LIVE BLOG: No. 8 Kentucky vs. No. 4 Alabama
Will Kentucky improve its record vs. AP Top 15 opponents to 6-0? KSR’s LIVE BLOG will bring you all the sights and sounds from Rupp Arena as the No. 8 Cats host the No. 4 Alabama Crimson Tide (12 p.m. ET, ESPN).
Kentucky and Alabama are both 14-3, 3-1 in the SEC. The Cats are coming off an impressive 12-point win over No. 11 Texas A&M, while the Crimson Tide took their worst loss of the season Tuesday night, losing to No. 21 Ole Miss at home by 10. Alabama, which makes the second most threes per game in the SEC behind Kentucky, was only 5-20 from beyond the arc and turned the ball over 21 times. You know Nate Oats will have his team ready to roll for what should be a very entertaining afternoon in Rupp Arena.
Refresh the feed below for updates and our takes on the game, from both Rupp Arena and the couch. You can also join the conversation on the KSBoard Game Thread or by texting your observations to 859-587-3828 (standard messaging rates apply).
FINAL: No. 4 Alabama 102, No. 8 Kentucky 97
01/18/2025 01:29:07 PMKentucky’s streak of beating AP Top 15 opponents is over. Alabama outlasted the Cats today at Rupp, winning 102-97. It’s Kentucky’s first loss at home this season and drops the Cats to 14-4, 3-2 in conference play. The Cats will have a week to lick their wounds before going to Vanderbilt next Saturday.
Otega Oweh led Kentucky in scoring with 21 points, followed by Lamont Butler with 17. Grant Nelson (25) and Mark Sears (24) combined for 59 points for Alabama, which hit 13 threes to Kentucky’s 11. Fouls played a huge part, with Alabama going 29-34 from the charity stripe to Kentucky’s 16-20.
Lamont Butler three keeps the Cats within five
01/18/2025 01:22:46 PMThe fat lady was warming up at Rupp Arena but Lamont Butler hit a three to keep Kentucky within five, 97-92. It might not be a two-possession game for long as Youngblood is headed to the line after a foul on Otega Oweh with 36.9 seconds remaining. Oweh has fouled out.
Score Update: 2:03 2H – Alabama 93, Kentucky 84
01/18/2025 01:17:22 PMMark Sears just hit all three free throws after being fouled by Otega Oweh to stretch Alabama’s lead to nine with two minutes to go. Ugh.
Score Update: 2:47 2H – Alabama 90, Kentucky 81
01/18/2025 01:11:56 PMAlabama’s lead is up to nine after a three by Labaron Philon. I’m worried that’s the dagger.
Text Machine is stressed
01/18/2025 01:10:21 PMYou can text your observations to 859-587-3828 (standard messaging rates apply).
Score Update: 3:53 2H – Alabama 83, Kentucky 81
01/18/2025 01:06:51 PMKentucky tied the game with a Brandon Garrison dunk, but Alabama is back on top at the final media timeout. Amari Williams, Jaxson Robinson, and Andrew Carr all have four fouls. It feels like the Crimson Tide has the momentum right now. Fingers crossed as this one enters the final stanza.
Score Update: 6:05 2H – Alabama 81, Kentucky 76
01/18/2025 01:02:00 PMMark Pope has called a timeout with 6:05 to go. Alabama is up five and it feels like they just can’t miss. The Cats need some stops.
The Big Dog is watching the game with a big recruit
01/18/2025 12:56:50 PMEarlier, I shared a picture of Vince Marrow and said the Big Dog was taking a break from the recruiting trial for some hoops. Of course, that is not really the case. Turns out he’s at the game with Jarvis Strickland, the highest-ranked recruit in the state of Kentucky, a top-250 prospect, and the No. 19 offensive tackle in the country. The Big Blue Wall could use him.
Score Update: 7:54 2H – Alabama 76, Kentucky 72
01/18/2025 12:53:27 PMOtega Oweh is doing his best to keep Kentucky in this game, hitting a three to cut Alabama’s lead to four at the under-eight timeout. It’s the Cats’ third three of the half, eighth of the night. They need some more to keep up with Alabama who is up to 11 threes and shooting 52.9% from the floor this half.
