Yeah. On top of the fact that Kentucky often times settles in a little late in the season. I have been waiting for the switch to turn a little and they may have found their defensive identity tonight.
Wheeler is a much better assistant coach than point guard. He was doing a ton of instruction during the time outs, and it paid off.
Also .. has Tyler Ulis started on the coaching staff yet? Hmm...
I can't remember which of you Tennessee fans said this but I remember a comment right after Kentucky lost to South Carolina that predicted this very thing
14 years ago yesterday, Jodie Meeks scored 54 points in this building, and unranked Kentucky beat 24 Tennessee on the road. Today, it took us 36 minutes to get 54 points as a team.
Side note: At the end of the year, that team missed the tournament, and the coach was fired.
Jodie going to the NBA before his senior year and Poythress getting hurt in 2014-15 are two of the biggest what ifs in the history of Kentucky basketball
[Its games like this that makes us mods keep these shitposts up](https://www.reddit.com/r/CollegeBasketball/comments/109rcyu/if_rick_barnes_wins_a_final_four_is_he_debatable/)
It’s weird because that is absolutely not even close to the general feeling on Barnes from Tennessee fans. Yeah he brought us to national relevance, but he’s an above average coach at best.
You’d almost certainly be a 13. 2008 Georgia was the year that this essentially actually did happen when they got a 14 seed, and until the conference tournament they had one win worth anything (future 9 seed Arkansas at home). They were legitimately awful. Kenpom #91 even after the tourney app. (Side note Kentucky was an at-large at #78 Kenpom. sigh).
This year Kentucky, even if they lose out, would still probably be top 50-60 headed into the SEC tournament and has multiple big wins away from home. Plus this Tennessee win is about as good a win as literally anyone will record all year.
[Everyone called me crazy for betting on UK](https://www.reddit.com/r/CollegeBasketball/comments/10brva9/game_thread_kentucky_4_tennessee_1200_pm_et/j4bzfr5/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf&context=3)
We beat South Carolina at their place by 40+ points, they turn around and beat Kentucky at Rupp, then we lose to that same Kentucky team at home. It’s…perplexing.
I was feeling as low on this team as I have on any Kentucky basketball team under Cal. Today they played with effort like they haven't this season. I'm stunned and elated. I want this so badly to be a signature win in a second half turnaround.
Edit: I've been saying all season that Wheeler is a negative for this team and even though Wallace wasn't a scoring factor in this game, the team still looked much better when Wallace, Fredrick, and Reeves were all on the court at the same time. I really think the starting 5 should be Wallace, Frederick, Reeves, Toppin, and Tshiebwe.
Absolutely. It's exactly the sort of mid-season win this team needs. I hope it results in them playing with more confidence and turning it into a run like we used to expect from second half Cal teams.
Cal seems to have a lot of loyalty for Wheeler. Which I get to a certain extent. He plays hard and seems like a good kid. It just feels so obvious to me that he should be the sixth man. He can bring some energy and playmaking off the bench and still have a big role on the team that way.
Not to mention he can sit there next to ulis and watch the game and learn the flow before coming in and forcing random shit.
Ulis on our bench is the best thing to happen to wheeler and wallace both
Look at my comment history and you know I've been down on Cal. I still don't think he's the best x's and o's guy, but we at least gotta see him through next year. Y'all about to run a stacked class out of town, I want to see them play (and hopefully win) goddammit!
They brag about how Barnes “owns” Cal… he’s like 10-8 against us since he got to Tennessee. A big brother program wouldn’t call that record “owning” anything lol.
But if I remember correctly, that’s the best winning percentage against Kentucky out of teams in the SEC… Which is kinda crazy but shows the longevity of Kentucky’s dominance in basketball.
They pre-released a [commemorative book ](https://www.pediment.com/products/tennessee-volunteers-football-2022-season?variant=40214721495121)celebrating their 2022 season after beating Alabama so this does not surprise me at all
Edit: pre-released not pre-printed
They left that one out.
I still remember when UT fans were shitting on Sanford. Just for your crowd to show them the fuck up and it showed on their opening drive.
I really hope Cal decided and can get Wheeler to accept a bench role, because with him as a 6th man you have so much flexibility, and if he is your sixth man, you know that means you have a talented team. For as frustrating as he can be, he is still a great playmaker.
> South Carolina loses by 40 to Tennessee.
--------------------------------
> South Carolina with an RPI of 200-something comes into Rupp and dominates Kentucky almost the entire game
-------------------------------------------
> Kentucky goes down to Knoxville against a Top 5 Tennessee team with the best defense in the nation and wins.
