Calipari, Kentucky silence doubters, beat No. 5 Tennessee

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Negativity has doggedthe Kentucky basketball program since its disappointing loss toSouth Carolina on Tuesday.

Heading into Saturday’s 63-56 win over No. 5 Tennessee, Wildcatscoach John Calipari did his best to insulate his players whileabsorbing as many bullets as possible himself.

“I haven’t lost faith in any of these guys,” he said. “I’ve gota good team. (Friday night), I collected all the (players’ cell)phones and iPads and everything else.”

Antonio Reeves scored 18 points and Oscar Tshiebwe had 15 pointsand 13 rebounds to lead the Wildcats (11-6, 2-3 SoutheasternConference) over the Volunteers. The victory ended a 25-game homewin streak for Tennessee (14-3, 4-1) that dated back to the end ofthe 2020-21 season.

Kentucky led 58-50 with 3:28 left in the game. Two free throwsby Santiago Vescovi and two buckets by Uros Plavsic closed the gapto two with less than a minute to play.

A Wildcat turnover gave Tennessee a shot to tie or take thelead, but Zakai Zeigler and Plavsic missed down low.

“Both coaches made it a slugfest,” said Calipari. “Nobody backeddown.”

The Wildcats showed a physical presence and dominated theVolunteers on the boards, 43-23. Tennessee came into the gameleading the SEC in rebounding margin (+9.94).

“Our frontline’s gotta do a better job rebounding,” saidTennessee coach Rick Barnes. “On the defensive end, we have to geteveryone involved.”

The Tennessee big man Plavsic, who scored 19 points, was theonly Vol to match Kentucky’s physicality.

Calipari said the strategy was to focus on the Vols’ perimeterplay, while letting Plavsic have his way.

“They can beat us with 3s,” said Calipari. “They won’t beat uswith 2s.”

CJ Fredrick scored eight in a row and had 10 of his 13 points inthe first half as Kentucky led at the break, 33-26.

Vescovi, who tweaked his shooting (left) shoulder in a collisionearly in the game, had seven in the first half for Tennessee. Hefinished with 13 points.

“We had some uncontested looks at the rim,” Barnes said.“Point-blank layups — you’ve gotta make them.”

POLL IMPLICATIONS

During his 36 seasons as a head coach in college basketball,Rick Barnes has led his teams into the AP Top 25 a total of 299weeks. That includes 131 weeks in the Top 10.

BIG PICTURE

Kentucky: Besides the frustration that comes with six lossesthis early in the season, the Wildcats have had to deal with injuryproblems. G Cason Wallace (back) and F Jacob Toppin (shoulder) havebeen sidelined. Both started against the Vols. … Big man OscarTshiebwe leads the SEC with 10 double-doubles this season. … SahvirWheeler leads the SEC with 6.3 assists a game. This is his thirdstraight year on top. … John Calipari coached his 36th game againstTennessee. No other coach has led his team against the Vols in asmany games.

Tennessee: Senior G Santiago Vescovi has been hot lately. Hecame into the Kentucky game averaging 16.5 points over his lastfive games while shooting 60% from the field and 57% from 3-point.… Zakai Ziegler, who has gotten used to his role as a point guardcoming off the bench, had 27 assists in his last three gamesheading into Saturday. … Chris Lofton (2004-08), the SEC’s all-timeleader in 3-point baskets made (431), had his No. 5 hoisted intothe rafters of Thompson-Boling Arena.

UP NEXT

Kentucky: Hosts Georgia on Tuesday.

Tennessee: Visits Mississippi State on Tuesday.