Tennessee Vols coach Bruce Pearl was allowed to coach his first SEC game last night after serving a suspension for violating NCAA rules, but the Kentucky Wildcats didn’t do him any favors. The Vols fell to 18th-ranked team in the country by a score of 73-61. The Wildcats were coming off consecutive losses to two supposedly inferior teams and needed a win. UK head coach John Calipari said he had his team work with a heavy bag in practice following the two losses. “I showed them how to jab,” Calipari told reporters. ”You’ve got to be rough. You’ve got to be willing to fight. You can’t let people take our stuff.”
Guard DeAndre Liggins led the way for the Wildcats with 19 points in the contest. Forward Josh Harrelson chipped in 16 of his own. The Wildcats pulled away in the second half, cruising to the victory with relative ease. While it was good for Pearl to get back on the court, he was exposed to the razzing he’s bound to experience for much of the season, as signs referencing his NCAA troubles were rampant in the students section of Rupp Arena.
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