In a battle of top offenses Kentucky and Alabama, Alabama came out on top with a 102-97 win in Rupp.
Here’s a breakdown of the Tide win.
Alabama was looking to bounce back after their loss to Ole Miss, and today, it was their impressive shooting from beyond the arc that led them to victory. Grant Nelson contributed 25 points, while Mark Sears added 24 points to the team’s win.
In addition to their big performances, the Tide also received contributions from Chris Youngblood and Labaron Philon. They went on a 9-0 run late in the second half, which put them ahead by nine points with less than three minutes remaining. From then on, the Tide cruised to victory, making a strong statement on the road after their home loss to Ole Miss on Tuesday night.
Grant Nelson played like a star today. He got off to a quick start, scoring 12 points in the first six minutes, helping the Tide build an early lead. In a back-and-forth game, it took multiple runs for the Tide to finally put the Wildcats away. Also, Mark Sears played a key role, knocking down some big threes along the way to help the Tide edge the Cats in Rupp.
He was also instrumental on the boards and drawing fouls against a Kentucky front line that has struggled with physical play all season. Nelson had an outstanding game, and hopefully, his confidence will continue to grow as the season progresses. He played a pivotal role in their journey to the Final Four last year, and he remains a key player for them this season. It was a remarkable effort today by the big man.
Kentucky entered the game ranked 76th in the country for defensive efficiency according to KenPom, and at times today, their effort was lacking. While their offense is elite, the defense is a significant concern, as they face a challenging stretch in SEC play, and things aren’t going to get any easier as the season progresses.
The Tide accomplished everything they aimed to do today: rebounding, driving, and hitting shots. Every time the Cats got out of position, Alabama made them pay. The Wildcats have also surrendered 100 points or more twice in SEC play at home, which is a significant concern. It seemed the Cats struggled with securing extra possessions; even though they were only outrebounded by one, at 36-35, they struggled with loose balls.
Alabama consistently capitalized on Kentucky’s mistakes, pouncing when the Wildcats appeared lackadaisical. As the game neared its conclusion, the Cats looked tired and sloppy. This could be attributed to the fact that the team is beat up, with Andrew Carr nursing a back injury and Lamont Butler dealing with some bruises. The Tide clearly took advantage of this aspect as well.
Overall, the Cats need to improve their defense as the season progresses, because winning games in the 100s won’t always be feasible. It’s crucial to make stops when necessary, and today, the Wildcats simply did not do that.
Today’s game has been dubbed the “Grant Nelson Game,” and what a statement he made on the road in Rupp Arena, a place that has been difficult to win in all year. While Kentucky struggled to find their shooting rhythm, Nelson capitalized by driving to the basket, hitting three-pointers, and drawing fouls. He clearly demonstrated that Alabama is elite when he is playing at his best.
As for Kentucky, the key question is how they will respond after this tough loss. They have a week off before traveling to Vanderbilt next Saturday for another crucial road game. The most important focus for Kentucky right now is to get healthy. Kerr Kriisa is still sidelined, while Andrew Carr is dealing with a back issue, and Lamont Butler is also nursing some injuries.
Mark Pope’s team has consistently responded well after challenging games this season, and I expect no different this time. I believe the Cats will figure things out and get back to the formula that has led to their recent successes. When this team is firing on all cylinders, they can compete with anyone in the country, as we saw today.
Just get healthy and get ready for Vanderbilt.
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