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INDIANAPOLIS — The third time was the charm for Tennessee.
Which was bad news for Kentucky basketball.
UK had few answers for its SEC rival to the south Friday, as UT had its way for nearly the duration of a 78-65 victory at Lucas Oil Stadium.
It was a season-capping loss for the Wildcats, putting a bow on Mark Pope's first campaign at the helm of his alma mater. For the Volunteers, it was a history-making win: The triumph in this All-SEC NCAA Tournament matchup in the Sweet 16 propelled the program into the Elite Eight for only the third time — and the second time in as many years after falling to Purdue in a regional final in 2024.
Though UK won both regular-season meetings between the two this season — 78-73 in Knoxville, Tennessee, in January; 75-64 at Rupp Arena two weeks later — it didn't sway oddsmakers. The Vols entered as the favorites.
Then they played like it.
The Wildcats (24-12) led for just 32 seconds; the last time it was on top of the scoreboard came with 17:54 remaining in the first half. At that point, it was 3-2. Then, Tennessee (30-7) took command, heading into the locker room up 43-28.
The Wildcats, the third seed in the Midwest Region, never got any closer than 12 points in the final 20 minutes, as the second-seeded Vols advance to Sunday. UT will square off with the winner of Friday's second game in Indianapolis between top seed Houston and 4-seed Purdue.
Here are observations from Kentucky's season-ending Sweet 16 setback to Tennessee:
A key to the Wildcats' prior two wins over the Vols this season? Their prowess from the perimeter. In each of those games, Kentucky knocked down 12 of its 24 attempts from long range. Those efforts were notable, as no other Tennessee opponent has managed to shoot better than 45% from beyond the 3-point line this season.
UK looked a lot like those other opponents Friday.
The Wildcats' 3-point percentage: 40 (6 for 15).
It started well enough: Sharpshooter Koby Brea sank the first triple he saw barely two minutes into the contest. UK misfired on nine of its last 14 tries from distance.
On a night it needed a similar showing to its first two matchups with UT, Kentucky came nowhere close to that efficiency.
Zakai Zeigler's place in UT history was secure well before Friday: He ranks first all time in assists and steals. Zeigler was at the peak of his powers on this night, posting game highs in both points (18, matching Lamont Butler) and assists (10). While Zeigler only notched one steal, the way he and the rest of the Vols were playing offensively, inducing turnovers from the Wildcats didn't need to be their primary focus.
As if the raw numbers weren't enough, here's another measure of Zeigler's excellence: He posted the game's best plus-minus rating at plus-12.
If one wants to know where UK could have been better to perhaps alter Friday's result — aside from the aforementioned 3-point-shooting woes — look no further than second-chance points.
The Vols utterly dominated this department, outscoring the Wildcats by 14 points (19-5). Credit UT's offensive rebounding, where it doubled up UK, 14-7.
When the final margin is 13 points, every single one of the second-chance opportunities UK permitted
This story will be updated.
Reach Kentucky men’s basketball and football reporter Ryan Black at [email protected] and follow him on X at @RyanABlack.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Kentucky vs Tennessee in 2025 March Madness: UK basketball season ends
Continue reading...
Which was bad news for Kentucky basketball.
UK had few answers for its SEC rival to the south Friday, as UT had its way for nearly the duration of a 78-65 victory at Lucas Oil Stadium.
It was a season-capping loss for the Wildcats, putting a bow on Mark Pope's first campaign at the helm of his alma mater. For the Volunteers, it was a history-making win: The triumph in this All-SEC NCAA Tournament matchup in the Sweet 16 propelled the program into the Elite Eight for only the third time — and the second time in as many years after falling to Purdue in a regional final in 2024.
Though UK won both regular-season meetings between the two this season — 78-73 in Knoxville, Tennessee, in January; 75-64 at Rupp Arena two weeks later — it didn't sway oddsmakers. The Vols entered as the favorites.
Then they played like it.
The Wildcats (24-12) led for just 32 seconds; the last time it was on top of the scoreboard came with 17:54 remaining in the first half. At that point, it was 3-2. Then, Tennessee (30-7) took command, heading into the locker room up 43-28.
The Wildcats, the third seed in the Midwest Region, never got any closer than 12 points in the final 20 minutes, as the second-seeded Vols advance to Sunday. UT will square off with the winner of Friday's second game in Indianapolis between top seed Houston and 4-seed Purdue.
Here are observations from Kentucky's season-ending Sweet 16 setback to Tennessee:
Outside shooting abandons Kentucky basketball in Sweet 16 loss
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A key to the Wildcats' prior two wins over the Vols this season? Their prowess from the perimeter. In each of those games, Kentucky knocked down 12 of its 24 attempts from long range. Those efforts were notable, as no other Tennessee opponent has managed to shoot better than 45% from beyond the 3-point line this season.
UK looked a lot like those other opponents Friday.
The Wildcats' 3-point percentage: 40 (6 for 15).
It started well enough: Sharpshooter Koby Brea sank the first triple he saw barely two minutes into the contest. UK misfired on nine of its last 14 tries from distance.
On a night it needed a similar showing to its first two matchups with UT, Kentucky came nowhere close to that efficiency.
Tennessee's Zakai Zeigler controls the game
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Zakai Zeigler's place in UT history was secure well before Friday: He ranks first all time in assists and steals. Zeigler was at the peak of his powers on this night, posting game highs in both points (18, matching Lamont Butler) and assists (10). While Zeigler only notched one steal, the way he and the rest of the Vols were playing offensively, inducing turnovers from the Wildcats didn't need to be their primary focus.
As if the raw numbers weren't enough, here's another measure of Zeigler's excellence: He posted the game's best plus-minus rating at plus-12.
Second-chance points a killer for Cats
You must be registered for see images attach
If one wants to know where UK could have been better to perhaps alter Friday's result — aside from the aforementioned 3-point-shooting woes — look no further than second-chance points.
The Vols utterly dominated this department, outscoring the Wildcats by 14 points (19-5). Credit UT's offensive rebounding, where it doubled up UK, 14-7.
When the final margin is 13 points, every single one of the second-chance opportunities UK permitted
This story will be updated.
Reach Kentucky men’s basketball and football reporter Ryan Black at [email protected] and follow him on X at @RyanABlack.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Kentucky vs Tennessee in 2025 March Madness: UK basketball season ends
Continue reading...
