How to watch and follow the Kentucky Wildcats take on the Tennessee Vols.
Kentucky Basketball looked like it might be sinking early in SEC play, but two wildly different wins have completely changed the tone around Mark Pope’s first season in Lexington.
After opening conference play 0-2 with losses at Alabama and at home to Missouri, the Wildcats have ripped off back-to-back victories to climb to 2-2 in the SEC and 11-6 overall. First came a blowout of Mississippi State, a game that looked shaky early but turned into a 24-point runaway. Then came one of the most improbable wins of the season — a stunning 75-74 comeback victory over LSU that saw Kentucky erase an 18-point deficit and win on a last-second shot.
Now, Kentucky carries that momentum into Knoxville for a massive rivalry game against Tennessee on Saturday.
Kentucky’s Roller-Coaster Week
The week began with concern. Kentucky has had a habit under Mark Pope of starting games slowly, and that trend continued against Mississippi State. The Wildcats struggled early, fell behind, and looked disjointed on both ends of the floor. But once Kentucky settled in, everything flipped.
The defense tightened, the ball movement improved, and Kentucky dominated the final 30 minutes to cruise to a blowout win. It was a reminder of what this team can look like when things click.
Then came Baton Rouge and chaos.
Against LSU, Kentucky again fell into a deep hole, trailing by as many as 18 points. But unlike earlier games this season, the Wildcats didn’t fold. They chipped away possession by possession, leaning on improved defense, timely shooting, and gritty rebounding.
The ending was pure madness.
LSU missed a free throw in the final seconds. Kentucky grabbed the offensive rebound, called a timeout, and set up a full-court play. Collin Chandler launched a long pass across the floor. Malachi Moreno caught it cleanly, gathered himself, and buried the game-winning shot at the buzzer to give Kentucky a 75-74 win.
It was the first game Kentucky played knowing Jaland Lowe was officially done for the season after undergoing shoulder surgery. Then Kam Williams and Andrija Jelavic started for the first time together, a lineup change that may signal more adjustments going forward.
Suddenly, Kentucky is 2-2 in the SEC instead of staring at a dangerous 1-3 start.
Tennessee’s Season So Far
Tennessee enters Saturday with a nearly identical résumé: 12-5 overall and 2-2 in SEC play.
The Volunteers have been impressive at times, knocking off No. 7 Houston in a 76-73 thriller and blowing out No. 20 Louisville by nearly 20 points. But they’ve also shown vulnerability, suffering double-digit losses to Arkansas and Florida.
Their most recent game was an overtime win against Texas A&M, showing both resilience and inconsistency — much like Kentucky.
This matchup feels like a pivot point for both programs. Whoever wins grabs momentum and separation in the SEC standings. Whoever loses risks slipping back toward the middle of the pack.
What to Watch For
Limit Tennessee’s 3-Point Shooting
Tennessee isn’t the same three-point heavy team it was a year ago, but it’s more efficient.
Last season, the Vols attempted 24.4 threes per game and made 8.2, shooting 33.8%. This season, they’ve cut that down to 20.8 attempts, making 7.2 per game — but at a better 34.6% clip.
They’re shooting fewer threes, but making a higher percentage of them. Kentucky can’t let Tennessee get comfortable from deep, especially in Thompson-Boling Arena, where momentum swings fast.
Closing out under control, contesting without fouling, and forcing Tennessee into tough twos instead of rhythm threes will be critical.
Kentucky Must Start Fast
Slow starts have haunted Kentucky all season. Under Pope, the Wildcats have repeatedly found themselves playing from behind, including that 18-point hole at LSU, which tied the largest comeback of the Pope era (also done against Gonzaga last season).
But relying on miracles is not a sustainable strategy, especially on the road in Knoxville.
If Kentucky falls behind early against Tennessee, the crowd will smell blood. The Wildcats must bring energy from the opening tip and play a full 40 minutes. Anything less could turn ugly quickly.
Stop the Two Stars
Tennessee’s offense revolves around two players: guard Ja’Kobi Gillespie and freshman forward Nate Ament.
Gillespie is the engine. He averages 18.2 points per game, takes nearly eight threes per game, and shoots 34.8% from deep. He also dishes out 5.5 assists and plays more than 33 minutes per game. If Gillespie controls the tempo, Tennessee usually wins.
