Coming into the season, this Kentucky Wildcats team had talent. This is a roster that came into the season with expectations of being more athletic and versatile than last year’s team. The one concern was this team’s ability to shoot the ball.
Tennessee
Stars of the game from Kentucky’s thrilling win vs. Tennessee
Saturday in Knoxville, this team showed that it can shoot. Kentucky made 11/24 3-pointers and shot 47.5% from the floor in a come-from-behind 80-78 win over the Tennessee Volunteers.
Trailing by as many as 17 points late in the first half, the Wildcats clawed back into the game by making shots and playing tough defense. Kentucky made 6/11 3-pointers in the second half, outscoring Tennessee 49-36 in the second half and holding the Volunteers without a basket in the final 5:38 of the game.
Saturday’s win can build confidence. Coming back from down 18 at LSU is one thing, but coming back from down 17 at Tennessee, a team led by its bigs, without Jayden Quaintance and Malachi Moreno scoring just three points on four shot attempts, is the kind of win that builds confidence, character, and resilience.
Kentucky vs. Tennessee Stars of the Game
1. Collin Chandler: 12 pts, 4-6 3-PT FG, 3 rebs, 2 ast., 1 blk, 3 stl, 24 mins
Chandler looked like the player on Saturday that many Kentucky fans had hoped he would be this season. Every time he took a 3-point shot Saturday, it felt like there was a good chance it was going to go in.
All six of Chandler’s shots on Saturday were from 3-point range, and he made four of them. Every one of those four 3-pointers was crucial.
For the second straight game, though, it was an assist by Chandler that won Kentucky the game in Knoxville. With 40 seconds to play, Chandler stole a pass from the Volunteers’ leading scorer, Ja’Kobi Gillespie, and then threw it ahead to Otega Oweh, who converted what proved to be the game-winning and-one six seconds later.
“It was great coming to Knoxville again. Our team loves playing in Knoxville,” Chandler said.
It’s great to see Chandler shooting the ball well again. Even more so, he’s making winning plays without scoring. That’s a testament to his growth in his sophomore season.
2. Denzel Aberdeen: 22 pts. 7-11 FG (3-6 3-PT FG), 5-6 FT, 2 ast., 2 stl, 29 mins
Kentucky doesn’t get back into this game without Denzel Aberdeen. He made an impact in the paint and from beyond the arc Saturday in leading the Wildcats with 22 points. Aberdeen went 7-11 from the field overall and 3-6 from 3-point range.
The most impressive part of Aberdeen’s performance was playing all 20 minutes in the second half. He didn’t pick up a foul in the second half, after picking up two in the first half.
Aberdeen scored 18 of his 22 points in the second half and hit all three of his 3-pointers in the final 20 minutes.
3. Jasper Johnson: 12 pts, 5-6 FG (2-3 3-PT FG), 4 ast., 2 rebs, 19 mins
Johnson did all of his scoring in the first half Saturday, but he had a team-leading three assists in the second half.
All three of his assists were crucial. First, he found Denzel Aberdeen for a 3-pointer to cut the deficit to 58-54 with 11:12 to play. Then, he hit Otega Oweh for a 3-pointer to make it 65-62 with 7:52 to play. Less than 30 seconds later, he found Malachi Moreno for an and-one to cut the deficit to 67-65. That’s when I told many people around me on press row that Kentucky was going to win this game.
Mark Pope talked after the game about Johnson’s progression throughout his freshman season.
“He’s coming. He’s coming, he’s on his way. He gave us a massive lift when we were stuck. I’m proud of him, his future in this game is so bright.”
Not only is Johnson finding his own rhythm, but he’s playing within Kentucky’s offense and distributing the ball to his shooters.
4. Mouhamed Dioubate: 10 pts, 4-11 FG, 2-2 FT, 6 rebs (4 off.), 1 stl, 27 mins, +16
Dioubate delivered in a big way yesterday. For starters, he was 2-2 on his only trip to the free-throw line. In a two-point win, that is crucial.
