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Kentucky vs. Tennessee preview: Value on the Wildcats?

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Kentucky vs. Tennessee preview: Value on the Wildcats?


March Madness is just a few short weeks away and the college basketball season is heating up. On Saturday, a key SEC matchup pits the Kentucky Wildcats facing the Tennessee Volunteers. 

Tennessee has already clinched the SEC regular season title but oddsmakers still opened the Volunteers 9-point favorites over Kentucky with the total sitting at a lofty 165.5. 

Kentucky vs. Tennessee Odds (DraftKings Sportsbook)

Tennessee Volunteers -9

Total: 165.5

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Moneyline: Tennessee -575 /Kentucky +425

UFC 299 odds: Will Sean O’Malley defend his title? 

Kentucky vs. Tennessee Prediction

Kentucky will look to even the score with Tennessee on Saturday after the Vols won at Rupp Arena earlier this season, 103-92. That was Kentucky’s worst stretch of the year, losing three straight games at home. The Wildcats are playing better recently winners of four straight, although Kentucky’s defense is still a sore spot. 

The Wildcats can score on anyone. Typically putting up 92 points in a college basketball game equals a win. However, Tennessee allowed 92 in the first meeting and still won by 11. The Vols have a huge edge on the defensive side of the ball. Tennessee ranks third in defensive efficiency on KenPom, while Kentucky comes in at 100.

This will be an interesting matchup because Kentucky had no issues scoring against Tennessee’s vaunted defense in the first meeting where the Wildcats shot a scolding 52 percent from the field. The problem was Tennessee shot an even better 54 percent. 

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Look for both teams to have success on offense again in this meeting. They might not combine for 195 points but Kentucky’s offense is so good it’s difficult for any team to stop it. On the other hand, the Wildcats are so bad on defense, anyone can score against them. 

Nine points is a bit much in this game, so I side with Kentucky on the spread. Tennessee just secured the SEC regular season title on Wednesday and Kentucky is a tough team to blow because of its elite offense. I think they stay within the number. 

LISTEN: Will Alvin Kamara be a Saint next season?



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Kentucky is poised to land either Donnie Freeman or Sebastian Rancik this weekend, per report

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Kentucky is poised to land either Donnie Freeman or Sebastian Rancik this weekend, per report


Jones posted on Twitter that “Kentucky will have (absent a major change) either Freeman or Rancik by tomorrow,” while also noting the Wildcats still need to add another shooter and another big to round out the roster.

One of the top targets is Donnie Freeman, a 6-foot-9, 205-pound sophomore forward transferring from Syracuse. Freeman arrived in Lexington on Tuesday night and began his visit on Wednesday before leaving without a commitment. While there was concern he could land at UConn, that visit has since been canceled, leaving Kentucky and St. John’s as the top teams.

Freeman averaged 16.5 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game last season, while adding nearly a block and a steal per contest. He shot 47.4% from the field but 30.2% from 3-point range across 23 games.

The other option is Sebastian Rancik, a 6-foot-11, 220-pound sophomore forward transferring from Colorado. Rancik visited Kentucky starting Wednesday through Thursday and brings a versatile skill set, averaging 12.3 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 2 assists per game while shooting 33.1% from 3.

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Either Freeman or Rancik would provide a significant boost at the power forward position for head coach Mark Pope. Kentucky has already added guards Zoom Diallo and Alex Wilkins in the portal.



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Kentucky football spring game offers early look at Will Stein’s Cats

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Kentucky football spring game offers early look at Will Stein’s Cats


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LEXINGTON — Kentucky football had its first spring game under new coach Will Stein at Kroger Field on Saturday.

The offense, in blue jerseys, had its moments. So too the defense, donning white uniforms.

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Ultimately, the blue squad earned a 23-18 victory in a game called just after noon because of inclement weather.

Stein admitted he “got emotional” as he charged onto the field prior to kickoff.

“I know it wasn’t a real game, but when I ran on the field, I definitely — man, I felt it,” he said. “It was like a wave running over me. And very, very, just cool.”

While it doesn’t count in the standings, Stein walked away pleased.

“I think we got a lot of really good work,” he said. “That’s the goal of spring is to improve with fundamentals and technique, learn how to practice, learn what winning edges that we need throughout spring to go into summer and fall and prepare the team for play. And we came out of the scrimmage clean. There (were) no injuries, which to me, that’s the biggest win of the day. I could (not) care less about the score.

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“If we come out clean, that’s good. The Wildcats won.”

New starting QB Kenny Minchey looked about as expected, with sharp passes evened out by moments of inconsistency. Martels Carter Jr., a defensive back who is lining up at running back this spring, scored a touchdown and had several nice runs.

And the defense forced multiple three-and-outs and also picked off one Minchey pass on a two-point conversion.

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This story will be updated.

Reach Kentucky men’s basketball and football reporter Ryan Black at rblack@gannett.com and follow him on X at @RyanABlack.



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Kentucky has reportedly moved on from top-10 transfer Paulius Murauskas

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Kentucky has reportedly moved on from top-10 transfer Paulius Murauskas


NCAA Basketball: NCAA Tournament First Round-Texas A&M at Saint Marys

Mar 19, 2026; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Saint Mary’s (CA) Gaels forward Paulius Murauskas (23) takes a shot during a first round game of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images



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