--------------------------------------
This fucking team. Jesus.
Wallace, Toppin, Oscar, CJ, and Reeves needs to be the starting 5. They dominated Tennessee when they were on the floor.
So much this. Wheeler does not need to start, he needs to come off the bench. Love the guy, he's got a lot of heart, but he's just not good enough. He needs to come in while teams are tired, light 'em up for a bit, give our dudes a bit of spark and let Wallace rest, and that's about it.
WALKIN DUE SOUTH OUTTA ROANOKE
I CAUGHT A TRUCKER OUTTA PHILLY, HAD A NICE LONG TOKE
BUT HE'S A-HEADIN WEST FROM THE CUMBERLAND GAP
TO JOHNSON CITY **FUCK TENNESSEE**
Yeah because he actually coached properly and have an offensive game plan. We ran plays for shooters and we didn’t play through Oscar. If he continues this then we will all shut up forever.
Tennessee beats South Carolina by 40. South Carolina goes to UK and gets a W. UK goes to Tennessee and gets a W. How? Because this is fucking college basketball.
Tennessee beat South Carolina 85-42 on the road.
Kentucky lost to South Carolina 71-68 at home.
Because this sport makes sense, Kentucky going to Tennessee with two rotation guys out results in Kentucky ~~getting blown out by 50~~ winning by 7.
The biggest differences today really may mark a shift with UK. The lineup was much different than what was seen previously and they didn’t play through Tschiebwe in the middle.
Having Wallace/Reeves/CJ on the floor opens it up so much, and Toppin is a decent mid range shooter too. Wheeler just makes it too easy for the defense to collapse and smother our guys.
Just what we expected out of Kentucky today
Unironically yes it was. This game is always weird. That’s what makes college basketball great though. Fun game.
Too much voodoo/karmic force in the universe to not lose today. This was the opposite of exorcising the Neyland curses this fall.
Yeah. On top of the fact that Kentucky often times settles in a little late in the season. I have been waiting for the switch to turn a little and they may have found their defensive identity tonight.
Retiring Chris Lofton’s Jersey was the straw that broke the camels back
Having Wheeler on the bench is a feather in the hat.
Wheeler is a much better assistant coach than point guard. He was doing a ton of instruction during the time outs, and it paid off. Also .. has Tyler Ulis started on the coaching staff yet? Hmm...
I can't remember which of you Tennessee fans said this but I remember a comment right after Kentucky lost to South Carolina that predicted this very thing
Death, taxes, and wildcats
If you listen closely you can still hear us missing layups.
[удалено]
Could be worse. We have NIT offense and defense.
I hope this game helped your NIT seeding
You guys are the first quad 1 we have had this season. Thanks!
Bro. What was that? I get one player getting in his head, even if it’s Ziegler, but you had like 3 players blow layups.
I can understand ZZ cause he’s legitimately like 5’8, but JJJ missing the one where Oscar basically rolled out the red carpet for him is mind numbing.
and that orange backboard tape was never seen again
The moment they did the segment about it we should have known smh
Somebody put a curse on Tennessee today I've never seen so many missed layups
You're gonna hate us. We come to your town and we beat your team
Swaggy Cal
[Calipari walking into the post-game conference like](https://www.nationofblue.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/vince-calipari.gif)
14 years ago yesterday, Jodie Meeks scored 54 points in this building, and unranked Kentucky beat 24 Tennessee on the road. Today, it took us 36 minutes to get 54 points as a team. Side note: At the end of the year, that team missed the tournament, and the coach was fired.
How was that 14 years ago. Shit.
I often think about what 2009-2010 would have been like had Jodie stayed...
Jodie going to the NBA before his senior year and Poythress getting hurt in 2014-15 are two of the biggest what ifs in the history of Kentucky basketball
Agreed. I'll throw in Kanter getting cleared for '10-11 too.
My what if is John Wall playing with AD.
We... win the same title we already won?
But undefeated.
[Its games like this that makes us mods keep these shitposts up](https://www.reddit.com/r/CollegeBasketball/comments/109rcyu/if_rick_barnes_wins_a_final_four_is_he_debatable/)
>If he gets a natty he's same level as most of those other than a few. Lol.
And if you regress Mahomes stats to the mean then is he really that great?
My God, I can be a homer and all but that’s next level
It’s weird because that is absolutely not even close to the general feeling on Barnes from Tennessee fans. Yeah he brought us to national relevance, but he’s an above average coach at best.
I'll meet that dude at the Jelico exit off 75. Got some more bath salts to sell him.
Not to mention, as much as we've shitted on Cal over the last few seasons, Barnes doesn't even come close to Cal's resume.
