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Men's Basketball

Kentucky vs. Tennessee Round 2: TV/Streaming Info and Keys to the Game

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© Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports

With a road win against Mississippi State, the Kentucky Wildcats have put themselves back inside the tournament, but by the smallest of margins. Still on the bubble, the Wildcats will have a chance to put themselves firmly in the field as the top-ten-ranked Tennessee Volunteers come to Rupp Arena on Saturday.

Back in January, Kentucky entered the first matchup of the season series coming off back-to-back embarrassing losses to Alabama and South Carolina. However, the Wildcats found something, beating Tennessee at Thompson-Boling Arena and igniting a six-game SEC win streak.

While Kentucky is an improved team compared to what they were early in the season, Tennessee is still the best defensive team in the country. Earlier this week, the Volunteers beat No. 1 Alabama, holding their explosive offense to a season-low 59 points.

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Both teams will likely not enter the contest at full strength. Kentucky has been without CJ Fredrick (cracked rib) and Sahvir Wheeler (ankle) for the last three games, and Tennesee has been without two key players of their own, Julian Phillips (hip flexor) and Josiah-Jordan James (ankle).

With that said, a win on Saturday will not come easy. However, if Kentucky can win, they should take themselves off the bubble for the time being and it will be their first season sweep of the Volunteers since 2012.

Let’s take a closer look at Kentucky’s keys to the game.

Rebound, Rebound, Rebound

In all six of Tennessee’s losses, their opponent has done one of two things: hit 10+ three-pointers, or win the rebounding battle. The Wildcats have only hit ten three-pointers in two games since November, therefore they must win the rebounding battle.

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In the first matchup of the season series, Kentucky was able to accomplish this, outrebounding the Volunteers by 18. This mark is still Tennessee’s biggest rebounding deficit of the season. Within that is an even more important stat, Kentucky allowed just three offensive rebounds.

Grabbing 36.7 percent of their misses, Tennessee is one of the best offensive rebounding teams in the country, ranked 4th in the country just above Kentucky in 5th. Given that Tennessee’s offense is prone to droughts, limiting their possessions will be significant.

Watch Shooters

With Julian Phillips out, one of Tennessee’s best drivers, they will be more prone to shooting threes and they have the personnel to do it. Tyreke Key, Sanitago Vescovi, and Zakai Zeigler attempt at least four three-pointers per game converting on at least 31 percent.

Against Kentucky, these guys will likely be looking for their shot. However, while it doesn’t feel like it, Kentucky has defended the perimeter at a decent clip this season, allowing just 6.4 made threes per game.

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On Saturday, the Wildcats must fight over screens and force Tennessee’s guards to drive.

Match the Physicality

With 42 total fouls in the first matchup, it is safe to say that the game is quite physical. This time around is going to be no different, as physicality is a key part of Tennessee’s suffocating defense.

Fortunately for the Wildcats, they have seen this Tennessee defense once before this season and they are coming off a win against Mississippi State, who is a top-five defensive team and plays just as physical. Tennessee’s bigs strive around the rim, especially in screen action. If the Wildcats can fight through screens and push Tennessee’s post players off the block, their percentages fall significantly.

Both John Calipari and the players have adopted the mantra, “refuse to lose”. A loss on Saturday won’t end Kentucky’s tournament hopes, but it is important to see if their fight continues down the stretch.

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Kentucky Basketball (17-9) vs. Tennessee Volunteers (20-6)

Time/Date: 1:00 pm ET on Saturday, February 18th, 2023.
Location: Rupp Arena in Lexington, Kentucky.
TV Channel: CBS
Online Stream: CBS Sports Live
Radio: Tom Leach and Jack Givens have the UK radio network call on the UK Sports Radio Network.
Replay: Check local listings.
Rosters: UK | UT
Team SheetsUK | UT
Stats To Know: UK | UT

Odds: DraftKings Sportsbook has yet to release the odds, but Tennessee will likely be the favorite. ESPN’s matchup predictor doesn’t have much confidence in Kentucky, giving them just a 27.5 percent chance at the win. Yet this is better than the 9.4 percent before Kentucky’s win over the Volunteers in January. Bart Torvik gives Kentucky nearly the same odds, at 28 percent.

PredictionsBart Torvik picks the Wildcats to lose by two possessions, 69-66.

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Men's Basketball

Amari Williams Picked 46th by the Boston Celtics in the 2025 NBA Draft

Amari Williams is the second Kentucky player selected in the 2025 NBA Draft, as Boston takes the big man with their second round pick.

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Amari Williams is drafted by the Boston Celtics.
Wesley Hale | Imagn Images

Fan-favorite big man (and official Weetabix sponsor) Amari Williams has officially made it to the big leagues, taken by the Boston Celtics with the 46th pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, via a trade with the Orlando Magic.

