Most of the focus in Tuscaloosa is on Monday's National Championship game. With classes not in session yet, most fans are talking about football when there is a big basketball game getting ready to be played on campus. With attendance unclear for the matchup, the Crimson Tide will try to not let that be a distraction as they prepare to play the Kentucky Wildcats.
The Crimson Tide look to capitalize off the struggles Kentucky has had away from Rupp Arena. The Wildcats have gotten some losses on the road as they look to maintain their No.9 ranking by beating Alabama. The Wildcats will be led by Tyler Ulis who is coming off a career-high game of 23 points while putting up 20 points in three straight games. The game from Ulis was not enough to get Kentucky the win over LSU and Ben Simmons as Jamal Murray got 21 points, but Kentucky was out-rebounded 46-32.
The Wildcats have lost three straight games on the road. Head coach John Calipari stressed that this is a much different team than in years past. Now they are looking to bounce back after a rare few losses on the road. Getting the lowest-scoring team in the SEC is a good start to change the road issues. Alabama is averaging just 66.4 points per game while coming off a loss to Mississippi. Head coach Avery Johnson appears to be trying to turn the Crimson Tide program and a big game against Kentucky is a good benchmarker for where the team is headed.
Alabama will ride Retin Obasohan who is averaging 14.2 points per game. He put up 23 points against the Rebels, but it was not enough for the win. Arthur Edwards is also coming a career-high game with 17 points while getting in five three-point shots. Alabama was leading Mississippi in the first half, but let the team outscore them 42-26 in the second half. If Alabama can put together a complete game, they stand a chance at getting the upset. The Crimson Tide can win big games. They beat back-to-back ranked opponents in Notre Dame and Wichita State. They are no longer ranked in the top ten anymore.
Alabama has lost five straight to Kentucky. The team has shown they can compete and with the Wildcats struggling on the road, this could be a game they fall to again.
