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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

John Calipari Highlights Changes for Next Season

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John Calipari draws up a play at Kentucky's season opener. Said he made a "tweak".
UK Athletics

“Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” – Albert Einstein.

Many Kentucky fans have referred to this quote over the last few days, expressing a desire for a change from John Calipari. However, Calipari will be back on the sidelines for the Kentucky Wildcats next season for his 16th season, confirmed by Mitch Barnhart on Tuesday.

That doesn’t mean there won’t be any changes.

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On Monday, John Calipari went on his season-ending radio show, giving his first comments to fans since Kentucky’s upset loss to Oakland last Thursday. It was easy to see why is a good recruiter, as he said all the right things.

For the better part of an hour, Calipari spoke with humility, answered some direction questions from Tom Leach, and accepted criticism. The main takeaway was that he understands that he has not met the Kentucky standard or his own standard, and changes need to take place.

“We’ve got to evaluate everything,” Calipari said. Here are some changes that have been outlined.

Getting Back to “Grinding”

Kentucky basketball offseason has often consisted of international trips to the Bahamas, or Canada last season, but not this year. Calipari emphasized a desire to get back to what his early Kentucky teams were characterized by, defense and physicality.

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“What about in the summers, instead of the Bahmas or Toronto, we’re grinding,” Calipari proposed. “We’ve got to get back to where we’ve been defensively and with physicality. Your defense steadies you.”

Those trips are good for team bonding and chemistry, but it’s clear that time can be used better for getting into the weight room and instilling defensive principles. Calipari did note that he does not want to take a step back on offense.

Getting Older

Calipari is the coach who made the “one-and-done” approach popular, relying heavily on elite freshmen. However, with college basketball getting older, he has expressed a willingness to get older.

“We’re relying on freshmen too much. In those kinds of games, you better have some vets,” Calipari said of his takeaway from Oakland. “For us, we need to get older.”

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It should be noted that Calipari relied on transfers in 2022 and 2023, albeit most not being the elite transfers, but more supporting pieces (i.e. CJ Fredrick) and developmental players (i.e. Jacob Toppin). That said, two transfers have been the leading scorer for Kentucky in three straight seasons, Oscar Tshiebwe and Antonio Reeves.

Calipari is looking more for a middle ground between young talent and transfers. “I like the combination of both. We just got to get the right transfers.”

Program Changes

When you are winning, you have more freedom, but when you have just one NCAA Tournament win in the last four seasons, you’re not going to have that luxury. This was not publicly said by Calipari, but more oversight will come as a result of his meeting with Barnhart on Tuesday afternoon.

Expect 1-2 staff changes and likely a support staff change. One of the staff changes should be filled with a defensive mind, and the support staff should be (suggestion) filled with someone in a general manager-type role. There will also be some operation changes such as having a more definitive practice schedule, rather than getting a text the day before/of, and some changes with the NIL model.

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Men's Basketball

Mitch Barnhart Speaks On John Calipari Coming Back As Kentucky Basketball Coach, “He Will Return”

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Athletic Director Mitch Barnhart confirms that John Calipari will return as Kentucky Wildcats basketball coach.
Mike Weaver/Special to the Courier Journal

After days of speculation, Kentucky Athletic Director Mitch Barnhart confirms that John Calipari will be back, coaching his 16th season for the Kentucky Wildcats. The two had a conversation at Barnhart’s farm on Tuesday afternoon.

“As we normally do at the end of every season, Coach Calipari and I have had conversations about the direction of our men’s basketball program and I can confirm that he will return for his 16th season as our head coach,” Barnhart said in a statement.

While there was some fan outcry for a head coaching change, there was no real indication that a change would be made.

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Barnhart was put in a difficult situation. Calipari has not led the Wildcats to the second round of the NCAA Tournament since 2019, but he is one of just a few active Hall of Fame coaches. With no clear option as a replacement, Barnhart decided to retain Calipari for another season.

Kentucky Insider has been told that Tuesday’s meeting between the two was “good”, despite some disagreement. As a result of the meeting, there will be some expected changes in the program, specifically some staff changes, and changes in day-to-day operations.

On Monday, Calipari recognized his shortcomings and closed out his show with a commitment to the Kentucky fans:

“That standard of national titles has been here from coach Rupp on. The only thing I am saying to all our fans. I’m going to work… That is a commitment that I give to the fans. I love it. This is what I want. This is it. Let’s come together and let’s do something.”

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Calipari is set to meet with players individually on Wednesday to discuss their stay/go decisions. The process of rebuilding next year’s roster (and staff) begins now.

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Men's Basketball

John Calipari Makes A Commitment to Kentucky Fans, “I’m Going to Work”

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John Calipari at Kentucky men’s basketball practice.
Photo by Chet White | UK Athletics

Since Kentucky’s upset loss to Oakland last week, there has been speculation on whether the program would move on from head coach John Calipari, who has failed to reach the second round of the NCAA Tournament since 2019.

Now four days later, there has still been no official statement from either Calipari or the Athletic Department. That said, Calipari spoke on his season-ending radio show on Monday and it certainly sounded like a man who expects and wants to be coaching at Kentucky next season.

For the better part of an hour, Calipari spoke with humility, answered some direction questions from Tom Leach, and accepted criticism. The main takeaway was that he understands that he has not met the Kentucky standard or his own standard, and changes need to take place. Of course, to many, those are empty words when the results have not been there.

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Calipari closed his show by making a commitment to the fanbase. “That standard of national titles has been here from coach Rupp on,” Calipari said. “The only thing I am saying to all our fans. I’m going to work. That is a commitment that I give to the fans. I love it. This is what I want. This is it. Let’s come together and let’s do something.”

Calipari is expected to meet with Athletic Director Mitch Barnhart on Tuesday afternoon, as he does annually after the season. A lot still weighs on the meeting, but it is expected that Calipari will return. It seems to be heading for a be-all-end-all season for Calipari.

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