Alabama basketball and Kentucky going back and forth late: Score updates, highlights

Posted by Admin January 18, 2025 Basketball

LEXINGTON, KY — Coach Nate Oats thinks that Rupp Arena will see an Alabama basketball team that’s back and better than the one that hit the court earlier in the week.

No. 9 Kentucky isn’t a team any program wants to face after a surprising loss like the No. 5 Crimson Tide‘s to Ole Miss on Tuesday. Especially when Alabama (14-3) has a 10-57 record on the road against the Wildcats.

Oats has proven that Alabama can win in the stomping grounds of the eight-time national championships, though. On Saturday, Oats looks to even his coaching record to 4-4 against UK, which included an 85-65 shutdown of then-coach John Calipari’s crew in his second trip to Lexington with the Tide.

When asked about the conversations had with fifth-year seniors and team veterans after falling to the Rebels, Oats said he told his players they “need to speak up” and make sure their “presence” doesn’t go unnoticed versus Kentucky (14-3).

“I think they owned it,” Oats said. “I think we’ll see a different team on Saturday.”

Score updates for Alabama basketball vs Kentucky

Kentucky brings a clone of Alabama’s offense. In the second half, the Wildcats are turning the ball over like the Crimson Tide, too.

Although two turnovers swiped UA’s halftime lead, UK picked up a pair of its own. UA capitalized with a dunk from Mouhamed Dioubate got a dunk and a three from Aden Holloway, back ahead 66-68 with a little over 12 minutes on the clock.

The Crimson Tide played it clean in the first half with just four turnovers. UA didn’t get charged with its first turnover until 10:48 to halftime after Koby Brea stole the ball from Chris Youngblood.

A steal by Andrew Carr on forward Grant Nelson later saw Otega Oweh dunk on the fast-break, but Oweh ultimately received a foul for his antics. Alabama freshman Labaron Philon tied the score up at 52 only for Kentucky to answer in the paint.

Nelson’s second turnover of the half led to a dunk by Brandon Garrison, putting the Wildcats up by four with 16 minutes to go.

Nelson, the Crimson Tide’s “Dakota Durant,” put Alabama back in front of Kentucky, 41-40, after the Wildcats turned the ball over with under two minutes to play in the first half.

The 6-foot-11 big man barreled through the paint to get a second-chance layup, totaling 19 points on the evening so far. It was Alabama’s first lead since being tied at 28 with 10 minutes to halftime.

All-American Mark Sears extended the advantage to four points with a 3-pointer, his second of the game. The Crimson Tide is up, 47-45, heading into the locker room.

Kentucky has been held scoreless for over three minutes as just over four minutes remain in the first period. Second-chance points and free throws are helping the Crimson Tide get closer to tying up the scoreboard, still behind by a possession.

There’s still a ways to go before Alabama is outrebounding the Wildcats, who are winning 22-17 on boards.

Opposing coaches all season long have said that Alabama basketball’s depth is what seals defeat. Down three players against Kentucky, the Crimson Tide looks like its finally feeling the effects of being short-staffed despite battling injury since the preseason.

With about five minutes to halftime, Alabama’s bench has scored just seven points to 17 for Kentucky, who leads 38-32.

After being just one-point away from a double-digit lead with 15 minutes to halftime, Alabama has let the Wildcats claw back from the arc. A 3-pointer by Brandon Garrison marked Kentucky’s fifth three of the game. UK is shooting 71.4% from three-point range while Alabama is 4-for-10 with less than 11 minutes to play in the first period.

Kentucky leads UA, 27-26, at media timeout.

Kentucky’s Otega Oweh got a board on an overshot corner three by Nelson. The Wildcats responded with a successful shot from the perimeter by Jaxson Robinson to take a 7-2 lead a little over two minutes after tipoff.

Nelson recovered well almost immediately, answering Robinson with two treys and a layup to put Alabama back on top, 13-7.

Cries echoed from the stands of Rupp Arena as Alabama basketball found the board first. Cliff Omoruyi announced the Crimson Tide’s presence with a dunk seconds into action.

Alabama will start its typical five in guards Labaron Philon and Mark Sears, forward Grant Nelson and Jarin Stevenson with Cliff Omoruyi at center.

Kentucky’s starters include guards Otega Oweh, Lamont Butler and Jaxson Robinson with big men Andrew Carr and Amari Williams in the No. 4 and No. 5 spots, respectively.

What time does Alabama basketball vs Kentucky start today?

Date: Saturday, Jan. 18

Time: 11 a.m. CT

Location: Rupp Arena, Lexington, KY

What channel is Alabama basketball vs Kentucky today?

Alabama basketball vs Kentucky livestream options

Alabama vs Kentucky will be broadcast on ESPN and can be streamed via ESPN+ and Fubo. On the call for the contest are Dan Shulman and Jay Bilas.

Alabama vs Kentucky betting odds

Here are the game lines and odds from BetMGM as of Saturday:

Spread: Kentucky (-2.5)
Moneyline: Kentucky (-150) | Alabama (+125)
Over/under: 179.5 points

Alabama vs Kentucky injury updates

For Kentucky, Kerr Kriisa (ankle) remains out as guard Lamont Butler (questionable) and forward Andrew Carr (probable) saw status changes on the SEC availability report on Friday evening.

Alabama operates without Latrell Wrightsell Jr. (Achilles tendon), Houston Mallette (knees) and potentially Derrion Reid (undisclosed). On Friday, Oats said Reid could be ready to go against Kentucky, but hoped for his return by next week at the latest.

Next five games for Alabama basketball

Jan. 21: Vanderbilt, 6 p.m. CT
Jan. 25: LSU, 7:30 p.m. CT
Jan. 29: at Mississippi State, 8 p.m. CT
Feb. 1: Georgia, 3 p.m. CT
Feb. 8: at Arkansas, 7 p.m. CT

Next five games for Kentucky basketball

Jan. 25: at Vanderbilt, 1:30 p.m. CT
Jan. 28: at Tennessee, 6 p.m. CT
Feb. 1: Arkansas, 8 p.m. CT
Feb. 4: at Ole Miss, 6 p.m. CT
Feb. 8: South Carolina, 11 a.m. CT

Alabama basketball in the headlines

Here are the latest headlines surrounding Alabama basketball as the Crimson Tide looks to get back in the win column at Kentucky:

We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. USA TODAY Network newsrooms operate independently, and this doesn’t influence our coverage.

Emilee Smarr covers Alabama basketball and Crimson Tide athletics for the Tuscaloosa News. She can be reached via email at esmarr@gannett.com.