KNOXVILLE, Tenn. _ Freshman Johnny Juzang answered a question raised by Kentucky coach John Calipari _ and surely the Big Blue Nation _ in recent games. Who would fill the vacuum should UK's most productive players falter?
Juzang was that player Saturday in Kentucky's 77-64 victory over Tennessee. He made shots. He passed effectively. He rebounded. He scrapped.
And Kentucky needed it all with Ashton Hagans struggling again with turnovers and foul trouble cramping UK's style.
Juzang's stat line was filled with career highs: 13 points (his first game in double digits), four baskets, three 3-pointers. He did not miss a shot.
Immanuel Quickley led a balanced UK attack with 18 points. Nick Richards and Tyrese Maxey chipped in 15 points each while Hagans scored 10.
Kentucky improved to 18-5 overall and 8-2 in the Southeastern Conference. UK also snapped a four-game losing streak at Tennessee.
Tennessee fell to 13-10 overall and 5-5 in the SEC.
Although Kentucky led by 10 points with less than 12 minutes left, Tennessee would not go away quietly.
Santiago Vescovi thrilled the crowd with a 3-point shot from well outside the arc to reduce UK's lead to 51-44.
Then Vescovi converted a third-chance opportunity for UT with another 3. That prompted a UK timeout with 9:12 left.
Fortunately for Kentucky, Juzang was not finished making big plays. He rebounded a missed free throw by Richards and drove to a contested basket to put UK ahead 56-49 with 7:54 left.
