Fact or Fiction: Kentucky has a better defense than Tennessee

The Sweet 16 matchup against Kentucky and Tennessee will feature contrasting styles. Both teams are three-point shot heavy offenses but that is about the only similarity. The Cats play fast and the Vols play slow. Tennessee hangs its hat on defense. UK has mostly won with offense this season.

But recent form might be the top reason why Kentucky is live dog and has a great chance to finish 3-0 against Tennessee this season. The defensive progress has been real.

Since the loss to Ole Miss on Feb. 4, Kentucky has flipped a switch on defense. The Wildcats have jumped from sub-100 into the top-50 in season-long adjusted defensive efficiency. But what about the current stretch?

Since Feb. 7, Bart Torvik has Kentucky as the No. 10 defense. Tennessee checks in at No. 26.

Team	Record (Since Feb. 7)	Overall (Since Feb. 7)	Offensive Efficiency (Since Feb. 7)	Defensive Efficiency (Since Feb. 7)
Duke	13-1	1	1	13
Houston	14-0	2	13	1
Florida	13-1	3	2	29
Alabama	8-5	4	4	37
Auburn	9-4	5	8	24
Gonzaga	9-2	6	11	20
BYU	11-2	7	3	74
Maryland	10-2	8	39	2
Iowa State	8-5	9	21	9
Michigan State	11-2	10	37	3
Tennessee	10-3	11	14	26
Kentucky	9-4	12	22	10
Texas Tech	9-4	13	5	58
Arizona	8-6	14	10	47
Wisconsin	9-5	15	19	23
Clemson	9-2	16	44	6
Colorado State	12-2	17	15	32
Oregon	9-3	18	32	11
St. John’s	11-2	19	62	4
UCLA	6-5	20	34	22
North Carolina	10-4	21	16	49
Purdue	6-6	22	7	106
Missouri	5-7	23	6	108
Texas A&M	6-6	24	51	15
Xavier	8-3	25	23	50

Michigan, Ole Miss, and Arkansas are the only teams ranked outside of the top 25 in this time period still dancing. Kentucky’s offense has seen some slippage over the last 13 games, but we’ve significant defensive improvement from the Wildcats. Pope’s team had a very strong performance against a top-15 Illinois offense in the Round of 32. Tennessee’s defense has remained strong but has taken a step back since a dominant non-conference run.

Much of the previews in this matchup will point to Kentucky have the better offense and Tennessee having the better defense. The last six weeks tell us something different. The Cats might be the most improved defense in college basketball and Tennessee’s offense is much-better than many expect.

That should create a great Sweet 16 matchup in Indianapolis. The recent rankings tell us this game is a true toss-up.