In the world of college hoops, rivalries don’t get much more heated than Tennessee vs. Kentucky.
And when former players chime in, especially ones with skin in the game, the fire only grows. That was the case this past week when Tennessee legend Grant Williams took a swing at Big Blue Nation ahead of Saturday’s showdown at Rupp Arena.
Let’s just say the shot didn’t exactly hit nothing but net.
Appearing on the SEC Network, Williams didn’t hold back.
“It’s our bitter rival for a reason. We’ve been beating ‘em up over the past 3-5 years and hopefully we can continue that in Rupp Arena.”
Bold words. Confident delivery.
But in terms of accuracy? Not quite a slam dunk.
Let’s break it down.
The Recent Record Tells a Different Story
Williams claimed Tennessee has been dominating Kentucky over the last three to five years. But the numbers tell a more balanced - and recently Big Blue-leaning - story.
- In 2021, the teams split their meetings.
- 2022 leaned Tennessee’s way, with the Vols taking two of three.
- 2023 was all Kentucky - a clean sweep.
- In 2024, they split again.
- 2025 saw Kentucky win two of three.
- And after Saturday’s 74-71 thriller at Rupp, the Wildcats completed another sweep in 2026.
That’s a 9-5 edge for Kentucky over the last six seasons. Not exactly the “beatdown” Williams suggested. If anything, the rivalry has been tight - but lately, the Wildcats have had the upper hand.
Looking Back at Grant’s Playing Days
To be fair, during Williams’ time in Knoxville, Tennessee did have some strong moments against Kentucky. He brought up one in particular:
“The No. 1 thing that comes to mind is the SEC Tournament my junior year. We came back from eight points down with like three minutes left and we ended up beating P.J. Washington and that group to finish out the SEC Tournament.”
That game - the 2019 SEC Tournament semifinal in Nashville - was indeed a classic. Tennessee rallied late and took down a tough Kentucky squad. It was one of the highlights of Williams’ college career and a moment Vols fans won’t forget.
But as for the “multiple times we swept them” comment? Let’s check the tape.
- Tennessee did sweep Kentucky in 2018, but lost to the Cats in the SEC Tournament final in St. Louis.
- In 2019, the Vols beat Kentucky twice - once in the regular season and again in that SEC semifinal. That made it two wins, but not a full three-game sweep, since UK won the first regular season matchup.
In total, Williams finished his college career with a 5-3 record against Kentucky - a winning mark, no doubt, and a respectable showing in a rivalry that rarely disappoints. But since his departure, the tide has shifted.
Rivalry Talk: Part of the Game
Let’s be clear: this is part of what makes rivalries great. Former players keeping the energy alive, staying invested, and talking their talk. Williams is clearly still passionate about Tennessee, and his comments - even if a little fuzzy on the details - reflect that.
And he wasn’t alone in his attention. Saturday’s game at Rupp drew several former Kentucky players back to Lexington, reinforcing just how much this matchup still means, even beyond the current rosters.
The Bottom Line
Grant Williams brought the heat with his pregame remarks, but the scoreboard - both on Saturday and over the past few seasons - tells a different story. Kentucky has reasserted itself in this rivalry, and Saturday’s 74-71 win was just the latest chapter in a series that continues to deliver high-stakes drama and passionate fanbases.
Tennessee may “owe” Kentucky one, as Williams said - but after another close loss at Rupp, that debt just got a little bigger.