Three things to watch when Kentucky basketball plays at Tennessee
Three things to watch when Kentucky basketball plays at Tennessee on Saturday:
1. Dalton Knecht vs. Antonio Reeves
Dalton Knecht is Tennessee’s best player. Antonio Reeves is Kentucky’s best player. A 6-foot-6 transfer from Northern Colorado, Knecht is a prime candidate for SEC Player of the Year honors. A 6-6 transfer from Illinois State, Reeves is a prime candidate for SEC Player of the Year honors. Saturday, the two square off in a rematch.
Reeves outscored Knecht 21-16 in the first meeting, but Kentucky lost. Knecht was 5-of-14 from the floor in UT’s 103-92 victory on Feb. 3. Reeves was 8-of-18. Each player was 1-of-5 shooting from 3-point range. Knecht was 5-of-5 shooting from the foul line. Reeves was 4-of-4.
Overall, their stats are similar. Knecht is averaging 24.6 points per game in SEC play; Reeves 20.9. Knecht has taken more shots (293 to 250) in conference action. Knecht has made 42.7% of his 3-pointers. Reeves is at 41.5%. Knecht has scored 30 or more points in five SEC games. He exploded for 39 each in home wins over Florida and Auburn. Reeves’ season high in SEC play is 27 against Mississippi State at Rupp. Reeves has scored in double figures in every SEC game. Knecht has scored in double figures in every SEC game but one.
2. The physical nature of the game
UK assistant coach Chuck Martin was blunt on Friday. Asked what Kentucky did not do in Lexington that it must do in Knoxville, Martin said, “The level of physicality in that game was unbelievable. ... I just think the overall physicality, intensity of that game, we had not been in that type of game at that point. We learned a lot from that first encounter.”
Tennessee is big, physical and mature. Rick Barnes’ teams traditionally play good defense. These Volunteers are no different. Ken Pomeroy ranks Tennessee third nationally in adjusted defensive efficiency. UT has held the opponent under 1.0 points per possession in nine of its 17 league games. It has won eight of those nine.
It outrebounded UK 44-38 in that February meeting. Tennessee grabbed 18 offensive rebounds out of 42 opportunities for 42.9%. Kentucky grabbed 14 out of 40 for 31.6%. Second-chance points were tied at 22 but Tennessee scored 42 points in the paint, compared to 30 for the Cats.
Martin said Friday that Kentucky has grown over the past month. The young Cats are older, wiser and better prepared for the physicality. They will need to be Saturday.
3. Can Kentucky’s defense hold up?
We know Kentucky can score points. The Cats scored 92 points on Tennessee in the first game. Rob Dillingham tallied a season-high 35. As previously mentioned, Reeves scored 21. Reed Sheppard made 4 of his 7 3-point attempts. The Cats shot 44.4% from 3-point range (12 of 27) and 49.3% for the game (34 of 69). And still lost.
Martin said Friday the goal is to hold the opponent under 40% shooting. That’s happened seven times this season. The Cats have won all seven. Tennessee shot 47.4% overall at Rupp but made 12 of 20 3-pointers for 40%. In its last two games. Tennessee shot 36.4% at Alabama and 35.7% at South Carolina but found a way to win both.
Maybe Kentucky can go all gas/no brakes and outscore the Vols. That’s no easy task, however. Pomeroy ranks UT 20th in adjusted offensive efficiency. The Cats might not be able to hold the Volunteers under 40%, but they’ll need to be close to that number to have a chance.
This story was originally published March 9, 2024 at 1:00 AM.
