A game the Wildcats needed ended with yet another familiar late collapse. This despite a huge boost from sophomore forward Brooks, their only returning starter who missed the first nine games with a leg injury. Climbing back seems an even taller task at this point for a team that has already matched the most losses under coach John Calipari with a bunch of games remaining.
Keon Johnson scored 17 of his career-high 27 points after halftime, Jaden Springer added a career-high 23 points and No. 11 Tennessee rallied past Kentucky 82-71. Trailing 58-48 with 12 minutes remaining, the Volunteers scored 12 straight points for the lead thanks to the freshmen. The lead traded hands twice more before Tennessee took control with another 12-0 run for a 74-64 lead and went on to its second consecutive victory at Rupp Arena and sixth in nine games against Kentucky. Their efforts offset career highs of 23 points and 11 rebounds by Kentucky’s Keion Brooks Jr.
