Three Facts
1. Time: The game is at 7 p.m. EST on ESPN.
2. Series: UK leads the all-time series against Tennessee 151-68. It's the most wins Kentucky has against a single opponent, and also the most losses. Tennessee has handed John Calipari his most losses since 2000 (7). The line on Thursday has the Cats as a 16 point favorite.
3. Records: Kentucky is 19-6 (9-3 SEC). Last game: 89-62 win at South Carolina.
Tennessee is 12-13 (5-7 SEC). Last game: 75-64 loss at Missouri.
Three Keys
1. Revenge: Kentucky has been on a roll, including a narrow loss at Kansas for the last month, but UK's loss at Tennessee was the only speed bump. Kentucky's loss in Knoxville was not only head scratching because of the talent gap, but UK also raced out to a 21 point lead in the first half before allowing the Vols to creep back int he game. The Cats should be looking for revenge at Rupp Arena on Thursday, as if Tennessee needed more factors stacked against them. This will be the first time this season the Cats have replayed an opponent.
2. Containing Punter: Kevin Punter was a key in the pregame preview last time the Cats played Tennessee, but UK didn't key in on him during the game. Maybe the second time will be the charm. Punter torched the Cats for 27 points in the first meeting. He's averaging 22.3 points on the season and is the only sure scorer for the Vols. If Kentucky can slow him down, with a home court advantage, UK should cruise to a win on Thursday night.
3. Fouls: In the first meeting Tennessee shot 34 free throws and two UK players fouled out. On the other end the Cats shot 23 free throws and no Vols fouled out. Foul trouble and free throws will be a major factor on Thursday. Plus, will Tennessee hit at such a high clip again? Tennessee hit 30-of-34 free throws in the first meeting, good for over 88 percent. As a team they shoot 73.8 percent on the season.
Three Quotes:
1. Rick Barnes on UK and Ulis: "I also think that you can't say enough about a guy like Tyler (Ulis). He's terrific. I just love his competitive fire. As a group, they just seem to have a real belief in each other right now."
2. Tennessee forward Kyle Alexander: "We came out with a win in that game and it was a great team win. Everybody was really hyped up about it and that does give us confidence because we know we can get the job done if we come out with the same energy that we did. And as long as we stay poised the whole game, I think we definitely have a chance -- at least a good a chance as anybody else."
3. Calipari on the first meeting: "That’s so long ago, I can’t even remember what happened. You just, stuff happens. You hope you don’t get a big lead and lose, but sometimes you do."
1. Time: The game is at 7 p.m. EST on ESPN.
2. Series: UK leads the all-time series against Tennessee 151-68. It's the most wins Kentucky has against a single opponent, and also the most losses. Tennessee has handed John Calipari his most losses since 2000 (7). The line on Thursday has the Cats as a 16 point favorite.
3. Records: Kentucky is 19-6 (9-3 SEC). Last game: 89-62 win at South Carolina.
Tennessee is 12-13 (5-7 SEC). Last game: 75-64 loss at Missouri.
Three Keys
1. Revenge: Kentucky has been on a roll, including a narrow loss at Kansas for the last month, but UK's loss at Tennessee was the only speed bump. Kentucky's loss in Knoxville was not only head scratching because of the talent gap, but UK also raced out to a 21 point lead in the first half before allowing the Vols to creep back int he game. The Cats should be looking for revenge at Rupp Arena on Thursday, as if Tennessee needed more factors stacked against them. This will be the first time this season the Cats have replayed an opponent.
2. Containing Punter: Kevin Punter was a key in the pregame preview last time the Cats played Tennessee, but UK didn't key in on him during the game. Maybe the second time will be the charm. Punter torched the Cats for 27 points in the first meeting. He's averaging 22.3 points on the season and is the only sure scorer for the Vols. If Kentucky can slow him down, with a home court advantage, UK should cruise to a win on Thursday night.
3. Fouls: In the first meeting Tennessee shot 34 free throws and two UK players fouled out. On the other end the Cats shot 23 free throws and no Vols fouled out. Foul trouble and free throws will be a major factor on Thursday. Plus, will Tennessee hit at such a high clip again? Tennessee hit 30-of-34 free throws in the first meeting, good for over 88 percent. As a team they shoot 73.8 percent on the season.
Three Quotes:
1. Rick Barnes on UK and Ulis: "I also think that you can't say enough about a guy like Tyler (Ulis). He's terrific. I just love his competitive fire. As a group, they just seem to have a real belief in each other right now."
2. Tennessee forward Kyle Alexander: "We came out with a win in that game and it was a great team win. Everybody was really hyped up about it and that does give us confidence because we know we can get the job done if we come out with the same energy that we did. And as long as we stay poised the whole game, I think we definitely have a chance -- at least a good a chance as anybody else."
3. Calipari on the first meeting: "That’s so long ago, I can’t even remember what happened. You just, stuff happens. You hope you don’t get a big lead and lose, but sometimes you do."
