Grant Nelson had a career day against Kentucky

by:Adam Luckett•about 12 hours•

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Alabama forward Grant Nelson (Bob Donnan / USA TODAY Sports)

Grant Nelson was a big win for the Alabama basketball program in the transfer portal. The North Dakota State transfer was an all-conference performer who posted 17.9 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 2.1 assists in 30.7 minutes per game on .521/.269/.720 shooting splits. Expectations were high in Tuscaloosa for this versatile big.

Some of that versatility was on full display in Alabama’s 102-97 victory at Rupp Arena on Saturday afternoon. The Tide posted 1.31 points per possession and shot 38.2 percent from three on 34 attempts and 85.3 percent from the free throw line on 34 attempts. Grant Nelson was a big reason why.

The super senior had a career day in an Alabama uniform against Kentucky.

Grant Nelson showed out on the road against No. 8 Kentucky:

▪️ 25 PTS
▪️ 7-13 FG
▪️ 11 REB pic.twitter.com/eOjX12VPjJ
— B/R Hoops (@brhoops) January 18, 2025

Nelson set his Alabama career-high with 25 points on 13 field goal attempts along with 11 rebounds and two assists in 31 minutes. The 6-foot-11 big scored 19 points in the first half and had 10 points in the first five minutes. Kentucky had no answers for the stretch four and was a big part of the road team’s success.

“(He) got downhill, attacked them,” Oats said. “He stepped to the free throw line and made free throws, so he wasn’t afraid to attack them. We got him in the pocket a little bit. He was playing great.”

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Kentucky’s defense currently ranks No. 84 in KenPom’s adjusted defensive efficiency rankings and is 16th in SEC games. Right now the Wildcats arguably have the worst defense in the SEC. Nelson was able to take advantage.

The veteran big made a huge impact in the game and Kentucky did not have any answers for the big in the first half.

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