Rivalry tempers momentarily flared after the Tennessee-Kentucky game on Saturday afternoon in Knoxville. Following the final buzzer of the game after the Wildcats’ comeback win over the Volunteers, words appeared to be exchanged between the players that led to a few shoves. No punches were thrown and things didn’t get out of hand. Officials and coaches separated the key figures at play before both teams were escorted back to their locker rooms.
Here are a few different angles of what transpired in the Food City Center:
jaylen carey; otega oweh; kentucky vs tennessee pic.twitter.com/eo9BLtBeLv
— ◇ (@F0RGIAT0) January 17, 2026
Tensions were high at the end of Tennessee-Kentucky.
Kentucky came back from a 17-point deficit to beat the #Vols 80-78. pic.twitter.com/PzfHmeQADy
— Rylee Robinson (@ryleerobinsontv) January 17, 2026
The push from Tennessee’s Jaylen Carey that started the end of game scuffle between Kentucky and Tennessee. pic.twitter.com/Nj21NybnlR
— Tristan Pharis (@TristanUda) January 17, 2026
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By the looks of the video, Kentucky’s Otega Oweh appeared to have some words for Carey after the final buzzer sounded. Tennessee’s Nate Ament put his hand on Oweh to create some separation, but Oweh threw his hand down. That prompted Tennessee’s Jaylen Carey to throw the first shove. It was a heated rivalry game, and emotions were high. It wouldn’t be a surprise if this type of interaction had been brewing for a while.
Kentucky erased a 17-point first-half deficit to win the game in the final minute on Saturday afternoon. Tennessee led by 17 during the first half and took an 11-point lead into the halftime break. Kentucky didn’t go away and continued to hit some big shots, but Tennessee’s defense and rebounding took a major hit in the final 20 minutes. Costly mistakes and a lack of effort on the glass ultimately led to the game being left open enough for Kentucky to find the door and push it open.
“So if you ask me point blank, I know when I look at the tape — I don’t have to look at the tape. I hate to feel like I’m throwing guys under the bus and I’m not throwing any one particular guy under the bus, but when you get out-rebounded, it is lack of effort. Plain and simple. And I would say that of any team I’ve ever coached, not just this team,” Tennessee head coach Rick Barnes said after the game.
Neither Barnes nor Kentucky head coach Mark Pope was asked about the postgame altercation after the game.
No. 24 Tennessee will likely fall out of the Top 25 after this loss. The Vols have a midweek bye this week, but will then go on the road for two straight games at Alabama and Georgia. Tennessee will then close out the month back at home with a game against Auburn.
Stay tuned to Rocky Top Insider for more Tennessee Basketball news.
