When Kentucky started the season 10-1, I don’t think many anticipated four losses in the next eight games. Even less expected was losing to three unranked opponents in that span. Kentucky came into the season needing the defense to be good enough to let an excellent offense win games for them, but the defense has not delivered up to this point. On the bright side, Kentucky takes on an offense that has been less than stellar throughout the season. The #12 Kentucky Wildcats will travel to Knoxville to take on the #8 Tennessee Volunteers tonight at 7PM on ESPN.
Injuries are Piling Up
Monday night delivered some of the worst news Big Blue Nation could have received heading into tonight’s matchup: Lamont Butler is OUT. Butler has struggled in the last couple of games and injuries appear to be a large part of the recent slump. Butler, second in scoring and the leader in assists for the Cats, has had a lingering shoulder injuring starting against Brown back on New Year’s Eve. Louisville coach Pat Kelsey compared the Kentucky roster to Noah’s Ark because the Cats “have two of everything.” They are now down both point guards with freshman Travis Perry stepping in to take on the best defense in the conference.
Andrew Carr is listed as questionable, but Pope sounded like the starting big man could be out multiple games with a back issue. Pope said they have probably played him too much while trying to recover from an injury that needs rest to truly heal. Carr is not considered out as of now, but it does not appear likely Kentucky’s glue guy will be available against Tennessee.
New and (Really) Old Faces
I’ll start with the guys we know. Zakai Zeigler is still running the point for Rick Barnes as he is in the midst of his fourth season with the Volunteers. The reigning SEC Defensive Player of the Year is averaging 12.3 points, 7.5 assists (leads SEC), 3.5 rebounds, and 2.1 steals per contest. Jordan Gainey and Jahmai Mashack join Zeigler as defensive stoppers in the backcourt, but most of the offensive production comes from the transfer portal. Chaz Lanier is fourth in the conference in scoring averaging 18 points per game and the Vols are led in rebounding by Charlotte transfer Igor Milicic at 8.1 rebounds per game. Stopping the dynamic duo of Lanier and Zeigler would’ve been a challenge with Butler, but Kentucky found the worst possible time to lose their all-defensive level point guard.
Special Defense
You had to know the defense was going to get its own section when talking about a Rick Barnes squad. Tennessee has the #2 defensive efficiency in the country while KenPom gives them the nod at #1 overall. Tennessee is exceptional at staying in passing lanes and always keeping pressure on the ball handler. They can switch everything because of the athleticism and depth of their defenders. All four of the backcourt players average over a steal a game and limiting turnovers will be a huge key for Kentucky in this game.
More impressive than their ability to generate turnovers is their rim protection. The Vols are #15 in block percentage despite only Felix Okpara eclipsing a block per game. Alongside great rim protection is the #1 defense in three-point percentage allowed. Tennessee is elite at guarding every aspect of an offense and excels at limiting assist opportunities. Kentucky needs a hot night from deep paired with one of their best nights at drawing fouls to produce enough points to beat this defense.
Crazier Things Have Happened
Kentucky comes into this game 3-0 as an underdog with their fourth chance at an upset coming up tonight. The Mark Pope system will be tested without his top two-point guards and his trusty glue guy as the Cats go to Knoxville extremely shorthanded. Tennessee is #303 in pace and #8 in offensive rebounding percentage, a recipe for Kentucky to struggle mounting a comeback if the first half struggles continue. They are going to need their best effort tonight, but we have seen this team bounce back before when it didn’t look like they would be able to.
Photo Credits to The Lafayette Times
