The second weekend of the 2025 NCAA Tournament is set to kick off, and the Kentucky Wildcats will play the Tennessee Volunteers in their Sweet 16 matchup. It will be their third meeting of the season, after the Wildcats won the previous two.

The game will have all the making of a classic. Kentucky and Tennessee have a strong rivalry, which always adds drama and raises the stakes for both teams. Each team has something to prove as well.

Kentucky’s program underwent a seismic change this past offseason that led to the hiring of Mark Pope. He has exceeded expectations this year, but would love to make the Final Four to erase all doubt about whether or not he was the right hire.

Meanwhile, the Vols are attempting to make it to their first Final Four ever. It’s certainly a sore spot for fans, and surely something the players would take great pride in.

So, who will win this one? Let’s take a look ahead.

Kentucky’s defense has to rise to the occasion vs Tennessee

In Kentucky’s two wins over the Volunteers, they held them to an average of less than 70 points. In both matchups, the Cats played very well on that end of the floor. They were especially effective at limiting Tennessee from the three-point line. The Vols shot less than 25% from deep in both games. If Kentucky can repeat the effort on that end of the floor, they should win.

Amari Williams needs to play like he did the first two times

As pointed out by Adam Luckett of Kentucky Sports Radio, in their first two games against Tennessee, Kentucky was +36 with Amari Williams on the floor. That means the Vols had no answer for him. His ability to rebound, block shots, and pass the ball makes him a matchup nightmare, and if get his offense going, he could be the deciding factor in the game.

Kentucky has to stay out of foul trouble

The Wildcats have the talent to matchup head-to-head with the Vols. However, Lamont Butler, Otega Oweh, and Williams have had foul problems at times this year. Butler and Oweh are especially important against Tennessee and their very good backcourt. With Kerr Kriisa and Jaxson Robinson both out, if Butler gets into foul trouble, they’ll have to rely on Freshman at the point guard spot.

Kentucky prediction vs Tennessee: March Madness Sweet 16

Vance Meek: Lead Writer

This should be a hotly contested game, with emotions running high. It’s very difficult to beat a team three times in one season, and especially a team as talented as Tennessee. It will be a back-and-forth battle, and likely close until the very end.

Tennessee 77 – Kentucky 73

Connor O’Bryan: Contributor

Not to oversimplify things, but Kentucky swept Tennessee this year for a reason. The Wildcats have Rick Barnes’ number, and that won’t change, even if it is tournament time.

Kentucky 75 – Tennessee – 68

Lee Ann Herring-Olvedo: Contributor

It’s going to be a classic in Indianapolis on Friday when two rival teams like Kentucky and Tennessee go head-to-head to stay alive in March. If anyone has found a way to stand on business against the Vols, not once, but twice, it is Mark Pope and this ball club. Just ask Chaz Lanier, who is the Vols offensive X-factor. All season long, he put up record numbers, except when he faced the Cats. In both of those games, Koby Brea and Otega Oweh were key factors in limiting Lanier and forcing him out of his comfort zone. Doing it a third time will be a tall task, however, Kentucky has the recipe for success. They know how to beat the Vols. They’ll need to get Collin Chandler set up for success and shoot the three like their life depended on it, and that means probably over 40%.

Kentucky 78 – Tennessee 72