Tennessee has the nation's best 3-point defense, but not against Kentucky

Tennessee came into Rupp Arena on Tuesday night allowing opponents to shoot just 26.6 percent from beyond the arc. That number was easily best in the entire country, and a key factor to the Volunteers also owning the nation’s top-ranked overall defense.

But Kentucky doesn’t seem to care about that stat. Tennessee is holding opponents to 25.7 percent (154-599) shooting from deep in 23 games this season against non-UK teams. But whenever the blue and white jerseys are on the other side of the floor? Tennessee has seen its strength turn into a massive weakness.

Kentucky is a combined 24-48 (50 percent) from deep in both wins against the Volunteers this season. The Wildcats went 12-24 in the first matchup in Knoxville two weeks ago. Mark Pope‘s team repeated that in round two on Tuesday night in Rupp Arena as Kentucky pulled away late, 75-64.

“Numbers don’t tell the real story,” Senior wing Ansley Almonor said postgame. “We watch a lot of film on them. The way they play defense is just… There are a lot of ways you can attack it the way our team is built. We got a lot of open looks and we knocked them down.”

🎥 Highlights: Kentucky 75, Tennessee 64

Ansley Almonor – 13 PTS (4-5 FG, 2-3 3FG)
Otega Oweh – 13 PTS | 6 REB | 2 BLK
Trent Noah – 11 PTS (3-4 3FG) | 2 REB
Koby Brea – 11 PTS (3-6 3FG) | 2 AST | 2 STL pic.twitter.com/pAYsLTFj4j

— Kentucky Men’s Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) February 12, 2025

Six different Wildcats hit a three-pointer against Tennessee on Tuesday night. Koby Brea and Trent Noah chipped in a trio of outside shots each. Ansley Almonor and Travis Perry both hit a pair. Otega Oweh and Brandon Garrison were getting in on the fun too. Keep in mind UK was without Jaxson Robinson, who has been hitting his long-range shots at a 47.4 percent clip in SEC games.

“Our guys, they understand what a challenge it is to go against this Tennessee team,” Pope said. “It’s a great defensive team. No two ways about it. They’re great. I think our guys look forward to the challenge. We had some guys that made some big plays. They exert so much pressure. Kind of the way we play is almost more functional against intense, intense pressure if you can just survive. And so it’s not a terrible fit for how we play but it’s an incredible challenge for sure.”

No two shots were bigger though than Brea’s down the stretch. Lamont Butler had to leave the game with about eight minutes to go after reaggravating his shoulder injury. Kentucky was essentially without a true point guard the rest of the way. But that was no problem for Brea, who took matters into his own hands.

His first big triple gave Kentucky a one-point lead with 4:21 left in regulation. The second with 2:08 to go was even more significant though, lifting the ‘Cats from a three-point lead to a six-point lead. It was the shot that effectively ended the game for Tennessee. He didn’t need any set plays, just a pure shooter showcasing his talent to the rest of the basketball world.

Only three times this season has Tennessee allowed a team to shoot 40 percent or better from deep. One was when Missouri shot right at 40 percent (12-30) in a win for the Volunteers. The other two opponents? Mark Pope’s coin-flip shooting Kentucky Wildcats.

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