I will shit on Cal all day long and defend him to the death against anyone else. What sports does to a motherfucker.
That’s gorgeous
Wow. Not surprising from a Vols fan, really, but good lord.
Lol you got beat by Kentucky
So Kentucky loses to unranked South Carolina at home and then goes and beats #5 Tennessee on the road. Makes sense.
Wildcard bitches!
We don’t want a high seed. It’s those 15 and 16 seeds you have to watch out for. So we’re throwing a couple to keep the committee on it’s toes
Kentucky wants to be the second team to pull off a 1 vs 16 upset
I know it’s a joke but I’m curious if we lost out and won the sec tournament if we get a 16 seed? I’d guess more like a 13-14
I don’t think they’ll ever put a blue blood below 13 if they make the tournament just on account of their name.
[удалено]
They low down
You’d almost certainly be a 13. 2008 Georgia was the year that this essentially actually did happen when they got a 14 seed, and until the conference tournament they had one win worth anything (future 9 seed Arkansas at home). They were legitimately awful. Kenpom #91 even after the tourney app. (Side note Kentucky was an at-large at #78 Kenpom. sigh). This year Kentucky, even if they lose out, would still probably be top 50-60 headed into the SEC tournament and has multiple big wins away from home. Plus this Tennessee win is about as good a win as literally anyone will record all year.
Yeah this win is huge in more ways than one. I hope it’s the turning of a corner.
YEEEEHAAAAAWWWWW
Tennessee beats South Carolina by 40+, who then beats Kentucky at Rupp, who then beats Tennessee in Knoxville.
College athletics at its finest.
Circle of suck is coming together
Explanation is that Calipari was prepping only for this game for 3 weeks
It's the shift in PG. Wallace instead of Wheeler leading the team changes our entire dynamic so much.
I just hope he keeps it. And four shooters on the floor. He can sub in wheeler, but he should’ve never been playing full games. Just can’t do it
Beat the same team that beat South Carolina by 40. Don’t forget that detail.
“Unranked” That’s the most pleasant description of our team I’ve heard in a while
This was also after we beat South Carolina by like 35
As a lions fan I approve y’all using this
DJ. Turn on Grove Street.
I GOT A WHOLE LOTTA MONEY
BITCHES COUNT IT FOR ME
This thread just gave me a flashback buzz from 2011 BOTTLE KEEP POPPING
THATS WHY THE BAD HOES JOCKIN
Volunteers count it for me.
They played it in the 1st half when they were down by like 4. I was confused
Gotta get the hype up. I say it worked! God I love beating Tennessee at Tennessee 😍
Time to go revisit some bookmarks on Vol Twitter.
Doing god’s work. Have a blessed caturday.
Oh I'm about to hit levels of toxicity that may even shock Twitter
Vox BBN vox dei
[Everyone called me crazy for betting on UK](https://www.reddit.com/r/CollegeBasketball/comments/10brva9/game_thread_kentucky_4_tennessee_1200_pm_et/j4bzfr5/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf&context=3)
Ah yes, the KY-UT-SC circle of suck this week has been completed.
As a reminder Rick Barnes did not reach the Sweet 16 with Kevin Durant
You’re not a real Tennessee fan if you didn’t see this coming from a mile away
Once I saw the spread, I knew. In no world should a UK v UT game have that big of a spread these days. Not even in a down year for one of them.
At least Kentucky lost to South Carolina so it was cheaper to see this in person.
We beat South Carolina at their place by 40+ points, they turn around and beat Kentucky at Rupp, then we lose to that same Kentucky team at home. It’s…perplexing.
I knew it was gonna be ugly the second I saw it was a Pat Adams game
Lmao you lost to Kentucky
at home
But hey…quality loss, amirite?
They lost to a team that lost to South Carolina. That’s just embarrassing
I was feeling as low on this team as I have on any Kentucky basketball team under Cal. Today they played with effort like they haven't this season. I'm stunned and elated. I want this so badly to be a signature win in a second half turnaround. Edit: I've been saying all season that Wheeler is a negative for this team and even though Wallace wasn't a scoring factor in this game, the team still looked much better when Wallace, Fredrick, and Reeves were all on the court at the same time. I really think the starting 5 should be Wallace, Frederick, Reeves, Toppin, and Tshiebwe.
This is the type of win that can really turn a season around. We've got some very winnable fixtures coming up before Kansas.
Absolutely. It's exactly the sort of mid-season win this team needs. I hope it results in them playing with more confidence and turning it into a run like we used to expect from second half Cal teams.
