A Sea Of Blue - Kentucky vs. Alabama: Everything to knowOnline Home of the Big Blue Nation: Kentucky Wildcats Sports for the Discerning Fanhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/46621/aseaof-fav.png2019-01-06T07:15:04-05:00http://www.aseaofblue.com/rss/stream/179337062019-01-06T07:15:04-05:002019-01-06T07:15:04-05:004 more thoughts and postgame notes from Kentucky’s loss at Alabama
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<img alt="NCAA Basketball: Kentucky at Alabama" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/bEA_Z0aUlHVrRS2LG1ZOTrE3GoQ=/0x111:4104x2847/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62793668/usa_today_11945708.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Kentucky couldn’t overcome its offensive woes but fought valiantly to the end. </p> <p id="2QbIh0">Now that the non-conference is over, it is time for the gauntlet that is the SEC. The Cats kicked off conference play with a road trip to Alabama and they got a taste of what conference play is going to be like as they came up just short. </p>
<p id="ZeuVIU">Right from the tip, both teams came out locked in and knocking down shots and at the under 16 media timeout the Cats found themselves trailing 16-15.</p>
<p id="7gM0tf">However, each team would continue to battle and at the second timeout of the half it was Kentucky with a 1-point lead, 23-22. </p>
<p id="65BhPn">With just under 4 minutes to play, Kentucky found themselves down 32-29, but they would end the half strong and take a 40-38 lead into halftime. </p>
<p id="qKPBML">What stood out in the first half is that Kentucky actually played extremely well and should’ve had a big lead. However, a 29% three-point shooter on the year went 5-5 from deep and had 20 points while the rest of the Tide had just 18 combined. </p>
<p id="EwtNYT">Out of the break, Kentucky was ice cold from the floor and couldn’t buy a basket. </p>
<p id="YqSJ4I">At the first timeout, Bama had a 48-47 lead, but Kentucky never seemed to be able to get over the hump as with 10 minutes to play they still trailed by one, 58-57. </p>
<p id="NPwikB">Bama was playing at a very high level and with just under five minutes left the Tide extended their lead to ten, 68-58. </p>
<p id="paaeDP">From that point, the Cats really picked up the intensity and started chipping away at the lead and with 5 seconds remaining a steal by <span>Ashton Hagans</span> led to a <span>PJ Washington</span> dunk to cut it to one, 76-75. </p>
<p id="L0pv33">After a miss and a make from the foul line, Kentucky had a legit shot at winning the game as <span>Tyler Herro</span> was able to get an open look at the buzzer for the win, but unfortunately it didn’t fall, and Alabama held on to win it 77-75. </p>
<p id="7hEOFU">Here are a few final thoughts from the SEC opener:</p>
<p id="PDPbAD"><strong>Poor shooting in the second half</strong></p>
<p id="0dkHg5">After the way the game started, it appeared that Kentucky was going to be in for a big day on the offensive end of the floor as they couldn’t seem to miss throughout the first half. </p>
<p id="X6f4RY">Unfortunately, in the second it was a completely different result as it seemed like a lid was on the rim for the Cats. They also couldn’t get the three-pointers to drop allowing Bama to pack the lane and make it almost impossible to score on the inside.</p>
<p id="Tl48M3">Kentucky finished 5/18 (29%) from three and just 43% from the field. When you factor in a 29% three-point shooter on Alabama going 6/8 from deep, it becomes a recipe for a loss. </p>
<p id="6K9z2z"><strong>Worst game at Kentucky for </strong><span><strong>Reid Travis</strong></span></p>
<p id="FX0p7H">So far this season, Reid Travis has been the most consistent player for this team. Unfortunately, everyone has a bad game and today was Travis’ turn to have one. </p>
<p id="IHWDXm">He just seemed a step behind throughout this one. He had 12 points and 6 boards, but most of his production was in the first 10 minutes of the game. After that, he looked like a completely different player. </p>
<p id="Ps38iA">It is evident that he struggles with long athletics bigs and that is exactly what Bama has. But like Coach Cal said in his post-game press conference, Travis should be the least of Kentucky’s worries going forward. </p>
<p id="iwlf0s"><strong>Kentucky was beaten on the glass</strong></p>
<p id="nXjI5U">One thing that the Cats have done well all year is beat teams in the rebounding battle. That was not the case today as Bama won the battle 40-32. </p>
<p id="dn2wPj">However, I wouldn’t be too worried about that seeing how many shots the Cats missed in the second half. </p>
<p id="AObOHj">This team dominated the glass against UNC, who is one of the best rebounding teams in the country, so I don’t expect this to be a trend going forward. </p>
<p id="UY8zfT"><strong>It is not time to panic</strong></p>
<p id="iXuLVL">Kentucky just lost an SEC road game to a team that probably won’t play that good again this season. It was just their night. </p>
<p id="zLWqRz">The SEC is no cake walk anymore, and anything can happen when you go on the road no matter who you are playing. </p>
<p id="VUXVlf">So put this one out of your head, enjoy the weekend full of playoff football and get ready to get back on the winning side of things Tuesday night against Texas A&M.</p>
<p id="Fqr0Wp">Here are the postgame notes, courtesy of UK Athletics: </p>
<p id="iOL0FB"><strong>Final Score: </strong>Alabama 77,<strong> </strong>No. 13/14 Kentucky 75</p>
<p id="A5Q69s"> </p>
<p id="PSqOsU"><strong>Team Records and Series Notes</strong></p>
<p id="0j7snI">· Kentucky fell to 10-3 on the season and 0-1 in Southeastern Conference play. Alabama improved to 10-3 and 1-0 to begin league play.</p>
<p id="q1DjSh">· In the 150th meeting between the two schools, UK’s series lead is still 112-38 over Alabama.</p>
<p id="dzUZaK">· The Wildcats’ win streak over Alabama was snapped at 10 games.</p>
<p id="uc99Cp">o Kentucky has still won 12 of the last 14 and 17 of the last 20 matchups over Alabama.</p>
<p id="FzmaaI">o UK is now 31-24 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.</p>
<p id="JUBQRe">· Next for Kentucky: The Wildcats’ SEC home opener will be Tuesday vs. Texas A&M. That game will be televised on the SEC Network at 7 p.m. ET</p>
<p id="5gUrBX">o UK has won 48 regular-season SEC titles and five under Calipari</p>
<p id="0QvFFO"> </p>
<p id="0ahDWO"><strong>In the First Half</strong></p>
<p id="Z8OV7W">· Kentucky started <strong>Ashton Hagans, Tyler Herro, </strong><span><strong>Keldon Johnson</strong></span><strong>, PJ Washington</strong> and <strong>Reid Travis</strong> for the sixth time this season<strong> </strong>and fifth game in a row.</p>
<p id="ydbN5N">· Travis scored the Cats’ first two buckets of the game, one via hook shot and the other by way of a slam dunk.</p>
