Relive Saturday Elite Eight Live Tracker (2) Tennessee vs. (1) Houston Final: Houston defeated Tennessee 69-50 How Houston won: The defining theme of this college basketball season has been the dominance of the SEC, which became the first conference to have four teams in each regional final after setting a record with 14 NCAA tournament bids. But on Sunday, Houston showed Tennessee and the SEC that the Big 12 can still play the role of bully. The Cougars threw a defensive haymaker in the first half and rendered the Vols’ offense overwhelmed and impotent. Any embers of life they showed the second half were extinguished by Emanuel Sharp, who hit a trio of key 3-pointers in the final minutes to prevent Tennessee from cutting the lead to single-digits. Houston is headed to its seventh Final Four — its six appearances without a national title is the most of any program in college basketball. — Pete Thamel Houston’s defense was the key to their victory, stifling Tennessee’s offense from the start. Emanuel Sharp’s clutch 3-pointers sealed the deal for the Cougars. Houston’s seventh Final Four appearance is a testament to their consistent excellence. As we look ahead to the Final Four, the excitement is only going to build. Will Houston finally break their national title drought? Can Auburn or Michigan State join the ranks of the elite? The answers will come soon enough, and fans everywhere are on the edge of their seats.