No. 15 Kentucky pulled off a stunning upset against No. 5 Tennessee with a hard-fought 75-64 victory at Rupp Arena on Tuesday night. The Wildcats had previously defeated the Volunteers earlier this season in Knoxville while missing their star guard, Lamont Butler, due to a shoulder injury.

Butler returned to action last weekend in a game against South Carolina but left again after sustaining further issues in this game after diving for a loose ball.

The Wildcats, who have struggled of late, showcased outstanding performances across their roster, including strong contributions from Jaxson Robinson and emerging star Travis Perry, who scored eight points off the bench. Kentucky’s resilience and 12 out of 24 from three-point range were key to their victory, especially against a Tennessee team that boasts the best perimeter defense in the nation.

With this win, Kentucky (17-7, 6-5 SEC) has a new sense of momentum as they look to keep rising in the SEC standings, while Tennessee (20-5, 7-5 SEC) will need to recalibrate after this setback. Next, Kentucky faces Texas in Austin while Tennessee will host Vanderbilt.

Kentucky’s efficient shooting from deep contrasted sharply with Tennessee’s struggles, further adding to the Wildcats’ confidence. This win also brings essential seed positioning implications as the NCAA Tournament approaches.