Ament is the rising star. The 6-foot-10 freshman averages 15.4 points and 6.4 rebounds, and while he only shoots 27.1% from three, he scores in a variety of ways inside and in transition.
Kentucky can survive if one of them has a big game. It likely cannot survive if both do.
Tennessee Players to Know
Ja’Kobi Gillespie (6’0, Guard)
18.2 PPG, 5.5 APG, 2.9 RPG
42.3% FG, 34.8% 3PT, 33.2 MPG
Nate Ament (6’10, Freshman Forward)
15.4 PPG, 6.4 RPG, 2.5 APG
40.6% FG, 27.1% 3PT, 27.8 MPG
Bishop Boswell (6’4, Sophomore Guard)
6.1 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 2.6 APG
59.1% FG, 60% 3PT (on limited attempts), 23.6 MPG
Amaree Abram (6’4, Senior Guard)
4.3 PPG, 1.8 RPG, 0.9 SPG
40% FG, 36.4% 3PT, 13.7 MPG
J.P. Estrella (6’11, Junior Forward)
9.1 PPG, 4.7 RPG
65.2% FG, 13.4 MPG
Jaylen Carey (6’8, Junior Forward)
9.4 PPG, 6.4 RPG, 1.4 APG
52.9% FG, 18.6 MPG
Felix Okpara (6’11, Senior Center)
7.1 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 1.6 BPG
51.7% FG, 25.5 MPG
Tennessee’s frontcourt is deep, physical, and efficient, exactly the type of group that can punish Kentucky if the Wildcats aren’t sharp defensively.
Kentucky’s Injury Picture
Kentucky is still adjusting to life without Jaland Lowe, who is out for the season after shoulder surgery. His absence has forced lineup changes, including new starting roles for Kam Williams and Andrija Jelavic.
The Wildcats are also hoping to get Jayden Quaintance back healthy. His presence would be huge against Tennessee’s size and depth in the frontcourt.
Without Lowe and with Quaintance uncertain, Kentucky needs consistency from players like Malachi Moreno, who is coming off the biggest shot of the season, and Collin Chandler, whose pass set up that moment.
Depth will matter, especially in a physical road game.
History Adds Fuel
This is the first of two regular-season meetings between Kentucky and Tennessee this year. Last season, Kentucky went 2-1 against the Vols, with winning once in Knoxville and once in Rupp Arena, before getting blown out 78-65 in the Sweet 16.
Those earlier wins were surprising: Kentucky won in Knoxville without Lamont Butler, then won at home despite Butler getting injured during the game.
Tennessee hasn’t forgotten.
Neither has Kentucky.
Kentucky Basketball vs. Tennessee Volunteers
Time: 12:00 PM ET, Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026
Location: Food City Center, Knoxville, Tennessee
TV Channel: ESPN
Online Stream:WatchESPN, ESPN App
Radio: Tom Leach and Jack Givens will have the call on the UK Sports Radio Network.
Replay: WatchESPN and the ESPN network (check local listing
Odds: FanDuel Sportsbook does not have any odds yet, so check back Friday afternoon for those. EvanMiya gives the Wildcats a 39.5% chance to win, while KenPom (31%), ESPN (33%), and BartTorvik (19%) also don’t have high hopes for the Cats.
Kentucky vs. Tennessee Predictions
EvanMiya picks Tennessee to win 75-72. Haslametrics (73-69), BartTorvik (76-67), and KenPom (75-70) also have the Vols winning.
Tennessee has elite size in the frontcourt and one of the SEC’s most dangerous guards in Gillespie. Kentucky has momentum, confidence, and the belief that no deficit is too big, but that’s also a dangerous mindset.
If Kentucky can control Tennessee’s bigs, slow down Gillespie, and avoid another slow start, the Wildcats absolutely have a chance.
But doing all of that on the road, in a hostile rivalry environment, without one of your best players, is a tall task.
With Kentucky still searching for consistency and Tennessee playing at home, the edge goes to the Volunteers.
Prediction: Tennessee 81, Kentucky 71.
How do you see this one playing out? Let us know in the comments!
Go Cats!!
Category: General Sports
