Defense Dominates the Day as Kentucky Defeats Alabama 66-55

No. 5 Kentucky outlasted Alabama by grinding out a 66-55 win in a defensive struggle, just like we all predicted. The Wildcats’ win was its first in Tuscaloosa since 2017, snapping a two-game losing streak against the Crimson Tide.

In a battle between the SEC’s two top-scoring teams, defense reigned supreme. Alabama entered the game averaging 81.4 points per game, ranking seventh nationally. Kentucky zipped up Nate Oats’ squad, forcing 15 turnovers and holding them to just 3-of-30 from behind the three-point line. The Wildcats kept the clamps on the Crimson Tide all night and kept the Coleman Coliseum crowd out of the game.

Davion Mintz Provides Early Spark for Kentucky

The game got off to a clunky start for the Cats with sloppy mistakes, ranging from dropped passes to air balls and everything in-between. Alabama led 9-1 and grabbed the game’s first five rebounds.

When the Wildcats needed energy, Davion Mintz injected it into the team. He drained a three, then capped off a quick 7-0 run with an impressive dunk in transition to give Kentucky life with an early lead.

Grady steal ➡️ Mintz THROW DOWN 💥@KellanGrady31 x @deemintz1 pic.twitter.com/hhyghesl93

— Kentucky Men’s Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) February 6, 2022

Hello, Collins

John Calipari switched things up Saturday night. Instead of using Lance Ware to fill in for Oscar Tshiebwe, Daimion Collins‘ number was called. The freshman forward previously played more than five minutes in only two SEC games. He entered the game at Alabama and immediately made an impact.

Collins grabbed boards, disrupted shots, sank free throws and caught lobs. In only eight minutes of action he scored 10 points, sinking all six of his free throws. He also had six rebounds and finished with a plus-minus of 13.

.@deemintz1 ↗️ @CollinsDaimion pic.twitter.com/CfZySJdFzu

— Kentucky Men’s Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) February 6, 2022

TyTy got his Groove Back

Since suffering an ankle injury at Auburn, TyTy Washington had not been the same. He rolled his ankle in UK’s most recent game and also banged up his wrist. Fighting through the pain, Washington once again looked like a freshman phenom against Alabama.

TyTy netted 6-of-15 shots for a team-high 15 points. He was a steady presence in UK’s half-court offense, sinking midrange shots, then delivering a dagger from the three-point line to give Kentucky a 14-point lead with just over six minutes to play.

Like everyone, Oscar struggled to finish near the rim. It did not stop him from hauling in a ton of rebounds. Tshiebwe made just 4-of-13 shots to score 10 points, and he hauled in 14 rebounds to record his 17th double-double and maintain his position as the nation’s No. 1 rebounder.

Kentucky-Alabama Box Score