Alabama Crimson Tide games against Kentucky have been statement opportunities for Alabama for decades. The roles will be reversed on Saturday. The Wildcats will seek a statement win against the Crimson Tide.
The Wildcats are 9-4, which is poor start by Kentucky standards. Worse for Mark Pope were two blowout losses. Michigan State beat Kentucky 86-66, and Gonzaga beat the Cats 94-59 in an almost home game in Nashville. Bridgestone Arena was filled with Big Blue fans, many of whom began booing the Cats in the first half.
It is believed that Kentucky has the largest player payroll budget among SEC teams. Pope is being doubted about how wisely he spent his war chest. The Wildcats need a statement win over Alabama. Almost no one or no computer model is predicting a Kentucky victory. Ken Pomeroy, Evan Miya, and Bart Torvik have Alabama winning. The three models project an average seven-point winning margin for the Crimson Tide.
Since their embarrassing loss to Gonzaga, Kentucky has responded with a couple of good wins over Indiana and St. John's. The Cats beat the Red Storm by 12 points on a neutral court. Mark Pope's roster has been impacted by injuries. Arizona State transfer Jayden Quaintance made his Kentucky debut against St. John's. He immediately made the Cats a better team.
Alabama Crimson Tide National Ranking
National rankings are just beginning to be relevant. Going into SEC play, ESPN's BPI has the Crimson Tide ranked No. 17 (the SEC's fourth-highest-ranked team). Kentucky is ranked No. 18.
Early January games are never must-wins, but Saturday morning's game has the feeling of being close to one for Kentucky. It will be a physical battle. One that the Cats can win on the boards. Mark Pope describes Alabama's style of play as "... reckless abandon. We’ll have our hands full."
A Sea of Blue wrote that Kentucky's chances will hinge on communication: "Alabama isn’t just jacking shots. They’re manipulating space... That’s not pace. That’s pressure ... If Kentucky can’t talk? Alabama will run them out under a flurry of 3-point bombs."
Alabama Basketball will have to match the Wildcats' intensity or the better team could take a home loss. No doubt Nate Oats will have the Crimson Tide prepared.