The latest chapter in the rivalry between Kentucky and Tennessee men’s basketball teams is set for Tuesday night in Knoxville, with both programs facing significant stakes. No. 8 Tennessee (17-3, 4-3 SEC) will host No. 12 Kentucky (14-5, 3-3 SEC) at Thompson–Boling Arena at 7 p.m., as the Wildcats aim to end their first two-game losing streak under head coach Mark Pope. Meanwhile, the Volunteers are coming off a narrow 53-51 road loss to No. 1 Auburn on Saturday.
As the teams prepare for this critical SEC clash, the injury report released Monday night paints a challenging picture for Kentucky, with key players ruled out or listed as questionable. The Wildcats are already grappling with turnover issues, as evidenced by their 17 turnovers in a 74-69 loss at Vanderbilt on Saturday, and now they’ll have to make adjustments with a depleted roster.
Three Kentucky players are currently on the injury list. Starting point guard Lamont Butler is officially ruled out for the game against Tennessee. Backup guard Kerr Kriisa will also remain sidelined, while forward Andrew Carr’s status is questionable.
Lamont Butler, the Wildcats’ starting point guard, will miss Tuesday’s game due to ongoing ankle and shoulder injuries. Butler has been an essential part of Kentucky’s lineup this season, averaging 13.2 points, 4.8 assists, and 1.8 steals per game while shooting 51.3% from the field and 40% from beyond the arc. His 26.7 minutes per game rank third on the team, and his defensive presence has been pivotal.
Despite appearing on recent injury reports, Butler has only missed two nonconference games this season (against Gonzaga and Colgate in December), both of which Kentucky won. However, his physical limitations were evident in Saturday’s loss at Vanderbilt, where he committed six turnovers—tying his career high.
“Lamont’s got a lot going on right now,” head coach Mark Pope said after the Vanderbilt game. “He’s a warrior, and he’s giving us everything he’s got, but it’s hard for him physically right now.”
Andrew Carr
Fifth-year forward Andrew Carr is listed as questionable for Tuesday’s game due to a lingering back injury. Carr, who transferred to Kentucky after stints at Delaware and Wake Forest, had started all 18 games this season before missing Saturday’s matchup against Vanderbilt. He has been averaging 10.9 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game while shooting 53.9% from the field, the second-highest percentage on the team.
Pope described Carr’s injury as a recurring issue that has made it difficult for him to practice or play at full strength. “We’ve seen a decline in his performance because there’s just so much he can’t do with his back,” Pope explained. “Every game, he gets beat up so bad it’s back to square one, where it’s hard for him to walk. We’re hoping with more time, we can get him to a sustainable place where he can practice and play.”
*Kerr Kriisa
Backup guard Kerr Kriisa remains out after undergoing foot surgery in December. Kriisa, who transferred to Kentucky after playing for Arizona and West Virginia, suffered the injury during an overtime win against Gonzaga on December 7. While the initial recovery timeline was six weeks, Kriisa has yet to return to practice, and there’s no updated timeline for his availability.
Step-Up Performances in Kentucky’s Loss to Vanderbilt
In Carr’s absence, fifth-year forward Ansley Almonor stepped into the starting lineup against Vanderbilt and delivered one of his best performances of the season. The former Fairleigh Dickinson player scored 12 points, including 4-for-5 shooting from three-point range, and grabbed four rebounds.
“I prepare the same way every game, whether I’m starting or not,” Almonor said. “I just focus on doing my best, and I was hitting shots. That’s what I came here to do.”
Kentucky also saw contributions from its freshmen. Forward Trent Noah, who hadn’t played in nearly a month, logged 12 minutes and grabbed four rebounds. Guard Travis Perry, a regular part of the rotation in recent weeks, played seven minutes, while Collin Chandler made his second SEC appearance with three minutes of playing time.
Tennessee’s Injury Report
On the other side, Tennessee is in a stronger position health-wise. The Volunteers’ only player listed on the injury report is sophomore forward J.P. Estrella, who is out for the season following foot surgery in November. Estrella, a four-star recruit, played in only three games this season before undergoing surgery.
Tennessee’s senior forward Igor Milicic Jr. and senior guard Jordan Gainey were both listed on the injury report before Saturday’s game against Auburn but managed to play. Milicic, who has been battling a lower-body injury, started against Auburn and recorded four points, two rebounds, and two blocks in 27 minutes. Gainey, who had flu-like symptoms, came off the bench to score eight points in 25 minutes but struggled with his shooting, going 3-for-10 from the field.
What’s at Stake
Both teams enter Tuesday’s game needing a win to solidify their standing in the SEC. Tennessee, with its strong 17-3 overall record, has struggled in conference play, while Kentucky is looking to bounce back from two consecutive losses. With injuries impacting key players on both sides, the game promises to be a hard-fought battle.
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