KNOXVILLE — Logic told Bruce Pearl to save his 3-2 zone defense for Kentucky’s trip to Thompson-Boling Arena.
“I debated it,” the Tennessee men’s basketball coach admitted. “But I’m just not built that way.”
The Volunteers implemented their best Kentucky-based scheme in Rupp Arena two weeks ago, and their zone baffled the Wildcats for 30 minutes. But the game lasted 40 minutes, and second-ranked Kentucky gradually pulled away down the stretch for a 73-62 win.
“I may have made a calculated mistake,” said Pearl, whose 19th-ranked Vols host the Wildcats on Saturday.
“Maybe I could have done that to Kentucky here with a better chance to beat them than showing them my hand up there, but I showed my cards. I just feel like I owe it to the kids to put them in a position where they at least have a chance to win.