No. 2 Kentucky Avoids Upset by Tennessee, Hangs on 65-62

The Kentucky Wildcats did not have a lead as large as four points until there were five minutes remaining in regulation.

In fact, Kentucky was struggling on the road against Tennessee until the defense stepped it up a notch as they eventually hung on for the 65-62 victory.

Kentucky (17-1) has shown all season that they are arguably the most talented team in the country, and they would likely be No. 1 in the nation had they not been upset at Indiana.

The six-man rotation was expanded a tad as Anthony Davis suffered some early foul trouble that impacted the 'Cats on both sides of the court in the first half. UK trailed by six at the break, but would not die.

Big man Eloy Vargas filled in and though he did not notch anything in the stat sheet, his defense and ability to stay poised allowed others around him to keep his squad in the game. 

Doron Lamb is one of the most explosive sixth men in the entire country, and he was also forced to play a ton of minutes with Terrance Jones fouling out late in the ball game (3:55 left). Eventually, regaining their composure and swagger, UK outscored the Vols by nine points in the second half.

Of course, Tennessee (8-9) desperately needed a win like this to get themselves back into the conversation of competing for an NCAA bid.

Plus, most bracketologists do not have them close to playing in the dance right now. 

ESPN's Joe Lunardi has the Vols out—as expected—but he has the Cats as a clear-cut one-seed, just like CBS's Jerry Palm.

The Wildcats may not be tested a whole lot in the SEC since both of the above experts have either just five (Lunardi) or six teams in the dance (Palm).

The player of the game in this nailbiting three-point victory had to be the combination of Anthony Davis and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, who were the only consistent offensive threats.

Kidd-Gilchrist went for a double-double, posting 17 points and 12 rebounds, but Davis bothers the Vols all day on slip screens (eight rebounds, four blocks).

Arkansas and Alabama come to Lexington in the next two games before Georgia and LSU await John Calipari's talented squad on the road in two weeks. 

Of course, the expectations are still as high as ever for this squad come March, but road dates with Mississippi State (Feb.21) and Florida (Mar. 4) will really tell us if perhaps Calipari can get his first title, and Kentucky their eighth.