LIVE BLOG: No. 17 Kentucky at No. 4 Alabama
Alabama outlasted Kentucky in the first meeting in Lexington, a 102-97 footrace. Can the Cats get some revenge in Tuscaloosa? KSR’s LIVE BLOG will bring you all the sights and sounds from Coleman Coliseum as the No. 17 Wildcats take on the No. 4 Crimson Tide (6 p.m. ET, ESPN).
Kentucky is 18-8 (7-6 SEC), coming off a feel-good win over Vanderbilt. Alabama has lost two straight, falling to No. 1 Alabama a week ago and No. 15 Missouri in Columbia. Both teams will be down a few players. The Cats will once again be without Lamont Butler (shoulder) and Jaxson Robinson (wrist), while Latrell Wrightsell Jr., Derrion Reid, and Houston Mallette are out for the Crimson Tide.
This Kentucky team has a way of winning games you don’t expect them to. Can the Cats do it again tonight? Refresh the feed below for updates and our takes on the game, from both Tuscaloosa 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: Alabama 96, Kentucky 83
02/22/2025 07:27:07 PMIt’s over. The Cats just picked up their ninth loss of the season, seventh in SEC play, falling to the Crimson Tide 96-83. Koby Brea led the Cats with 20 points, followed by Andrew Carr and Amari Williams both with 17. Alabama’s Mark Sears led all scorers with 30 points.
There is no shame in losing this game given the circumstances, but after Kentucky’s incredibly hot start (up 12 midway through the first half), the loss still stings. The officiating didn’t help. Get well soon, Lamont Butler and Jaxson Robinson.
Score Update: 1:31 2H – Alabama 94, Kentucky 79
02/22/2025 07:24:21 PMAnd just like that, Alabama leads by 15 after back-to-back three-pointers by Mark Sears and Chris Youngblood. Barring a miracle, Kentucky will move to 18-9 this season, 7-7 in SEC play.
Collin Chandler fouls out
02/22/2025 07:21:01 PMMoments after hitting a huge three to pull Kentucky within seven, Collin Chandler picked up his fourth foul. Kentucky is down to just two guards for the final few minutes of this one.
2:36 2H – Alabama 88, Kentucky 79
Same
02/22/2025 07:19:19 PMKentucky trails by ten with three minutes to go and it feels like we are all this sad Cats fan in the stands.
Text Machine Takes
02/22/2025 07:17:32 PMText your observations to 859-587-3828 (standard messaging rates apply).
Score Update: 3:45 2H – Alabama 83, Kentucky 72
02/22/2025 07:13:22 PMWe’re at the final media timeout. Kentucky still trails by double digits, down 83-72. The Crimson Tide are completely in control.
Score Update: 5:15 2H – Alabama 80, Kentucky 68
02/22/2025 07:10:17 PMIf Kentucky’s going to turn this around, they better hurry. Mark Pope just called a timeout with 5:15 to go and Alabama up 12.
Otega Oweh fouls out
02/22/2025 07:06:28 PMOweh’s streak of scoring in double figures in every single game is officially over. Oweh just picked up his fifth foul with 6:49 to go. He finished with two points on 1-9 shooting, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, and 2 turnovers in 22 minutes.
6:49 2H – Alabama 78, Kentucky 66
Score Update: 7:45 2H – Alabama 72, Kentucky 66
02/22/2025 06:59:25 PMAt the under-eight timeout, Kentucky trails by six, 72-66. Amari Williams just turned the ball over, Kentucky’s 11th turnover of the night. Fouls continue to be the story of the game, with Alabama going 17-19 from the free-throw line to Kentucky’s 10-15 mark. Otega Oweh still only has two points on 1-9 shooting.
Score Update: 10:22 2H – Alabama 65, Kentucky 60
02/22/2025 06:49:27 PMIt’s been a sloppy segment for both squads. Labaron Philon is headed to the free-throw line after this timeout after being fouled on a shot by Brandon Garrison. The Cats are hanging around, but need to start hitting some shots and stop turning the ball over to close the gap.
But, how about the Lyon King? Travis Perry is up to a career-high 10 points following this and-one. A very gutsy performance by the freshman on the road against the No. 4 team in the country.
Otega Oweh picks up his fourth foul
02/22/2025 06:37:55 PMOtega Oweh has been Mr. Consistency this season for Kentucky, the only player in the SEC to score in double figures in every single game this season. That streak is in jeopardy. Oweh just picked up his fourth foul with over 15 minutes to go. He has just two points on 1-7 shooting.
This was one of Oweh’s four fouls. I’m not seeing it.
Score Update: 15:28 2H – Alabama 53, Kentucky 49
02/22/2025 06:33:19 PMShoutout to Andrew Carr, who just hit his third three of the game to pull Kentucky within four, 53-49. The Cats are on a 7-0 run, trying to claw their way back into this game. Threes are great, but they need to take care of business around the rim as well. Kentucky is just 5-14 on layups so far, missing too many bunnies.
