Men's Basketball

Kentucky vs. Alabama: TV/Streaming Info, Keys to the Game, and Predictions

Published

2 years ago

February 23, 2024

Kentucky Wildcats guard Rob Dillingham celebrating against LSU.

Photo by Chet White | UK Athletics

After one of the biggest wins of the season, against Auburn, the Kentucky Wildcats suffered a tough loss on the road to LSU after going up as much as 15 points in the second half. As frustrating of a loss as that was, attention quickly turned toward Alabama who will come into Rupp Arena on Saturday.

In his fifth season at Alabama, head coach Nate Oats has put the Crimson Tide atop the SEC standings and in a position to win their 3rd SEC regular season in that span. Given they have just twelve in program history, that is an impressive feat.

Saturday’s matchup is almost certain to be an offensive showcase, with both teams having two of the best offenses in the country, Alabama 2nd and Kentucky 9th in KenPom offensive efficiency. Looking deeper, this year’s edition of Alabama excels in areas that can really give Kentucky fits with their perimeter shooting, rebounding, and physicality.

That said, it is an opportunity for the Wildcats to get another quality win and regain some momentum with March just days away. Let’s dive into the matchup.

Defend the Three Point Line

A few weeks ago, John Calipari talked about this Kentucky team’s excellent three-point shooting and needing to guard the three better to have the advantage. “We gotta guard the three-ball better,” he said. “We shoot it so well, that should be our advantage. We can’t be even.”

There will be no bigger test of that than Saturday.

Both teams are top 15 in three-point percentage, Kentucky 1st (40.5%) and Alabama 15th (38%), and both have three players in the top ten of the SEC in three-point percentage, but they differ in how many they shoot. Kentucky averages 23.7 three-point attempts per game, which is above average, but Alabama averages more than 30 attempts, the fourth most in the country.

With Alabama shooting such a high percentage from three, on a lot of attempts, they are going to make their share. However, Kentucky has to make those shots difficult and key in on top shooters like Mark Sears, Latrell Wrightsell, and Rylan Griffen who shoot 39% on five or more attempts per game.

Be Physical

For much of the season, Auburn was known to be a “bully” team, leaning into their physicality. Against Kentucky last weekend, the Wildcats were the more physical team, with Bruce Pearl going as far as saying he would be turning some plays in the SEC. That is the Kentucky team that needs to come out against Alabama.

The Crimson Tide are physical and one area that shows up prominently is on the boards, as they are a top ten rebounding team in the nation. It’s not just an Oscar Tshiebwe type of player doing most of the work, it is a team effort. Each Wildcat on the floor must box out.

In general, “Do what other teams do to us,” as Adout Thiero has said this season. Get into the guards and make them uncomfortable on the perimeter, don’t allow easy drives to the basket. Be the aggressor.

Make Your Free Throws

Given Alabama’s physicality, they foul A LOT, amongst the highest rates in the country. That means Kentucky is not likely to get a lot of clean looks at the rim.

Fortunately, this one of Calipari’s best free throw shooting teams, shooting nearly 76 percent from the line, ranked top 50 nationally. In what is expected to be a close game, Kentucky can’t leave points on the board, as they did in losses to Florida, Tennessee, and Texas A&M. Aim to shoot 75% or better from the line.

Opposing Players to Watch

G Mark Sears 6-1, 185 lbs

20.4 PPG (1st in SEC)
4.1 APG (5th in SEC)
43.9% 3P (8th in SEC)

F Grant Nelson 6-11, 230 lbs

12.3 PPG
5.6 RPG
1.7 BPG (4th in SEC)

G Aaron Estrada 6-3, 190 lbs

13.1 PPG
5.0 RPG
4.3 APG (3rd in SEC)

Kentucky Basketball vs. Alabama Crimson Tide

Time: 4 PM EST on Feb. 24th
Location: Central Bank Center in Lexington, Kentucky.
TV Channel: CBS
Online Stream: CBS Sports and the CBS Sports app.
Radio: Tom Leach and Jack Givens have the radio call on the UK Sports Radio Network.

Replay: CBS Sports app check local listings.
Rosters: UK | BAMA
Stats to Know: UK | BAMA
KenPom: UK | BAMA
Team Sheet: UK | BAMA
Odds: The odds for the game have yet to be released, but check out SportsBetExpert for your picks. ESPN’s matchup predictor is the harshest on the Cats, giving them just a 38.2% chance at victory. Followed by KenPom at 43%, EvanMiya at 45.4%, and BartTorvik at 49%. DRatings is the one projection that is in favor of Kentucky, at 53.5%.
Predictions: All the projections expect a score game. DRatings has Kentucky winning narrowly, 88-86. Bart Torvik picks Kentucky to lose 92-91. Haslametrics and EvanMiya have them losing 89-88 and 90-89. KenPom expects a 90-88 loss for the Cats.

Also published on A Sea of Blue.

BB Recruiting

James Madison Transfer Justin McBride to Visit Kentucky on Tuesday

Published

6 days ago

April 17, 2026

Tristan Pharis

Kentucky will host James Madison transfer James McBride for a visit on Tuesday, after communicating with Mark Pope and the staff via Zoom video call.

James Madison Athletics

While much of the attention in the transfer portal goes to the top targets, you need to build a full roster. Still with starting spots to be claimed, Kentucky also looking at depth pieces. The most recent, James Madison transfer Justin McBride.

After talking to the staff this week via Zoom video call, McBride is scheduled to take a visit to Lexington on Tuesday.

A three-star transfer, ranked 201st overall according to 247Sports, McBride is being recruited by multiple power conference teams including Baylor and Cal, as well as SEC foes Mississippi State and Ole Miss.

Out of high school, McBride was a four-star recruit, ranked in the top 150 nationally.

