GAME THREAD: No. 4 Kentucky @ No. 16 Tennessee

Ben_McKee · Feb 15, 2022

GREETINGS from Thompson-Boling.

Rather significant game about 45 minutes away from tipping off on ESPN between No. 4 Kentucky (21-4, 10-2 SEC) and No. 16 Kentucky (18-6, 9-3).

Crowd has been buzzing since I walked in 90 minutes before tip. Going to be a terrific crowd tonight.

Here's some notes for tonight's game:
- Tennessee is 75-158 all-time against Kentucky
- Vols are 51-54 against Kentucky in Knoxville
- Tennessee has won 4of the last 6 meetings at Thompson-Boling Arena and 6 of the last 11 games vs. Kentucky

And here's some notes on Kentucky:

- Kentucky ranks in the top 20 nationally in rebound margin (1), scoring margin (5), rebounds per game (6), field goal percentage (9), assists per game (10), points per game (10), 3-point field-goal percentage defense (15) and assist-to-turnover ratio (19)

No. 4 Kentucky (21-4, 10-2 SEC) starting lineup:

PG, Sahvir Wheeler, Jr. — transfer from Georgia
- Third in the country with 7.2 assists per game
- Has 14 games with seven or more assists
G, TyTy Washington, Fr.
G, Kellan Grady, Gr. — graduate transfer from Davidson
- Team-best 73 three's on SEC-best 43.7% 3-point shooting
- Averaging 12.1 points per game
- 14 games with three or more 3's
F, Keion Brooks, Jr.
- Averaging 11.2 points and 4.6 rebounds per game
- Scored in double figures in 13 games
- Shooting 49.1% for the season
F, Oscar Tshiebwe, Jr. — transfer from West Virginia
- Team-best 16.4 scoring average
- leads the country in rebounding (15.3), offensive rebounds per game (5.2) and defensive rebound percentage (.358)
- He is second in the country with 19 double-doubles

Key Kentucky bench players:

G, Davion Mintz, Gr. — transfer from Creighton
G, CJ Fredrick, R-Jr. — transfer from Iowa
G, Dontaie Allen, R-So.
F, Lance Ware, So.

Looks like Kentucky will be without star freshman point guard TyTy Washington and key forward off the bench

No. 3 in KenPom entering the game — KenProm projects a 71-70 Kentucky win
- KenPom gives Tennessee a 48% of winning
44th in strength of schedule
80th in average possession length (16.7)
105th in adjusted tempo
198th in average height (76.8”)
202nd in experience (1.80 years)
244th in bench minutes (28.4%)

Kentucky offensive strengths: — No. 4 in offensive efficiency (119.2)

4th in offensive rebound% (37.6)
9th in block% (6.2)
31st in effective FG% (54.2)
- 75th in 3P% (35.6)
- 31st in 2P% (54.6)
  - 60.8% of points come from three’s (5th)
62nd in turnover% (16.8)
75th in non-steal TO% (8.2)
92nd in A/FGM (54.7)
102nd in steal% (8.6)

Kentucky offensive weaknesses:

139th in FT% (72.6)
292nd in FTA/FGA (26.3)
- 15.0% of points come from three’s (318th)
343rd in 3PA/FGA (28.9)
- 24.2% of points come from three’s (335th)

Kentucky defensive strengths: — No. 12 in offensive efficiency (89.9)

22nd in effective FG% (45.4)
- 13th in 3P% (29.0)
- 48th in 2P% (46.4)
  - 56% of opponent points come on 2’s (36th)
- 100th in FT% (69.8)
30th in offensive rebound% (23.7)
49th in FTA/FGA (24.5)
54th in A/FGM (45.5)
76th in block% (11.3)
89th in 3PA/FGA (35.0)
112th in steal% (10.1)

Kentucky defensive weaknesses:

202nd in turnover% (18.2)
15.8% of opponent points come on free throw’s (270th)
28.2% of opponent points come on 2’s (283rd)
289th in non-steal TO% (8.2)

Refs for tonight's game: (Rank per KenPom)

Doug Shows (No. 7)
Michael Roberts (No. 23)
Patrick Evans (No. 75)

TV Crew (ESPN):

Karl Ravech (pxp)
Jimmy Dykes (analyst)
Marty Smith (sideline)

Ben_McKee · Feb 15, 2022