The selection makes Williams the second Wildcat to be scooped up from this year’s pool, following Koby Brea being picked by the Phoenix Suns just five picks earlier at the 41st spot. From Mark Pope’s first Kentucky team, two transfer athletes (thus far) in their last year of eligibility have achieved next-level dreams by way of the blue and white.

Williams, who averaged 11 points, nine rebounds, and three assists per game during his lone season in Lexington, will look to aid Boston in filling their recently vacant five-spot, left by the recently traded Kristaps Porzingis.

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As Wildcat fans surely know, not only can Williams battle with the best of them in the paint, but he can run the floor as efficiently as just about any guard, too. His versatility and sizable frame ensure a high ceiling in the NBA and, despite not every draft board seeing him selected, the league champions two years removed made the call when it mattered.

Hailing overseas from Nottingham, England, and spending his first four years of college basketball at the University of Drexel, Williams’ success is a testament not only to Kentucky Basketball’s immaculate tradition, but to his own incredible work ethic and intangible ability.

Cats fans will be sure to follow and support their point-center to the next level, as they always do. Go be great, Amari – all of BBN has your back.

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Men's Basketball

Koby Brea Selected to the Phoenix Suns With the No. 41 Overall Pick in the 2025 NBA Draft

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Tristan Pharis | KY Insider

Koby Brea arrived at Kentucky last season as one of the nation’s deadliest shooters, lived up to the billing, and reaped his rewards on Thursday night at the NBA Draft. The former Kentucky star is heading to the Phoenix Suns with the No. 41 overall pick

As a 6-foot-7 wing, Brea entered the 2025 NBA Draft as one of the most experienced prospects after spending four years at Dayton and a fifth at Kentucky during Mark Pope’s successful first season as head coach, where he became one of the best three-point shooters in all of college basketball.

Last season at Kentucky, the Bronx native averaged 11.6 points and 3.2 rebounds per game while shooting 43.5% from beyond the arc on nearly six attempts per game in 36 games, 16 of which were starts, showcasing his scoring ability in transition, off the catch, and via handoffs and screens.

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Not only did Brea achieve his own dreams of playing at the next level, but becomes a piece of history for Pope, becoming the first player drafted out of Kentucky during the Pope era.

Brea joins a rebuilding franchise with a notorious background for drafting Kentucky guards. Eric Bledsoe rings the bell, Tyler Ulis of course, and the Suns’ all-time leading scorer, Devin Booker obviously leads the pack.

Go be great Fuego!

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Men's Basketball

How a Call with Mark Pope Led Denzel Aberdeen to Kentucky

After winning a national title at Florida, Denzel Aberdeen committed to Kentucky without ever visiting campus—thanks to a revealing three-hour call with head coach Mark Pope.

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Chet White | UK Athletics

As a junior, Denzel Aberdeen was a key part of Florida’s national title run. But a certain phone conversation convinced him to leave his home state and head north to Lexington in hopes of experiencing that feeling once again.

He had never set foot in Lexington before deciding to become a Kentucky Wildcat — and he didn’t need to. All it took was one phone call — three hours long, on Easter Sunday — with head coach Mark Pope to convince him that he belonged in blue and white.

“Our phone call lasted about three hours, to be honest,” Aberdeen said, meeting with the media in Lexington for the first time earlier this week. “A lot of it was just getting to know me and getting to know the school, the university, getting to know him (Pope), how their style was, a lot of film. Once I saw that, I was like this looks like a great guy to play for.”

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The two went on to discuss Aberdeen’s role at Kentucky in more depth, including how Pope envisions him fitting into Kentucky’s new system — a system that, according to Aberdeen, is very similar, if not better than the one he just left.

“We had a lot of great players at Florida, especially the tall bigs. Bigs that love to run there, and we have just as much here; our bigs love to run, they play defense, and they play at a fast pace. So I think the things that we’ve got here are just as good, or even better,” Aberdeen said.

Averaging 7.7 points and nearly 20 minutes per game off the bench for the Gators last year, it’s clear to see what Aberdeen brings to the team: experience, versatility, calmness in the backcourt, and championship pedigree. Pope’s phone conversation with Aberdeen wasn’t just impactful on the court — it also speaks volumes to what he is doing off the court in pursuit of the goal he laid out in his introductory press conference: to hang banners.

This phone call wasn’t just about Denzel Aberdeen. It was a glimpse into Pope’s player-first, transparent coaching approach, which could define his era at Kentucky — and potentially make this season a special one, with Aberdeen playing another key role in a deep NCAA Tournament run.

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“I know the goal is to win No. 9,” he said. “I know the fans want that, we want that, all the staff and coaches want that. That pushes us. We know what we gotta do when we come here and put on that Kentucky jersey. Just playing for the University of Kentucky is a big thing. Being here is a blessing, and I can’t look back.”

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