Kentucky–Tennessee rivalry

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Kentucky–Tennessee rivalry
Kentucky Wildcats logo.svg
Kentucky Wildcats
Tennessee Volunteers logo.svg
Tennessee Volunteers
SportFootball, basketball, others

The Kentucky–Tennessee rivalry is a college sports rivalry between the University of Kentucky Wildcats and the University of Tennessee Volunteers. The passionate rivalry between these two Southeastern Conference (SEC) schools, located about 173 miles (278 km) apart, dates to their first college football game in 1893, and has continued across all sports, with the men's basketball series gaining particular attention in recent years.

The football rivalry was once a trophy game known as the Battle for the Barrel, with the victors keeping a painted wooden beer barrel, one half each painted in Vol orange the other in Wildcat blue, until the next contest. The barrel tradition was mutually discontinued in 1998 following a fatal alcohol-related car crash involving two Kentucky football players.

The rivalry is sometimes known as the 'Border Battle.[1][2][3]

Football[]

Main article: Kentucky–Tennessee football rivalry

Basketball[]

Kentucky–Tennessee men's basketball rivalry
Kentucky Wildcats logo.svg
Kentucky Wildcats
Tennessee Volunteers logo.svg
Tennessee Volunteers
SportBasketball
First meeting1910
Kentucky 20, Tennessee 5
Latest meeting2022
Kentucky 107, Tennessee 79
Statistics
Meetings total232
All-time seriesKentucky leads, 157–75
Largest victoryKentucky, 101–40 (1993)
Longest win streakKentucky, 20 (1950–1960)
Current win streakKentucky, 2 (2021-present)

In contrast to the football series, Kentucky has generally dominated the basketball rivalry. The two teams first played in 1910.[4] For the first couple decades the series was often back and forth, and the rivalry became particularly heated in the 1930s and 1940s, when the Volunteers were coached by John Mauer. Mauer had previously been the coach of Kentucky until he was let go and replaced by Adolph Rupp, adding additional bitterness to the rivalry. Under Mauer, the Volunteers held their own against the ascendant Wildcats.[5] However, from 1945 to 1960, Kentucky won 31 out of 32 games, including a series-record 20 consecutive wins from 1950 to 1960. In the 2010s, the rivalry was relatively even, with the Wildcats holding a s slim 13 to 8 lead. In the last 15 meetings, the Volunteers have won eight games. Overall, Kentucky and Tennessee have met for a total of 232 times and Kentucky has the winning advantage of 157–75.[6]

One particularly notable game was the 1972 match-up at Tennessee. Kentucky had won the previous game by two points, but Ray Mears' Tennessee team surprised the league by achieving the best record to that point. If Tennessee won, they would be sole SEC Champions and receive the conference's bid for the NCAA Tournament; however, a Kentucky win meant a shared SEC title, with Kentucky receiving the tournament bid via tiebreaker.[7] Kentucky won the game 67–66 after a last minute missed Tennessee free throw, splitting the conference title and taking away Tennessee's hopes of a tournament bid.[8]

The rivalry has been among the biggest for both schools. To date Tennessee has more wins against Kentucky than any other team.[9]

Game results[]

The following table displays the complete list of game results. in the rivalry. Kentucky victories are shaded in blue, while Tennessee wins are shaded in orange.

