More Numbers, Notes and Chatter from a Kentucky Win over Tennessee

Kentucky took down No. 5 Tennessee on Saturday. The Wildcats’ first ever win as an unranked opponent in a true road game over a top five team could serve as the turning point for the 2022-23 season. You’ve seen highlights, stats and quotes following the win. Now here are a few other noteworthy nuggets and numbers.

Kentucky in the Power Ratings

The victory over Tennessee was the Wildcats’ first Quad 1 win of the year, now 1-5 in the most important games on a team’s NCAA Tournament resume. The win vaulted Kentucky from 65 to 42 in the NET rankings.

Kentucky climbed up five spots in ESPN’s BPI from No. 25 to No. 20. The ESPN power rating respects the Wildcats significantly more than any other.

The Wildcats also moved up about ten spots to No. 33 overall in KenPom. The power ratings predict Kentucky will win seven of their next eight and finish 19-12, 9-9 in SEC play.

KSR Postgame Show Highlights

The tone of this KSR Postgame Show was much different this time around. Enjoy it all on podcast or take in the best of the best below.

Impressive Stats vs. Tennessee

— The Vols entered the game second in the conference and ranked fifth nationally in rebounds per game (41.06). Kentucky out-rebounded them 43-23, including 13-4 on the offensive glass to secure 12 UK second chance points.

— Kentucky entered the game shooting 65.6% from the free throw line but nailed 88% against Tennessee, the third-best free throw shooting performance of the Cal era.

— The Wildcats won despite shooting just 35% from the field. Kentucky has won six times since 2011-12 while shooting 36% or worse, most recently against Georgia in 2017. Prior to the win, UK was just 4-16 in the Calipari era when shooting worse than 40% while committing 15+ turnovers.

— The 8-point deficit was the largest overcome by the Wildcats this season. Kentucky previously trailed by six against Bellarmine and Michigan in victories. There were 13 lead changes and 8 ties against the Vols.

— CJ Fredrick played a season-high 37 minutes. Kentucky was +8 on the floor when he was in the game. Fredrick sunk three three-pointers to score 13 points.

— Antonio Reeves led all Wildcats in scoring for the sixth time this season with 18 points, his 12th game in double-figures. He sunk all eight of his free throw attempts.

— Tennessee made only 10-of-21 layups against the Cats. What a shame, a real shame.