The Kentucky Wildcats have been dealing with a string of injuries, but they didn’t let that stop them from pulling off a major upset over the No. 5 Tennessee Volunteers. Despite being without Kerr Kriisa, Lamont Butler, and Jaxson Robinson for parts of the game, the Wildcats relied on their three-point shooting to secure a 75-64 victory.
Freshmen Trent Noah and Travis Perry stepped up to provide crucial bench scoring, combining for 19 points and five made threes. Ansley Almanor and Otega Oweh led the team with 13 points each, while Koby Brea added 11.
The Wildcats’ three-point shooting was a key factor in their win, as they hit 12 threes and shot 50% from behind the arc. This was despite facing the best three-point defense in the country, as Tennessee had been holding opponents to 26.6% from three.
Kentucky’s defense also delivered a strong performance, holding Tennessee to fewer than 65 points for the second game in a row. However, it’s unclear whether the Wildcats’ defense has truly turned a corner or if their last two opponents were simply struggling on offense.
As the Wildcats move forward, they’ll need to contend with their ongoing injury issues. Butler re-injured his shoulder during the game and missed the final eight minutes, while Robinson sat out with a wrist injury. Despite these challenges, the Wildcats have shown remarkable resilience and determination, and their win over Tennessee will be remembered for a long time.
