LIVE Updates: Tennessee vs. Kentucky
For once, Tennessee enters play as a double-digit favorite over Kentucky. Some would have assumed we were talking about football if we had shared that statement a few months ago.
The Volunteers are one of the top teams in America with an excellent head coach. Rick Barnes has this group prepared for anything, which is why they have raced out to an unthinkable start.
Meanwhile, Kentucky is mightily struggling for its standards. John Calipari has spoken on multiple occasions about potentially adjusting his philosophy, a concerning development only a few games into conference play.
If the Wildcats intend to right their woes, it starts today against Tennessee. The Volunteers are college basketball's No. 5 team and the No. 2 team in the SEC. They may come out swinging against Kentucky and attempt to win before the first-half buzzer.
UK will play desperate, something Tennessee must prepare for. A program with such history can't catch them off guard, and we will find out how ready they are in a few short moments.
How To Watch Kentucky @ Tennessee
- Gameday: Saturday, January 14th, 2023.
- Game time: 12:00 pm ET
- TV: ESPN
- Stadium: Thompson-Boling Arena (Knoxville, Tennessee)
- Live stream on fuboTV: Start with a 7-day free trial!
First Half
(2-0), 19:27 - Forward Uros Plavsic makes a layup on a pass from Olivier Nkamhoua for the afternoon's first points.
(8-0), 17:33 - Guard Julian Phillips tips one home for an early 8-0 advantage.
(8-2), 15:34 - Kentucky forward Jacob Toppin gets a layup courtesy of Cason Wallace for the Wildcats' first points.
(8-8), 12:27 - CJ Frederick cans a three to even the score at eight apiece.
(14-13), 10:01 - Josiah Jordan-James cans a foul-line jumper to retake the lead.
(18-17), 7:49 - Tobe Awaka hits a jump hook on the baseline for the lead.
(29-23), 1:53 - Oscar Tshiebwe nets a baseline jumper on a pass from Toppin to extend the Wildcat lead.
(31-26), 1:17 - With Tennessee desperately needing momentum, Jordan-James makes a three from the wing.
(33-26), 0:00 - Kentucky enters halftime with a lead, and this physical affair seems like it will come down to the final whistle.
Second Half
(35-28), 17:44 - Plavsic gets positioned in the post and nets a hook for the first Volunteer points of the second half.
(35-30), 17:01 - Jordan-James has an open floater but dumps it inside for a better shot. Plavsic uses his active hands and gets a layup.
(35-32), 16:01 - Plavsic continues the hot streak, getting another hook and sending the crowd into a frenzy.
(37-34), 14:09 - Santiago Vescovi gets to his strong hand and converts a layup off contact.
(39-38), 12:00 - Plavsic goes to work in the post and hits another hook shot.
(41-41), 10:19 - Tyreke Key makes a wing three-pointer to even the game at 41.
(48-48), 5:50 - Key initiates contact with Kentucky's Chris Livingston. He nets both foul shots.
(58-52), 2:45 - Livingston catches Vescovi with an elbow on a drive. It's ruled a flagrant, and Vescovi makes both free throws while Tennessee retains possession.
(58-56), 1:07 - Plavsic's hot afternoon continues. He makes a technical move and nets a shot to make it a one-possession game.
(63-56), 0:00 - After two consecutive missed trips, Tennessee loses control and suffers its first SEC loss.
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