What we Learned from the First Two Meetings Between Kentucky & Tennessee

It’s deja vu all over again at the SEC Tournament. Just like in 2019, Kentucky and Tennessee split the regular season series with each team winning big at home. Now the border rivals are set for a clash in SEC Tournament Semifinals. Grant Williams and Admiral Schofield got the best of P.J. Washington and Tyler Herro three years ago. Lessons learned from the last two meetings could propel Oscar Tshiebwe and Co. past the Vols and into the 2022 SEC Tournament Finals.

Slow Down Santiago Vescovi

Kentucky has all of the pieces for a National Championship-winning team, with one exception. The Wildcats do not have a lock-down perimeter defender like DeAndre Liggins to throw at an opponent’s top scorer on the wing. They could really use one today against Santiago Vescovi.

The All-SEC guard had the best three-point shooting percentage in conference play. He led the Vols in each of their duels with Kentucky, shooting 60% (6-10) from behind the three-point line to score 20 and 18 points, respectively. If he gets hot, the Wildcats must match his firepower.

Run, Run, Run

Whoever dictates the tempo will likely win the game. John Calipari wants the Cats to run. Rick Barnes would prefer to grind out a win. Tennessee ranks 158th in tempo, according to KenPom. In the meeting at Rupp, Kentucky had 27 fast break points. That was cut in half (14) in Knoxville. The faster this game is played, the better for the Wildcats.

Don’t Lean on Oscar Tshiebwe

This is going to be a tough game for Oscar Tshiebwe. Rick Barnes’ physical defenses have been giving UK bigs fits for years. Uros Plavsic is not skilled, but he has the length that bothers the Big O. He was 5-of-15 from the field in Knoxville and 4-of-8 at Rupp (combined 39 FG%), limited to just nine points in the 28-point win. Tshiebwe will certainly fight, just don’t count on him to put the team on his back against Tennessee.

Run at Tennessee Three Point Shooters

Tennessee turns into the Golden State Warriors against Kentucky. A 35.5% three-point shooting team this season, in the two games against the Wildcats Tennessee has made 17-of-34 three-pointers (50%). Kentucky can’t let the Vols get hot. No matter who it is, UK must close out aggressively, forcing Tennessee off the three-point line. Twos are worth less than threes, and if last night is any indication (nine UK blocks), Kentucky has enough interior defenders to force tough Tennessee shots in the paint.