MIKE STRANGE

Mike Strange: No sweep for Vols against Kentucky

Mike Strange
USA TODAY NETWORK - Tennessee

LEXINGTON, Ky. — When a Kentucky guy hangs 25 on you, beats you at the buzzer or just busts a move that makes you look bad on SportsCenter, there’s at least a silver lining.

You’ll never have to deal with him again. Next season, he’ll be hooping in San Antonio, Milwaukee or Orlando.

They’re not repeat pests like J.J. Frazier of Georgia or South Carolina’s Sindarius Thornwell. Not at Kentucky. They punch you and move on, one and done.

Malik Monk, for instance. By halftime Tuesday night at Rupp Arena, Monk was well on his way to his SEC-leading average of 21.2 points. He had 16, had knocked down four 3-pointers, grabbed four rebounds, and, for good measure, blocked a shot.

He’s ready for his NBA draft close-up.

Tennessee didn’t put up much of a fight before going down 83-58 to the No. 11 Wildcats. If not for walk-on Lucas Campbell hitting two late free throws, it would have been the biggest margin of defeat since Rick Barnes took over at UT.

"We were gosh-awful,'' Barnes said. "I do think it's the worst we've played this year.''

When Kentucky came to Knoxville last month, that was the best Tennessee has played this year. The Vols were rewarded with an 82-80 upset. Tennessee’s win was a shining example that experience and energy can on occasion trump raw talent and that recruiting rankings aren’t always the gospel. There was mention in the interim that UT had last swept Kentucky in 1999. Keep the broom in the closet.

Kentucky’s payback Tuesday was a loud statement for the status quo.

Box score: Tennessee at Kentucky

Since coach John Calipari moved from Memphis to Lexington eight winters ago, the Wildcats have taken NBA baby-sitting to a level never seen before. Cal has recruited and released to the NBA 18 one-year-wonders. A couple of slackers stayed two years.

Tennessee, for anyone keeping score, has produced a solitary one-and-done, Tobias Harris in 2011.

Both the Vols and Wildcats populated the Rupp Arena floor with freshmen Tuesday. The recruiting profiles make one wonder how in the world Tennessee ever beat these guys last month.

Tennessee's Jordan Bowden, left, shoots over Kentucky's Malik Monk on Tuesday in Lexington, Ky.

Monk was the No. 11 recruit in the Class of 2016, per 247sports. That ranked him only third in Kentucky’s starting lineup. De’Aaron Fox was No. 6, Bam Adebayo No. 9. Wenyen Gabriel, another starter, was No. 14. No. 25, Sacha Killeya-Jones, hardly ever leaves the bench.

To find Tennessee’s freshmen, save time by skipping down the page. Jalen Johnson, who is redshirting, is top dog at No. 159. Here’s the rest: Jordan Bone, 181; Kwe Parker 183; Grant Williams, 204; John Fulkerson, 254; Jordan Bowden, 338.

The Vols' most effective player this night was sophomore Admiral Schofield, the No. 293 recruit in the Class of 2015. He scored 17 points. Bone added 15 points.

Bowden, on the other hand, missed all six shots. Williams showed little of the savvy that got him named SEC co-freshman of the week.

"Bowden had a tough night,'' Barnes conceded. "He's gonna be a terrific player. We know that. There are going to be some good nights ahead.

"Our young players have to decide right now how big a slice of the pie they want.''

Tennessee freshmen are just getting started. For Kentucky's freshmen, college is almost over. There will be good nights ahead for both, albeit different pies in different leagues.

Mike Strange may be reached at mike.strange@knoxnews.com. Follow him on Twitter: @Strangemike44.

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