Kentucky victoriesTennessee victoriesTie games
No.DateLocationWinnerScore
1 1910 Lexington, KY Kentucky 20–5
2 1912 Lexington, KY Kentucky 27–15
3 1914 Lexington, KY Kentucky 20–14
4 1914 Lexington, KY Kentucky 20–18
5 1915 Knoxville, TN Tennessee 36–21
6 1915 Knoxville, TN Tennessee 27–22
7 1915 Lexington, KY Kentucky 22–13
8 1915 Lexington, KY Kentucky 20–18
9 1916 Lexington, KY Tennessee 28–17
10 1917 Lexington, KY Tennessee 23–20
11 1917 Lexington, KY Tennessee 22–19
12 1917 Knoxville, TN Tennessee 27–26
13 1917 Knoxville, TN Tennessee 30–10
14 1918 Lexington, KY Kentucky 33–26
15 1918 Lexington, KY Kentucky 40–12
16 1918 Knoxville, TN Kentucky 29–18
17 1918 Knoxville, TN Kentucky 32–20
18 1919 Knoxville, TN Tennessee 40–22
19 1919 Lexington, KY Kentucky 30–13
20 1920 Lexington, KY Tennessee 29–24
21 1920 Lexington, KY Tennessee 27–26
22 1920 Knoxville, TN Tennessee 28–25
23 1920 Knoxville, TN Kentucky 34–26
24 1923 Knoxville, TN Tennessee 30–26
25 1923 Lexington, KY Tennessee 28–23
26 1924 Knoxville, TN Tennessee 20–13
27 1925 Knoxville, TN Kentucky 35–22
28 1925 Lexington, KY Kentucky 26–21
29 1926 Knoxville, TN Kentucky 55–17
30 1926 Lexington, KY Kentucky 27–21
31 1927 Knoxville, TN Tennessee 19–14
32 1927 Lexington, KY Tennessee 30–21
33 1928 Lexington, KY Kentucky 48–18
34 1928 Knoxville, TN Kentucky 43–16
35 1929 Knoxville, TN Kentucky 35–29
36 1929 Lexington, KY Kentucky 27–22
37 1930 Lexington, KY Kentucky 23–20
38 1930 Knoxville, TN Tennessee 29–24
39 1931 Lexington, KY Kentucky 31–23
40 1931 Knoxville, TN Kentucky 39–36
41 1932 Knoxville, TN Kentucky 29–28
42 1932 Lexington, KY Kentucky 41–27
43 1933 Knoxville, TN Kentucky 42–21
44 1933 Lexington, KY Kentucky 44–23
45 1934 Knoxville, TN Kentucky 44–23
46 1934 Lexington, KY Kentucky 53–26
47 1935 Lexington, KY Kentucky 48–21
48 1935 Knoxville, TN Kentucky 36–34
49 1936 Lexington, KY Kentucky 40–31
50 1936 Knoxville, TN Tennessee 39–28
51 1936 Knoxville, TN Tennessee 39–28
52 1937 Lexington, KY Kentucky 43–26
53 1937 Knoxville, TN Tennessee 26–24
54 1937 Knoxville, TN Kentucky 39–25
55 1938 Lexington, KY Kentucky 52–27
56 1938 Knoxville, TN Kentucky 29–26
57 1939 Lexington, KY Tennessee 30–29
58 1939 Knoxville, TN Kentucky 42*–34
59 1939 Knoxville, TN Kentucky 46–38
60 1940 Lexington, KY Kentucky 35–26
61 1940 Knoxville, TN Tennessee 27–23
62 1940 Knoxville, TN Kentucky 30–29
63 1941 Knoxville, TN Tennessee 32–22
64 1941 Lexington, KY Kentucky 37–28
65 1941 Louisville, KY Tennessee 36–34
66 1942 Knoxville, TN Tennessee 46–40
67 1942 Lexington, KY Kentucky 36–33
68 1943 Knoxville, TN Kentucky 30–28
69 1943 Lexington, KY Kentucky 53–29
70 1943 Louisville, KY Tennessee 33–30
71 1945 Knoxville, TN Tennessee 35–34
72 1945 Lexington, KY Kentucky 40–34
73 1945 Louisville, KY Kentucky 39–35
74 1946 Knoxville, TN Kentucky 50–32
75 1946 Lexington, KY Kentucky 54–34
76 1947 Knoxville, TN Kentucky 54–39
77 1947 Lexington, KY Kentucky 61–46
78 1948 Knoxville, TN Kentucky 65–54
No.DateLocationWinnerScore
79 1948 Lexington, KY Kentucky 69–42
80 1948 Louisville, KY Kentucky 70–47
