The 4 Ways Kentucky vs. Tennessee Could Go (And What It Would Mean)

I think it is very hard to handicap what tonight’s Sweet 16 game against Tennessee might look like. On the one hand, Tennessee is probably the better team on paper. They have been playing very well of late. They probably have the best player on the floor in Chaz Lanier. And their fanbase has felt they are due for quite a long time. On the other hand, Kentucky was very impressive in Rounds 1 and 2 and has beaten UT twice already this season. There will probably be a slight Kentucky fan advantage in Indianapolis as well.

Ultimately, there are four basic ways this game could go tonight. And I’m not so sure that any of them would be a total shock to me. So what would the fanbase and season look like should any of these four scenarios play out tonight?

1. TENNESSEE BLOWOUT

What It Would Mean: in the short term, it would be a tough way to end a terrific season. Losing to a chief rival by a large margin in the Sweet 16 would sting. I think that over time, Kentucky fans would still view this first Mark Pope season as an overall success. The question would be if Pope could get Kentucky back into that top tier of SEC teams of Alabama, Auburn, and Tennessee (and maybe Florida again). There would be some questions as those teams head to the Elite 8 if Kentucky was now a step below the best programs in the league. And Mark Pope would be faced with that challenge moving forward.

2. TENNESSEE CLOSE WIN

What It Would Mean: I would argue this might be rougher than if Tennessee blows the Cats out tonight. A team you had beaten fairly comfortably twice already beats you by a slim margin in the most important game. Another heartbreaking defeat in the NCAA Tournament in Indianapolis. Tennessee fans would be absolutely unbearable for an entire summer. And you’d have that weird spot going into the offseason if you blew a good opportunity, which was a key criticism of the Calipari program throughout his tenure.

While devastating, I think it would be hard for a close loss to overshadow the success of Year 1 of the program, though. The groundwork would have been laid for Mark Pope to get Kentucky back to an elite level.

3. KENTUCKY CLOSE WIN

What It Would Mean: Likely an increase in the Xanax consumed by the state’s residents and maybe a few extra visits to the cardiologist on Monday. But the sweet, sweet joy of winning a close NCAA Tournament game would be totally worth it. Plus, going 3-0 against your top conference rival, Tennessee, would be a great feather in Mark Pope’s cap in his first year.

There would also be a sense of Kentucky elevating itself back into the national landscape after a few years on the fringe. And let’s not forget, we’d have an Elite 8 game to get nervous about, too.

4. KENTUCKY BLOWOUT

What It Would Mean: We’re bringing home National Title #9, right? If we dominate tonight, then the sky is the limit, at least in a fan’s mind. This would confirm that Kentucky is playing its best ball of the season. And while Houston may await on Sunday, I think the confidence level will be back into 2017 territory.

Additionally, Mark Pope would be fully cemented as the right choice for the job and fan passion would be back! Obviously, the rivalry over Tennessee would be fully in Kentucky’s corner again, and you’d have the think the Vols fanbase would be nearly decimated by this result. They are already on shaky ground with previous NCAA Tournament flameouts. It would be an absolute dream.