Alabama’s lead is up to 10
02/22/2025 06:27:52 PMAlabama is doing what it did so well in Lexington: draw fouls. The Crimson Tide now lead by 10 after two free throws by Mark Sears. There have been 24 fouls called in this game so far.
17:54 2H – Alabama 50, Kentucky 40
A tale of two 10-minute stretches
02/22/2025 06:14:44 PMWhat a wild ride that was. Kentucky hung 30 points on Alabama in the first 10 minutes of the game to go up 30-18 before the Tide flipped the script. The Wildcats would score only 10 more points before halftime, allowing a 24-4 run as soon as Pope pulled Amari Williams, Koby Brea, and Andrew Carr for Brandon Garrison, Trent Noah, and Ansley Almonor. Guys need breaks, but the lineup change was a momentum killer in Tuscaloosa. The offense went cold and never returned to its early form, while Alabama regrouped and picked up its intensity throughout the momentum swing. At halftime, that hot start is an afterthought, and the Wildcats appear to be in big trouble on the road to the fourth-ranked team. Getting Andrew Carr back out there from foul trouble may help. Still, the great start may be wasted.
Halftime Text Machine Takes
02/22/2025 06:10:55 PMText your observations to 859-587-3828 (standard messaging rates apply).
HALF: Alabama 47, Kentucky 40
02/22/2025 06:06:27 PMKentucky needs halftime to regroup. After starting the game on fire and jumping out to a 30-18 lead at the 9:37 mark, the Cats trail Alabama by seven at halftime. Foul trouble has played a part in that, leading to some bizarre lineups. The Crimson Tide capitalized, finishing the half on a 26-10 run. Mark Sears leads all scorers with 15 points.
Here are the halftime numbers.
Alabama fans are chanting “USA” at Amari Williams
02/22/2025 06:04:02 PMKentucky is struggling to get anything going right now. Amari Williams has been to the free throw line twice in the last few minutes and gone 2-4. Maybe the Brit is distracted by the Alabama student section chanting “USA”?
32.5 1H – Alabama 47, Kentucky 38
Score Update: 3:50 1H – Alabama 38, Kentucky 34
02/22/2025 05:53:28 PMThe Crimson Tide are starting to take control of this one, on a 20-4 run over the last 5:23. Mark Sears will head to the free-throw line after this timeout after a foul on Otega Oweh, his second. Oweh is one of four Cats with two-plus fouls. Trent Noah and Andrew Carr also have two and Collin Chandler has three.
Remember this Travis Perry layup? It’s one of Kentucky’s two field goals in five-plus minutes.
Alabama takes the lead
02/22/2025 05:48:08 PMThe Crimson Tide have taken their first lead since the game was 2-0. A layup by Jarin Stevenson put Alabama on top 33 – 32 and prompted Mark Pope to call a timeout. The Crimson Tide are on a 15-2 run over the last 4:06. Kentucky has only made one of its last seven field goals.
5:07 1H – Alabama 33, Kentucky 32
Score Update: 6:30 1H – Kentucky 32, Alabama 27
02/22/2025 05:41:37 PMKentucky’s lead ballooned to 12, but Alabama has it back to five with 6:30 to go the half. Brandon Garrison ended a 9-0 run with a layup, but the Crimson Tide will be headed to the free-throw line after this timeout. Kentucky already has eight fouls, Alabama five.
THREE threes for Koby Brea
02/22/2025 05:36:50 PMKentucky is 10-0 when Koby Brea hits at least three three-pointers and scores 10-plus points. So far, Brea’s done both, a great sign for the Cats, who lead by 10 with 10 minutes to go in the first half.
Two fouls on Grant Nelson
02/22/2025 05:34:11 PMGrant Nelson owned Andrew Carr in the first matchup in Lexington. So far, Carr is flipping the script, with 10 points, the most recent being a pair of free throws after Nelson’s second foul. Nelson, who is scoreless, just went to the bench.
10:10 1H – Kentucky 25, Alabama 18
Some big-time college basketball news
02/22/2025 05:30:16 PMJai Lucas spent a few seasons on John Calipari’s staff at Kentucky before joining Jon Scheyer’s staff at Duke. Now, he’s headed to Miami, his first head coaching job. Quite a step up for the 36-year-old.
Score Update: 11:54 1H – Kentucky 20, Alabama 16
02/22/2025 05:28:21 PMThe Tide is rolling, now on a 7-0 run in the last 2:03. Kentucky has missed its last four field goals and turned the ball over three times in the last 2:51. Settle down, Cats.
Mark Sears pulls the Tide within six
02/22/2025 05:28:00 PMEverything was going Kentucky’s way, but Mark Sears reminded everyone why he’s one of the best players in the SEC. Alabama’s star guard hit a three, forced a turnover, made a layup to pull Alabama within six, and then drew an offensive foul. Collin Chandler played well at the very start, but Sears got the best of the freshman there.