Kentucky was +16 when he was on the floor. That’s incredible.
In the second half, Dioubate had eight points and four rebounds. All of them were on the offensive glass. Kentucky had 17 second-chance points in the second half on 13 offensive rebounds.
Even with picking up four fouls in the second half, he played 17 minutes. That shows the trust Pope had in him.
Published on Mar. 4, 2026
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Vanderbilt basketball guard Frankie Collins is leaving the program, head coach Mark Byington announced on Tuesday night. The news comes just days before the Commodores are set to face off against Tennessee in the regular season finale, with the Volunteers looking to clinch a top-four seed and double-bye in the SEC Tournament.
Why it matters
Collins was Vanderbilt’s most highly touted transfer last offseason, but injuries limited him to just nine games this season. His departure leaves the Commodores shorthanded heading into a crucial matchup against their in-state rival Tennessee, who are seeking to complete a regular season sweep.
The details
The 6-foot-1 guard averaged 7.8 points, 4.7 assists and 4.2 rebounds per game this season, but suffered a meniscus injury in December that sidelined him for the majority of the year. With the emergence of sophomore point guard Tyler Tanner and Oklahoma transfer Duke Miles, Collins never quite found his footing in the Vanderbilt lineup.
- Frankie Collins left the Vanderbilt program on Tuesday, March 4, 2026.
- Vanderbilt is scheduled to face Tennessee on Saturday, March 8, 2026.
The players
Frankie Collins
A 6-foot-1 guard who was Vanderbilt’s most highly touted transfer last offseason, coming to Nashville after spending the 2024-25 season at TCU and the three prior years at Arizona State and Michigan.
Mark Byington
The head coach of the Vanderbilt Commodores basketball team.
Tyler Tanner
The sophomore point guard who emerged as a key player for Vanderbilt this season.
Duke Miles
An Oklahoma transfer shooting guard who joined the Vanderbilt roster this season.
Rick Barnes
The head coach of the Tennessee Volunteers basketball team.
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What they’re saying
“Frankie has left Nashville, and he’s not gonna be on the team. It’s gonna be good for both sides of it. We wish him well. So we’ll roll with the guys we got.”
— Mark Byington, Head Coach, Vanderbilt Commodores (rockytopinsider.com)
What’s next
With a victory over Vanderbilt, Tennessee will clinch a top four-seed and a double-bye in next week’s SEC Tournament. Vanderbilt could potentially earn a double-bye themselves with a win and a little extra help.
The takeaway
The loss of Frankie Collins leaves Vanderbilt shorthanded heading into a crucial matchup against in-state rival Tennessee, who are seeking to complete a regular season sweep. The Commodores will have to rely on the emergence of players like Tyler Tanner and Duke Miles to try and pull off the upset and keep their own postseason hopes alive.
Published on Mar. 3, 2026
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According to ESPN’s latest NFL mock draft, three former Tennessee Volunteers players are projected to be selected in the top 60 picks of the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft. Cornerbacks Jermod McCoy and Colton Hood are both projected to be first-round picks, while wide receiver Chris Brazzell II is projected to be a second-round selection.
Why it matters
The strong NFL Draft projections for Tennessee players highlight the continued talent development and success of the Volunteers football program under head coach Josh Heupel. If these projections hold true, it would mark the first time Tennessee has had two first-round picks and three players selected in the top 60 overall during Heupel’s tenure.
The details
Cornerback Jermod McCoy is projected to be selected 29th overall by the Los Angeles Rams, despite not participating in on-field workouts at the NFL Combine due to a previous ACL injury. Teammate Colton Hood is projected to be the final pick of the first round, going 32nd overall to the Seattle Seahawks. Wide receiver Chris Brazzell II impressed at the Combine with a 4.37 40-yard dash and is projected to be a second-round pick, going 60th overall to the Buffalo Bills.
- The NFL Combine was held in late February 2026.
- Tennessee’s Pro Day workouts are scheduled for the end of March 2026.
- The 2026 NFL Draft will take place in April-May 2026.