<p id="ilMjfK">· Both teams came out on fire. Alabama led 16-15 at the first media timeout (14:56 mark). At that point Alabama was 7 for 10 from the floor with two 3-pointers while UK was 7 for 9, making its lone trey attempt (Herro).</p>
<p id="PCMJyb">o Travis had six points during the run, including two dunks.</p>
<p id="Pma6L5">o All five of UK starters scored during the fast start.</p>
<p id="O1WInV">· Travis had a solid first half. He was in double figures by the 9:38 mark and finished with 10 points and four rebounds in the first stanza.</p>
<p id="lI3eXl">· After Alabama took a 19-16 lead with an early barrage of 3-pointers, UK went on an 11-3 run to take a 27-22 lead heading into the under-8 timeout.</p>
<p id="4XKIgE">· Alabama took a 32-29 lead on an 8-0 run. Washington ended the run with a pair of free throws, but <span>Tevin Mack</span> answered with a 3.</p>
<p id="7nmmAn">· Mack was on fire in the first half. He torched the Cats for 20 first-half points – matching his season high – on 7-of-9 shooting, including 6 of 6 from 3-point range.</p>
<p id="7qy0Gz">o He came into the game averaging 8.3 points while shooting 29.6 percent from 3-point range.</p>
<p id="Npq5B0">o He set his career high for 3-pointers in the first half alone. His previous high was five over a full game.</p>
<p id="iX7XIj">· Kentucky shot 50 percent in the first half and led 40-38 at halftime.</p>
<p id="q7IHt9"><em> </em></p>
<p id="QU8hEU">In the Second Half</p>
<p id="4phJD5">· The Wildcats started the second half the same way it started the first: Hagans, Herro, Johnson, Washington and Travis.</p>
<p id="WsJ1Ge">· UK committed three charges in the opening minutes to aid an 8-0 Alabama run and fell behind 46-40.</p>
<p id="PFrz0Q">· <span><strong>Immanuel Quickley</strong></span><strong> </strong>stopped the 8-0 Alabama run with his second 3-pointer of the game to spark a 7-0 Kentucky streak.</p>
<p id="mcvc3p">· Alabama took methodical control of the game on the defensive end. The Crimson Tide limited UK to just five makes in its first 19 attempts in the second half. A 7-0 Alabama run increased the Crimson Tide’s lead to 61-53 before <span><strong>Nick Richards</strong></span> ended a 3:03 scoring drought with a free throw.</p>
<p id="elXFra">· UK fell behind by double digits, 68-58, after five straight points from Lewis.</p>
<p id="tAYR6c">· An inability to make shots in the second half was ultimately the deciding factor for Kentucky. The Wildcats made just 13 of 35 shots in the final 20 minutes, a handful of them coming late during a furious comeback.</p>
<p id="VOnb37">· After falling behind by 11, UK made it interesting down the stretch with a suffocating full-court press in the final minutes. The Wildcats got as close one point after a steal by Hagans and a breakaway dunk by Washington. Alabama made 1 of 2 free throws, setting up for UK to tie or win the game. Herro got off a last-second 3-point attempt from straightaway at the buzzer but it caromed off the back of the rim.</p>
<p id="11nYoE">· There were a total of nine ties and 10 lead changes.</p>
<p id="gigEZv"> </p>
<p id="e8zLjN"><strong>Team Notes</strong></p>
<p id="iO8VhV">· UK is now 8-2 in SEC openers under Calipari.</p>
<p id="YptnrS">· The Wildcats are 93-44 in true road games under Calipari.</p>
<p id="FsNAVR">· UK scored 20 points off 17 Alabama turnovers.</p>
<p id="7ITPLR">o Seven of the turnovers were Kentucky steals.</p>
<p id="lLtuwR">· Kentucky blocked just one shot, a season low. The Wildcats had tallied four or more blocks in the previous 11 games. </p>
<p id="8D57eL">· UK gave up seven Alabama dunks, all to <span>Donta Hall</span> (four) and <span>Herbert Jones</span> (three).</p>
<p id="iNMOv7">· The Wildcats surrendered 10 3-pointers, the fifth time this season they’ve allowed 10 or more treys.</p>
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<p id="KieGLy"><strong>Player Notes </strong> </p>
<p id="3lgcRI">· <strong>PJ Washington, </strong>led the Wildcats in scoring with 15 points. He also had a team-high-tying seven rebounds to go along with one steal and an assist.</p>
<p id="czWvxl">· He has scored in double figures six times this season.</p>
<p id="edmxgO">· He’s been the team’s rebounding leader seven times.</p>
<p id="RrroNe">· <strong>Keldon Johnson, </strong>UK’s leading scorer for the season, scored 13 points and has reached double figures in all but one game this season. He also added game-high-tying seven boards, a career-high four assists and a career-high-tying three steals.</p>
<p id="hVqtP5">· He also had three steals against North Carolina.</p>
<p id="AT6wOI">· He’s hit at least one 3-pointer in seven straight.</p>
<p id="Ra3Uyb">· <strong>Ashton Hagans </strong>reached his career high in scoring for the second straight game, this time pouring in 12 points after tallying 11 against Louisville in the last game.</p>
<p id="0pr2xE">· He dished out six assists, one shy of his career high.</p>
<p id="bdHkij">· He’s passed out three or more assists in 10 games this season, including each of the last seven.</p>
<p id="YeAtCE">· He added three steals and has corralled at least three steals in four games this season, including each of the last three games.</p>
<p id="U6hEdu">· <strong>Reid Travis </strong>finished the game with 12 points, six boards and an assist.</p>
<p id="zLvETR">· He’s scored in double figures in 10 games this season.</p>
<p id="ETJ2MY">· <strong>Immanuel Quickley </strong>chipped in with eight points and connected on a career-high-tying two 3-pointers.</p>
<p id="cIM08K">· <strong>Tyler Herro </strong>was the fifth Wildcat to reach double-figure scoring with 12 points.</p>
<p id="V9cMXF">· He’s logged double-digit scoring in 10 games this season and has topped 10 or more in seven straight.</p>
<p id="E3toZx">· He’s averaging 16.0 points per game during that stretch.</p>
<p id="cDcx9R"><strong> </strong></p>
<p id="qPLx7k"><strong>Calipari</strong></p>
<p id="IvGc15">· Calipari is now 285-67 at UK.</p>
<p id="u6Jipy">· Calipari has a 730-207 all-time on-court record.</p>
<p id="r0b7wP">· He is still 12 wins away from tying Joe B. Hall for the second-most victories by a UK head coach in program history.</p>
<p id="aaiT7U">· Calipari is now 15-4 all-time vs. Alabama and 14-3 as the coach at Kentucky.</p>
<p id="gCdToi">· It was Calipari’s first loss to Alabama head coach Avery Johnson. Calipari’s record is now 7-1 vs. Johnson.</p>
https://www.aseaofblue.com/2019/1/6/18170054/uk-wildcats-basketball-4-more-thoughts-postgame-notes-kentucky-alabamaAdam Haste2019-01-05T19:27:55-05:002019-01-05T19:27:55-05:00John Calipari on what went wrong for Reid Travis
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<img alt="NCAA Basketball: Kentucky at Alabama" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/_QIdQnMLpe5_UgrZ3ZiLZDGA6oo=/0x565:3252x2733/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62793046/usa_today_11945874.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Calipari isn’t worried about his graduate transfer though.</p> <p id="GiEcLQ">The second half of today’s game against the <a href="https://www.rollbamaroll.com/">Alabama Crimson Tide</a> saw a lot of struggles for the <a href="https://www.aseaofblue.com/">Kentucky Wildcats</a>, most notably with <span>Reid Travis</span>.</p>