12:47 1H – Kentucky 20, Alabama 14
Score Update: 15:19 1H – Kentucky 16, Alabama 9
02/22/2025 05:17:49 PMThat’s about as good a start as you can ask for. Kentucky is up seven on Alabama at the first media timeout, thanks in large part to three-point shooting. The Cats are 4-6 from beyond the arc so far, 6-10 from the floor overall. They also have six rebounds and four assists.
Andrew Carr, who played his worst game of the season vs. Alabama last month, is up to 3-5 for eight points already. I think he’s feeling better, folks.
KOBY BREA DEEP THREE!
02/22/2025 05:15:33 PMThe threes are falling in Tuscaloosa. Since Travis Perry’s trey, Andrew Carr and Koby Brea sank some of their own to put the Cats up 11-6 with 16:44 to go in the half. Brea might as well have hit his from Birmingham.
16:44 1H – Kentucky 11, Alabama 6
Travis Perry THREE puts Kentucky up early
02/22/2025 05:12:55 PMKentucky needs to hit threes to win. Travis Perry just hit the first one of the game to put Kentucky up 5-2. Koby Brea got the Cats on the board first with a midrange jumper.
18:41 1H – Kentucky 5, Alabama 2
We’re starting on ESPNews
02/22/2025 05:07:11 PMGeorgia at Auburn won’t end, so coverage of Kentucky at Alabama will start on ESPNews at 6:08 p.m. ET.
Kentucky vs. Alabama will tip off at 6:10 p.m. ET
02/22/2025 05:00:44 PMThere are still over six minutes left in Georgia vs. Auburn on ESPN, so tip time of Kentucky vs. Alabama has been pushed to 6:10 p.m. ET. For now, it will still tip off on ESPN.
Kentucky’s starting lineup
02/22/2025 04:50:31 PMKentucky is rolling with the same starting lineup from the Vanderbilt game, with Andrew Carr back in his old spot.
11 Travis Perry
00 Otega Oweh
04 Koby Brea
07 Andrew Carr
22 Amari Williams
Vandy upsets Ole Miss
02/22/2025 04:43:12 PMTo avoid playing on Wednesday at the SEC Tournament, Kentucky needs a little help. Vandy just gave them some. The Commodores just upset No. 24 Ole Miss in Nashville 77-72, giving the Cats (7-6 SEC) a better chance of passing the Rebels (8-6 SEC) in the standings. The rest of Ole Miss’ schedule: at No. 1 Auburn, Oklahoma, No. 6 Tennessee, at No. 2 Florida. Vandy’s win also helps them stay on the NCAA Tournament bubble.
John Calipari’s Arkansas Razorbacks could also give the Cats a hand tonight if they upset Missouri (9-4 SEC). That game tips off right after Kentucky vs. Alabama at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN.
Mark Pope and Dickie V, baby!
02/22/2025 04:24:54 PMDickie V is on the call tonight with Jimmy Dykes and Karl Ravech. This is the third game he’s called this season since returning to the sidelines following his most recent battle with cancer. I could be wrong, but I believe it’s the first Kentucky game he’s called since the 2022 Champions Classic vs. Michigan State. I’m sure we’ll hear plenty of his thoughts on Mark Pope, whom he got his picture with moments ago at Coleman Coliseum:
Here’s how to watch or listen:
- Date, Time: 6:00 p.m. EST
- Television: ESPN (Karl Ravech, Jimmy Dykes, Dick Vitale)
- Home Radio: UK Sports Network – 630 WLAP, iHeart Radio (Tom Leach, Goose Givens)
- Online Radio: iHeart
- Satellite Radio: Sirius 84 (UA Radio) or 191 (UK Radio)
- Live Stats: StatBroadcast
That’s a lot of white t-shirts
02/22/2025 04:01:47 PMICYMI, Alabama is holding a White Out for tonight’s game, with 10,000 free t-shirts. Coleman Coliseum’s capacity is 15,383.
Today’s officials are…
02/22/2025 03:55:51 PM…Terry Oglesby, Byron Jarrett, and Owen Shortt. This season, Kentucky is 2-1 in games called by Oglesby (Lipscomb, Mississippi State, Arkansas); 3-1 in games called by Jarrett (Lipscomb, Florida, Texas A&M, Ole Miss); and 2-0 in games called by Shortt (Brown, Tennessee).
Mark Sears is available
02/22/2025 03:45:47 PMThe final SEC Availability Report is out. As expected, all the players listed as out yesterday are still out today (including Lamont Butler and Jaxson Robinson); however, Alabama star guard Mark Sears is available after being listed as probable yesterday. Tonight should be quite a test for Kentucky’s makeshift backcourt.
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