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KY Insider Preview: Kentucky vs. Tennessee Round Two

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After an embarrassing 86-69 loss to Kentucky nearly two weeks ago, expect Tennessee to come out in Knoxville with their best effort to avenge that loss. Knoxville has not been very kind to the Cats and especially Calipari, under Cal Kentucky is 4-5 at Tennessee and this is one of the best basketball teams Tennessee has ever had.

Coming into Saturday, Kentucky (24-4, 13-2) and Tennessee (25-3, 13-2) are in a three-way tie with LSU for the SEC title. Saturday’s match-up will decide who will solely take second place, or even with an LSU loss, jump up to first. Let’s see what the Wildcats need to do to be successful on Saturday.

Physicality

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Kentucky absolutely outtoughed and outphysicaled Tennessee in the first matchup. Reid Travis and PJ Washington bullied everyone in the post were able to get anything they wanted as Kentucky outscored the Volunteers 36-20 in the paint. With Kentucky’s paint attack they are able to draw a lot of fouls and rank top-25 in free throw attempts per game. In the first matchup, Kentucky’s big men were able to draw at least 3 fouls on each of their starters, which gave the Cats 33 free throw opportunities. On Saturday, the Cats will need to be just as physical and make a statement from the tip.

A New Dimension

It’s no secret that Reid Travis is “doubtful” for Saturday’s game, but it might not be a bad thing. In round 1, Travis played great and was able to provide scoring, rebounding, and defense. While some of Reid’s intangibles and production will be missed, EJ Montgomery and Nick Richards can provide a new element to this Kentucky team with their length and rim protection.

As a starter in the two games against Tennessee last season, Richards averaged 7 points, 8 rebounds, and 1 block on 75% FG. In his only game against the Vols, Montgomery finished with 6 points (3-3) and 4 rebounds. Combined, they should be able to contribute the 11 points, 8 rebounds, 2 blocks that Travis recorded earlier this season against the Vols.

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Guard The Perimeter

Just as the first game, Kentucky will need to get out to Tennessee’s perimeter shooters. On the season, Tennessee is shooting around 37% from three as a team, with many coming off transition.

Kentucky held to Tennessee to 28% (7-25) 3P in the first matchup.

Keep PJ Out of Foul Trouble

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Grant Williams might flop more than anyone in the country, but he is able to draw a lot of fouls. In the first matchup, Reid was able to contain Williams and take pressure off of PJ Washington. With Reid out, PJ will be matched up with Williams for a majority of the game and puts him at risk of foul trouble.

Nick and EJ will need to help contain Williams for periods of the game, which could be a positive as he has shown struggles against length at times this season. PJ has a mental advantage over Williams but in order to assert his dominance, PJ will need to be intelligent enough not to commit bad fouls.

Prediction

While I wasn’t expecting a blowout, I was fairly confident in Kentucky’s chances the first time around. Reid Travis was built for a game like Saturday, but even with him out I still feel confident. It will be a battle and a crazy atmosphere, but this Tennessee team was at one point down double digits in each matchup against a less talented Kentucky team last season. While Tennessee improved from last season, Kentucky is just more talented and is peaking at the right time.

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Kentucky-77

Tennessee- 72

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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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