<p id="6kwA17">Thus far in the season, Travis had been a beacon of consistency for the young Wildcats. Night in and night out, you knew what you would be getting from him under the basket. </p>
<p id="t1VRuR">But in the second half against the Tide, something was different. Travis only made one field goal on five attempts to go along with just two rebounds and three turnovers in the second half. </p>
<aside id="tkGPjG"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"Social media reactions to Kentucky’s loss at Alabama","url":"https://www.aseaofblue.com/2019/1/5/18169811/uk-basketball-twitter-social-media-reactions-to-kentucky-loss-alabama"},{"title":"Box score, MVP & updated season stats following Kentucky’s loss to Alabama","url":"https://www.aseaofblue.com/2019/1/5/18169905/kentucky-wildcats-alabama-basketball-highlights-box-score-mvp-season-stats"}]}'></div></aside><p id="O44EXS">While his 13 point, 6 rebound performance is right in line with what Calipari would like to see from his grad transfer, the fact that he disappeared in the second half when the Wildcats needed to make a comeback is a little troublesome.</p>
<p id="QqWnE6">“He reverted,” John Calipari said after the game. “He tried to gather himself on every catch. One, he walked. I mean, just catch it and dunk it. Why even try to gather. I told him, ‘All the work we put in, you got into this game and you didn’t trust it and you reverted.’ But he’ll be fine. He’s the least of our worries, believe me.”</p>
<p id="bSkJcY">Tonight just wasn’t his night and you could tell it hurt the team without his reliability under the basket. Travis may not be the most important player on this team, but without his production the team definitely suffers. </p>
<p id="Uyw8TF">But <span>PJ Washington</span> wasn’t going to let his frontcourt teammate get down on himself. </p>
<p id="Ym9baB">“We just tell him to keep his head up, keep fighting. We need him down the stretch. We need him for this team to win,” Washington said. “He’s doing a great job for us. He just had one bad half. He’ll shake it off and be ready for the next game.”</p>
<p id="3z5jkS">Kentucky will be back in action Tuesday night against Texas A&M. </p>
https://www.aseaofblue.com/2019/1/5/18170183/college-basketball-kentucky-alabama-crimson-tide-reid-travis-wildcatsGraham Duncan2019-01-05T17:46:27-05:002019-01-05T17:46:27-05:00Social media reactions to Kentucky’s loss at Alabama
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<img alt="NCAA Basketball: Kentucky at Alabama" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/ZU0AqaqgsrVItrefo3NLVdpsAZM=/0x206:4404x3142/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62792786/usa_today_11945060.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Conference play is not starting off strong, but it never does</p> <p id="CCz7Xm">The <a href="https://www.aseaofblue.com/">Kentucky Wildcats</a> suffer their first loss of SEC play in a bad loss down in Tuscaloosa against the <a href="https://www.rollbamaroll.com/">Alabama Crimson Tide</a>. </p>
<p id="GxAtmw">It was a pretty terrible game all around, with nothing going the Wildcats’ way. Alabama had their best shooting game of the season (of course) and Kentucky could not buy a basket in the second half. </p>
<p id="X6sFAy"><span>Reid Travis</span> played his worst game as a wildcat, struggling all game against Alabama’s athletic bigs while committing five turnovers. </p>
<p id="nJshkl">Despite Kentucky’s comeback effort, it fell short after Tyler Herro missed a three at the buzzer, and the Wildcats fell 77-75 to the Crimson Tide. </p>
<p id="Hwzcts">Here’s what social media had to say: </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Tough start to league play. The good news is we have 17 other opportunities starting with Tuesday's game at home. <a href="https://t.co/Rh0zPNnV7U">pic.twitter.com/Rh0zPNnV7U</a></p>— Kentucky Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) <a href="https://twitter.com/KentuckyMBB/status/1081644216017661953?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 5, 2019</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">FINAL: Alabama 77, Kentucky 75.<br><br>Hagans gets it to Herro for a winning try, off balance and contested. No good. <br><br>Lotta good in clawing back from down 11 in the final three minutes, but a lot of bad in landing in that position in the first place.</p>— Kyle Tucker (@KyleTucker_ATH) <a href="https://twitter.com/KyleTucker_ATH/status/1081644103778095104?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 5, 2019</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Herro had the look....<br><br>Nice comeback but that’s not a good loss with what is ahead</p>— Matt Jones (@KySportsRadio) <a href="https://twitter.com/KySportsRadio/status/1081644059691835393?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 5, 2019</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">The refs everytime Kentucky went inside. <a href="https://t.co/kstQRmSSco">pic.twitter.com/kstQRmSSco</a></p>— BBN (@WhtTm__Wildcats) <a href="https://twitter.com/WhtTm__Wildcats/status/1081644547296411648?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 5, 2019</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">On the finish to the game, “We need to play that way for all 40 minutes. We need to know the game plan and focus on what we need to do to get wins,” <a href="https://twitter.com/PJWashington?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PJWashington</a> <a href="https://t.co/lEFssTqdVc">pic.twitter.com/lEFssTqdVc</a></p>— Kentucky Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) <a href="https://twitter.com/KentuckyMBB/status/1081646704296951808?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 5, 2019</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/UKCoachCalipari?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@UKCoachCalipari</a> says the difference in the game was the start to the second half and easy misses around the basket.<br><br>“We missed, I’m guessing, 10 layups.” - Cal</p>— Kentucky Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) <a href="https://twitter.com/KentuckyMBB/status/1081648526583566336?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 5, 2019</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Calipari says no students on campus and a bunch of fans gone to national title game in football "and the place was packed [mostly]. Where did these people come from?"</p>— Kyle Tucker (@KyleTucker_ATH) <a href="https://twitter.com/KyleTucker_ATH/status/1081649155628503046?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 5, 2019</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Conference play is going to be a long couple of months</p>— Barstool UK (@BarstoolUK) <a href="https://twitter.com/BarstoolUK/status/1081645253751422977?