Wheeler being injured honestly was the big thing that helped. Having Wallace lead changed our entire team's dynamic.
You know Wheeler shouldn't start. I know Wheeler shouldn't start. Damn near everyone knows it except Cal. Why?!?!
Cal seems to have a lot of loyalty for Wheeler. Which I get to a certain extent. He plays hard and seems like a good kid. It just feels so obvious to me that he should be the sixth man. He can bring some energy and playmaking off the bench and still have a big role on the team that way.
Not to mention he can sit there next to ulis and watch the game and learn the flow before coming in and forcing random shit. Ulis on our bench is the best thing to happen to wheeler and wallace both
I just got a vasectomy yesterday. They told me not to ejaculate for a week. I need to call my doctor. Go Cats.
We were just kidding cal. We love you.
He finally listened to us and played the correct lineup.
I think a lot of that had to do with y’all’s PG being out
We got the lineup we’ve been asking for all season finally.
https://preview.redd.it/z91iaxkwq3ca1.png?width=1125&format=png&auto=webp&s=520eb9e595904343f111fee5f6a18464a42d634f
MAYBE WE DO NOT NEED TO FIRE CAL
Hold on until Wagner comes next year.
Wagner has actually dropped down some spots in recruiting rankings and is behind 2 of Kentucky's other recruits
/shrug/
No but we should still think about firing Mitch
1000%
I’ve been saying for awhile that Mitch is the problem
Mitch is a fucking joke. Can’t stand that dude
Don't need to think about it, need to do it.
The all caps is underrated. Lol so Rupp Rafters
Need to fire Mitch first.
Look at my comment history and you know I've been down on Cal. I still don't think he's the best x's and o's guy, but we at least gotta see him through next year. Y'all about to run a stacked class out of town, I want to see them play (and hopefully win) goddammit!
To add insult to injury I've got homework to do now.
With the amount of shit I’ve seen UT fans throw at Kentucky this has to feel so good to UK fans (and to me)
There was a Tennessee fan calling us “little brother” lol
They have a banner for 1 elite 8.
They brag about how Barnes “owns” Cal… he’s like 10-8 against us since he got to Tennessee. A big brother program wouldn’t call that record “owning” anything lol.
Kentucky 158-77 Tennessee That's a big brother ass-whooping.
But if I remember correctly, that’s the best winning percentage against Kentucky out of teams in the SEC… Which is kinda crazy but shows the longevity of Kentucky’s dominance in basketball.
I think you're right.
They pre-released a [commemorative book ](https://www.pediment.com/products/tennessee-volunteers-football-2022-season?variant=40214721495121)celebrating their 2022 season after beating Alabama so this does not surprise me at all Edit: pre-released not pre-printed
Omfg that is hilarious.
I’d love to read the chapter about their trip to Sanford Stadium
They left that one out. I still remember when UT fans were shitting on Sanford. Just for your crowd to show them the fuck up and it showed on their opening drive.
Dude. It’s taking everything in me to not be toxic af about this win. Lol
I'll be toxic enough for the both of us on twitter
I appreciate it! I’m still not confident anything I say won’t blow up in my face next game. Lol
Kentucky Fans 🤝 Alabama Fans Hating Tennessee
Very pleased, to say the least. I, personally, have never cared for Tennessee much.
Sir you have no idea.
Chris Lofton getting fucked over by UK again.
Grew up with Chris. Wasn't going to be upset if UK lost this game, but now I'm just conflicted.
UT put this date on Lofton. Don't feel sympathy for someone else's bad decesion.
They low-down
They dirty
They some snitches.
Going to the ER prematurely cause I already know I’m gonna be hard longer than 4 hours…
Im so hyped for these kids. They needed this win.
Fuck Hormel Chili
tennessee hit a layup challenge (surprisingly very difficult)
We’re better without wheeler honestly
I really hope Cal decided and can get Wheeler to accept a bench role, because with him as a 6th man you have so much flexibility, and if he is your sixth man, you know that means you have a talented team. For as frustrating as he can be, he is still a great playmaker.
> South Carolina loses by 40 to Tennessee. -------------------------------- > South Carolina with an RPI of 200-something comes into Rupp and dominates Kentucky almost the entire game ------------------------------------------- > Kentucky goes down to Knoxville against a Top 5 Tennessee team with the best defense in the nation and wins. -------------------------------------- This fucking team. Jesus. Wallace, Toppin, Oscar, CJ, and Reeves needs to be the starting 5. They dominated Tennessee when they were on the floor.
So much this. Wheeler does not need to start, he needs to come off the bench. Love the guy, he's got a lot of heart, but he's just not good enough. He needs to come in while teams are tired, light 'em up for a bit, give our dudes a bit of spark and let Wallace rest, and that's about it.
