The Kentucky Wildcats continue to streak through SEC play as the team sits 20-0 on the year. The team is not getting challenged one bit against a relatively weak SEC Conference and all signs point to the team finishing the regular season undefeated. Kentucky will head back to Rupp Arena as they prepare to face an Alabama team that is improved, but inconsistent.
Kentucky was not challenged by Alabama on the road earlier in the year. The team led by double digits for most of the game as Alabama only mustered up 48 points. The Wildcats were more balanced than ever in that game as eight players had at least five points while three got into double figures. That kind of performance could be repeated once again as Alabama continues to stop and stall. The team is 13-7 on the year, but continue to come up short in close games which have hurt their momentum.
The Crimson Tide have a resume of close losses. The team fell 93-91 to Arkansas. They lost to Florida 52-50 after giving up a go-ahead dunk with 17 seconds left. Things could get harder Ricky Tarrant suffered a low leg injury that has him questionable. The junior is currently leads the team with 13.1 points and 2.0 assists. Head coach Anthony Grant could not confirm the severity of the injury and simply said Tarrant will continue to be evaluated.
Kentucky can take advantage of the leader's absence. The team is off to its best start since 1965-66 as they are just one win off from matching the program's best start ever. The main reason for the start is simply because a total-team effort. In the team's win over Missouri, they converted 27 foul shots while Andrew Harrison knicked down nine. They are currently limiting opponents to just 50.5 points per game which should hold up well against the Tide.
Alabama and Kentucky have had some interesting matchups, but the Wildcats have four straight home wins against the team in their favor. Alabama has not defeated a No. 1 team since 2004 and currently has dropped 17 games against ranked opponents.