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 5, 2019</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Kentucky in SEC road games <a href="https://t.co/CBBjLuAozd">pic.twitter.com/CBBjLuAozd</a></p>— Ben Mattingly (@ben_mattingly) <a href="https://twitter.com/ben_mattingly/status/1081644187756494848?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 5, 2019</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">This was a recipe for disaster. An Alabama team who lost to northeastern and Georgia state drills everything today while Kentucky misses everything. Also SEC officials are the worst at their job and that’s a fact.</p>— Ian Teasley (@ianteasley) <a href="https://twitter.com/ianteasley/status/1081638736969060352?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 5, 2019</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Keldon Johnson needs to have more than 9 shots this game</p>— KY Clips (@KY_Clips) <a href="https://twitter.com/KY_Clips/status/1081639553008570371?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 5, 2019</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Keldon Johnson, UK’s leading scorer for the season, scored 13 points and has reached double figures in all but one game this season. He also added game-high-tying seven boards, a career-high four assists and a career-high-tying three steals</p>— Vaughts' Views (@vaughtsviews) <a href="https://twitter.com/vaughtsviews/status/1081669303672455168?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 5, 2019</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Calipari: "We didn't deserve to win the game. We didn't have any business winning that game. We just sort of clawed and gave ourselves a chance."</p>— Kyle Tucker (@KyleTucker_ATH) <a href="https://twitter.com/KyleTucker_ATH/status/1081649384796884992?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 5, 2019</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Cal says they broke down early and allowed Mack to get going and get “beer muscles.”<br><br>“It started because of how we played. He played well.”</p>— Kentucky Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) <a href="https://twitter.com/KentuckyMBB/status/1081648813918617602?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 5, 2019</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Kentucky didn’t deserve to win today, I consider this the first true road test and we lost. Louisville is an hour away and still had plenty of blue in the Yum Center. Still, not an excuse. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BBN?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BBN</a></p>— KY Insider (@ky_insider) <a href="https://twitter.com/ky_insider/status/1081650609055502336?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 5, 2019</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">EJ took a lot of questionable jumpers today. We didn’t really have anything going from the perimeter. Reid played his worst game so far in a Kentucky uniform. <br><br>And we lose by 1 point to a 9-3 SEC team on the road. The sky is not falling y’all. It is a process, we are fine. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BBN?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BBN</a></p>— Logan Kirby (@KirbyTakes) <a href="https://twitter.com/KirbyTakes/status/1081657506357800960?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 5, 2019</a>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Kentucky is now 5-8 (.385) in SEC road games decided by 3 points or less in the John Calipari era</p>— Corey Price (@coreyp08) <a href="https://twitter.com/coreyp08/status/1081650730686021632?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 5, 2019</a>
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<p id="ZYgfS0"><em>A Sea of Blue comes loaded with the best Kentucky Wildcats links, news, analysis, and some other fun stuff, so be sure to</em><a href="https://www.facebook.com/pg/GoASoB/posts/"><em> go ‘like’ our Facebook page</em></a><em> and then go</em><a href="https://twitter.com/aseaofblue"><em> follow our Twitter</em></a>.<em> And be sure to </em><a href="https://breakingt.com/products/party-like-its-1977-shirt?rfsn=278838.c1ca6" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank"><em>check out our latest Kentucky shirt</em></a><em>. </em></p>
https://www.aseaofblue.com/2019/1/5/18169811/uk-basketball-twitter-social-media-reactions-to-kentucky-loss-alabamaIanteasley2019-01-05T16:03:58-05:002019-01-05T16:03:58-05:00Box score, MVP & updated season stats following Kentucky’s loss to Alabama
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<img alt="NCAA Basketball: Kentucky at North Carolina" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/zzK7xu6lMc98tjxk2a4qD0qNKfM=/0x215:2367x1793/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62792472/usa_today_11890072.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>David Banks-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>A tough loss, but the Cats fought valiantly in the end. </p> <p id="b9K4uM">The <a href="https://www.aseaofblue.com/">Kentucky Wildcats</a> began SEC play today in Tuscaloosa against the <a href="https://www.rollbamaroll.com/">Alabama Crimson Tide</a>, and the home team certainly came to play. The Wildcats have started conference play 0-1 after a 77-75 loss.</p>
<p id="4INvgb">Bama shot the lights out in the first half behind the hot hand of <span>Tevin Mack</span>, who shot 6/6 from behind the three-point line. Despite leading by two at the break, the Wildcats trailed for the majority of the second half. Even though the Tide cooled down, Kentucky went completely cold and often looked lost on offense, shooting just 37% from the floor in the second period.</p>
<p id="dS0UjG">Despite a valiant effort to come back, the Wildcats simply could not score enough points to avoid their first road loss of the season.</p>
<h2 id="0dRz1R"><strong>Box Score</strong></h2>
<div id="MGtrt4"><div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 141.4227%;"><iframe src="https://docs.google.com/viewer?embedded=true&url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F13670721%2Fuk_ua_box_010519.pdf" style="border: 0; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;" allowfullscreen="" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media"></iframe></div></div>
<h2 id="glpgQD"><strong>Game MVP</strong></h2>
<p id="HiaQiw">It can be tough to pick an MVP in such a sloppy game, but <span>Keldon Johnson</span> did it all for the Cats on Saturday. He scored just 13 points, but also put up seven rebounds, four assists, and three steals.</p>
<p id="xuG0Mh">Johnson was one of the few Wildcats that shot the ball well and also fought for the entire 40 minutes. The only thing that he should have done differently was to be more assertive, taking over them game when his teammates struggled.</p>
