Alabama did in fact manage to break its two game losing streak by a 96-83 margin over Kentucky tonight at Coleman Coliseum.
They started off poorly yet again, especially on defense. Kentucky was on fire from three and ran out to a 20-8 advantage in the first five minutes. Every Alabama fan was understandably concerned that the Tide was going to dig yet another hole that they couldn’t dig themselves out of.
Fortunately, something clicked and they started playing defense. After allowing over a 150 point pace over 40 minutes early in the game, they held the ‘Cats to only 63 points over the last 35 minutes. Considering the strength of the Alabama offense, they’ll be tough to beat if they can defend the way they did for most of tonight.
But that first five minutes did happen, just as the Missouri game did.
Mark Sears was absolutely phenomenal tonight, putting up his second 30 point game in a row while shooting 38% from three with four assists and only two turnovers. Aden Holloway and Chris Youngblood lit it up from three in complementary roles, and Cliff Omoruyi pulled down 15 huge boards as Grant Nelson spent most of the day on the bench in foul trouble.
It was great to see Alabama compete as well as they did to come back and win the game convincingly, but it’s also frustrating that they don’t bring that kind of effort all the time. If they can play with that kind of intensity from here on out, they can cut down the nets in April. Let it be written.
Roll Tide.