81 1949 Knoxville, TN Kentucky 66–51
82 1949 Lexington, KY #1 Kentucky 71–56
83 1949 Louisville, KY #1 Kentucky 83–44
84 1950 Knoxville, TN Tennessee 66–53
85 1950 Lexington, KY #7 Kentucky 79–52
86 1950 Louisville, KY #4 Kentucky 95–48
87 1951 Knoxville, TN #2 Kentucky 70–45
88 1951 Lexington, KY #1 Kentucky 86–61
89 1952 Knoxville, TN #3 Kentucky 65–56
90 1952 Lexington, KY #1 Kentucky 71–56
91 1952 Louisville, KY #1 Kentucky 81–66
92 1954 Knoxville, TN #1 Kentucky 97–71
93 1954 Lexington, KY #2 Kentucky 90–63
94 1955 Knoxville, TN #1 Kentucky 84–66
95 1955 Lexington, KY #2 Kentucky 104–61
96 1956 Knoxville, TN #4 Kentucky 95–68
97 1956 Lexington, KY #12 Kentucky 101–71
98 1957 Knoxville, TN #4 Kentucky 97–72
99 1957 Lexington, KY #3 Kentucky 91–75
100 1958 Lexington, KY #9 Kentucky 77–66
101 1958 Knoxville, TN #12 Kentucky 77–66
102 1959 Lexington, KY #2 Kentucky 79–58
103 1959 Knoxville, TN #1 Kentucky 69–56
104 1960 Knoxville, TN #17 Kentucky 78–68
105 1960 Lexington, KY Tennessee 65–63
106 1961 Lexington, KY Kentucky 83–54
107 1961 Knoxville, TN Kentucky 68–61
108 1961 Lexington, KY Kentucky 96–69
109 1962 Knoxville, TN Tennessee 95–82
110 1962 Lexington, KY #4 Kentucky 90–59
111 1963 Lexington, KY Tennessee 78–69
112 1963 Knoxville, TN Tennessee 63–55
113 1964 Lexington, KY Tennessee 66–57
114 1964 Knoxville, TN #2 Kentucky 42–38
115 1965 Knoxville, TN Tennessee 77–58
116 1965 Lexington, KY Kentucky 62–60
117 1966 Lexington, KY #1 Kentucky 78–64
118 1966 Knoxville, TN Tennessee 69–62
119 1967 Lexington, KY Tennessee 52–50
120 1967 Knoxville, TN Tennessee 76–57
121 1968 Knoxville, TN #4 Tennessee 76–57
122 1968 Lexington, KY #8 Kentucky 60–59
123 1969 Knoxville, TN #5 Kentucky 69–66
124 1969 Lexington, KY #7 Kentucky 84–69
125 1970 Lexington, KY #2 Kentucky 68–52
126 1970 Knoxville, TN #2 Kentucky 86–69
127 1971 Knoxville, TN #18 Tennessee 75–71
128 1971 Lexington, KY #8 Kentucky 84–78
129 1972 Lexington, KY Kentucky 72–70
130 1972 Knoxville, TN Kentucky 67–66
131 1973 Knoxville, TN Tennessee 65–64
132 1973 Lexington, KY #19 Kentucky 86–81
133 1974 Knoxville, TN Tennessee 67–57
134 1974 Lexington, KY #7 Kentucky 78–61
135 1975 Lexington, KY #7 Kentucky 92–88
136 1975 Knoxville, TN Tennessee 103–98
137 1976 Lexington, KY #9 Tennessee 90–88
138 1976 Knoxville, TN #8 Tennessee 92–85
139 1977 Lexington, KY Tennessee 71–67
140 1977 Knoxville, TN #11 Tennessee 81–79
141 1978 Lexington, KY #3 Kentucky 90–77
142 1978 Knoxville, TN #2 Kentucky 68–57
143 1979 Lexington, KY Tennessee 66–55
144 1979 Knoxville, TN Tennessee 101–81
145 1979 Birmingham, AL Tennessee 75–69
146 1980 Knoxville, TN Tennessee 49–47
147 1980 Lexington, KY #3 Kentucky 83–75
148 1981 Lexington, KY #4 Kentucky 48–47
149 1981 Knoxville, TN #10 Tennessee 49–47
150 1982 Knoxville, TN Tennessee 70–66
151 1982 Lexington, KY #9 Kentucky 77–67
152 1983 Knoxville, TN Tennessee 65–63
153 1983 Lexington, KY #10 Kentucky 68–61
154 1984 Lexington, KY #3 Kentucky 93–74
155 1984 Knoxville, TN Tennessee 63–58
156 1985 Knoxville, TN Tennessee 81–65
No.DateLocationWinnerScore
157 1985 Lexington, KY Kentucky 92–67
