Kentucky's win over Tennessee is first in Knoxville with Volunteers ranked among Top 10

Kentucky’s win over Tennessee on Saturday was big for many reasons. Not only was it a potential season-turning victory for the Wildcats, but it also holds plenty of historic value.

According to ESPN, this was the first time in program history that Kentucky beat a Top-10 ranked Tennessee squad on the road in Knoxville. UK statistician Corey Price added that this was the first time an unranked Wildcats team took down a Top-5 ranked Tennessee group in a true road contest. Granted, Tennessee has only hosted Kentucky six times while ranked in the Top 10 (regular season only) throughout the history of the rivalry, but for it to happen under these circumstances is wildly impressive nonetheless for the ‘Cats.

Kentucky improved its all-time record against Tennessee in men’s basketball to 159-77. John Calipari is now 18-12 as UK head coach when facing the Vols and 7-10 against UT with Rick Barnes at the helm.

If we dive even further, we discover that this was the first road win for Kentucky against a Top 5 opponent since the ‘Cats took down No. 3 Florida back in March 2003.

Additionally, Kentucky improved its record to 5-1 when the ‘Cats are unranked and taking on a Tennessee team ranked in the AP Poll, per Corey Price. Also a result of Saturday’s win, UK ended UT’s 25-game home winning streak (previously the third-longest active streak in Divison I hoops), which coincidentally began after Kentucky beat the Vols 70-55 in Feb. 2021.