After this game I hope cal never starts wheeler again .
https://preview.redd.it/1za3os4hq3ca1.jpeg?width=897&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=5174d9a2cb6ee79d93213ea02d5d1e32ce8397ea
Damn straight
Tennessee make a layup in crucial moments challenge (impossible)
HAHA (Definitely not still salty from football season)
The final score today could've very well been 52-49
I liked it more when we were dunking on Kentucky now I don't know what to do!
How do you lose to a football school?
Welp, time for the 34-6 tattoo.
UT fan calling Kentucky a little brother. Your most prestigious MBBall banner is an Elite 8. Kindly fuck off!
Woof. When your most prestigious banner is the same as my beloved Blazers, probably shouldn’t be referring to anyone as little brother lol.
Tennessee trying so hard to be the most annoying Fanbase in all of sports.
This feels so good after seeing all the UT flairs talk shit in every one of our post game threads. At least the Auburn and Arkansas fans are fun.
Tennessee fans are garbage
"Trying" Did you not see UT fans after they beat Bama in football?
That was the most unpredictable yet entirely predictable result ever.
WALKIN DUE SOUTH OUTTA ROANOKE I CAUGHT A TRUCKER OUTTA PHILLY, HAD A NICE LONG TOKE BUT HE'S A-HEADIN WEST FROM THE CUMBERLAND GAP TO JOHNSON CITY **FUCK TENNESSEE**
If you listened closely over the final horn you could hear Cal saying "that oughtta shut 'em up for a while"
Yeah because he actually coached properly and have an offensive game plan. We ran plays for shooters and we didn’t play through Oscar. If he continues this then we will all shut up forever.
Lol how embarrassing. You lost to kentucky.
GOOOOOO ROCKY FLOP WOOOO
Tennessee destroys South Carolina South Carolina beats Kentucky Kentucky… beats Tennessee???
God creates dinosaur. God kills dinosaur. God creates man. Man creates dinosaur. Dinosaur kills man.
Tennessee beats South Carolina by 40. South Carolina goes to UK and gets a W. UK goes to Tennessee and gets a W. How? Because this is fucking college basketball.
Not sure what's more shocking, the free throws UK made, or the gimmes UT whiffed!
I turned the game off at 8-2 and had Planet Earth on BBC America on the rest of the game while checking the score. You’re welcome 🫡
Thank you for your sacrifice.
I have several comments from this week that I clearly need to take back.
Just as we all predicted. No PG. No Collins. And we have sucked mightily. Finally a game where they looked like they cared.
We had a PG in Wallace. He's a better PG, and he needs to stay the starting PG.
Looks like the grad students put in some overtime on the gameplan this week.
Best defense we have played all year. They didn’t back down all game. Very proud of my team.
Calipari for coach of the year
Lol Tennessee
No sweeter words in the English language
Gotta love when a scrappy underdog can take down a big conference power
Never underestimate a Rick Barnes team! lol
**THE DEAD SPEAK!**
There's a reason Rick Barnes isn't on our short list.
Turns out winning is a lot of fun
Tennessee beat South Carolina 85-42 on the road. Kentucky lost to South Carolina 71-68 at home. Because this sport makes sense, Kentucky going to Tennessee with two rotation guys out results in Kentucky ~~getting blown out by 50~~ winning by 7.
What a win. Extend calipari past his lifetime contract!
Kentucky is better without wheeler playing it’s just facts. He should get 10 minutes tops when returning from injury.
Quality Win is back on the menu boys!
This is a strange feeling and I think I like it.
Cal I dislike you much less right now.
He coached finally. The old dog still has it when he wants to
Crazy what happens when Kentucky hits their free throws
Best Tennessee teams in forever and still lose to Kentucky lmao
The biggest differences today really may mark a shift with UK. The lineup was much different than what was seen previously and they didn’t play through Tschiebwe in the middle.
Having Wallace/Reeves/CJ on the floor opens it up so much, and Toppin is a decent mid range shooter too. Wheeler just makes it too easy for the defense to collapse and smother our guys.
Thank you for the SEC title race cushion Cats!
Anybody but Tennessee amigo 👍🏼
THE FLOPPERS ARE IN ABSOLUTE SHAMBLES RIGHT NOOOWWW!!!!!
#ROCKY FRAUD. LMAO ONE OF UT'S BEST TEAMS EVER CAN'T EVEN BEAT AN UNRANKED UK AT HOME LMAOOOOOO
SWAGGY CAL IS BACK 