:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/63065389/uk.0.jpg)
The Kentucky Wildcats put a beatdown on the No. 1 Tennessee Volunteers, 86-69.
After a back and forth first half, Kentucky blew the doors off of the Vols in the second half, having their way inside by way of PJ Washington and Reid Travis. Tyler Herro had a strong showing with 15 points and 13 rebounds, and Washington again led the way with 23 points and five rebounds.
This felt like a statement game from the Wildcats after their heartbreaker against LSU. It was exactly the kind of game Kentucky needed to not only stay alive for a 1-seed, but also send a strong message to the rest of the college basketball world that this team is legit.
Here’s what social media had to say about the Wildcats’ beatdown on the Vols, as well as College GameDay airing from Memorial Coliseum:
NUMBER 1 HAS FALLEN!
— NCAA March Madness (@marchmadness) February 17, 2019
No. 5 Kentucky convincingly defeats No. 1 Tennessee & is starting to look like a Final Four team! #BBN pic.twitter.com/eIXilw427k
#CatsBy17 (vs. the No. 1 team in the land) pic.twitter.com/LPZCiK6vLE
— Kentucky Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) February 17, 2019
The most impressive Kentucky buzzsaw since the third quarter of the Citrus Bowl.
— Justin Rowland (@RowlandRIVALS) February 17, 2019
No. 5 Kentucky takes down No. 1 Tennessee, 86-69.
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) February 17, 2019
John Calipari is now 5-4 vs AP top-ranked teams. Among 87 Div. I coaches with 7+ games vs No. 1 teams, Calipari is the only one with a winning record. pic.twitter.com/QrpuKo6Od6
GO BIG BLUE!
— Lexington Police (@lexkypolice) February 17, 2019
PLEASE MAKE SAFE CHOICES!!
Drake curse is real https://t.co/Y97KMXJEGW pic.twitter.com/wgMCRlTUxS
— ThrowboyTees (@ThrowboyTees) February 17, 2019
Oh by the way Tennessee Vol fans....
— Matt Jones (@KySportsRadio) February 17, 2019
You remember how I said you wouldn’t win a Football title again in my lifetime?
Well after tonight, It doesn’t look good for Basketball either
For the last month, and tonight especially, PJ Washington has been the best player in the SEC.
— Kyle Tucker (@KyleTucker_ATH) February 17, 2019
PJ Washington has been simply amazing tonight
— Matt Jones (@KySportsRadio) February 17, 2019
Is there anyone in the country playing as well as @PJWashington right now? pic.twitter.com/Gt431g1MSV
— Kentucky Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) February 17, 2019
Players who should win SEC POY
— KY Clips (@KY_Clips) February 17, 2019
1. PJ Washington Jr.
2. PJ Washington Sr. son
3. Number 25 for Kentucky
4. Paul Jamaine
5. The UK player who returned for his Sophomore season
Kentucky’s resume is legit.
— Tres Terrell (@TerrellTres) February 17, 2019
John Calipari imploring the UK student section to stop with the overrated chant for Tennessee.
— Matt Norlander (@MattNorlander) February 17, 2019
And it works. They shut up.
THE WILDCATS ARE FEELING IT
— ESPN (@espn) February 17, 2019
( @sonicdrivein) pic.twitter.com/jh7VjCjw8X
Kentucky is playing with an edge that we haven’t really seen yet this season. Obviously, wanted to show it’s capable of beating the No. 1 team in country and also the team perceived to be the best in the SEC. ‘Cats now up 20 with 16 minutes left over Tennessee.
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) February 17, 2019
Nice of Tennessee to Volunteer to get that ass beat #GBO #GoVols
— Ian Teasley (@ianteasley) February 17, 2019
Will Tennessee be ranked first on Monday?pic.twitter.com/9r6tTjNRO2
— Andrew Cassady (@AndCassady) February 17, 2019
Hey @BarstoolTenn I miss hearing from you ://
— Barstool UK (@BarstoolUK) February 17, 2019
Kentucky runs No. 1 Tennessee off the floor, wins 86-69. One of the most incredible Rupp Arena atmospheres I've ever seen. This team is special.
— Jack Pilgrim (@JackPilgrimKSR) February 17, 2019
Seriously just think about it. Tell me who has had a tougher schedule over the last six weeks: Tennessee, Kansas, LSU, two games against Miss State, at Auburn, at Florida. That's seven games against legit tourney teams out of 11. And Kentucky is 10-1. Again... just FANTASTIC
— Aaron Torres (@Aaron_Torres) February 17, 2019
They’re all grown up pic.twitter.com/wkywPk2uHA
— Kentucky Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) February 17, 2019
Here’s what happened at Gameday:
#BBN not holding back today @CollegeGameDay pic.twitter.com/TnY0aRykZb
— Kentucky Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) February 16, 2019
This is how Kentucky does @CollegeGameDay. #WeAreUK pic.twitter.com/faNOqDRNBn
— Kentucky Athletics (@UKAthletics) February 16, 2019
We’ll ignore those comments about that other team, @ESPN_ReceDavis. We know you still love the Cats. @CollegeGameDay pic.twitter.com/p9jRAKaX8J
— Kentucky Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) February 16, 2019
Jay Williams mentioning the blown call at the end of UK-LSU. #ICYMI: SEC told me yesterday it will recommend replay rule changes and I spoke to both past and present NCAA officiating boss about the missed call/how rules get changed. https://t.co/TUux38JMzH
— Kyle Tucker (@KyleTucker_ATH) February 16, 2019
You know the squad had to make an appearance this time on @collegegameday. Coming up on @espn. pic.twitter.com/EPwWhbst5Y
— Kentucky Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) February 16, 2019
Say it louder for the people in the back pic.twitter.com/j1iq4wjsSX
— Shawn Smith (@gbbcountry) February 16, 2019
Kentucky student hits Half Court Shot at Gameday!!! Mobbed by UK team and then drops some bombs
— Matt Jones (@KySportsRadio) February 16, 2019
pic.twitter.com/Nt48nc8qLJ
“LETS F***ING GO!!!” pic.twitter.com/aRC94xGX3s
— KY Clips (@KY_Clips) February 16, 2019
Welp, Kentucky student splashes the halfcourt shot and ... didn't seem to know he was mic'd. "Let's (bleepin') go! Let's (bleepin') go! Let's (bleepin') go!" To be fair, he did just win $19,000 for hitting a halfcourt shot on national TV.
— Kyle Tucker (@KyleTucker_ATH) February 16, 2019
I’m sorry for my language but I just got a bag
— mckinley webb (@mwebb1998) February 16, 2019
Much better pick this time around, @RealJayWilliams. @CollegeGameDay pic.twitter.com/hIC9beLH0M
— Kentucky Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) February 16, 2019
A Sea of Blue comes loaded with the best Kentucky Wildcats links, news, analysis, and some other fun stuff, so be sure to go ‘like’ our Facebook page and then go follow us on Twitter. And be sure to check out our latest Kentucky shirt.