Cats Face Vols for Third Time Friday in NCAA Sweet 16

By Ed Peak

It is only 186 miles to Indianapolis from Lexington. The way Big Blue Nation travels that's like going to a neighbor's house.

Kentucky will play SEC rival Tennessee for the third time this season in the NCAA Sweet 16 in Indianapolis on Friday at 7:40 p.m. ET on TBS. The Wildcats (24-11) are No. 3 seed while the Vols (29-7) are No. 2 seed.

Koby Brea of Kentucky goes up for a layup against Illinois during the second round NCAA Tournament action Sunday in Milwaukee. (UK Athletics Photo by Chet White)

UK is one of those teams that has battled multiple injuries this season. When guard Lamont Butler returned, he made the Wildcats better. He is still wearing a brace on his right shoulder. He gets the ball to where it is supposed to go. His defense is a factor.

After dispatching Troy and Illinois in relatively ease in Milwaukee,  Kentucky seems to have new life.

"The adversity, it's kind of paid off, and today it showed," said Amari Williams, who finished with eight points and 10 rebounds. "It's tough not being able to play 100 percent, not being able to be on the court at all."

The Wildcats were in control most of Sunday's game against Illinois. Said Koby Brea, who pumped in 23 points, "We have faced a lot of triumphs. And first, a lot of people didn't think we were going to be here. So just a testament of what God has done for us."

Tennessee won the first and second round games in Lexington against Wofford and UCLA, holding the Bruins to 58 points.

"Our conference was a beast," said Butler. "We had a lot of good teams, but we stayed resilient, stayed together. We can't focus on anything but the next game."

If Kentucky wins, they will play No. 1 seed Houston or No. 4 Purdue on Sunday. The Boilermakers are about 60 miles in West Lafayette, Indiana. But BBN isn't thinking anything about that matchup.

Kentucky went from 110th in defensive efficiency to 45th now.

"I've never seen anyone go from 110 to 45 in the last six weeks," said Kentucky coach Mark Pope. "The answer for me is Koby Brea. He all of the sudden, I'm taking this personal. I'm going to take every single defensive possession personal."

In a January win over the Vols, Kentucky gave up 73 points. Two weeks later, it allowed 64.

"When things didn't go right defensively, he was going to take it incredibly personally. We have a players-led team," said Pope. "We have unbelievable leadership on our team."

Brea was a stalwart Sunday. "I think Koby Brea is the best shooter in college basketball," said Pope. "He's becoming an elite-cutter. We don't win that (Illinois) game without him. He played with incredible poise."

Kentucky will need that against Tennessee.

Ed Peak is a sportwriter from Louisville.