Oweh has been spectacular, up to 21 points (8-13 FG), five rebounds and three assists. Someone else needs to step up with him.
OTEGA OWEH TAKEOVER!
01/18/2025 12:46:25 PMJust when you worried Kentucky was in the danger zone, here comes Otega Oweh. Oweh got a steal and layup to cut Alabama’s lead to five. Koby Brea followed it up with a three and Oweh got another steal to give the Cats the ball with 10:30 to go.
10:30 2H: Alabama 67, Kentucky 65
Score Update: 11:40 2H – Alabama 66, Kentucky 60
01/18/2025 12:40:06 PMIn less than a minute, Kentucky’s been called for two more fouls, bringing the Cats’ total to nine this half to Alabama’s two. Otega Oweh’s was the latest, which will send Grant Nelson to the line after this timeout. The crowd is making their feelings known, chanting “Ref you suck.” Alabama’s on a 14-4 run and leads by six. It could be eight soon.
Alabama already in the bonus
01/18/2025 12:36:46 PMFouls are beginning to mount up for Kentucky. Kentucky has seven this half to Alabama’s two, meaning the Crimson Tide are already in the bonus. In other bad news, Alabama’s on a 7-0 run and now leads by five.
12:45 2H – Alabama 63, Kentucky 58
Lamont Butler — with a bad shoulder — with a slam
01/18/2025 12:34:44 PMLamont Butler’s left shoulder has been hurting so badly since Tuesday’s game vs. Texas A&M that Mark Pope said he was only able to raise his left hand over his head today. Butler has been playing through the pain today, and threw down this slam to put Kentucky up 58-56. He’s now on the bench with a massaging belt strapped to it.
Today’s Y: Josh Harrellson
01/18/2025 12:30:51 PMThe guys called it on the pregame show. Josh Harrellson is today’s Y. Good to see Jorts back in Rupp. He most recently played for the Saga Ballooners in the Japanese B1 League.
Andrew Carr picks up his fourth foul
01/18/2025 12:27:39 PMBad news: Andrew Carr just picked up his fourth foul and there are over 15 minutes to play. It’s been a tough day for Carr, but he was starting to find his footing vs. Grant Nelson. Now, he’ll head to the bench.
In good news, Brandon Garrison is playing great. He’s up to nine points on 4-5 from the floor, the latest two coming off this slam off a pass from Otega Oweh.
15:29 2H – Kentucky 56, Alabama 54
Score Update: 17:20 1H – Kentucky 54, Alabama 52
01/18/2025 12:23:49 PMNate Oats has requested a review on Lamont Butler’s foul on Mark Sears, arguing that Butler wrapped his arm around Sears’ neck. After review, it remains a common foul and was not upgraded.
Kentucky’s on a 7-0 run
01/18/2025 12:21:32 PMOtega Oweh takeover! Oweh just threw down a monster slam off a long pass by Andrew Carr, giving Kentucky a 52-49 lead with 18:20 to go. The Cats are on a 7-0 run.
Otega Oweh gives Kentucky the lead
01/18/2025 12:16:56 PMKentucky has taken the lead early in the second half thanks to a Lamont Butler three and Otega Oweh bucket. Nate Oats had to call a timeout to save a possession on what would have otherwise been a jump ball. Oweh now has 10 points. He’s scored in double figures in all 18 games this season.
18:40 2H: Kentucky 50, Alabama 49
HALF: Alabama 47, Kentucky 45
01/18/2025 11:58:18 AMTwo free throws by Lamont Butler (who took another hard fall on that foul) have Kentucky within two at half, 47-45. Grant Nelson leads all scorers with 19 points, the only player in double figures. For Kentucky, both Otega Oweh and Amari Williams have eight. After a blistering start, both teams have cooled off a bit. Kentucky is shooting 42.9% from the floor, Alabama 41.0%. The Cats have five threes to Alabama’s six.
Should be an excellent second half. Buckle up.
