Vicky Graff Photo
No. 12 Kentucky went to No. 6 Tennessee and knocked off the Volunteers on Tuesday night, 78-73.
They did so without two key veterans – starting point guard Lamont Butler (OUT, undisclosed) and starting power forward Andrew Carr (played 90 seconds, battling a back injury) – while the Volunteers were pretty much at full strength.
The win was a masterpiece of efficient ball movement, making the most of open shots and “role” players stepping up in big time moments.
Kentucky shot both 50% from the field and from behind the arc, with all five starters reaching double figures. Sharp shooter Koby Brea took the lead in scoring 18 while Jaxson Robinson (17) and Otega Oweh (14) were not far behind.
Ansley Almonor (12 points on four threes) and Amari Williams (10 points & 15 rebounds) also had one of their better games as Wildcats.
Due to the two injuries, head coach Mark Pope was forced to plug and play some of his guys who haven’t seen as much action so far this season. He picked the right moments, with players like Colin Chandler and Trent Noah coming up with momentum-swinging plays that helped lead to the win.
Kentucky’s victory on Tuesday was their sixth this season over a Top-15 team. It was also another big moment for Pope’s first season coaching UK as he moved to 3-0 over Duke, Louisville and Tennessee.
While a rematch with Tennessee in Lexington looms just a couple of weeks from now, the Wildcats have a few games on their schedule to take care of first.
Kentucky will host John Calipari and Arkansas on Saturday, visit No. 23 Ole Miss next Tuesday and host South Carolina next Saturday during that stretch.
There are no “gimmes” in the Southeastern Conference, but all three are certainly winnable games for the Wildcats to further improve both their resume and build some momentum before their next heavyweight battle against Tennessee.
Kentucky-Tennessee Basketball
Photos by Vicky Graff
