Busting Brackets
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Tennessee Basketball: 2018-19 keys for the Vols at Kentucky

By Tristan Freeman

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - DECEMBER 09: Jordan Bowden #23 of the Tennessee Volunteers celebrates after defeating the Gonzaga Bulldogs in the game at Talking Stick Resort Arena on December 9, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Volunteers defeated the Bulldogs 76-73. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - DECEMBER 09: Jordan Bowden #23 of the Tennessee Volunteers celebrates after defeating the Gonzaga Bulldogs in the game at Talking Stick Resort Arena on December 9, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Volunteers defeated the Bulldogs 76-73. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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KNOXVILLE, TN – FEBRUARY 5: Kyle Alexander #11 of the Tennessee Volunteers looks to pass during the game between the Missouri Tigers and the Tennessee Volunteers at Thompson-Boling Arena on February 5, 2019 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Tennessee won 72-60. (Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TN – FEBRUARY 5: Kyle Alexander #11 of the Tennessee Volunteers looks to pass during the game between the Missouri Tigers and the Tennessee Volunteers at Thompson-Boling Arena on February 5, 2019 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Tennessee won 72-60. (Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images) /

1. Kyle Alexander shut down the Wildcats big men

Tennessee has one of the best frontcourts in the country, led by Schofield and Grant Williams. But on the defensive end, the key clog is Kyle Alexander, a 6’11 big man whose averaging 8.5 ppg and 6.9 rpg. The senior is one of the top shot blockers in the SEC, rejecting a couple of night. He also has one of the best defensive ratings for a big man and is a physical presence down low.

Kentucky knows that from last year, when their bigs had to deal with Alexander. In the 61-59 slugfest in Rupp Arena last season, Alexander had held PJ Washington and Nick Richards to nine combined points on 2/7 field goal shooting.

But Washington has improved much since then, leading Kentucky in scoring in SEC play with 16 ppg and 7.3 rpg. He’s coming off of a 20-point, nine rebound performance against LSU and has eclipsed the 20-point mark in six of the team’s last seven games. The 6’7 sophomore has emerged as the Wildcats top scoring option and will be the focal point of the Vols defensive game plan.

With Reid Travis having a bigger frame, it’s likely that Williams will guard Washington while Alexander takes care of Travis in the paint. However, it may be Tennessee’s best interest to have the senior defend the red-hot Kentucky forward for a chunk of this game. Either way, making sure Washington doesn’t go off is important for the No. 1 team in the country to getting the win.

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