Lamont Butler and UK will try to slow down Alabama's offense today. (Vicky Graff Photo)
The first team to 100 won last year’s showdown between No. 8 Kentucky and fourth-ranked Alabama last season. The race to the century mark likely will determine who wins again when the top two scoring teams in the Southeastern Conference meet Saturday at Rupp Arena.
Kentucky (14-3, 3-1 Southeastern Conference) and Alabama (14-3, 3-1) are the top two scoring teams in the SEC. The Crimson Tide average an NCAA-best 89.5 points per game, while the Wildcats are No. 3 in the nation at 88.7 ppg.
Kentucky coach Mark Pope said Alabama’s volume of shots attempted behind the 3-point line is “always scary.”
“On (a) night when they’re making shots, it’s a long night for their opponent for sure,” Pope said this week. “But, really for me, it’s their pace and them on the offensive glass right now. It’s just been remarkable. Their concerted effort on the glass has been really special.”
Kentucky defeated the Crimson Tide 117-95 a year ago in Lexington. The Wildcats have won two in a row after dropping an 82-69 loss at Georgia on Jan. 7. Alabama (14-3, 3-1) had an eight-game losing streak snapped in a surprising 74-64 loss to No. 21 Ole Miss earlier this week in Tuscaloosa.
Kentucky’s offense under Mark Pope is somewhat similar to the style that Oats employs at Alabama. Pope has been impressed with Alabama’s style of play during Oats’ six years as coach of the Crimson Tide.
“What Nate’s done at Alabama has been incredible,” Pope said. “He’s playing a fun style of basketball. They’re really tough to prepare for. Their pace is elite. They’re one of the fastest-playing teams in the country.”
A concern, Pope said, is keeping track of the Crimson Tide and preseason SEC Player of the Year candidate Mark Sears, who leads Alabama with 18.6 points per game. Sears is tops on the team in 3-pointers made with 42 this season and also is averaging 4.5 assists per contest.
“Their transition offense is incredible, their spacing is incredible, they’ve got the presumptive Player of the Year in the league (in Mark Sears),” Pope said. “In the last five games, they’ve been the No. 1 offensive rebounding team in the country, which is so great, isn’t it?
“We just went to Mississippi State and they were the No. 1 offensive rebounding team in the country for a reason, and now we get the No. 1 offensive rebounding team in the last five games. They’re a terrific team (and) obviously, they’re incredibly well-coached, and they’re veteran, veteran guys. It’s gonna be fun.”
NEXT GAME: Alabama at Kentucky, noon, Saturday. TV/Radio: ESPN, UK Radio Network.
