Score prediction for Alabama basketball vs Kentucky: Picks, injury updates, how to watch

Posted by author February 21, 2025 Basketball

Times are tough for Alabama basketball, but the Crimson Tide has to be tougher on Saturday.

Looking to pay back Alabama (21-5, 10-3 SEC) for the defeat in Rupp Arena last month, Kentucky comes barreling into Coleman Coliseum fresh off an 82-61 win over Vanderbilt. Meanwhile, the Crimson Tide didn’t get a win this week a loss at Missouri to follow up a defeat against Auburn.

The negatives surrounding the returning Final Four team this week have outweighed the positives, but the sky isn’t falling … yet. That’ll have to be re-examined after the weekend. Although, Alabama’s bid for the SEC regular season championship hangs in the balance, there are enough reasons to believe the Tide can restore the faith of home fans against UK.

Alabama basketball vs Kentucky picks, predictions

Alabama 98, Kentucky 95: The re-emergence of Mark Sears’ All-American form at Missouri was the glimmer of hope the Crimson Tide needed to find in the darkness of defeat. It took the senior point guard’s third 24-point game of the season against UK to win on Jan. 18. It’s a safe bet that a scoreless night for Sears won’t do the trick against the ‘Cats, who still have five double-digit scorers with five games left on the schedule. That’s compared to an Alabama roster that’s sorely missing the shooting capabilities of Latrell Wrightsell Jr. right about now with the grueling stretch it has to round out.

Once again, Alabama faces its own offense made over in Kentucky. Both are shooting over 48% from the floor, but 3s are falling more effortlessly for the likes of Kentucky’s Koby Brea and Ansley Almonor, each making over 44% of 3-pointers off the bench.

Should the Crimson Tide want to win by more than five points this go-round against UK, perimeter defense will be key. Furthermore, a full 40 minutes of defense that Alabama hasn’t put together yet. Should Alabama want to win at all, the biggest key will be not letting Kentucky go on a run off the bat like it let Missouri and Auburn, or bank on the injury bug that’s bitten the ‘Cats when they have a lethal bench.

Injury updates for Alabama basketball vs Kentucky

Derrion Reid (lower body) played against Auburn after being ruled “game-to-game” by Nate Oats following the Georgia game on Feb. 1, in which the freshman forward experienced “discomfort” while playing through injury. However, he was doubtful for Mizzou and didn’t make an appearance.

Kentucky starting guards Lamont Butler (shoulder) and Jaxson Robinson (wrist) missed their second straight game against Vanderbilt. UK’s bench still holds Kerr Kriisa, who’s been out with a broken foot since December.

How to watch Alabama basketball vs Kentucky: TV channel, streaming options, start time

TV channel: ESPN

Streaming: ESPN+, Fubo

Starting at 5 p.m. CT, Alabama basketball versus Kentucky will be shown on ESPN and can be streamed via ESPN+ and Fubo.

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