Kentucky took charge from the very outset against Tennessee and the Wildcats scored a 66-54 win before 20,323 fans at Rupp Arena on Saturday.
The Wildcats improved to 18-9 and swept the Volunteers for the first time since the 2012 season.
Chris Livingston had his first double-double this season with 12 points and 10 rebounds.
Cason Wallace and Oscar Tshiebwe led the Wildcats in scoring with 16 points each. Jacob Toppin added 11.
UK scored the final eight points of the opening half to take its biggest lead at 39-19.
The Volunteers closed to within eight at 58-50 with seven minutes, 25 seconds to play.
Kentucky will play at Florida (14-13) on Wednesday. Tipoff is set for 7 pm.
At Lexington
SCORE BY HALVES:
UT (20-7)….19 35 – 54
UK (18-9)….39 27 – 66
Scoring:
Tennessee (54) – Jonas Aidoo 2 0-0 4; Olivier Nkamhoua 3 0-0 6; Zakai Zeigler 0(2) 2-3 8; Jahmai Mashack 6(1) 1-5 16; Santiago Vescovi 4(3) 0-0 17; Tyreke Key 0 1-2 1; Tobe Awaka 0 0-1 0; and Uros Plavsic 1 0-3 2. Totals: 16(6) 4-14 54.
Kentucky (66) – Jacob Toppin 3(1) 2-4 11; Chris Livingston 3(1) 3-7 12; Oscar Tshiebwe 3 10-11 16; Antonio Reeves 2(1) 1-4 8; Cason Wallace 6 4-5 16; Lance Ware 0 1-2 1; and Daimion Collins 0 2-2 2. Totals: 17(3) 23-35 66.
Next up: Kentucky (18-9) at Florida (14-13), 7 pm, Feb. 22.