No. 1 seed Houston is headed to the Final Four for the second time in the past five seasons after imposing its will on No. 2 seed Tennessee for a 69-50 win in the Elite Eight on Sunday. The Cougars used a masterful defensive effort to build a 22-point first half lead and then held on late for their 17th consecutive victory.

Houston edged Purdue in the Sweet 16 on a last-second basket. Tennessee handled Kentucky, who had beaten them twice during the regular season.

Houston, Michigan State and Auburn came up clutch, while Tennessee was a bully from the start in Sweet 16 action Friday night.

All four No. 1 seeds will be present in the Elite Eight after the Tigers and Cougars survived respective scares on Friday

Whether the game is in a football dome or somebody's backyard, if the 2025 Houston Cougars are involved, the opposition is going to wonder if playing basketball is the best way to spend its time.

Tennessee now holds the record for the fewest first-half points by a top-2 seed in any NCAA Tournament game. The 15 points are also the fewest by team in the Elite Eight, according to CBS Sports.