Many eyes are on the SEC again on Saturday night in what amounts to a very important rematch between these two teams. Just three weeks after they met in Knoxville, we’ll see Tennessee and Kentucky battle once again with important ramifications for the SEC race and the trajectory of these two teams in this tight conference.
Ups and downs have been a major part of the season for Tennessee (16-6), though the Volunteers are currently trending upwards again. They’ve run off four straight wins since losing to Kentucky at home in that last matchup, including impressive road wins at Alabama and Georgia. Tennessee now stands 6-3 in the SEC and has shown their ability to beat great teams, dating back to nonconference wins over Houston and Louisville.
The record work has largely been successful at Kentucky (16-7) just as well, with the Wildcats winners of seven of their last eight. That recent burst has seen them rise to 7-3 in the league standings and includes that aforementioned road win at Tennessee during that stretch. Kentucky has lost a few important pieces to injury but seem to have found their stride recently, notably in last weekend’s road win at Arkansas.
Tennessee vs. Kentucky: When and Where
Date: Saturday, February 7, 2026, 8:30 pm ET
Location: Rupp Arena in Lexington, Kentucky
Tennessee vs. Kentucky: Where to Watch or Stream
Watch: ESPN
Streaming: FuboTV
Tennessee vs. Kentucky: Betting Odds
Spread: Kentucky Wildcats-1, Tennessee Volunteers +1.5
Moneyline: Kentucky Wildcats -110, Tennessee Volunteers =104
Total: 143.5
Tennessee vs. Kentucky: Series History
All-time series: Kentucky leads 164-79
Last meeting: Kentucky 80, Tennessee 78 (January 17, 2026)
Projected Starting Lineups
Tennessee Volunteers
Ja’Kobi Gillespie (18.6 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 5.4 apg)
Nate Ament (17.1 ppg, 6.4 rpg)
J. P. Estrella (9.2 ppg, 4.8 rpg)
Bishop Boswell (6.7 ppg, 5.1 rpg)
DeWayne Brown II (5.6 ppg, 3.8 rpg)
Kentucky Wildcats
Otega Oweh (17.0 ppg, 4.4 rpg)
Denzel Aberdeen (12.1 ppg, 3.2 apg)
Collin Chandler (9.4 ppg, 3.0 rpg)
Malachi Moreno (8.3 ppg, 6.3 rpg)
Andrija Jelavic (5.7 ppg, 4.1 rpg)
When these teams met three weeks ago, both actually shot the ball pretty well in a close battle. Both Aberdeen for Kentucky and Gillespie for Tennessee had 20-point performances, though it was surprisingly Tennessee’s work clamping down Oweh that stands out. If they want to get this win on the road, they’ll need to do an even better job containing Kentucky’s offense and limiting second chance opportunities. The team that wins the rebounding battle likely takes care of business, though anything can happen in a rematch like this. Look out for Ament, who looks hungry and has been playing better in recent weeks to take charge.
Can Tennessee give Kentucky a taste of their own medicine and win on the road in this important matchup? Do we see the Wildcats complete the season sweep while getting just enough out of a flashy offense?