The players
Jermod McCoy
A cornerback for the Tennessee Volunteers who is projected to be a first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, despite missing the 2025 season due to an ACL injury.
Colton Hood
A cornerback for the Tennessee Volunteers who is projected to be a first-round pick, going 32nd overall to the Seattle Seahawks in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Chris Brazzell II
A wide receiver for the Tennessee Volunteers who impressed at the NFL Combine with a 4.37 40-yard dash and is projected to be a second-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
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What they’re saying
“If we’re going strictly by talent, McCoy is a top-10 prospect in this class. But he hasn’t played a game since 2024, missing all of last season after suffering an ACL tear in January 2025. We’re still not sure where he’s at in his recovery, as he did not participate in testing or drills at the combine. This gives the Rams — who haven’t drafted a corner in the first round since 2006 or before Day 3 since 2019 — the potential to get a steal here. McCoy is an easy mover who has squeaky-clean technique.”
— Jordan Reid, ESPN Analyst (ESPN)
“The reigning champions have a clear need at corner, as Josh Jobe and Riq Woolen are both scheduled to be free agents. Hood is a scheme-versatile player who can thrive in press man while also having the fluidity to excel in zone. A former all-state center fielder in high school, Hood’s ball skills frequently show up on tape (10 pass breakups and an interception last season). With his poised technique and wrap-up-and-finish tackling, he would fit well on the outside of Mike Macdonald’s secondary.”
— Jordan Reid, ESPN Analyst (ESPN)
“The Bills need someone who can separate on the outside, and Brazzell is an ‘X’ receiver who can be a deep vertical threat. He can also sink his weight and run a true route tree, making him a good fit with quarterback Josh Allen.”
— Jordan Reid, ESPN Analyst (ESPN)
What’s next
Tennessee’s Pro Day workouts are scheduled for the end of March 2026, where McCoy plans to participate in on-field drills to further showcase his recovery from the ACL injury. Strong performances at the Pro Day could potentially push McCoy back up draft boards into the top half of the first round.
The takeaway
The strong NFL Draft projections for Tennessee players demonstrate the continued talent development and success of the Volunteers football program under head coach Josh Heupel. If these projections hold true, it would mark a significant milestone for the program, with Tennessee potentially having two first-round picks and three players selected in the top 60 overall for the first time during Heupel’s tenure.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WCYB) — Tennessee Athletics’ “Big Orange Caravan” presented by Pilot will roll into the Tri-Cities on April 30, bringing some of the university’s most recognizable faces to Kingsport.
The statewide tour, a collaboration between Tennessee Athletics and the UT Knoxville Office of Alumni Affairs, features Vice Chancellor/Director of Athletics Danny White, men’s basketball coach Rick Barnes, women’s basketball coach Kim Caldwell, head football coach Josh Heupel and “Voice of the Vols” Mike Keith.
The Tri-Cities stop is scheduled for Thursday, April 30, at Meadowview Convention Center, 1901 Meadowview Parkway, Kingsport, Tennessee. Doors open at 5 p.m., followed by a meet-and-greet session with the headliners from 5:30-6:15 p.m. The program begins at 6:15 p.m.
Hosted by Keith, the evening will include stories, program insight and a question-and-answer session with Tennessee’s athletics leaders and coaches. The UT Spirit Squads also will be in attendance.
Tickets are $30, plus taxes and fees, and include light food options. A cash bar, along with additional light food and appetizers, will be available.
Of each ticket sold, $5 will benefit the local UT Alumni chapter’s scholarship endowment and $10 will go toward the My All Campaign.
The Tri-Cities event is the final stop of the three-city spring tour. The caravan opens in Chattanooga on April 28 before heading to Nashville on April 29. As announced last spring, Chattanooga and Memphis will alternate as tour stops each year.
The Big Orange Caravan is designed to connect Tennessee coaches and administrators with fans across the state, offering behind-the-scenes insight and celebrating the support of the Volunteer community.
Tickets for the Tri-Cities stop can be purchased at https://www.gofevo.com/event/BOCTriCities26
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