Kentucky has played Tennessee more than any other team in its history. As of this writing, the two border rivals (bring back the barrel) have met 240 times, with Tennessee winning just 78. That is the most wins any team has against UK. Naturally, with so many games between these two bitter rivals, a few players in that ugly orange have caught the ire of many UK fans. Here are five of the most hated Vols in this rivalry.
1. Ron Slay (1999-2003)
Slay may be known to most young fans as the colorful, charismatic analyst for SEC Network. But to older UK fans, he is a menace. Slay played for the Vols from 1999-2003, and always had a way of getting under the skin of BBN. With his physical play, trademark headband, and vocal leadership, Slay was a great player and a thorn in the side of BBN. Slay averaged 12.8 pts per game in the series. His best year came during his senior campaign, as Slay averaged 21.2 pts and 7.8 rebounds per contest, was named SEC player of the year, and was third-team all-American. Slay would only get 1 win against Kentucky in his career, yet his style of play left a lasting mark on the rivalry.
2. Grant Williams (2017-2019)
Williams only played for Tennessee for 3 years, but it felt like 300. The versatile forward had a great college career that has also extended into a solid NBA career. From 2017-2019 he went 5-3 against Kentucky, averaging 15.5 PPG. His best performance came on March 2nd, 2019. Williams had 24 pts and 7 rebounds in a stomping of the Cats. The Vols won 71-52. Two weeks later Tennessee ended Kentucky's SEC tournament run with a 82-78 victory. BBN was glad to see Williams leave.
3. Bernard King (1975-1977)
King played well before a lot of you reading this were born, but he had arguably the best career for any opposing player against UK. While at UT, King went 5-1 against UK, and lit up the scorecard. The only loss King suffered at the hands of the Cats came in his freshman year. King had 19pts, 6 Reb in an 88-82 loss. King would not lose to Kentucky again. Over the next 5 games, King would average 24.4 pts, as Tennessee continually found ways to squeak out victories against Kentucky. The average margin of victory during those five games- 4 points. 4 POINTS! Imagine being so close, and constantly having one player dominate the game and have you come up short.
4. Santiago Vescovi (2019-2024)
Vescovi played for what seemed like 400 years now. I can barely recall a time when he wasn't wearing orange. Vescovi played in 11 games against Kentucky. That's about as many games as we got from our players during the Calipari Era. In all seriousness, Vescovi was a great player. The Uruguayan native was always a pest. Any time the Vols needed a 3-point basket, Vescovi found a way to make it happen. Unlike most others on this list, his best performance came in a loss. During a 107-79 drubbing on 1/5/22, Vescovi had a career-best 20 pts.
5. Admiral Schofield (2016-2019)
Another recent Vol makes the list, and for good reason. Rick Barnes has built Tennessee into a solid basketball program. Racking up wins, and moderate NCAA tournament success. That doesn't happen without great players, and Schofield is another great for Barnes and the Vols. Scholfield unfortunately had a winning record against UK in his time wearing that ugly orange. The Vols went 6-4 in his time in Knoxville. During the series, Schofield averaged 14.6 pts and 6.6 rebounds. Schofields best game came in the 2018 SEC tournament championship (The last one for Kentucky). Admiral had a double-double with 22 pts and 10 rebounds.
Everyone will have their own most hated player, that one that just broke your heart, Which player from Tennessee is that for you? Was he on this list, or is it someone else?