Will Mark Pope have two key starters, Lamont Butler and Andrew Carr, back in the lineup for Saturday’s game against Arkansas? We might be looking at another game-time decision for both of the veterans.

There’s more at stake in Tuesday night’s Kentucky-Tennessee basketball game than simply a win against an SEC rival.

Vols senior point guard Zakai Zeigler, who injured his right knee late in the first half, returned to action and scored 13 points but was only 1-of-10 from 3-point range. Igor Milicic led Tennessee with 19 points and nine rebounds, while Lanier had 15 points and was 3-of-10 on 3-point tries.

Heading into the matchup with the Tennessee Volunteers, not many believed Mark Pope's Kentucky Wildcats would win without point guard Lamont Butler. Andrew Car

The coaching contract details for Mark Pope at Kentucky and John Calipari at Arkansas ahead of Saturday’s SEC basketball showdown in Rupp Arena.

Kentucky and Tennessee traded blows for the full 40 minutes in Knoxville. Ultimately, No. 11 Kentucky prevailed over the No. 8 Vols, 78-73.

Kentucky's Ansley Almonor and Koby Brea, forced into the starting lineup because of key injuries, helped lead the Cats past host Tennessee on Tuesday.

The No. 8 Vols (17-4, 4-4 SEC) lost 78-73 to No. 12 Kentucky (15-5, 4-3), shooting a season-high 45 3-pointers and making only 11. Tennessee did not attempt a two-point field goal in the final 4:40 and went 2-for-13 on 3-pointers in the stretch.

On Tuesday, while the Wildcats managed a narrow victory over Tennessee, there lingered one notable issue. The post Mark Pope’s Misery Sees No End as National Reporter Uncovers “Unsettling” Roster Issue appeared first on EssentiallySports.

Calipari returns to Kentucky for the first time Saturday when the Wildcats host Arkansas. The Razorbacks (12-8, 1-6) have this week off but No. 12 Kentucky (14-5, 3-3) has a huge game tonight at No. 8 Tennessee (17-3, 4-3).

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