You knew it was coming
01/18/2025 11:56:49 AMJay Bilas and Dan Shulman just received their ice cream. Meanwhile, Lamont Butler is at the free throw line with 1.3 seconds left.
Score Update: 13.5 1H – Alabama 47, Kentucky 43
01/18/2025 11:53:43 AMA three by Labaron Philon pushed Alabam’s lead to six but a tough bucket by Brandon Garrison has the Cats within four with 13.5 to go in the half.
Grant Nelson gives Alabama the lead
01/18/2025 11:49:46 AMKentucky has to find a solution for Grant Nelson. Nelson is up to 19 points, his latest bucket giving Alabama the lead. A three-pointer by Mark Sears makes it Alabama 44, Kentucky 40 with 1:30 to go. Kentucky hasn’t scored in 2:36 and has only made one of its last nine field goals.
Vince Marrow in the house
01/18/2025 11:48:08 AMThe Big Dog is taking a break from recruiting to check out today’s game, spotted in the concourse by Mario Maitland.
Score Update: 3:16 1H – Kentucky 40, Alabama 37
01/18/2025 11:42:05 AMKentucky still leads by three, 40-37, but Alabama’s Grand Nelson will head to the free-throw line after the timeout. Andrew Carr just picked up his third foul. Nelson has 15 points so far to Carr’s zero, winning that matchup so far.
Score Update: 5:10 1H – Kentucky 38, Alabama 32
01/18/2025 11:38:06 AMAnsley Almonor is doing his job at the free-throw line. Four free throws by Almonor have pushed Kentucky’s lead to six with 5:10 until halftime. He’s up to seven points, playing valuable minutes once again.
Back-to-back buckets by Otega Oweh
01/18/2025 11:33:37 AMWe almost missed it due to Jay Bilas’ 94-feet segment with Brea, but Otega Oweh came out of the media timeout on a mission, scoring back-to-back buckets to put Kentucky up by four. Oweh is up to 8 points so far.
7:00 1H – Kentucky 34, Alabama 30
Koby Brea went 94 feet with Jay Bilas (kind of)
01/18/2025 11:32:35 AMKoby Brea was the lucky Wildcat to be featured in Jay Bilas’ 94-feet segment, except instead of walking down the court, they played cornhole, darts, and pool in the Wildcat Lodge. Brea has made a three in 18 straight games, passing Reed Sheppard’s mark of 17 from last season.
Score Update: 7:59 1H – Kentucky 30, Alabama 28
01/18/2025 11:28:10 AMBoth teams have cooled off a bit. Alabama is on a 2:10 scoring drought, making only one of its last nine shots and missing the last six. Kentucky has made just one of its last seven shots. Lamont Butler will be headed to the free-throw line after a foul by Mark Sears on a steal.
Score Update: 10:48 1H – Kentucky 27, Alabama 26
01/18/2025 11:19:08 AMWe knew this game would be high-scoring but my gosh. A three by Brandon Garrison just gave Kentucky the lead at the under-12 timeout. The Cats are on a 6-0 run over the last 58 seconds, with Ansley Almonor also hitting a three during that span. Kentucky has hit its last six field goals.
We’re not even at the 10-minute mark and there’s already been 53 total points scored, including nine threes. You’ve gotta love it.
Koby Brea and Jaxson Robinson are warming up!
01/18/2025 11:14:15 AMAlabama can’t miss (seriously, they’ve hit their last eight shots), but thankfully, the threes are starting to fall for Kentucky. Koby Brea and Jaxson Robinson hit back-to-back threes and Brea found his way inside to score again. Two free throws by Otega Oweh have pulled Kentucky within five at the 13-minute mark.
12:58 1H: Alabama 24, Kentucky 19
Score Update: 15:41 1H – Alabama 13, Kentucky 9
01/18/2025 11:08:46 AMKentucky led 7-2 at the 17:57 mark, but Alabama went on an 11-0 run to take a 13-7 lead. Lamont Butler stopped that run to make it 13-9 Crimson Tide at the first media timeout. Alabama has already hit three three-pointers so far, two coming from Grant Nelson. He has eight points so far.