158 1986 Lexington, KY #11 Kentucky 74–67
159 1986 Knoxville, TN #5 Kentucky 62–60
160 1987 Knoxville, TN #9 Kentucky 75–68
161 1987 Lexington, KY Kentucky 91–84
162 1988 Lexington, KY #5 Kentucky 83–65
163 1988 Knoxville, TN Tennessee 72–70
164 1989 Knoxville, TN Kentucky 66–65
165 1989 Lexington, KY Kentucky 76–71
166 1990 Lexington, KY Kentucky 95–83
167 1990 Knoxville, TN Tennessee 102–100
168 1991 Knoxville, TN #11 Kentucky 78–74
169 1991 Lexington, KY #16 Kentucky 85–74
170 1992 Knoxville, TN Tennessee 107–85
171 1992 Lexington, KY #10 Kentucky 99–88
172 1993 Lexington, KY #2 Kentucky 84–70
173 1993 Knoxville, TN Tennessee 78–77
174 1993 Lexington, KY #4 Kentucky 101–40
175 1994 Lexington, KY #8 Kentucky 93–74
176 1994 Knoxville, TN #7 Kentucky 77–73
177 1995 Lexington, KY #5 Kentucky 69–50
178 1995 Knoxville, TN #6 Kentucky 68–48
179 1996 Lexington, KY #2 Kentucky 61–44
180 1996 Knoxville, TN #2 Kentucky 90–50
181 1997 Lexington, KY #3 Kentucky 74–40
182 1997 Knoxville, TN #3 Kentucky 74–64
183 1998 Knoxville, TN #7 Kentucky 85–67
184 1998 Lexington, KY #7 Kentucky 80–74
185 1999 Lexington, KY Tennessee 47–46
186 1999 Knoxville, TN Tennessee 68–61
187 2000 Lexington, KY #14 Kentucky 81–68
188 2000 Knoxville, TN #7 Tennessee 74–67
189 2001 Lexington, KY Kentucky 84–74
190 2001 Knoxville, TN #22 Kentucky 103–95
191 2002 Knoxville, TN Tennessee 76–74
192 2002 Lexington, KY #12 Kentucky 64–61
193 2003 Knoxville, TN #18 Kentucky 74–71
194 2003 Lexington, KY #2 Kentucky 80–68
195 2004 Knoxville, TN #9 Kentucky 69–68
196 2004 Lexington, KY #9 Kentucky 92–60
197 2005 Knoxville, TN #7 Kentucky 84–62
198 2005 Lexington, KY #4 Kentucky 73–61
199 2005 Atlanta, GA #3 Kentucky 76–62
200 2006 Lexington, KY #11 Tennessee 75–67
201 2006 Knoxville, TN Kentucky 80–78
202 2007 Lexington, KY Kentucky 76–57
203 2007 Knoxville, TN Tennessee 89–85
204 2008 Lexington, KY Kentucky 72–66
205 2008 Knoxville, TN #1 Tennessee 63–60
206 2009 Knoxville, TN Kentucky 90–72
207 2009 Lexington, KY Kentucky 77–58
208 2010 Lexington, KY #3 Kentucky 73–62
209 2010 Knoxville, TN #19 Tennessee 74–65
210 2010 Nashville, TN #2 Kentucky 74–45
211 2011 Lexington, KY #18 Kentucky 73–61
212 2011 Knoxville, TN #20 Kentucky 64–58
213 2012 Knoxville, TN #2 Kentucky 65–62
214 2012 Lexington, KY #1 Kentucky 69–44
215 2013 Lexington, KY Kentucky 75–65
216 2013 Knoxville, TN Tennessee 88–58
217 2014 Lexington, KY #13 Kentucky 74–66
218 2015 Knoxville, TN #1 Kentucky 66–48
219 2016 Knoxville, TN Tennessee 84–77
220 2016 Lexington, KY #14 Kentucky 80–70
221 2017 Knoxville, TN Tennessee 82–80
222 2017 Lexington, KY #13 Kentucky 83–58
223 2018 Knoxville, TN #23 Tennessee 76–65
224 2018 Lexington, KY #15 Tennessee 61–59
225 2018 St. Louis, MO Kentucky 77–72
226 2019 Lexington, KY #5 Kentucky 86–69
227 2019 Knoxville, TN #7 Tennessee 71–52
228 2019 Nashville, TN #8 Tennessee 82–78
229 2020 Knoxville, TN #12 Kentucky 77–64
230 2020 Lexington, KY Tennessee 81–73
231 2021 Lexington, KY #11 Tennessee 82–71
232 2021 Knoxville, TN Kentucky 70–55
Series: Kentucky leads 156–76

