All the information you require on the Crimson Tide’s sixth SEC game against the Wildcats, including TV and radio information.
Many people thought Alabama head coach Nate Oats would be a strong contender to take over the Wildcats’ expected position after longtime Kentucky men’s basketball coach John Calipari departed the team and signed with Arkansas in April.
But Oats swiftly put an end to the rumors, and Mark Pope, a former head coach at BYU, was brought in to take Calipari’s place in Lexington. Pope has guided Kentucky to four rated victories, including three against top-7 opponents, and an outstanding 14-3 record (3-1 SEC). In terms of points per game (88.7), the Wildcats are currently ranked third in the nation.
Alabama, who leads the country in scoring (89.5 points per game), is aiming to shake off a “disgusting” loss to No. 21 Ole Miss with a big road win against Pope and the Wildcats. This will be Alabama’s eighth-ranked opponent of the season and fifth SEC matchup.
How to Watch: No. 4 Alabama vs. No. 8 Kentucky
Who: No. 5 Alabama (14-3, 3-1 SEC) at No. 8 Kentucky (14-3, 3-1 SEC)
When: Saturday, Jan. 18 at 11 a.m. CT.
Where: Rupp Arena, Lexington, Ky.
Radio: Crimson Tide Sports Network (Play-by-Play: Chris Stewart, Color: Bryan Passink). The pregame show will begin one hour prior to tipoff.
TV: ESPN
Series vs. Kentucky: The Crimson Tide trails 114-40 with the first matchup occurring on Feb. 13, 1923. Alabama is 10-57 all-time on the road against the Wildcats.
Last meeting with Kentucky: On February 24, 2024, the then-No. 17 Wildcats defeated then-No. 13 Alabama 117-95. Alabama guards Mark Sears and Rylan Griffen combined for 41 points, but that wasn’t enough as Kentucky forwards Justin Edwards (28 points) and Antonio Reeves (52 points), as well as Kentucky forward Zvonimir Ivisic and guard Rob Dillingham, scored 18 and 16 points off the bench, respectively. Last time out, Alabama: The No. 4 Alabama men’s basketball team lost to No. 21 Ole Miss 74-64 at home in Coleman Coliseum on Tuesday night. The Crimson Tide scored their fewest points since the 2023 NCAA Tournament Sweet 16. Alabama finished the game with an incredible 21 turnovers, setting a new season-high, and these reckless turnovers ruined a lot of momentum.
Last game, Kentucky: On Tuesday, the Wildcats defeated Texas A&M, ranked 11th, 81-61. In addition to eight rebounds and a block, guard Jaxson Robinson led Kentucky with 22 points on 8 of 17 from the field, including 5 of 13 from long range. Otega Oweh and forward Andrew Carr both ended with ten points or more. Oweh tied guard Lamont Butler, who disheveled out seven assists, for the team lead with three steals. Amari Williams, a center, pulled down 12 rebounds and was two points shy of a double-double.
Alabama Stat Leaders
- Points: Mark Sears (18.6)
- Rebounds: Grant Nelson (8.6)
- Assists: Mark Sears (4.5)
Kentucky Stat Leaders
- Points: Otega Oweh (15.4)
- Rebounds: Amari Williams (8.6)
- Assists: Lamont Butler (4.7)
