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.

Tennessee veterans Zakai Zeigler and Jahmai Mashack were part of the Volunteers team that lost to Purdue in the Elite Eight last year. They could have left to explore their professional basketball opportunities, but decided to return to Tennessee for another opportunity like the one they have today.

BOTTOM LINE: No. 2 Houston and No. 6 Tennessee play in the NCAA Tournament Elite Eight. The Cougars have gone 22-1 against Big 12 opponents, with an 11-3 record in non-conference play. Houston is 29-3 when it turns the ball over less than its opponents and averages 8.5 turnovers per game.