Tennessee basketball: Vols get fourth consecutive home win against Kentucky

The Tennessee basketball team wins another rematch game with the 71-52 victory over Kentucky. Here are three takeaways from the game.

When it’s your day, it’s your day. With roughly seven minutes to go in the game, Jordan Bone passed out of a double team to John Fulkerson. Fulkerson fumbled the pass but somehow managed to get it to Grant Williams in just enough time to get off a shot to put the Vols up by 19 points.

From the opening whistle, Thompson-Boling Arena was rowdy. The crowd affected Kentucky’s offense and helped the Vols defense look very similar to the defense from a season ago.

Tennessee held the Cats to a season-low 24 points at halftime and under 25 percent shooting from the field and three-point line. The Vols held the pedal down in the second half and continued their stellar play.

The win gave Tennessee their fourth consecutive home win against Kentucky. That gives Rick Barnes a 4-0 record against John Calipari and the Cats in Thompson-Boling Arena. The win also increases Tennessee’s rematch record the past two seasons to 9-0. The Vols now take a one-game lead over Kentucky in the SEC standings. Here are three takeaways from the game.

1. I’ll take Bone-in and out, please

Jordan Bone was spectacular in every way possible. From the starting tip, the Vols looked towards Bone to get them started. The junior guard was the best player on the court, and it wasn’t even close.

Bone scored a game-high 27 points on 11-for-15 from the floor, including a perfect 5-for-5 from the three-point line. He also accounted three rebounds, three assists, and two steals, with zero turnovers.

2. Hello you beautiful defense

There has been a knock on Tennessee’s defense this season. And, while the percentages aren’t as good we have to remember, the Vols are a much better team offensively.

But, on Saturday Tennessee dominated. As we mentioned above, the Cats scored a season-low 24 points at half time. 52 points was also a season-low for Tyler Herro and Kentucky.

Speaking of Herro, he finished the game with just six points on 2-for-11 from the floor, including 0-for-5 from the three-point line. P.J. Washinton, who touched the Vols in Lexington wasn’t much better. Washington finished with 13 points on 2-for-6 from the floor.

Kentucky finished the game with a 31.6 percent field goal percentage and just 26.3 percent from the three-point line.

3. Grant wasn’t scared

Rumored had it that Grant Williams was scared of P.J. Washington. Somehow, Washington was living in Williams’ mind and controlling his game.

Well, not today.

Grant Williams played like the reigning SEC Player of the Year scoring 24 points on 7-for-13 from the floor, including 2-for-4 from the three-point line. It’s safe to say, Williams wasn’t scared at all.

The Vols are back in action on Tuesday night when they take on the Mississippi State Bulldogs. I don’t want to put added pressure on the game, but it’s a must-win if Tennessee wants a regular season SEC Championship.