For the first time this season, Mark Pope is facing a team for the second time on Tuesday. And it’s a big one—Kentucky vs. Tennessee. The Wildcats took the first matchup in Knoxville, a solid 78-73 win, but their momentum hasn’t exactly been the same, since. Dropping four of their last six games? Not ideal. But, at least they got back on track with a win over South Carolina. Now, they’ll look to prove that victory wasn’t just a one-off.

As for Tennessee, they’ve had their fair share of struggles too, including that loss to Kentucky. But the Vols bounced back in a big way and now sit comfortably as the No. 4 team in the country. And you better believe they’ve got revenge on their minds heading into Rupp Arena. 

Injury woes for both sides: Mark Pope to enter the game without Robinson

First up, the Wildcats. It’s been a tough stretch for their roster, starting with Kerr Kriisa, who’s been out for over a month with a foot injury. But the real shocker? Jaxson Robinson is officially OUT for this game. He played through a wrist injury against South Carolina, but things got worse late in that game, and now he’s sidelined. 

That’s a huge blow considering Robinson is the second-leading scorer on this team. On the bright side, Lamont Butler is probable. That’s a relief because Kentucky will need all the help they could get. Without Robinson, the Wildcats will have to find offense elsewhere. 

Maybe Koby Brea will step up like the last time? We’ll see.

The Vols aren’t exactly in perfect shape either. JP Estrella has been out since November after season-ending foot surgery, which was a lingering issue even before the season started. He played in three games before shutting it down completely.

And then there’s Felix Okpara. The 6-foot-11 forward has been a defensive anchor for Tennessee all season, averaging 1.9 blocks per game. But he’s listed as ‘probable’ because of a left ankle injury. His absence would be a massive hit to Tennessee’s defense if he can’t go.

Projected starting lineups

Kentucky:

– Ansley Almonor

– Amari Williams  

– Otega Oweh  

– Koby Brea (in place of Jaxson Robinson)*  

– Lamont Butler 

Tennessee:

– Felix Okpara (if he plays, otherwise Jordan Gainey can step in)

– Igor Milicic Jr.  

– Zakai Zeigler  

– Chaz Lanier 

– Jahmai Mashack 

With both teams dealing with injuries, this game could come down to who adjusts better. If everyone plays their best, especially the Vols, who don’t fall on the offensive end (again) and the Wildcats fix their season-long defense woes, we could be in for another classic battle. 

But how did this rivalry even get here?

Kentucky vs. Tennessee: A rivalry with history

This isn’t just another SEC matchup. This is the Kentucky vs. Tennessee rivalry, a rivalry that dates back to 1910. And let’s be honest, Kentucky dominated for a long, long time. Even now, they lead the all-time series 162-78, including a ridiculous 94-20 record at home in Lexington. 

But recently? Things have been a little more even.

Last season, the two teams split their matchups. Tennessee won the first game in Lexington, a wild 103-92 shootout. But Kentucky got its revenge in Knoxville with an 85-81 win. Players like Rob Dillingham, Antonio Reeves, and Reed Sheppard had big moments. This season, the Wildcats drew first blood again with a 78-73 win on the road. Brea led the way with 18 points, while Robinson added 17. Meanwhile, Tennessee struggled, especially from deep, going 11-for-45 on three-pointers. 

Since then, though, the Vols have figured out their shooting. Kentucky could be in trouble if they get hot from beyond the arc this time around.

So the big question is, will the Vols get their revenge, or will Mark Pope continue to assert his dominance in this rivalry? Tennessee looks to come stronger than before, but Kentucky is desperate to prove they can still hang with the best. Let’s see what happens!