<h2 id="pqDe6e">Season Stats</h2>
<div id="4tcA6g"><div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 141.4227%;"><iframe src="https://docs.google.com/viewer?embedded=true&url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F13670722%2Fuk_season_stats_010519.pdf" style="border: 0; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;" allowfullscreen="" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media"></iframe></div></div>
<p id="MiXtTc"></p>
https://www.aseaofblue.com/2019/1/5/18169905/kentucky-wildcats-alabama-basketball-highlights-box-score-mvp-season-statsJamie Boggs2019-01-05T15:10:01-05:002019-01-05T15:10:01-05:00Kentucky falls to Alabama: 4 things we learned & postgame banter
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<img alt="NCAA Basketball: Kentucky at Louisville" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/_4h4ZMovvne3HaXLp3AgHAsWXvU=/0x70:2102x1471/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62792322/usa_today_11913599.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Jamie Rhodes-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>It was a rough outing for the Wildcats in their SEC opener. </p> <p id="4rWnrb">A New Year, yet another game where the <a href="https://www.aseaofblue.com/">Kentucky Wildcats</a> saw an opponent have the shooting day of their life from behind the three-point arc. On Saturday, the Wildcats traveled to Tuscaloosa to face a hard-nosed, Avery Johnson-coached <a href="https://www.rollbamaroll.com/">Alabama Crimson Tide</a> team.</p>
<p id="ZNgjq7">Many experts predicted a double-digit victory for the Wildcats, but a particular Alabama player had other intentions. <span>Tevin Mack</span>, a junior transfer from the University of Texas, had averaged just 8.9 points per game prior to Saturday’s matchup with the Wildcats.</p>
<p id="V4jL42">However, fueled by a first half of hot shooting, Mack went for 20 points in the first period and 22 for the contest.</p>
<p id="5puzl5">Kentucky managed to overcome Mack’s hot hand early, edging Alabama 40-38 at the half. However, lackluster offensive production in the second half negated a late rally by the Wildcats to lead to a 77-75 loss.</p>
<h2 id="xQn5cR"><strong>Offense Stalls in Second Half</strong></h2>
<p id="UvBBP8">Kentucky had 40 points in the first half, receiving 10 from <span>Reid Travis</span> and eight from <span>Ashton Hagans</span>. However, their offensive rhythm blatantly slowed in the second half as Kentucky had multiple spans of which they failed to score a field goal.</p>
<p id="xUB9Er">Prior to Saturday’s game, the Wildcats had benefited from <span>Keldon Johnson</span>’s hot hand or one of <span>PJ Washington</span>/Reid Travis bullying their way inside for easy baskets. Kentucky had also enjoyed the benefit of Ashton Hagans creating in the open floor following their opponent missing shots or committing turnovers.</p>
<p id="ZJI3n6">Alabama shooting better than 45% from the field for the game allowed Kentucky to score just four fast break points, exposing the Wildcats’ ability to score. Going forward, Kentucky will need better efficiency in their half-court offense.</p>
<h2 id="cUSa3M"><strong>Defensive Adjustments Not Enough</strong></h2>
<p id="t66Ipi">Mack’s first-half outburst was clearly frustrating for head coach John Calipari. Whatever the halftime message was, though, Calipari made it clear that Mack was to not have another clean look at the basket.</p>
<p id="s4uihW">Kentucky’s defense had been notable over the past few outings and that trend continued in the second half. After letting Alabama net seven of their 11 three-point attempts in the first period, the Wildcats held the Crimson Tide to just 3-12 shooting from behind the arc in the second half.</p>
<p id="DNlh9h">Their efforts on defense didn't follow suit with their offensive production, though, resulting in the loss.</p>
<h2 id="wL6eP3"><strong>Hagans Blossoming Into Star</strong></h2>
<p id="X4PYs3">Since the departure of sophomore point guard <span>Quade Green</span>, Ashton Hagans has become Kentucky’s MVP. Hagans, a reclassified freshman, has been one of the better defensive guards in the country and has ultimately changed the mental intensity of the Wildcats.</p>
<p id="92l2jt">Being disruptive on the ball, owning the passing lane and getting out in the fast break have all been ways of which Hagans has positively affected the game on defense.</p>
<p id="guWFSe">Though Kentucky lost, Hagans’ play continues to be a bright spot for Kentucky as their season moves along.</p>
<h2 id="qMvpnJ"><strong>Montgomery’s Minutes on Hold</strong></h2>
<p id="uWBSEy">No, Ashton Hagans and Keldon Johnson were <strong>not</strong> <a href="https://247sports.com/college/kentucky/Season/2018-Basketball/Commits/">Kentucky’s top-recruits</a> coming into the 2018-2019 basketball season. Instead, it was 6-10, 200 pound <span>EJ Montgomery</span>. The ninth-overall prospect was believed to have one of the higher ceilings of all recruits in his class.</p>
<p id="nT9JVv">While that may still be the case, he’s hasn’t exactly had many opportunities to showcase his ability. A front court of four capable big men has left Montgomery on the short end of playing time, which can explain his lack of production.</p>
<p id="CBV6HY">Montgomery has reached double-digit scoring just once this season. The freshman has an arsenal full of unique talents, but Calipari and the Wildcats are slowly running out of time to exercise their “Swiss-Army knife.”</p>
<p id="KV3DkP">Kentucky’s loss moves them to 10-3, with a home game against Texas A&M slated for Tuesday.</p>
https://www.aseaofblue.com/2019/1/5/18169844/kentucky-basketball-alabama-crimson-tide-4-things-postgame-banterJohn Morgan Francis2019-01-05T11:11:47-05:002019-01-05T11:11:47-05:00Kentucky vs. Alabama: Game time, TV channel, online stream, odds & HYPE video
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<img alt="Kentucky v Louisville" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/KDdjIujiBByLWELzsgc0m5bRbeo=/0x0:3498x2332/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62776606/1075804700.jpg.1546542089.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>The Cats will open conference play in Tuscaloosa and will have the chance to win their third consecutive game away from Rupp Arena </p> <h2 id="qaiIiL">
<a href="https://www.aseaofblue.com/"><strong>Kentucky Wildcats</strong></a><strong> (10-2) at </strong><a href="https://www.rollbamaroll.com/"><strong>Alabama Crimson Tide</strong></a><strong> (9-3)</strong>
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<ul>
<li id="wMxLa6">
<strong>When:</strong> 1 pm EST on Saturday, Jan. 5</li>
<li id="zVei3e">
<strong>Where</strong>: Coleman Coliseum in Tuscaloosa, Alabama</li>
<li id="wFpsDq">
<strong>TV:</strong> ESPN</li>
<li id="jX2jL3">
