Tennessee basketball shows ‘growth’ by closing out Kentucky

[jbcarol]

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee had blown at least a 9-point lead in each of its 4 losses this season

Tennessee defeated Kentucky 76-65 and held around a double-digit lead for the final 8 minutes

Vols were buoyed by the raucous sellout crowd in Thompson-Boiling

Vols outscored Kentucky 47-28 and shot 55 percent after halftime.

Coach Rick Barnes said the staff at halftime showed the players how they didn't follow the game plan.

The coaching got through to the players and the team started to gel on both ends of the floor. The offense used more passes to spring players open. Tennessee assisted on 22 of 25 made field goals.

The defense also locked in and wanted to force the Wildcats into some difficult shots in the second half.

[jbcarol]

After last night, Kentucky has played 105 games in Knoxville and won 54 of them. The only SEC stop that has been harder on the Cats has been Fayetteville, Ark., where UK is 7-7 (.500) at the home of the Razorbacks.