Lexington, Ky – February 11, 2025 – Michael Willis
Kentucky completed the season sweep of the Tennessee Volunteers after winning tonight in Rupp Arena 75-64. Tonight’s victory set a record of seven wins over top 15 opponents in a single season. Mark Pope also became the fourth coach at Kentucky to win his first two games against the Vols joining Adolph Rupp, Eddie Sutton, and Tubby Smith. It was a hard earned victory for the Cats who started without their star player Jaxson Robinson and ended the game without Lamont Butler who reinjured his shoulder late in the game.
The Wildcats had a quick start scored the first 6 points of the game. After a couple questionable calls, the Volunteers were able to catch up. Back-to-back three-pointers gave the Cats a 14-9 lead with 11:19 left in the first half. Kentucky’s defense prevailed in the first half and held Tennessee without a field goal for over 3 minutes near the end of the first half. During that time the cats went on an 8-0 run and pushed the lead to double-digits. Another questionable call gave the Vols two points from the free-throw line and knocked Kentucky’s lead down to 35-26 at the half. Then during halftime the score changed to 33-26 after a review of a previous goaltend goes against the Cats.
The Cats were having a hard time finding the basket starting the first half but 2 three-pointers by Ansley Almonor kept the Cats in the lead. The Vols were able to pull even with the Cats at 54 with just over 8 minutes left in the game. Tennessee led by 2 when Koby Brea made a huge three-pointer that put the Cats back in the lead 61-60 with 3:49 left in the game. Brea’s three was the start of a 12-2 run for the Wildcats that Tennessee never recovered from. Kentucky sealed the victory by making five late free-throws and won 75-64.
The Wildcats had 4 players score in double figures, but it was Trent Noah who had everyone’s attention. Noah scored 9 of his 11 points in the first half and made 2 clutch free-throws that put the Cats up two possessions late.
Ansley Almonor and Otega Oweh both finished with 13 points leading the way in scoring for the Wildcats. Oweh also had 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 blocks, and 0 turnovers.
Kobe Brea who finished with 11 points made two late three-pointers that took the lead for the Cats andbroke the hopes ofa Tennessee comeback.
Needless to say, the victory over the 5th ranked Volunteers was a much-needed win. Even after beating South Carolina on Saturday night many fans were left wondering if the Cats would be able to play defense well enough to win again against better competition. Kentucky proved that they are capable of matching up against tougher opponents with their victory tonight.
The Wildcats travel to Austin, Texas for the first time on Saturday to face the Texas Longhorns (15-10) in an 8:00 pm match-up. Hopefully, they take the same defense with them that they played tonight.