Womens Basketball[]

The scores for Kentucky and Tennessee Women's Basketball from Tennessee's perspective.

Wins[]

52

Losses[]

15

Streak[]

L1

Longest Win Streak[]

20 Games

1/11/1987 - 1/23/2005

Longest Losing Streak[]

3 Games

1/10/2019 - 3/6/2020

Home Record[]

24-4

Away Record[]

20-10

Conference Record[]

27-11

First Matchup[]

W 70-67

1/24/1976

Last 10 Matchups[]

5-5

2/15/2015-2/11/2021

Largest Margin of Victory[]

W 110-38

1/21/2001

Smallest Margin of Victory[]

W 73-72

1/29/2015

Total Points[]

5191

Average Points[]

77.48

History from Jan 24, 1976 - Feb 11, 2021
Date Season Location Score Media
2/11/2021 2020-21 Lexington, KY L 56 - 71
1/24/2021 2020-21 Knoxville, TN W 70 - 53
3/6/2020 2019-20 Greenville, SC L 65 - 86
1/5/2020 2019-20 Lexington, KY L 76 - 80
1/10/2019 2018-19 Knoxville, TN L 71 - 73
12/31/2017 2017-18 Lexington, KY W 63 - 49
1/1/2017 2016-17 Knoxville, TN W 72 - 65
1/25/2016 2015-16 Lexington, KY L 63 - 64
3/7/2015 2014-15 Little Rock, AR W 75 - 64
2/15/2015 2014-15 Knoxville, TN W 72 - 58
1/29/2015 2014-15 Lexington, KY W 73 - 72
3/9/2014 2013-14 Duluth, GA W 71 - 70
2/16/2014 2013-14 Knoxville, TN L 71 - 75
3/3/2013 2012-13 Lexington, KY L 65 - 78
2/13/2012 2011-12 Knoxville, TN W 91 - 54
1/12/2012 2011-12 Lexington, KY L 60 - 61
3/6/2011 2010-11 Nashville, TN W 90 - 65
2/7/2011 2010-11 Lexington, KY W 73 - 67
3/7/2010 2009-10 Duluth, GA W 70 - 62
2/25/2010 2009-10 Knoxville, TN W 81 - 65
2/19/2009 2008-09 Lexington, KY L 56 - 66
1/8/2009 2008-09 Knoxville, TN W 69 - 64
2/3/2008 2007-08 Knoxville, TN W 79 - 51
1/17/2008 2007-08 Lexington, KY W 65 - 40
2/11/2007 2006-07 Knoxville, TN W 84 - 62
1/26/2006 2005-06 Lexington, KY L 63 - 66
1/23/2005 2004-05 Knoxville, TN W 67 - 49
1/29/2004 2003-04 Lexington, KY W 81 - 72
3/2/2003 2002-03 Lexington, KY W 84 - 69
2/24/2002 2001-02 Knoxville, TN W 89 - 64
1/27/2001 2000-01 Knoxville, TN W 83 - 39
1/21/2001 2000-01 Lexington, KY W 110 - 38
1/30/2000 1999-00 Knoxville, TN W 77 - 48
1/23/2000 1999-00 Lexington, KY W 71 - 65
1/17/1999 1998-99 Knoxville, TN W 98 - 60
1/18/1998 1997-98 Lexington, KY W 93 - 65
1/12/1997 1996-97 Knoxville,TN W 84 - 61
1/14/1996 1995-96 Lexington, KY W 60 - 45
2/18/1994 1993-94 Lexington, KY OT W 95 - 89
2/6/1993 1992-93 Knoxville, TN W 85 - 61
3/8/1992 1991-92 Albany, GA W 94 - 80
2/8/1992 1991-92 Lexington, KY W 77 - 52
