ESPN’s Seth Greenberg shares early prediction for Kentucky vs. Tennessee in Sweet 16

ESPN’s Seth Greenberg favors Kentucky to make it a 3-game sweep of Tennessee in 2025.

Ahead of Friday’s Sweet 16 showdown in Indianapolis, Greenberg discussed the game Monday on ESPN. In a clip posted to social media, Greenberg first focused on what happened in the first 2 meetings during SEC play, which each went to the Wildcats.

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“You know, they say it’s a make-and-miss game,” Greenberg said. “Kentucky has made shots and Tennessee has missed them.You think about these 2 games, this is wild numbers. Tennessee’s 14-for-63 from the 3-point line. On the other end, Kentucky’s 23-for-48. So, if Tennessee can impose their identity and disrupt the rhythm flow and run Kentucky off the 3-point line, that’s how it would have to win this game.”

Greenberg, though, believes it’s all about the way the teams match up.

“The big question for Tennessee is can they shoot it consistently?” Greenberg continued. “When (Chaz) Lanier and (Jordan) Gainey and Zakai Zeigler are shooting it, they’re a different team. The best defenders (for Kentucky) are Lamont Butler, terrific defender, and Otega Oweh. Those are the 2 guys that can take out Zakai Zeigler and Chaz Lanier.

“So if you take out Zeigler and Lanier, Tennessee really struggles offensively. That’s why I favor Kentucky in this game. This is not a great matchup for Tennessee.”

The Wildcats defeated the Volunteers 78-73 in Knoxville on Jan. 28. They completed the regular-season sweep with a 75-64 win on Feb. 11 in Lexington.

.@SethOnHoops favors Kentucky over Tennessee in the Sweet 16

Who do you have winning? pic.twitter.com/8DFMnPIlTI

— ESPN (@espn) March 24, 2025

Andrew Olson

Andrew writes about sports to fund his love of live music and collection of concert posters. He strongly endorses the Hall of Fame campaigns of Fred Taylor and Andruw Jones.