Heading into Tuesday night’s game against No. 8 Tennessee, few believed No. 12 Kentucky stood a chance. The Wildcats were 10.5-point underdogs, facing a road matchup against one of the toughest defenses in college basketball—and they were missing key players. Yet, against the odds, Mark Pope’s team delivered a gutsy 78-73 victory at Thompson-Boling Arena, proving their resilience in a season-defining performance.
Overcoming Injury Setbacks
Kentucky’s challenges began well before tipoff. Starting point guard Lamont Butler, described by Pope as the team’s “heart and soul,” was ruled out due to lingering injuries. His backup, Kerr Kriisa, remained sidelined with a foot injury that has kept him out for nearly two months. Starting forward Andrew Carr attempted to play but lasted less than two minutes before being pulled due to back issues.
That left Pope with nine scholarship players—some inexperienced at this level—against a Tennessee squad known for its defensive prowess. But instead of folding under pressure, Kentucky leaned on a collective effort to secure the win.
*Unlikely Leaders Stepping Up
With both of Kentucky’s primary point guards unavailable, Pope turned to an unconventional solution—7-foot center Amari Williams. The senior big man took on a playmaking role, bringing the ball up against Tennessee’s press and serving as a floor general in the half-court offense. He finished with 10 points, 15 rebounds, and four assists in a dominant all-around performance.
“Amari is one of one,” Pope said. “There’s not another center in the country who’s had to carry a load like this.”
Jaxson Robinson, who has stepped into the point guard role in previous games, also took on significant ball-handling duties. Despite early turnovers and battling cramps late in the game, Robinson played 34 minutes, scoring 17 points on 4-of-9 shooting from beyond the arc.
“Jax is a gamer,” Pope said. “He just stepped up when we needed him most.”
Key Contributions Across the Board
Ansley Almonor, who replaced Carr in the starting lineup, made his mark early. He drained a trio of first-half three-pointers, then hit another critical shot after halftime to give Kentucky the lead for good. Almonor finished with 12 points on 4-for-7 shooting from deep.
Fifth-year guard Koby Brea, who had struggled with consistency in recent games, found his rhythm again. He went 3-for-3 from three-point range, including a clutch shot that extended Kentucky’s lead to 71-63 in the closing minutes. He finished with a team-high 18 points.
Freshman Trent Noah provided an unexpected spark off the bench. In just nine minutes, he scored five points, including a deep three-pointer that put Kentucky up by double digits early in the second half. The shot ignited the Kentucky bench, and Pope called Noah’s confidence in that moment “huge.”
Backup center Brandon Garrison also played an important supporting role, helping facilitate the offense and providing a strong defensive presence in relief of Williams.
Closing Out the Win
Otega Oweh, one of Kentucky’s most reliable players this season, delivered yet another strong performance. His second-half steal and dunk gave the Wildcats their first lead after halftime, and they never trailed again. When Tennessee cut the lead to 74-73 with under 30 seconds left, Oweh calmly sank four consecutive free throws to seal the victory.
“It was a contribution from everybody,” Pope said. “And that’s exactly what we needed.”
A Statement Win
With the victory, Kentucky improved to 6-1 against AP top-15 teams under Pope. They’ve already secured major wins over Duke, Gonzaga, Florida, and Mississippi State, but Tuesday’s win against Tennessee might be their most impressive yet.
“This team has depth,” Robinson said. “We think we can compete with anybody. And tonight, we showed it.”
For a team that entered the game shorthanded and overlooked, Kentucky’s ability to adapt and rally together proved that they are not just surviving—they’re thriving.
Leave a Reply