Kentucky basketball proves again it’s the Kryptonite for Tennessee’s daunting defense
LEXINGTON — No team is invincible in every respect. No matter how great, a team likely has a weakness that an equally talented foe can exploit on a given day.
Take Tennessee.
The Volunteers are the stoutest squad in college basketball in terms of field-goal percentage defense and 3-point percentage defense.
But they have a Kryptonite: Kentucky.
Which the Wildcats proved in a 75-64 victory Tuesday at Rupp Arena to sweep the regular-season series from the Vols.
Last month in Knoxville, Tennessee, UK made 50% of its shots overall (25 for 50) and beyond the 3-point line (12 of 24) in a 78-73 victory at Thompson-Boling Arena. Both those percentages marked season highs for a UT opponent.
In Tuesday’s 11-point win, the Wildcats (17-7, 6-5 SEC) were nearly as stellar with their shooting.
Kentucky finished the game converting 50% (26 for 52) of its shots from the field. And just as it did in the previous meeting, UK made 12 of its 24 attempts from long range — a success rate of 50%.
After trailing at halftime 33-26, the Volunteers (20-5, 7-5) knocked down 50% (14 for 28) of their shots in the final 20 minutes. But it wasn’t enough to overcome the hosts’ high-octane offense.
The Wildcats hit the road for their next outing, traveling to the state capital of the Lone Star State. Kentucky faces Texas for the first time since the Longhorns joined the SEC. The teams have played only twice before, with the Wildcats winning both matchups (86-61 in the Maui Invitational in 1993 and 63-51 in the SEC/Big 12 Challenge in 2014).
Saturday’s game in Austin, Texas, is slated to begin at 8 p.m.
ESPN will handle the national television broadcast from the Moody Center.
This story will be updated.
Reach Kentucky men’s basketball and football reporter Ryan Black at rblack@gannett.com and follow him on X at @RyanABlack.
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