Kentucky started this week off in the win column after their mid-week matchup against the Oklahoma Sooners. The Wildcats improved to 7-3 in conference play with a 94-78 victory in Rupp Arena resulting from big performances through Otega Oweh, Brandon Garrison, and Collin Chandler. All three scored more than 18 points, combining for 62 of Kentucky’s 94.
Tonight the Wildcats are back at home taking on the #25 Tennessee Volunteers for the second time this season with the last matchup being back on January 17th where Kentucky was able to win in Knoxville, 80-78. The Wildcats managed to overcome an eleven-point deficit to defeat the Vols on the road for one of their top wins of the season thus far.
After winning 7 of the last 8, Kentucky will look to keep the momentum rolling against their bordering state rival. Mark Pope previewed the anticipated matchup with local media on Friday afternoon.
He discussed the game matchup, the denim uniforms being brought back out, and much more. You can watch the full press conference if you didn’t catch it live.
For the matchup last month, the Wildcats were without the same three players that are out for tonight’s matchup. Kam Williams (foot – out for the season), Jaland Lowe (shoulder – out for the season), and Jayden Quaintance (knee), have all been listed as ‘Out’ this game on the SEC’s Initial Report.
Tennessee was only without Cade Phillips in the first meeting (season-ending surgery), however, this time the Volunteers have three other players on the report listed as ‘Questionable.’ Those include Troy Henderson, Felix Okpara, and Amaree Abram.
The likelihood of all three of them being out is not high, so we’ll wait for the day-of report, but if any of them are unable to go it will hinder Tennessee’s depth tremendously as Henderson, Abram, and Okpara average around 10, 12, and 26 minutes played a game. The biggest threat to Tennessee’s depth chart would be the loss of Okpara. The talented forward records 7 points and 6 rebounds a game, with his greatest strength being on the defensive end as he also averages 1.6 blocks a game. Those efforts are good enough for fifth in the SEC, right behind Malachi Moreno (1.7 BPG).
Tennessee really is a two-headed beast if I am being completely honest. The majority of their points come from Ja’Kobi Gillespie and Nate Ament. Ament is playing out of his mind at the moment as he is averaging nearly 25 points a game in his last four games. With that being said, Kentucky did manage to hold him to just 17 in their first meeting.
I could also say the same thing for Kentucky as well. They will need another good performance from their biggest contributors which are Otega Oweh, Denzel Aberdeen, and Collin Chandler. They’ll need their upperclassmen to showcase their authority and take care of business at home.
The Wildcats have gotten some respect from the sports books as DraftKings has them as a -1.5 point favorite to handle the Volunteers in Lexington. That line and also how this season has gone, it makes it almost impossible to predict what will come with this team as this season has been a rollercoaster of emotions. I think I am going to keep riding the momentum though and pick the Cats to win their third in a row and 8 of their last 9 after today. I have Kentucky winning in another close one with a final score of 81-77.
Hopefully the Wildcats will be up for the task and Rupp Arena will be rocking to give this team the home atmosphere that they deserve.
What are yours thoughts and predictions on the game tonight? Leave them in the comments.
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