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Tennessee

Rick Barnes defines defense vs. Kentucky as 'really disappointing'

Barkley-Truaxby:Barkley Truax•about 19 hours•

BarkleyTruax

Tennessee head basketball coach Rick Barnes talked to Tennessee guard Chaz Lanier (2) during a college basketball game between Tennessee and Arkansas held at Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center in Knoxville, Tenn., on Saturday, January 4, 2025. Tennessee won 76-52 against Arkansas. (© Angelina Alcantar/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
Tennessee head basketball coach Rick Barnes talked to Tennessee guard Chaz Lanier (2) during a college basketball game between Tennessee and Arkansas held at Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center in Knoxville, Tenn., on Saturday, January 4, 2025. Tennessee won 76-52 against Arkansas. (© Angelina Alcantar/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)

No. 12 Kentucky defeated No. 8 Tennessee 78-73 on Tuesday night. The loss dropped the Volunteers to 17-4 overall (4-4, SEC) on the season.

UK’s 78-point scoring output serves as the most points the Vols have allowed in a single game so far this season — something head coach Rick Barnes was not pleased with when discussing the game in his postgame press conference.

“Really disappointing,” Barnes said. “And really disappointing because like the first play, I think Chaz [Lanier] tripped coming over to guard a little bit of their action and normally somebody’s flying there to help but didn’t get that, broke down just communication-wise. After the effort we put in not to come with the same focus and especially playing at home coming off a loss is tough.”

Kentucky jumped out to a quick 12-4 lead out of the gates, earning all of its shots from beyond the arc. The Vols allowed UK to shoot 50% (12-24) from deep and 50% (25-50) from the floor and were out-rebounded 30-23 on the defensive glass. However, Tennessee grabbed 18 offensive rebounds compared to Kentucky’s eight.

In the end, Tennessee found itself trailing by as many as 11 points during the game. Their largest lead was three, which came when they led 33-30 at halftime.

Despite Barnes being less than pleased with his team’s defensive effort on Tuesday night, Tennessee still forced 13 turnovers and had more steals and blocks than the Wildcats during the contest.

“The way we started the game defensively wasn’t good,” Barnes continued. “It wasn’t the same sense of urgency. (Kentucky) can shoot the ball, everybody knows that. And the one we got tripped, normally we have somebody fixing that play. And then the breakdowns defensively. And we give them credit, I mean, they came in short some guys and sometimes that can play as an advantage, relax your team a little bit. And I thought they played relaxed.

“I thought Mark (Pope) did a good job doing what he needed to do. Had his guys ready to play. But again, we’re disappointed.

The Volunteers will shift their focus to this weekend’s matchup against No. 5 Florida. Tennessee will be looking for revenge against the Gators, who embarrassed the Vols 73-43 in Gainseville during their first meeting in January.

Tip-off between the two top-10 teams inside Food City Center is set for Noon ET and will air live on ESPN.