Rick Barnes described No. 8 Tennessee’s defensive effort as “really disappointing” in the 78-73 loss to No. 12 Kentucky Tuesday night at Food City Center. Take the first possession, for example. Chaz Lanier tripped on defense and Kentucky’s Koby Brea was left open for a 3-pointer just 42 seconds into the game.

Tennessee has now lost three of its last four games after starting the season 16-1. After the loss to Kentucky, Vols head coach Rick Barnes addressed Tennessee's recent struggles

Five things you need to know from No. 12 Kentucky’s gut-check 78-73 win at No. 8 Tennessee in SEC men’s basketball: 1. Mark Pope, slayer of rivals. There is a school of thought that one of a college head coach’s primary jobs is beating the teams his/her fan base dislike the most.

Predictions, picks and odds as No. 8 Tennessee basketball faces No. 12 Kentucky. Plus, injury updates and the latest news

The Tennessee basketball team fell just short in one of the best games of this college basketball season, dropping a true road game against No. 1-ranked Auburn in a 53-51 rock fight. Tennessee had a chance to win it at the end, but point guard Zakai Zeigler's game-tying 3-pointer came up short.

Tennessee's status as a serious March Madness contender has taken some dents, most recently a deeply frustrating loss to Kentucky.

"I'm just proud of every guy. I just thought that we came in and battled the number one ranked team in the country and took it down to the last possession with

Predictions, picks and odds as No. 7 Tennessee basketball faces Auburn. Plus, injury updates and the latest news

Lady Vols coach Kim Caldwell and her husband, Justin, welcomed a baby boy, Conor Scott Caldwell. It is the couple's first child.

Tennessee announced Lady Vol head coach Kim Caldwell would not be at the Texas matchup after giving birth to her newborn baby boy.

Of the 45 3-point attempts No. 8 Tennessee had Tuesday night against No. 12 Kentucky — the second most in program history — Rick Barnes estimated that roughly 95% of the looks were wide open. And that was by design.

Tennessee (17-4, 4-4) has lost three of its past four games, but its decline began with the 73-43 loss at Florida. The Volunteers never led, trailed by as many as 36 points, and shot just 21.4 percent (12 of 56) from the field.