Kentucky Wildcats rally to defeat Tennessee Volunteers

Otega Oweh scores 21 points to lead Kentucky comeback against ranked Tennessee team

Feb. 7, 2026 at 11:47pm

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The Kentucky Wildcats men's basketball team overcame a deficit to defeat the No. 25 ranked Tennessee Volunteers 74-71 on Saturday night in Lexington, Kentucky. Kentucky's Otega Oweh led all scorers with 21 points in the comeback victory.

Why it matters

This was an important Southeastern Conference matchup between two of the top teams in the region. Kentucky's ability to rally and defeat a ranked opponent at home keeps them in contention for a high seed in the upcoming NCAA tournament.

The details

Kentucky trailed Tennessee for much of the game, but mounted a late comeback led by Otega Oweh's 21 points. The Wildcats were able to overcome the deficit and secure the 74-71 win over the visiting Volunteers.

  • The game was played on Saturday, February 8, 2026.

The players

Otega Oweh

A Kentucky Wildcats basketball player who scored a game-high 21 points in the win over Tennessee.

Tennessee Volunteers

The No. 25 ranked college basketball team that lost to Kentucky 74-71 in this Southeastern Conference matchup.

Kentucky Wildcats

The home team that rallied to defeat the ranked Tennessee Volunteers in this conference showdown.

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What they’re saying

“Our team showed a lot of fight and resilience to come back and win this game against a very good Tennessee team.”

— John Calipari, Head Coach, Kentucky Wildcats

What’s next

Kentucky will look to build on this win as they continue their SEC schedule, while Tennessee will try to rebound from the loss.

The takeaway

Kentucky's ability to rally and defeat a ranked opponent at home keeps them in contention for a high seed in the upcoming NCAA tournament, showcasing the team's resilience and determination.