KSR Today: Kentucky SWEEPS Tennessee

by:Nick Roush•02/12/25•

RoushKSR

Koby Brea finds Otega Oweh for the game-sealing alley-oop dunk against Tennessee — Photo: Dr. Michael Huang, KSR

Kentucky swept Tennessee. Boy, that feels good to say. I really can’t say it enough. Kentucky swept Tennessee. Kentucky swept Tennessee. Kentucky swept Tennessee. Kentucky swept Tennessee. Kentucky swept Tennessee. Kentucky swept Tennessee.

That feels oh so good. If beating Tennessee is wrong, I don’t want to be right,

Kentucky did a lot of things right in the 75-64 win over the Vols, its second dub over Tennessee in two weeks. Kentucky shot 50% from the field, including a 12-24 performance from 3-point land, and played an impeccable final five minutes. The Cats outscored the Vols 15-6 during that final stretch to finish the game with an exclamation point.

“It was awesome. I’m so proud of our guys,” Mark Pope said after the win. “We have guys that just want to fight and compete. We’ve got ballers, right?”

You’re damn right, Coach.

God Bless Koby Brea

Kentucky was the better team for 30+ minutes. That’s why Wildcat fans were sweating with around seven minutes to play. Tennessee took a late lead, its first since the score was in single digits, and the offense had gotten a bit stale.

If you’re like me, at this point you were pacing, looking for the luckiest spot in the establishment. Fortunately, we found it. Koby Brea sunk a three to give the Cats the lead, then delivered a dagger a few minutes later that let BBN know this win wasn’t going anywhere. Oh man, what a shot. Thank you. Mr. Brea.

[Watch the Wildcats Celebrate the Tennessee Sweep on Cawood’s Court]

More Injuries, Great

Kentucky can’t dodge the injury bug. Jaxson Robinson joined Kerr Kriisa on the bench. It’s unclear how long the wrist will keep the Kentucky sharpshooter on the sideline, but Pope said after the game, “I’m not sure we’re gonna get him back anytime soon.” Not ideal. What’s even less ideal was seeing Lamont Butler re-aggravate his shoulder injury.

Kentucky’s point guard missed three games. He returned for the South Carolina game on Saturday and didn’t look much like himself. He kicked off the rust Tuesday night and was playing well when he dove on the floor and dinged up that shoulder again. Kentucky had to play the final 8:40 without a point guard. How much longer will they have to play without him? We’re not entirely sure.

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“He was incredible. And he was brave tonight, too. I mean, he’s playing as a one-arm bandit out there, and he’s just working for his team, so we’ll patchwork it together,” Pope said. “We’ll keep figuring out.”

Nate Ament is a Kentucky Good Luck Charm

Five-star wing Nate Ament was in Knoxville when Kentucky beat Tennessee. He made an official visit to Kentucky to see the Cats complete the sweep. I know Kentucky isn’t the favorite, but what do we have to do to get this guy in a UK jersey? BBN needs this guy court-side for every game because when he’s in the house, good things happen to the Cats and bad things happen to the Vols.

It’s Wingsday at KSBar and Grille

Which means you can scarf down $1 wings and .70 boneless when you dine in our wonderful establishment on South Broadway. Enjoy your Wingsday with some college hoops. Here’s what’s on the slate for tonight.

No. 9 St. John’s at Villanova, 6:00, FS1
Iowa at Rutgers, 6:30, BTN
No. 19 Ole Miss at South Carolina, 7:00, SECN
Louisville at NC State, 7:00, ESPN2
Oklahoma State at TCU, 7:00, CBSSN
Florida State at Wake Forest, 7:00, ESPNU
Xavier at Providence, 8:00, Peacock
Washington at Ohio State, 8:30, BTN
Cal at No. 2 Duke, 9:00, ACCN
Arizona State at No. 12 Texas Tech, 9:00, CBSSN
Oklahoma at No. 21 Missouri, 9:00, SECN
LSU at Arkansas, 9:00, ESPN2