<strong>Announcers</strong>: <a href="https://espnmediazone.com/us/bios/dan-shulman/">Dan Shulman</a> (analyst) and <a href="https://espnmediazone.com/us/bios/bilas_jay/">Jay Bilas</a> (play-by-play) will be on the call. </li>
<li id="DB9CAV">
<strong>Online stream:</strong> <a href="http://www.espn.com/watch/">Watch ESPN</a>
</li>
<li id="pZbsyL">
<strong>Replay</strong>: Check local listings on SEC Network and <a href="http://www.espn.com/watch/schedule/?type=replay">WatchESPN</a> </li>
<li id="dJapG9">
<strong>Radio</strong>: Tom Leach and Mike Pratt will have the UK radio network call on 630 AM and 98.1 FM in Lexington. <a href="https://ukathletics.com/signingday/general/general/3/">Go here for more affiliates</a>. </li>
<li id="OLJ44Y">
<strong>Online radio stream:</strong> <a href="https://tunein.com/radio/Alabama-Crimson-Tide-Sports-Network-s231150/">TuneIn</a> and <a href="https://ukathletics.com/signingday/general/general/3/">UK Athletics</a>
</li>
<li id="CdBpdy">
<strong>Rosters</strong>: <a href="https://www.aseaofblue.com/2018/8/6/17655656/kentucky-wildcats-basketball-2018-19-roster-set">UK</a> | <a href="https://rolltide.com/roster.aspx?roster=201&path=mbball">Bama</a>
</li>
<li id="SIlin8"><a href="https://t.co/OaO8n9WTXo">Live Stats</a></li>
<li id="01fih2">
<strong>Odds</strong>: Kentucky opened as 4.5-point favorite. KenPom projected Kentucky to be a 4.5-point favorite. The Wildcats are 3-0 against the spread in their last three games. </li>
<li id="mWRSMW">
<strong>Predictions</strong>: ESPN’s matchup predictor gives Kentucky a 60.3% chance to win. <a href="https://www.aseaofblue.com/2019/1/2/18165063/kentucky-wildcats-alabama-basketball-roundtable-predictions-crimson-tide">Be sure to check out our predictions for the game</a>.</li>
</ul>
<p id="3ok38W">While we wait for the game, here a little hype video UK released for the start of SEC play: </p>
<div id="0KZZTw">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">SEC play is here. Time to crank it up another notch. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DreamBIG?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DreamBIG</a> <a href="https://t.co/i6SLKa4YsS">pic.twitter.com/i6SLKa4YsS</a></p>— Kentucky Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) <a href="https://twitter.com/KentuckyMBB/status/1081242748290846721?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 4, 2019</a>
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<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<p id="KviHBb"></p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="wZGl0G">
<p id="bKi435">The Kentucky Wildcats open SEC play on the road this Saturday against the Alabama Crimson Tide. </p>
<p id="oDMU7r">The Cats have now logged two consecutive wins away from Rupp Arena, both in impressive fashion. The victories pushed their season record to 10-2 entering conference play. It was satisfying for the Big Blue Nation to see Kentucky win rather easily on the road last week against Louisville. But there was obviously plenty of blue inside the KFC YUM! Center, so this young team will likely see the most hostile environment of the season when they travel to Tuscaloosa for a Saturday afternoon ESPN game.</p>
<aside id="0sTK2l"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"Kentucky vs. Alabama: Analysis, expert picks & predictions","url":"https://www.aseaofblue.com/2019/1/4/18168644/kentucky-wildcats-alabama-basketball-2018-analysis-expert-picks-predictions"},{"title":"Celebrate Kentucky’s amazing season with this t-shirt","url":"https://www.aseaofblue.com/2019/1/2/18165236/kentucky-wildcats-football-uk-amazing-season-t-shirt-fans-citrus-bowl-gear"}]}'></div></aside><p id="yOxAVW">This game against Alabama will mark the end of a five-week long stretch that began on December 1st where Kentucky has only played a Saturday game each week. This allowed for additional practice time with classes taking a break for the holidays. The impact of the annual “Camp Cal” has already shown on the floor and it was evident after beating the Cardinals that John Calipari is excited where his team is at right now. </p>
<p id="IgpSLA">In the Cal era, it has been textbook for early fan overreaction to be followed by the understanding that this is a process. It feels like this team has reached the point where it’s more about executing what they do as opposed to game planning how to stop an opponent. You can see below where Calipari recently tweeted about grueling multiple session practices per day and his delight with how the players were handling it. </p>
<div id="nyb5uV">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Player-driven practices are enjoyable for players and coaches. Stay in the moment! Conquer yourself each day and watch what happens. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HappyNewYear?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#HappyNewYear</a>!!! </p>— John Calipari (@UKCoachCalipari) <a href="https://twitter.com/UKCoachCalipari/status/1079790539325800449?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 31, 2018</a>
</blockquote>
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div>
<p id="iFj7Kc">Now for the keys to the game. </p>
<h2 id="N9YNbf"><strong>Keep up the balanced Attack </strong></h2>
<p id="dwKC7k">Kentucky has had a different scoring leader in 4 of the 5 games in the month of December. While it’s obvious that <span>Keldon Johnson</span> is establishing himself as the go-to option on offense, there has also been evidence of UK balancing out their attack. The Recipe for success over the last few weeks has been to accomplish things from the inside out. </p>
<p id="UQXdDd"><span>Reid Travis</span> and <span>PJ Washington</span> have been monsters over the last two games combining for 45 points and 26 rebounds. The two big guys will be counted on even more heading into the predictably physical challenge of SEC play. I think you can expect to see both Travis and Washington getting early touches on the block for just about every game going forward. Once that has happened it will open things up for guys like Keldon Johnson and <span>Tyler Herro</span> who are both scoring the ball with ease right now. </p>
<p id="xamHq5">The Cats have worked their scoring average up to just over 83 points per game and their field goal percentage is nearing 50%. I took immediate notice of the effortless ball movement in the Louisville game. Often times you can hear Cal yelling on TV about pushing the ball or not holding it. His disdain for “ball stoppers” makes sense because when the ball is being moved from side to side, this team is showing how hard they are to guard. </p>
<p id="mhuMER">When shots from outside are falling it will make Kentucky next to impossible to beat. But in order to make three pointers consistently, the Cats need to take good shots and that comes from working the ball inside out. Calipari is continuing to preach that his team should be willing passers. </p>
<h2 id="g2n9SS">