“He is a versatile player who has that IT factor about him. You can tell by the passion he plays with that there is a huge chip on his shoulder,” 247Sports asked program director Vonzell Thomas said as he evaluated McBride out of high school. “What I like about his game is his will to win. He does whatever it takes to win and not every kid has that mentality.”

From Texas, McBride committed to Oklahoma State over the likes of Kansas and Arkansas, where he played alongside former Wildcat Bandon Garrison. There, he appeared in just 24 games, averaging just over five minutes per game.

Seeking a larger role, McBride entered the transfer portal and dropped to the mid-major level, committing to Nevada. With the Wolfpack he nearly tripled both his minutes and production, averaging 7.8 points and 4.2 rebounds in just under 20 minutes per game. His most recent stop, James Madison this past season, McBride had a breakout year, averaging 15.3 points and 5.6 rebounds on 40 percent shooting from deep.

Entering his senior season, the 6-7, 240 pound McBride is eyeing a jump back to the power conference level, prioritizing fit at his next stop.

Will that be Kentucky?

McBride has good size and athleticism, and has an inside-out style of game. Meaning he can work his away around the paint, but can also space the floor with his shooting, grading fairly well as a catch and shoot guy. Overall, he ranks in the 97th percentile in scoring volume. That said, there is come consistency to be lacked on the defensive side.

BB Recruiting

Multiple Transfers Meet With Kentucky on Wednesday

Published

2 weeks ago

April 8, 2026

Tristan Pharis

The transfer portal is active, and Zoom stock is going up as college coaches are video chatting around the clock to build their rosters, including Kentucky.

On Wednesday, Mark Pope and the Kentucky staff added three more names to the Zoom list.

Alex Wilkins (Guard, Furman), 4⭐️, 46th-ranked transfer

Class: Sophomore
Physicals: 6-5, 175 lbs
Last season averages: 17.8 PPG, 4.7 APG, 46% FG, 32.8% 3P

An underrated prospect coming out of high school, Wilkins splashed on the scene this year at Furman. As a freshman, he led his team to the NCAA Tournament, averaging 17.8 points and 4.7 assists and earning second team All-SoCon honors.

There were few players as critical to their team’s success as Wilkins, leading the SoCon in possession usage (34.4%) and shot usage (31.7%). That does lend some explanation to his poor shooting splits and turnover concerns (3.8 turnovers per game).

A quick, wirey guard, Wilkins is a capable scorer at all three levels, and can create for his teammates. However, he needs to add some muscle for power conference competition, and needs to have more consistent effort on the defensive end.

A freshman, those are both correctable things.

Isaac Celiscar (Forward, Yale), 4⭐️, 84th-ranked transfer

Class: Junior
Physicals: 6-6, 210 lbs
Last season averages: 13.2 PPG, 6.3 RPG, 3.2 APG, 57.3% FG, 40.7% 3P

Isaac Celiscar is one of the most efficient, versatile players in the transfer portal.

The first takeaway, averaging 13.2 point per game with 57.3 percent shooting, he is extremely efficient on limited opportunities. Shooting nearly 41 percent from deep, he is a threat from deep as well. That efficiency carries over to his passing, as he averages more than three assists per game, on just 1.3 turnovers per game.

Celiscar grades out as a glue-guy with great offensive skills and good feel for the game, but he does have limitations in terms of his athleticism and shot creation.

Jalen Cox (Guard, Colgate), 3⭐️ , 149th-ranked transfer

Class: Senior
Physicals: 6-3, 180 lbs
Last season averages: 17.9 PPG, 5.3 APG, 5.0 RPG, 52.1% FG, 36.5% 3P

Jalen Cox is the lowest ranked player Kentucky has reached out to, but the Wildcats need depth and Cox is a experienced guard with proven production.

Averaging 17.9 points and 5.3 assists (2.0+ assist-to-turnover ratio) per game on 52 percent shooting from the field, Cox is a versatile and efficient offensive player. He has also multiple conference All-Defense selections too, making him a two way player.

The biggest concern with Cox is his athletic ceiling and how that translates to power conference competition. However an experienced two way player is a great rotation piece.

BB Recruiting

Top Five Transfer Paulius Murauskas Moves Up Call, Talks With Kentucky on Wednesday

Published

2 weeks ago

April 8, 2026

Tristan Pharis

Kentucky met with Saint Mary's transfer Paulius Muruaskas, one of the top forwards in the transfer portal, on Wednesday and is looking to schedule a visit for him to come to Lexington.

Saint Mary's Athletics

Mark Pope and the Kentucky Wildcats are as busy as anyone in the transfer portal. On Wednesday, they met with their biggest fish of this transfer portal cycle so far, Paulius Murauskas.

Originally scheduled for Thursday, the Wildcats met with Murauskas via Zoom video call on Wednesday, per source.

Currently ranked 4th overall in 247Sports transfer rankings, the top-ranked forward, Murauskas is the prototypical modern basketball player. Good size at 6-foot-8, 235 pounds, with the ability to create for himself and others, has a good handle, and overall good feel for the game.

Murauskas started his collegiate career at Arizona after some professional experience in Lithuania. Playing just five minutes per game with the Wildcats as a freshman, Murauskas transferred to Saint Mary’s, where he has flourished and earned All-Conference honors the last two seasons.

This past season, Murauskas averaged 18.4 points and 7.6 rebounds, on 48.2 percent shooting from the field and 33.3 percent from deep. As for his weaknesses, he is not super athletic, and he does need to be more consistent with his shot.

Originally thought to follow former Saint Mary’s head coach Randy Bennett to Arizona State, Murauskas is exploring all options. Following the Zoom, Kentucky is trying to get him on campus for a visit in the near future.