Kentucky
Should Tennessee basketball root for Kentucky or Illinois as Sweet 16 opponent? | Adams
Tennessee basketball proved it could win at Rupp Arena in the first two rounds of the NCAA tournament. Next, it might have to prove it can beat Rupp Arena’s home team.
That might present a greater challenge than what the Vols encountered in an impressive 67-58 second-round victory over UCLA on Saturday in Lexington, Kentucky.
Or maybe, the Vols will avoid tangling with their longtime SEC rival. Third-seeded Kentucky, which beat UT twice during the regular season, will have to get past Illinois in a second-round game Sunday to create a Tennessee-Kentucky matchup in the Sweet 16.
Not only did No. 2 seed Tennessee (29-7) advance to the tournament’s second weekend with the victory over No. 7 seed UCLA (23-11). It moved within one game of a second 30-win season under coach Rick Barnes.
The game between a pair of defensive-minded teams unfolded as expected in the early going. The Vols finally managed separation when they ran off eight consecutive points to close out the first half with a 32-25 lead. A Chaz Lanier steal, which he converted into a three-point play, highlighted UT’s surge.
As good as UCLA’s defense has been at times this season, it struggled terribly keeping up with Lanier. He reached the 20-point mark early in the second half. By then, he also had broken Chris Lofton’s school record for 3-pointers.
Lanier, who scored 29 points in the first-round victory over Wofford, has been at his best in the tournament, an encouraging sign for the Vols, whose March Madness failures under Barnes usually have been related to offensive shortcomings.
They had more offense than coach Mick Cronin’s Bruins could handle – and more defense, too.
Tennessee joined two other top-four Midwest Regional seeds in reaching the Sweet 16. No. 1 seed Houston started fast against Gonzaga and held on for an 81-76 victory. Fourth-seeded Purdue cruised past McNeese 76-62 into the Sweet 16. No 3 Kentucky can make it four-for-four by turning back No. 6 Illinois on Sunday.
The Vols are assured of a familiar opponent in the Sweet 16 regardless of whether Illinois or Kentucky advance.
UT edged Illinois 66-64 in Champaign in mid-December, thanks mainly to the scoring of guard Jordan Gainey, who had a game-high 23 points, including the game-winning basket in the final seconds.
Kentucky is a different matter. The Wildcats defeated the Vols twice during the regular season, which could evoke different feelings about a third meeting among the Vols fanbase.
Tennessee optimists might cling to the basketball adage: “It’s hard to beat a team three times in a season.” But if you watched both Kentucky-Tennessee regular-season games, you can’t easily dismiss the Wildcats as a possibly serious obstacle to the Vols reaching the Elite Eight.
Kentucky didn’t just win twice. It won as so few teams have against the Vols, exploiting their usually dogged defense with surprisingly efficient shooting.
In the first Tennessee game, Kentucky made 50% of its shots in a 78-73 victory at Food City Center. The Wildcats were just as accurate in winning the rematch at Rupp Arena 75-64. In each game, they made 12 of 24 3-pointers.
Those outcomes are two reasons why UT fans might ignore the “hard to beat a team three times” saying and pull for Illinois, which is a 1.5-point favorite over Kentucky despite being a lower seed.
Tennessee fans shouldn’t complain if Illinois is victorious. But looking further ahead, they probably feel better about their chances against Houston if the region’s top two seeds wind up meeting in the Sweet 16. Houston looked vulnerable in the second half against Gonzaga, which cut the Cougars’ double-figure lead to a point with 21 seconds remaining.
Unlike Houston, the Vols raised their level of play as the game progressed against UCLA. That performance should bolster their confidence for the Sweet 16 when they try to become the first team in school history to make the Final Four.
John Adams is a senior columnist. He may be reached at 865-342-6284 or john.adams@knoxnews.com. Follow him at: twitter.com/johnadamskns
Kentucky
Kentucky woman, 35, charged with homicide after using abortion pills then burying fetus in backyard
A Kentucky woman was charged with fetal homicide after allegedly using abortion pills and burying the fetus in a Christmas-wrapped lightbulb box in her backyard — when she got pregnant following an affair.
Melinda Spencer, 35, was arrested Wednesday after going to a Campton health care clinic, where she told staff members she used medication purchased online to end her pregnancy, which is illegal in the state, according to Kentucky State Police, FOX 56 reported.
Police said Spencer allegedly admitted to taking the pills on Dec. 26 and burying the fetus — described as a “developed male infant” — two days later in a shallow grave at her Flat Mary Road home.
After obtaining a search warrant, cops found the remains wrapped in a white rag and stuffed in the holiday-decorated box inside a plastic bag, court documents showed.
Spencer later confessed that she allegedly ordered the pregnancy-ending drugs after conceiving with a man who was not her boyfriend, claiming she didn’t want him to find out, police said, per the outlet.
Authorities said she wanted to “abort the fetus on her own.”
It’s unclear how long she was pregnant before taking the pills.
An autopsy has reportedly been scheduled to establish how developed the fetus was.
In Kentucky, nearly all abortions are illegal, with a doctor only authorized to perform one to prevent death or serious injury to the mother.
There are no exceptions for rape or incest.
State law also bars the distribution of abortion medication.
Spencer was charged with first-degree fetal homicide, abuse of a corpse, tampering with physical evidence, and first-degree promoting contraband, the outlet reported.
The homicide offense makes her eligible for the death penalty. She also faces life behind bars if convicted.
Spencer is being held at Three Forks Regional Jail in Beattyville.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT) – A 3.1 magnitude earthquake hit Kentucky Sunday afternoon with an epicenter between Richmond and Lancaster, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
The USGS “Did You Feel It” survey received reports from people in Richmond, Danville, Stanford, Lancaster and Lexington.
Caroline Boyd, a retired nurse from Lancaster, was reading at home when the earthquake began at 12:47 p.m.
“I wouldn’t necessarily say shaking but it felt like a rumbling in my basement or even outside,” Boyd said.
Boyd said she felt and heard the ground beneath her rumble followed by a loud boom.
“I thought to myself what on earth is that? Because there is no trains or train station nearby, so I knew it was not a train. So, I just sat there and listened. I would say it lasted about 10 to 15 seconds,” Boyd said.
After the tremor, Boyd called her neighbors and then the sheriff’s office. Dispatchers told her there had been an earthquake.
Dustin Price, deputy director and public information officer for Garrad County Emergency Management Agency, said the agency first heard from Bluegrass 911 about reports of a loud boom and shaking.
“Approximately we were able to confirm through the state that there was a confirmed 3.1 magnitude earthquake that hit through Garrad County,” Price said.
No injuries or property damage were reported, according to Price.
Boyd said she was thankful the earthquake did not cause more serious problems.
“Even if I would’ve had to relocate if there was a problem. I have two pets, so it could’ve been really bad,” Boyd said.
Garrad County EMA said they are thankful for all the agencies who helped respond to the incident.
Copyright 2025 WKYT. All rights reserved.
GARRARD COUNTY, Ky. (LEX 18) — Governor Andy Beshear reports that a 3.2 magnitude earthquake has been reported in Garrard County.
“This range does not typically produce sizable damage – just shaking – and thankfully, that is all that’s been reported so far,” Beshear said on social media Sunday.
According to the Lincoln County EMA, the earthquake happened around 12:47 p.m. with a shallow depth of 8 kilometers.
NWS Louisville reports the location of the quake to have been near the Garrard/Madison County line.
Multiple agencies are also reporting no immediate reports of damage.
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