<span><strong>Ashton Hagans</strong></span><strong> continues to improve </strong>
</h2>
<p id="t2IJ4Z">Ashton Hagans is turning the corner both literally and figuratively. Late in the second half at Louisville the freshman point guard was putting his head down and driving to score the basketball. This resembles how nearly all Calipari coached point guards play - attacking the defense with the intent to score and distributing the ball once the help arrives.</p>
<p id="LQaYde">Hagans isn’t averaging mind blowing numbers offensively, but anyone who knows college basketball can see the impact that he is having on each game. His menacing defense and tenacious ball pressure are making opposing teams feel uncomfortable which cannot be quantified on the stat sheet. If Ashton Hagans can show the same improvement in January as he did in December, it is scary to think about how good Kentucky can be.</p>
<p id="rkwjFW">Hagans will get another chance to guard a great scorer on Saturday in Tuscaloosa. Kira Lewis Jr is another freshman point guard and scores the majority of Alabama’s points. <span>John Petty</span> is another streaky scorer who could see Hagans in his grill if he gets hot at any point during the game. <strong> </strong></p>
<div id="tnWYtn">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Ooooohweeeee. Ashton Hagans. <a href="https://t.co/naVnR4zME0">pic.twitter.com/naVnR4zME0</a></p>— Scott Charlton (@Scott_Charlton) <a href="https://twitter.com/Scott_Charlton/status/1079118269422948357?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 29, 2018</a>
</blockquote>
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<h2 id="QCZlU1"><strong>Who is Alabama? </strong></h2>
<p id="gbaG4b">The Crimson Tide are coached by former NBA player, <span>Avery Johnson</span>, and will enter Saturday’s match-up with a record of 9-3. This will be Alabama’s first SEC game of the season along with Kentucky. The Tide beat Wichita State 90-86 earlier this season, but have had some bad losses, including dropping a home game to Georgia State. As I mentioned before, I would anticipate a wild crowd at Coleman Coliseum, with far less blue than the Cats saw last week. </p>
<p id="5rMstI">The Crimson Tide have two guards to do the bulk of the scoring, Kira Lewis Jr and John Petty. Lewis Jr is Alabama’s leading scorer and will likely see Ashton Hagans to start the game. </p>
<p id="GRnOTK">Yes, please. </p>
<p id="xw8YSq">Lewis Jr has scored over 17 points in six games this season. You may remember Petty from last year when he was running mates with <span>Collin Sexton</span>, who is now a Cleveland Cavalier. Lewis has been the more consistent of the two, but when Petty gets hot, he will pull up from just about anywhere on the court. </p>
<p id="es3xOX">Per usual, dominating in the paint will be critical for Kentucky. 6-9 senior PF <span>Donta Hall</span> is a really good college player. He has scored in double figures in each of the last six games while making an incredible 25 of 31 shots. Hall is a proven player in the SEC and will need to be respected as such. Beating Kentucky in his senior year is surely to be something that is on his mind. </p>
<p id="6pUGop">Conference play is going to be tough, but it looks like this Kentucky team is ready to take on the challenge. </p>
<p id="42BLKJ"><strong>Here’s how you can watch the game: </strong></p>
<h2 id="27aUZA"></h2>
https://www.aseaofblue.com/2019/1/3/18166179/kentucky-basketball-alabama-crimson-tide-game-time-tv-channel-online-streamBigBlueDrew2019-01-05T11:00:22-05:002019-01-05T11:00:22-05:00Kentucky vs. Alabama Game Thread
<figure>
<img alt="NCAA Basketball: Kentucky at Louisville" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/mm9a1PkJCpyldQOLZQTKWa9sj7Q=/0x565:2820x2445/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62791340/usa_today_11912870.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Jamie Rhodes-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The Wildcats and Crimson Tide open SEC play. </p> <p id="qPog1v">We are now officially in conference play! </p>
<p id="RO4zfr">It was a tumultuous non-conference schedule filled with great games, terrible games, and confusing games. </p>
<p id="r45k1d">With that being said, Kentucky managed to end it with some great performances against some very talented teams. Beating North Carolina and Louisville back-to-back in impressive fashion is something that has gotten the BBN very excited. </p>
<p id="fXAsx7">Now, it’s time to dive into conference play, where things are only going to get harder. The SEC has improved tremendously over the past four seasons, and that trend will continue to rise this year. There are some great teams in the conference that are looking to de-throne the Wildcats. </p>
<aside id="eshoZ9"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"Celebrate Kentucky’s amazing season with this t-shirt","url":"https://www.aseaofblue.com/2019/1/2/18165236/kentucky-wildcats-football-uk-amazing-season-t-shirt-fans-citrus-bowl-gear"}]}'></div></aside><p id="vobH9c">Today, the <a href="https://www.aseaofblue.com/">Kentucky Wildcats</a> are taking on the <a href="https://www.rollbamaroll.com/">Alabama Crimson Tide</a>, who have a lot of experience along with a couple really talented freshman. It should be an exciting up-and-down game. </p>
<p id="jSoxNF">Today’s game can be seen on ESPN. You can watch it online using <a href="http://www.espn.com/watch/_/id/3421244/transylvania-vs-kentucky">Watch ESPN</a>, the <a href="http://www.espn.com/watchespn/apps">Watch ESPN app</a> and <a href="https://fave.co/2yN4Yrs" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">fuboTV</a>. You can listen to an online radio stream via <a href="https://ukathletics.com/signingday/general/general/3/">UK Athletics</a>. </p>
<p id="J0bswO">Make sure you tune in!</p>
<h2 id="JLNJ1T"><strong>Pregame Reading</strong></h2>
<ul>
<li id="xC6buW"><a href="https://www.aseaofblue.com/2019/1/3/18166179/kentucky-basketball-alabama-crimson-tide-game-time-tv-channel-online-stream">Kentucky vs. Alabama: Preview, viewing info, keys to the game and more</a></li>
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<li id="nPyxOA"><a href="https://www.aseaofblue.com/2018/12/31/18162482/kentucky-wildcats-basketball-football-sports-moments-2018-calendar-year">The top Kentucky Wildcats sports moments of the 2018 calendar year</a></li>
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<li id="4zA45B"><a href="http://www.aseaofblue.com/2019/1/2/18165236/kentucky-wildcats-football-uk-amazing-season-t-shirt-fans-citrus-bowl-gear">Celebrate Kentucky’s amazing season with this t-shirt</a></li>
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https://www.aseaofblue.com/2019/1/5/18165556/how-to-stream-uk-basketball-alabama-2019-live-blog-in-game-updates-sec-hoopsTJ Barnett2019-01-04T16:57:39-05:002019-01-04T16:57:39-05:00Kentucky vs. Alabama: Analysis, expert picks & predictions
<figure>