This three by Jaxson Robinson to put Kentucky up five was pretty sweet:
We’ve already had a review
01/18/2025 11:05:36 AMIt only took 78 seconds, but we’ve already had a review. Amari Williams scored Kentucky’s second bucket of the game, but officials had to go to the monitor to confirm he beat the shot clock. After review, they confirmed he did.
18:42 1H: Kentucky 4, Alabama 2
We’ve also got a Blue/White chant going early on. Rupp has once again brought it for the early tip.
College Gameday crew picks Kentucky
01/18/2025 11:00:28 AMIt’s a sweep. All three members of the College Gameday crew picked Kentucky to beat Alabama. Let’s do it.
Usual starting lineup for Kentucky
01/18/2025 10:50:57 AMFurther confirmation Butler is playing: he’s listed in the starting lineup, which is the usual five.
01 Lamont Butler
00 Otega Oweh
02 Jaxson Robinson
07 Andrew Carr
22 Amari Williams
Mark Pope on Lamont Butler: “He’s a warrior”
01/18/2025 10:28:42 AMLamont Butler continues to warm up at Rupp Arena, suggesting he’ll give it a go despite taking a beating in Tuesday night’s game vs. Texas A&M. In his pregame conversation with Tom Leach, Mark Pope said that Butler’s shoulder has been bothering him the most after falling on it Tuesday, but he can now lift his left arm.
“Lamont’s great. You know, I did see him raise his left arm today, which was a positive sign. We’ll see. He’s a warrior and if he’s capable of going, he’s gonna go.”
Latest odds
01/18/2025 10:21:13 AMKentucky is holding as a 2.5-point favorite on FanDuel. Here’s a look at some of the other odds, including a very high total:
Spread: 2.5
Total: 178.5 points
Kentucky total: 91.5 points
Alabama total: 89.5 points
Koby Brea points: 9.5
Otega Oweh points: 16.5
Jaxson Robinson points: 14.5
Amari Williams points: 10.5
Mark Sears points: 21.5
Andrew Carr rebounds: 5.5
Amari Williams rebounds: 8.5
Andrew Carr points + rebounds: 18.5
Amari Williams points + rebounds: 18.5
Today’s officials
01/18/2025 10:17:08 AMThe officials for today’s game are Joe Lindsay, Steven Anderson, and Patrick Evans. All three have worked a Kentucky game this season. Lindsay officiated Kentucky’s win over Duke in the Champions Classic, Anderson the loss at Georgia, and Evans the loss to Ohio State in the CBS Sports Classic. Anderson was also a member of the crew who worked the Oakland game in the NCAA Tournament last season.
Rupp bringing back the C-A-T-S chant before tipoff
01/18/2025 10:14:16 AMThe C-A-T-S chant before tipoff used to be a very cool thing. Kentucky is trying to bring it back, sharing these instructions for fans going to the game on social media.
While we’re talking chants, Steven Peake also has some suggestions.
Bilas ice cream bit incoming
01/18/2025 09:57:44 AMJay Bilas and Dan Shulman are on the call for ESPN today, meaning that we’ll all get to watch them eat Rupp Arena ice cream at some point. Earlier this week, they tried the ice cream at Hilton Coliseum in Ames, Iowa during No. 9 Kansas vs. No. 2 Iowa State. How did it compare to Rupp’s? I have a feeling we’ll find out.
Don’t want to listen to Bilas and Shulman? You can turn the TV down and the radio up and listen to Tom Leach and Goose Givens.
- Time: 12 p.m. ET
- Television: ESPN (Jay Bilas, Dan Shulman)
- Home Radio: UK Sports Network – 630 WLAP, iHeart Radio (Tom Leach, Goose Givens)
- Online Radio: iHeart
- Satellite Radio: Sirius 106 or 190
- Live Stats: StatBroadcast
Lamont Butler is warming up
01/18/2025 09:52:38 AMLamont Butler was listed as a game-time decision on the final SEC Availability Report this morning. Per usual, he was the first player out for warm-ups, suggesting he’ll try to give it a go today vs. the Crimson Tide.
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