Kentucky Secures Statement Win Over Tennessee, Sweeps Season Series
The University of Kentucky men’s basketball team secured a significant victory over the University of Tennessee on Tuesday night, defeating the Volunteers 75-64 at Rupp Arena. With this win, the Wildcats swept Tennessee in the regular season for the second time in three years and continued to bolster their NCAA Tournament resume with yet another win over a top-five opponent.
Kentucky Takes Control at Rupp Arena Ranked No. 15 in the latest Associated Press poll, Kentucky entered the game as a 3.5-point underdog but played with confidence from the opening tip. The Wildcats took a 33-26 lead into halftime, thanks in large part to strong shooting from freshman guard Trent Noah. The Harlan native knocked down three first-half three-pointers, helping UK establish early momentum.
The Wildcats shot an impressive 7-for-14 from beyond the arc in the first half, while the Volunteers struggled from deep, missing all five of their three-point attempts before halftime. Feb 11, 2025; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Otega Oweh (00) celebrates with fans in the student section after the game against the Tennessee Volunteers at Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center.
Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-Imagn Images Jordan Prather-Imagn Images Jordan Prather-Imagn Images Despite Kentucky’s strong first half, Tennessee fought back after the break. The No. 5-ranked Volunteers, who were swept by the Wildcats in the regular season for the first time in Rick Barnes’ tenure as head coach, briefly took the lead in the second half.
The momentum shifted when Kentucky’s starting point guard, Lamont Butler, left the game with a shoulder injury with 8:40 remaining. At the time of his exit, the Wildcats were clinging to a 54-52 lead.
Key Performances Propel Wildcats to Victory Even without Butler, Kentucky managed to hold off Tennessee’s late push. Koby Brea delivered two critical three-pointers in the closing minutes, including one with 4:21 left that put the Wildcats ahead for good.
Another three from Brea at the 2:08 mark extended the lead to 68-62, allowing Kentucky to maintain control down the stretch. Forward Ansley Almonor and guard Otega Oweh led the Wildcats with 13 points each.
Oweh’s emphatic dunk with 1:20 remaining effectively sealed the victory, stretching Kentucky’s lead to eight points. He also contributed two free throws in the final minute to ensure the Wildcats’ third consecutive win over Tennessee. Brea and Noah added 11 points each, further solidifying Kentucky’s offensive balance.
Tennessee’s Shooting Woes and Kentucky’s Defensive Prowess A major storyline of the game was Tennessee’s struggles from three-point range.
The Volunteers, who attempted 45 three-pointers in their first meeting with Kentucky two weeks ago, shot just 3-for-18 from beyond the arc on Tuesday night. Their inability to convert from long distance played a significant role in the Wildcats’ victory. Defensively, Kentucky held Tennessee’s key scorers in check and executed a disciplined game plan to limit second-chance opportunities.
The Wildcats also showcased their depth, overcoming injuries to key players and still managing to control the pace of the game.
Looking Ahead Kentucky’s win over Tennessee marks its fifth victory in the last six matchups against the Volunteers, a stretch that includes three straight wins in the rivalry. The Wildcats’ performance also strengthens their NCAA Tournament resume, as they are now 4-1 against teams ranked in the current AP top five. Their resume includes wins over Tennessee, Duke, Florida, and Texas A&M, with the lone loss coming against No. 2 Alabama
The Wildcats will look to continue their momentum this weekend when they travel to Texas for a matchup against the Longhorns. Texas, one of the newest additions to the SEC, is fighting for an NCAA Tournament berth and presents another opportunity for Kentucky to add to its growing list of quality wins.
Meanwhile, Tennessee will look to regroup after suffering another setback against its conference rival. The Volunteers remain one of the top teams in the country but will need to adjust before the SEC Tournament to avoid further struggles against high-level opponents.