<img alt="NCAA Basketball: Kentucky at Louisville" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Urw-ZQxUSPjtj20WxGtr6RlsRy4=/0x124:2010x1464/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62788957/usa_today_11913552.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Jamie Rhodes-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>How oddsmakers and experts view Kentucky vs. Alabama.</p> <p id="PGQZpB">A new year is here, but head coach John Calipari plans to keep his team’s recent success intact, as the <a href="https://www.aseaofblue.com/">Kentucky Wildcats</a> travel to the <a href="https://www.rollbamaroll.com/">Alabama Crimson Tide</a> for their SEC opener. </p>
<p id="qKEEny">At 10-2, the Wildcats are only a game ahead of the 9-3 Crimson Tide. However, Kentucky boasts a 11th <a href="https://www.ncaa.com/rankings/basketball-men/d1/ncaa-mens-basketball-net-rankings">NCAA net ranking</a> compared to Alabama’s 69th ranking.</p>
<p id="itsnuf">On Saturday, the two teams will collide in Tuscaloosa, where the Wildcats will play their third consecutive game away from Rupp Arena. While Kentucky is playing their best basketball of the season, emphasis on maintaining their quality play will be significant.</p>
<h2 id="UDClxT"><strong>Analysis</strong></h2>
<p id="joyFCo">Kentucky has won games via contributions from all five starting positions. <span>Ashton Hagans</span>, defensively, willed the Wildcats to victory over North Carolina before the Christmas holiday. At Louisville, it was his backcourt teammate <span>Tyler Herro</span> who earned the game MVP.</p>
<p id="4caYjs">Amidst Kentucky’s early-season struggles and into their elevated production, freshman sensation <span>Keldon Johnson</span> has been the team’s go-to star in crunch time minutes.</p>
<aside id="3GeqTc"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"Kentucky vs. Alabama: Preview, viewing info, keys to the game and more","url":"https://www.aseaofblue.com/2019/1/3/18166179/kentucky-basketball-alabama-crimson-tide-game-time-tv-channel-online-stream"},{"title":"Celebrate Kentucky’s amazing season with this t-shirt","url":"https://www.aseaofblue.com/2019/1/2/18165236/kentucky-wildcats-football-uk-amazing-season-t-shirt-fans-citrus-bowl-gear"}]}'></div></aside><p id="XAdbZJ">In the front court, Calipari’s duo of <span>PJ Washington</span> and <span>Reid Travis</span> have single-handedly denied the “position-less” era of basketball by man-handling opponents inside the painted area.</p>
<p id="RIAv9w">While the Wildcats are far from the “platoon” team many experts and fans expected them to be, winning games and developing players who want to put in the work are the only two tasks on Calipari’s agenda.</p>
<p id="Znh6g8">For Alabama, <span>Avery Johnson</span>’s club lost <span>Collin Sexton</span> last summer to the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba-draft">NBA draft</a>. With veteran contributors around him, Sexton willed a Crimson Tide squad to an impressive <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/sec-basketball-tournament">SEC tournament</a> performance as well as a <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/a/march-madness-2018-ncaa-tournament">NCAA tournament</a> berth.</p>
<p id="RaLqEC">This season, it’s mostly been a 1-2 punch of guard <span>Kira Lewis Jr.</span> & forward Donta Hall. One of the two has been Alabama’s leading scorer in 10 of Alabama’s first 12 games, which will require a defensive-focus from Hagans as well as Kentucky’s front court.</p>
<p id="5g7Dsk">Alabama does have some questionable losses (Georgia State and Northeastern), but they do have five wins over KenPom top-80 teams. </p>
<h2 id="DnMfLT"><a href="https://www.oddsshark.com/ncaab/kentucky-alabama-odds-january-5-2019-1051868"><strong>Betting Trends</strong></a></h2>
<p id="Ov13gs">Kentucky opened as a 4.5-point favorite at Alabama. The Wildcats are 3-0 against the spread over their last two games, including as a 2.5-point underdog to North Carolina in the CBS Sports Classic. </p>
<p id="cpfEnb">Here are some more recent bettings trends for both teams: </p>
<ul>
<li id="09fVXn">Kentucky is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games </li>
<li id="zkNqRX">Kentucky is 10-1 SU in its last 11 games </li>
<li id="0x3Bgt">The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Kentucky’s last 7 games </li>
<li id="5i4ln9">Kentucky is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games on the road</li>
<li id="6AMf2w">Kentucky is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games on the road</li>
<li id="GpTJYw">The total has gone OVER in 4 of Kentucky’s last 6 games on the road</li>
<li id="PRUIr6">Kentucky is 6-1 ATS in its last 7 games when playing Alabama</li>
<li id="tyWiJP">Kentucky is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Alabama</li>
<li id="NNxlXc">The total has gone OVER in 4 of Kentucky’s last 5 games when playing Alabama</li>
<li id="fMIWY6">Kentucky is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Alabama</li>
<li id="JvAaAd">Kentucky is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Alabama</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="aAs4Cf"><strong>Expert Picks</strong></h2>
<p id="OnmvUn">A 8-0 sweep through the <a href="https://www.aseaofblue.com/2019/1/2/18165063/kentucky-wildcats-alabama-basketball-roundtable-predictions-crimson-tide">A Sea of Blue roundtable</a> favors none other than the Wildcats, with the predicted scores averaging a victorious margin of more than 12 points.</p>
<p id="CsLWO5">Ryan of <a href="http://Topbet.eu">Topbet.eu</a> is in unison, predicting a 78-63 victory by the Wildcats.</p>
<p id="3z230B">Michael Beller of <a href="https://www.si.com/college-basketball/2019/01/04/picks-schedule-virginia-fsu-kansas-iowa-state-duke-clemson">Sports Illustrated</a> appears to also be around that 12-point margin, prediction a Wildcats score of 83-70.</p>
<h2 id="7r1yOp"><strong>Prediction</strong></h2>
<p id="YRkJ1C">Three consecutive road tests would seem tough for a mostly-freshman lineup. However, by judging Kentucky’s mental composure against North Carolina and Louisville, Calipari should have a more than favorable chances of adding another tally to his win column this Saturday.</p>
<p id="HY2K4d">Defense has been an area of significant improvement since the addition of Hagans to the starting lineup, as his efforts seem to be contagious across all positions.</p>
<p id="zcJBuG">Offensive usage of both Travis and Washington has slightly declined, but the movement favors a more balanced attack in Kentucky’s offense that is less predictable.</p>
<p id="AymC51">Alabama is well-coached and should strongly contest early but Kentucky should pull away in the second half for their 11th victory of the season.</p>
<p id="qm63cL"><strong>Final score</strong>: Kentucky 81, Alabama 69</p>
https://www.aseaofblue.com/2019/1/4/18168644/kentucky-wildcats-alabama-basketball-2018-analysis-expert-picks-predictionsJohn Morgan Francis