Who's Playing

Tennessee @ Kentucky

Current Records: Tennessee 11-4; Kentucky 13-3

What to Know

The #18 Kentucky Wildcats and the #22 Tennessee Volunteers will face off in an SEC clash at 1 p.m. ET Jan. 15 at Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center. The teams split their matchups last year, with Tennessee winning the first 82-71 on the road and the Wildcats taking the second 70-55.

While not quite a landslide, the contest between UK and the Vanderbilt Commodores on Tuesday was still a pretty decisive one as UK wrapped it up with a 78-66 win on the road. UK's forward Oscar Tshiebwe did his thing and posted a double-double on 30 points and 13 boards. That makes it three consecutive games in which Tshiebwe has had at least 13 rebounds. Tshiebwe's points were the most he has had all year.

Meanwhile, everything went Tennessee's way against the South Carolina Gamecocks on Tuesday as they made off with a 66-46 victory. Four players on the Volunteers scored in the double digits: guard Santiago Vescovi (14), guard Josiah-Jordan James (11), guard Zakai Zeigler (11), and forward John Fulkerson (10). Josiah-Jordan James' performance made up for a slower game against the LSU Tigers on Saturday.

The Wildcats are the favorite in this one, with an expected 4.5-point margin of victory. Those playing the odds have seen things go back and forth with UK, who are 8-8 against the spread.

The wins brought UK up to 13-3 and Tennessee to 11-4. A pair of numbers to keep in mind before tip-off: UK comes into the matchup boasting the 11th most points per game in college basketball at 82.6. But the Volunteers rank 24th in college basketball when it comes to points allowed per game, with only 60.7 on average. These opposing strengths should make for an exciting matchup.

How To Watch

  • When: Saturday at 1 p.m. ET
  • Where: Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center -- Lexington, Kentucky
  • TV: ESPN
  • Follow: CBS Sports App
  • Ticket Cost: $133.00

Odds

The Wildcats are a 4.5-point favorite against the Volunteers, according to the latest college basketball odds.

The oddsmakers had a good feel for the line for this one, as the game opened with the Wildcats as a 5.5-point favorite.

Over/Under: -109

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Series History

Tennessee have won eight out of their last 14 games against Kentucky.

  • Feb 20, 2021 - Kentucky 70 vs. Tennessee 55
  • Feb 06, 2021 - Tennessee 82 vs. Kentucky 71
  • Mar 03, 2020 - Tennessee 81 vs. Kentucky 73
  • Feb 08, 2020 - Kentucky 77 vs. Tennessee 64
  • Mar 16, 2019 - Tennessee 82 vs. Kentucky 78
  • Mar 02, 2019 - Tennessee 71 vs. Kentucky 52
  • Feb 16, 2019 - Kentucky 86 vs. Tennessee 69
  • Mar 11, 2018 - Kentucky 77 vs. Tennessee 72
  • Feb 06, 2018 - Tennessee 61 vs. Kentucky 59
  • Jan 06, 2018 - Tennessee 76 vs. Kentucky 65
  • Feb 14, 2017 - Kentucky 83 vs. Tennessee 58
  • Jan 24, 2017 - Tennessee 82 vs. Kentucky 80
  • Feb 18, 2016 - Kentucky 80 vs. Tennessee 70
  • Feb 02, 2016 - Tennessee 84 vs. Kentucky 77

Injury Report for Kentucky

  • Sahvir Wheeler: Game-Time Decision (Neck)
  • CJ Fredrick: Out (Hamstring)

Injury Report for Tennessee

No Injury Information