jackson Shelstad and Keeshawn Barthelemy. The Ducks erased a six-point deficit in the final two minutes of regulation, tying the game at 66 on a deep Shelstad three with 12 seconds left.
What a shot from the Oregonian!#GoDuckspic.twitter.com/rC2ZaZZWE8
— Oregon Men’s Basketball (@OregonMBB) February 22, 2025
Overtime was a back-and-forth battle, with Wisconsin briefly taking a 68-66 lead. Oregon responded with a Bittle layup and free throws from Kwame Evans Jr. to regain control. Bittle added another basket with under a minute left, and Barthelemy iced the game at the line.
Oregon capitalized on Wisconsin’s mistakes, scoring 24 points off 17 Badger turnovers. The Ducks also controlled the paint, outrebounding Wisconsin 40-37 while limiting the Badgers to 25% shooting from deep.
Wisconsin’s loss snaps a five-game winning streak and dents its Big Ten title hopes. Oregon continues to build momentum as it pushes for an NCAA tournament bid.
