Defeating a conference opponent three times in a single season is no easy feat, but Kentucky has a chance to do just that against Tennessee.
The SEC made history this year by sending 12 teams to the NCAA Tournament, and with seven advancing to the Sweet Sixteen, it was only a matter of time before we saw an all-SEC showdown. Both Kentucky and Tennessee have handled their business to set up what should be an exciting matchup between the No. 2 and No. 3 seeds. When familiar foes clash on the national stage, the intensity rises, and this game has all the ingredients of a classic battle.
Kentucky reached the Sweet Sixteen after securing victories over Troy and Illinois, the latter of whom was expected to provide a tougher challenge but fell by double digits. Meanwhile, Tennessee comfortably dispatched Wofford and UCLA without facing much resistance. The Wildcats have already bested the Volunteers twice this season, but both games were closely contested down the stretch. If Kentucky wants to make it three straight, here are the critical areas they need to focus on:
1. Capitalizing on Perimeter Shooting
A key reason Kentucky has come out on top in their previous two meetings with Tennessee has been their ability to knock down shots from beyond the arc. The Volunteers boast one of the top three-point defenses in the nation, ranking third per KenPom, yet Kentucky has found ways to exploit it. In both matchups, the Wildcats shot an identical 12-for-24 from deep, with contributions coming from multiple players—seven different Wildcats have hit at least one three-pointer against Tennessee this season. While they don’t necessarily need to hit 50% again, shooting north of 40% from three will be vital to securing another win.
2. Creating Turnovers and Scoring in Transition
Kentucky’s defense has been solid overall this season, but one area where they’ve struggled is forcing turnovers, ranking 337th nationally in turnover percentage (KenPom). However, they’ve improved in that department during the tournament, forcing Troy into 11 turnovers and Illinois into 14. Generating extra possessions through turnovers will allow Kentucky to push the pace, something they thrive on. One player who has made an impact in this regard is Brandon Garrison, who has recorded four steals in the last two games despite coming off the bench. If Kentucky can continue to force mistakes, they’ll create valuable transition opportunities.
3. Limiting Chaz Lanier’s Offensive Impact
Tennessee’s leading scorer, Chaz Lanier, is averaging 18.1 points per game and has been in top form during the tournament, scoring 29 points against Wofford and 20 against UCLA. However, Kentucky has done a commendable job of neutralizing him in their previous meetings, holding him to just 25 points combined in the two matchups. He struggled with efficiency, shooting 8-of-27 from the field and just 3-of-17 from three-point range. While Tennessee has other offensive threats, they are at their best when Lanier is scoring effectively alongside playmaker Zakai Zeigler. If Kentucky can once again limit Lanier’s production, they’ll put themselves in an excellent position to complete the season sweep.
A victory over Tennessee would punch Kentucky’s ticket to the Elite Eight and solidify their dominance over their conference rival. If they execute these three key areas, they’ll have a strong chance of advancing.