1/12/1991 1990-91 Knoxville, Tenn. W 80 - 70
1/22/1990 1989-90 Lexington, KY W 76 - 60
1/21/1989 1988-89 Knoxville, Tenn. W 101 - 57
1/11/1987 1986-87 Knoxville, Tenn. W 76 - 64
1/24/1986 1985-86 Lexington, KY L 82 - 96
2/13/1985 1984-85 Lexington, KY W 77 - 66
1/23/1985 1984-85 Knoxville, TN OT L 72 - 76
2/12/1984 1983-84 Knoxville, TN W 67 - 65
1/25/1984 1983-84 Lexington, KY W 75 - 63
2/27/1983 1982-83 Knoxville L 69 - 81
2/9/1983 1982-83 Lexington, KY W 95 - 85
2/28/1982 1981-82 Lexington, KY L 74 - 80
2/18/1982 1981-82 Lexington, KY W 65 - 61
1/28/1982 1981-82 Knoxville W 81 - 75
3/13/1981 1980-81 Norfolk, VA W 58 - 49
2/6/1981 1980-81 Knoxville W 81 - 65
2/2/1980 1979-80 Lexington, KY OT W 91 - 83
2/17/1979 1978-79 Knoxville, TN W 89 - 51
1/20/1979 1978-79 Lexington, KY L 64 - 66
3/10/1978 1977-78 Chapel Hill, NC W 76 - 60
2/25/1978 1977-78 Knoxville, TN W 99 - 66
1/28/1978 1977-78 Lexington, KY 2OT W 92 - 90
1/7/1977 1976-77 Lexington, KY W 82 - 57
11/13/1976 1976-77 Knoxville, TN W 107 - 53
1/24/1976 1975-76 Cookeville, TN W 70 - 67

See also[]

  • Most-played rivalries in NCAA Division I FBS

References[]

  1. ^ Anthony Wireman (November 6, 2021). "The Border Battle: Tennessee at Kentucky Hype Video". Nation of Blue.
  2. ^ Andrew Olson (November 8, 2019). "Kentucky drops hype video for 'Border Battle' with Tennessee". Saturdays Down South.
  3. ^ Les Dixon (April 10, 2019). "Several locals playing in inaugural Kentucky vs. Tennessee Border Battle". Sentinel-Echo.
  4. ^ Trease, Danny (2002) Tales from the Kentucky Hardwood, p. 96. Sports Publishing. ISBN 1582613192.
  5. ^ Randy Moore (2005), Hoop Tales: Tennessee Volunteers Men's Basketball, pp. 13-16. Globe Pequot. ISBN 0762737026.
  6. ^ "Men's Basketball History vs University of Kentucky from Feb 16, 1910 - Feb 20, 2021". UTSports.com. Retrieved November 17, 2021.
  7. ^ "Tonight in Knoxville: Vols Vs. 'Cats". Daytona Beach Morning Journal. Associated Press. March 8, 1972. Retrieved January 29, 2013.
  8. ^ Wallace, Tom (2002) Kentucky Basketball Encyclopedia, p. 196. Sports Publishing. ISBN 1582615691.
  9. ^ ESPN College Basketball Encyclopedia: The Complete History of the Men's Game (2009), p. 437. Random House Digital. ISBN 0345513924.

University of Tennessee Athletics Women's Basketball History vs University of Kentucky (utsports.com)

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