#9 Alabama vs Kentucky Game Thread

The top-ten, undefeated in conference play, Alabama Crimson Tide attempt to sweep the Kentucky Wildcats on the hardwood for the first time since 1989, the height of the Wimp Sanderson era. It would also be the Tide’s first back-to-back pair of wins over the Wildcats since 2000-2001. Additionally, a victory would also be the tenth straight for Alabama, the longest such streak since the beginning of the 1997 season.

So, a lot of history is at stake for Nate Oats’ squad tonight. More importantly though, a win would put Alabama in the clubhouse at the midway point of the SEC season at a perfect 9-0, at least two games up on second place (possibly three with an Auburn win over Mizzou tonight). Barring another February collapse, the SEC regular season crown would be Alabama’s for the taking.

James Rojas is expected to try to play tonight, which could be critical against a large Kentucky team that will certainly be following the same blueprint Mississippi State utilized to keep it competitive on Saturday. The Tide will likely start Herbert Jones, John Petty, Jaden Shackelford, Josh Primo, and Alex Reese again tonight, with Jordan Bruner still dealing with his meniscus injury.

The Tide is currently listed as a 7-point favorite, and it’s hard to disagree with that, based on how these two teams have played recently. Can ‘Bama remain undefeated in 2021?

The game tips at 6:00 PM CST and will be televised on ESPN.