Kentucky Wildcats beat Tennessee Vols for SEC Title: Highlights, Box Score and Game MVP

The Kentucky Wildcats won their fourth consecutive SEC Tournament, their sixth under John Calipari, on Sunday.

The Wildcats defeated the Tennessee Volunteers, 77-72, behind MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s 29 points, seven rebounds and three assists.

Shai averaged 21 points, five rebounds and over six assists with only 1.6 turnovers for three games in the tournament.

Kentucky was pretty much the Shai Show in the SEC finale, with Jarred Vanderbilt sidelined by an ankle injury and the entire front line for the Wildcats in foul trouble. Kevin Knox provided scoring help with 18 points, seven rebounds and Wenyen Gabriel/Sacha Killeya-Jones made their presence felt to combine for 15 points, nine rebounds but, for the most part, it was all Gilgeous-Alexander.

Gilgeous-Alexander wasn’t even the starter at the beginning of the season, as Quade Green originally had the honor.

Though after countless hours in the gym and proving to head coach John Calipari he could lead the team, he blossomed into Kentucky’s best player heading into the tournament.

While Knox is certainly viewed as the better prospect, Gilgeous-Alexander has the more complete, 2-way game that can lead the Cats deep into March.

Though they’ve shot it well over the last couple of games, defense will be the Cats’ strong suit in the big dance. Kentucky held Tennessee to just 37% from the field and forced the Vols into committing 10 turnovers.

Game MVP

As if we didn’t give enough love to Shai already, here’s the shot that left no doubt he’s the Game and SEC MVP:

Box Score

Highlights

Following their win over the second seed Vols, the Cats’ tournament stock should certainly rise.

They’ll learn of their tournament seeding later this afternoon, of which you can see all the details here.

For more updates on the Cats, check back at ASeaOfBlue.com.