The key talking points after Mark Pope and the Wildcats’ defeat against Rick Barnes and the Volunteers in the Sweet 16.

SportsLine college basketball expert Thomas Casale reveals his Tennessee Volunteers vs. Kentucky Wildcats picks for the Sweet 16 of March Madness 2025

Three takeaways from Kentucky basketball’s 78-65 loss to Tennessee in the Midwest Regional semifinal of the NCAA Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium.

REQUIRED READING: Tennessee basketball vs Kentucky prediction: Who has edge in 2025 NCAA Tournament Sweet 16? Their paths have often collided since their first meeting on Feb. 16, 1910 ...

No. 3 Kentucky and No. 2 Tennessee will tangle for the third time this season, and the stakes are higher than ever in the first NCAA Tournament meeting between the rivals.

Still, three of Kentucky’s last five opponents scored at least 90 points. In the SEC Tournament, Alabama came within one point of the century mark. Six of UK’s last seven opponents averaged at least 1.0 points per possession. Alabama averaged 1.2 in Tuscaloosa. Auburn averaged 1.275 at Rupp.

It’s Tennessee Vols vs Kentucky Wildcats in the March Madness bracket. Here’s our prediction, pick for the 2025 NCAA Tournament basketball game.

Kerr Kriisa, who had an injury-plagued 2024-25 season with the Kentucky basketball program, announced Monday he would enter the transfer portal.