Kentucky dominates Alabama in feel-good romp at Rupp

We knew today’s game between No. 17 Kentucky and No. 13 Alabama would be a track meet, but I don’t think anyone predicted this. Coming off a loss at LSU, your University of Kentucky Wildcats bounced back in spectacular fashion, dominating the Crimson Tide 117-95 to improve to 19-8 this season, 9-5 in conference play.

Kentucky took control of the game midway through the first half and didn’t look back, reminding us all of why this squad still has the potential for a March run despite their flaws. The Cats finished with 117 points, just one off the record for the most scored by a team in the John Calipari era, set earlier this season vs. Marshall. It’s the second most points Kentucky has ever scored in an SEC game at Rupp Arena behind the 127 the Cats put up vs. LSU in 1995.

You could tell this would be a fun game from the start. Alabama led 29-28 just over 10 minutes in, but from there, it was all Kentucky. Five straight points by Adou Thiero helped spark the Cats’ monster 20-2 run to go up 48-31 with three minutes remaining. From there, Justin Edwards scored eight points to ensure the Cats took a comfortable 58-42 lead to the locker room. Kentucky’s 58 points were the most the Cats have scored in the first half of an SEC home game since 1995 and the most Alabama has allowed in a half all season.

A 16-point halftime lead, especially over a team like Alabama, is nice, but could the Cats protect it? Edwards did his part to make it happen, scoring four quick points to tie his career-high of 17. After a quick breather, he picked right up where he left off, scoring seven more to increase his total to 24. His teammates swarmed him as he fell to the court after a three, the feel-good moment we’ve all been waiting to see for him this season. Edwards finished with 28, just two shy of the 30 John Calipari predicted he’d score in a game at some point this season. He was a perfect 10-10 from the floor.

Another fun development today: extended run for Zvonimir Ivisic. After playing just four minutes total in the last two games, Big Z played 20 today and had an impact. With Tre Mitchell out again due to a shoulder injury, John Calipari shook up his frontcourt rotation, subbing Ivisic in for Ugonna Onyenso three minutes in over Aaron Bradshaw. Big Z isn’t perfect — still a liability on defense more than not — but his offense was perfect in a game like this. He finished with 18 points off 7-11 from the floor, 5 rebounds, and 4 blocks.

Joining Edwards and Ivisic in double figures were Antonio Reeves (24), Rob Dillingham (16), and Adou Thiero (12). The Cats shot a blistering 63.1% from the floor and crossed the 100-point mark with just under nine minutes to play, leading by as many as 37 points over the SEC’s top team.

Taking a team like Alabama to the woodshed feels great, but it also has implications for the rest of the season. Today’s win over the Crimson Tide, who remain atop the SEC standings, keeps the double bye at the SEC Tournament on the table. It’s also important for the Cats’ NCAA Tournament resume. Kentucky’s resume in Quad 1 games is now 4-6. Alabama is No. 5 in the NET Rankings, putting this win up there with the road victory at Auburn (NET 7) on Kentucky’s team sheet.

The past week showed us just how much of a roller coaster this season has become. With four games remaining in the regular season and who knows how many after that, let’s just enjoy one of the biggest highs thus far.