Two of the SEC’s premier programs, Kentucky and Tennessee, are set to battle once again, and the matchup is loaded with talent across the board. But which team holds the edge at each position? Let’s break it down, player vs. player, to see who has the advantage.
Point Guard: Lamont Butler (Kentucky) vs. Zakai Zeigler (Tennessee)
Lamont Butler (Kentucky)
11.1 PPG, 2.7 RPG, 4.3 APG, 1.6 STL, 48.7% FG
Zakai Zeigler (Tennessee)
13.7 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 7.4 APG, 2.0 STL, 41.3% FG
Advantage: Tennessee
Zeigler is a dynamic playmaker and one of the best assist men in the country. While Butler is an elite defender, Zeigler’s playmaking and scoring ability give him the edge at the point guard spot.
Shooting Guard: Otega Oweh (Kentucky) vs. Chaz Lanier (Tennessee)
Otega Oweh (Kentucky)
16.3 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 1.7 APG, 49.4% FG, 36.0% 3PT
Chaz Lanier (Tennessee)
18.1 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 1.1 APG, 43.8% FG, 41.0% 3PT
Advantage: Kentucky
This one is close, but Oweh has been slightly more efficient overall and provides a stronger presence on the boards. Lanier’s three-point shooting is elite, but Oweh’s all-around game gives Kentucky the edge.
Small Forward: Koby Brea (Kentucky) vs. Jordan Gainey (Tennessee)
Koby Brea (Kentucky)
11.8 PPG, 3.2 RPG, 1.3 APG, 47.7% FG, 43.8% 3PT
Jordan Gainey (Tennessee)
11.3 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 1.9 APG, 39.8% FG, 30.3% 3PT
Advantage: Kentucky
Brea’s deadly three-point shooting (43.8%) makes him a major threat from deep, and he’s also more efficient from the field. Gainey is a solid contributor, but Brea’s shooting ability gives the Wildcats the edge.
Power Forward: Andrew Carr (Kentucky) vs. Igor Milicic Jr. (Tennessee)
Andrew Carr (Kentucky)
10.4 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 1.8 APG, 54.8% FG, 33.8% 3PT
Igor Milicic Jr. (Tennessee)
9.7 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 2.0 APG, 46.9% FG, 32.2% 3PT
Advantage: Kentucky
Carr is the better scorer and more efficient shooter, while Milicic is the stronger rebounder. This one is close, but Carr’s offensive consistency gives Kentucky the nod when he is healthy. That said Milicic has played extremely well against Kentucky this year.
Center: Amari Williams (Kentucky) vs. Felix Okpara (Tennessee)
Amari Williams (Kentucky)
10.8 PPG, 8.6 RPG, 3.2 APG, 55.7% FG, 1.3 BPG
Felix Okpara (Tennessee)
7.2 PPG, 6.2 RPG, 0.3 APG, 58.2% FG, 1.7 BPG
Advantage: Kentucky
Williams is the better all-around player, contributing as a scorer, rebounder, and passer, while Okpara is an elite shot-blocker but lacks offensive production. Kentucky gets the edge in the paint.
Bench & Depth
Kentucky boasts Trent Noah and Collin Chandler as key reserves, while Tennessee’s bench features Jahmai Mashack and Cade Phillips. Tennessee’s bench has been slightly more productive, but Kentucky uses more players.
Advantage: Tennessee
Both teams have solid depth, but Tennessee gets more consistent scoring from their bench while the Cats can be up and down.
Final Verdict: Who Has the Edge?
- Kentucky: 3 positional advantages (Shooting Guard, Small Forward, Power Forward, Center)
- Tennessee: 1 positional advantage (Point Guard)
- Bench: Tennessee
Overall Advantage: Kentucky
The Wildcats have the edge at three of five positions, giving them a slight overall advantage heading into this highly anticipated showdown. Tennessee’s Zeigler could be the X-factor, but if Kentucky controls the boards and takes advantage of their scoring efficiency, they could come out on top.
Who do you think has the edge? Let us know.