KNOXVILLE, Tn — No. 1 Kentucky has done something no other team in their illustrious history has been able to do, go 26-0. Behind a stiff second half defense and great Freshman play, the Wildcats have now gone into uncharted territory. 

With its win tonight, Kentucky overtook the previous best start that was registered by the 1953-54 Wildcats with Adolf Rupp at the helm. As for John Calipari, he has coached three teams now that have reached 26-0. The 1995-96 season at UMass and the 2007-08 season at Memphis. He is hoping to reach 27-0 for the first time in his career this Saturday against Auburn. 

Kevin Booker had 18 points and seven rebounds to lead Kentucky (26-0, 13-0, SEC). He was followed up in scoring by Andrew Harrison with 14 points and Trey Lyles with 10 points. 

Tennessee (14-11, 6-7, SEC) played a brilliant first half on the offensive side of the ball, going 13 of 24 for 54.2 percent, which is unheard of against the nation's best defense. Kevin Punter led the way for the Volunteers with 14, while Josh Richardson posted 10 points. 

Going into the break, despite the hot shooting from Tennessee, UK led by four.  At the half, the Wildcats made adjustments to their defense, and it showed when Tennessee only shot 25 percent in the second half. 

Donnie Tyndall had a great game plan against the Cats, playing a matchup zone style defense that he admittedly ripped of Rick Pitino. It didn’t allow Kentucky to play in the post very easily and forced the Wildcats into becoming a jump shooting team. For the most part, this is what kept the Volunteers in the game through the first half. 

Tennessee hung around early on in the second half, but after a 10-0 run that led to a 58-44 lead, it showed that UK’s length and talent was too much for UT to hang with the whole game. 

Kentucky cruised to its record-setting start with a final of 66-48.

“This is arguably the best team to ever be assembled” Tyndall said.

With the Wildcats on pace to be the best defensive team in the past 35 years and boasting a 26-0 record, this could be a statement we could all start discussing. 

UP NEXT

Kentucky will play Auburn at Rupp Arena in Lexington on Saturday.

Tennessee travels to Ole Miss on Saturday.