Kentucky vs. Tennessee: Big Blue Preview
Kentucky’s sophomore forward, Andrija Jelavic, made a notable impression during his first career start on Wednesday night. The Croatian athlete played 21 minutes, scoring 11 points and collecting five rebounds. This performance came after he had sat out four previous games this season.
Despite his limited minutes earlier in the season, Jelavic remained confident in his abilities. He acknowledged that his lack of playing time was due to the team’s current success and other players stepping up. “I knew my chance was going to come, and I was going to take it,” he said. The big man showcased his shooting skills during the game, hitting 2 of 4 from three-point range and expressed his enthusiasm about finding his rhythm again.
Kentucky vs. Tennessee: Upcoming Matchup
On Saturday, Kentucky will face its rival, Tennessee, in Knoxville. This game is crucial as the Wildcats, after a thrilling win against LSU, look to maintain their momentum.
Series History
- Kentucky leads the all-time series against Tennessee, 163-79, and holds a 60-53 record in Knoxville.
- The Wildcats have won three consecutive games in Knoxville, including a significant 78-73 upset last season.
- Last year’s encounter featured Koby Brea scoring 18 points, while Jaxson Robinson added 17, despite Kentucky missing starting point guard Lamont Butler.
- Seventeen years ago, Jodie Meeks set a UK single-game scoring record against Tennessee in Knoxville, scoring 54 points on January 13, 2009.
- The largest margin of victory for Kentucky in this series was 107-79 on January 15, 2022.
Tennessee’s Performance
Tennessee enters the game with a 12-5 overall record and a 2-2 mark in league play. They recently secured an 87-82 double-overtime win over Texas A&M. Key players for the Volunteers include:
- Ja’Kobi Gillespie, averaging 18.2 points per game, with 47 three-pointers made this season.
- Nate Amet, who contributes 15.4 points and a team-high-tying 6.4 rebounds per game.
The Volunteers are known for their strong defensive presence, currently ranked 11th in KenPom’s efficiency rankings as of January 15.
Latest Kentucky Triumph
In their most recent outing, Kentucky executed a stunning comeback against LSU. Down by 18 points in the second half, Kentucky managed to clinch a 75-74 victory, showcasing their resilience.
- This win matched the largest comeback during Coach Mark Pope’s tenure.
- Otega Oweh led the Wildcats with 21 points, marking his fourth consecutive game scoring 20 or more points.
- Malachi Moreno scored the game-winning jumper and finished with eight rebounds and two steals.
- Jelavic’s contribution was significant, as he recorded 11 points in just his third double-digit performance as a Wildcat.
As Kentucky prepares to battle Tennessee, the Wildcats are looking to build on their recent successes while facing a formidable rival. With key players stepping up, Kentucky aims to secure another victory on the road.
