LEXINGTON — Kentucky basketball had played with fire defensively on more than one occasion this season. Entering Saturday, UK already had been involved in four high-octane affairs in which both teams scored 80 or more. The Wildcats were 4-0 in those matchups.
Saturday, against equally potent Alabama, Kentucky finally got burned.
The Wildcats couldn’t slow down the Crimson Tide’s offensive attack, losing 102-97 at Rupp Arena.
It not only was Kentucky’s first home setback (11-1) of the season; it was the first time Mark Pope left on the wrong side of the scoreboard at Rupp since taking over as the coach of his alma mater.
Blame UK’s defense.
The Wildcats (14-4, 3-2 SEC) gave up 47 points in the first half, heading into intermission trailing by two. The Crimson Tide (15-3, 4-1) was even better in the second half, putting 55 more on the board in the final 20 minutes. Forward Grant Nelson provided the pop at the start, scoring 19 of his game-high 25 before halftime. His teammates came to his aid in the second.
All told, Alabama had five players finish with 10 (or more) points: Nelson, guards Mark Sears (24), Labaron Philon (15), center Clifford Omoruyi (12) and Chris Youngblood (10).
The chief concern for Kentucky on this day wasn’t the result itself — if the NCAA Tournament started today, it likely would be a top-three seed — but the manner in which, (and the other shootouts it’s had this season) unfolded.
In March, it’s one and done. In the SEC Tournament. And the Big Dance. All it takes is one off night defensively in the NCAAs for the Wildcats’ season to end far earlier than they want, especially as they attempt to make deep runs in March the standard once more following three straight opening-weekend exits.
UK now heads into its longest break of conference play. It doesn’t take the floor again until Jan. 25. That day, it travels to Nashville to face Vanderbilt at 2:30 p.m. ET.
ESPN will handle the national television broadcast from Memorial Gymnasium.
This story will be updated.
Reach Kentucky men’s basketball and football reporter Ryan Black at [email protected] and follow him on X at @RyanABlack.
