Tennessee Volunteers vs Kentucky Wildcats Picks and Predictions January 28th 2025

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Tennessee Aims to Rebound After Defensive Battle

The No. 8 Tennessee Volunteers started the season on fire, winning their first 14 games before hitting a 3-3 skid in recent weeks. Coming off a 53-51 loss to top-ranked Auburn on Saturday, Tennessee struggled offensively, shooting just 31.5 percent from the field and an abysmal 4-of-22 from beyond the arc. However, their elite defense held Auburn to just 31.0 percent shooting and 3-of-20 from three.

Coach Rick Barnes emphasized the need for offensive improvement. “We believe in our defense, but we struggle at times like every team in the country does,” Barnes said. Leading the Volunteers offensively, Zakai Zeigler scored 14 points but shot just 4-of-15. Chaz Lanier added 10 points, but his recent struggles continue as he averages just 12.5 points on 30.5 percent shooting over the past six games.

The Volunteers will look to regain their scoring touch as they face a Kentucky team also trying to bounce back from consecutive losses.}

Kentucky Faces Key Test Amid Injuries

The No. 12 Kentucky Wildcats started the season strong, winning 12 of their first 14 games. However, they’ve lost three of their last five, including back-to-back losses to No. 4 Alabama and Vanderbilt. Coach Mark Pope voiced frustration after Saturday’s 74-69 loss to Vanderbilt, citing 17 turnovers as a key factor. “We just kept giving them the ball,” Pope said.

The Wildcats are also battling injuries, with forward Andrew Carr’s status uncertain due to a lingering back issue. Carr, who averages 10.9 points and 5.6 rebounds, missed the last two games and remains day-to-day. Despite the challenges, leading scorer Otega Oweh has been in top form, scoring 21 points in back-to-back games.

Kentucky enters this game ranked 10th in the SEC standings, making this a pivotal matchup for their season trajectory.

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Key Players to Watch

  • Tennessee: Zakai Zeigler (14 points vs. Auburn) and Chaz Lanier will be pivotal offensively, especially as Lanier looks to rediscover his shooting rhythm.
  • Kentucky: Otega Oweh leads the Wildcats with 15.9 points per game, while Carr’s availability could play a significant role in rebounding battles.

Historical Context and Stakes

Tennessee and Kentucky split their two meetings last season, with the road team winning each time. Tennessee’s 103-92 win in February was followed by an 85-81 Kentucky victory in March. This matchup will be crucial for both teams, as Tennessee aims to stay in the SEC race while Kentucky seeks to climb out of 10th place in the standings.

With both teams desperate to reverse recent struggles, expect an intense battle as Tennessee looks to leverage their defense and home-court advantage, while Kentucky hopes for offensive efficiency and fewer turnovers.

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