NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Cason Wallace returned to the court, Kentucky jumped out to a double-digit lead in the game’s opening minutes, and it didn’t matter for the Wildcats in the end.
Vanderbilt defeated UK for the second time in nine days, this time besting the Cats, 80-73, in the Southeastern Conference tournament quarterfinals Friday to send them back to Lexington with a one-and-done trip to the league’s postseason event.
Wallace, the Wildcats’ starting point guard and projected NBA lottery pick, missed Kentucky’s regular-season finale at Arkansas on Saturday after turning his ankle in the team’s home finale against Vanderbilt three days earlier. Wallace left the Rupp Arena court early in the second half of that game and never returned. Vandy ultimately beat the Cats, 68-66, to halt a four-game winning streak.