As they are prone to do in Rupp Arena, a sudden burst from Kentucky broke open a tight game early in the second half.
The Vols have won just once away from Knoxville this year, and three of its last four losses came at Alabama (before they started their streak) and at TCU and Missouri, the worst teams in their respective conferences. Playing in Rupp Arena against a Kentucky team hungry for revenge, Tennessee was a 17 point underdog and one might have reasonably expected worse.
Tennessee was game throughout the first half, holding the lead for the first eight minutes and trailing by only six at the break despite getting little from Kevin Punter.