Kentucky Wildcats head coach Mark Pope has already faced Tennessee twice this season, securing wins in both matchups. However, as the Wildcats prepare for their Sweet 16 showdown against the Volunteers, Pope has spotted a key defensive adjustment from Rick Barnes’ squad.
While reviewing film of Tennessee’s second-round win over UCLA, Pope noticed an aggressive three-quarter court 1-2-2 press that had not previously appeared in scouting reports. He described how the defensive shift frustrated UCLA, leading to multiple turnovers late in the first half. Tennessee’s defense held UCLA to just 58 points on 35.8% shooting, using this new wrinkle to take control of the game.
Pope acknowledged that Tennessee’s defense is one of the most consistent and aggressive in the country, ranking at or near the top in several metrics. The Volunteers apply heavy pressure, blitz ball screens, and rarely allow easy baskets. Kentucky managed to score well against them in previous games, putting up 78 and 75 points, but Pope anticipates a tougher challenge this time.
To counteract Tennessee’s defensive pressure, Pope emphasized the importance of ball movement. He explained that the Volunteers’ defense thrives on keeping opponents stationary, so Kentucky must focus on maintaining movement both on and off the ball. This strategy helped the Wildcats break through Tennessee’s defense in their previous matchups and will be a focal point once again.
Pope also highlighted Kentucky’s own defensive improvements. Since February 4, the Wildcats have been rated higher defensively than Tennessee on BartTorvik, and in the NCAA Tournament, they currently rank second behind Houston. Despite this, Pope remains wary of Tennessee’s offensive threats, particularly Chaz Lanier and Zakai Zeigler, who combined for 35 points against UCLA. He noted that the Vols are running more free-flowing actions on offense, adding another layer of difficulty to Kentucky’s game plan.
The Wildcats have also made their own adjustments. In the second half of their win over Illinois, Pope rolled out offensive actions that hadn’t been used extensively in recent games but had proven effective earlier in the season. He compared preparing for this third meeting with Tennessee to an NBA Playoff series, where teams continually adjust from game to game.
Pope acknowledged that college basketball doesn’t see drastic game-to-game shifts like the NBA, but with six weeks since their last matchup against Tennessee, both teams have had time to evolve. He and his staff have been studying film, trying to anticipate the adjustments Rick Barnes might make.
As Kentucky prepares for its third battle with Tennessee, Pope is embracing the challenge, fine-tuning his system, and looking forward to the chess match that will unfold on the court.
