Saturday marked the start of SEC play, and it began great for Alabama — but not so good for perennial power Kentucky.
The Wildcats jumped off to a 5-0 lead. Alabama fans were reminded of Indiana jumping out to an early 17-0 lead over Bama in the Rose Bowl. The Hoosiers held and extended that lead on New Year’s Day.
Kentucky could not hold their early lead Saturday, and Alabama’s offense quickly went on a 9-0 run, taking a 9-5 lead.
In bits and spurts, Alabama went out front by 21 points. Kentucky eased closer for a while, but then Alabama established dominance and wound up ahead 50-34 at halftime and winning the game 89-74.
It was a historic win for the Tide – the first time in program history that Alabama has beaten Kentucky four times in a row.
Kentucky’s last win over Alabama came in February 2024.
No. 14 Alabama is now 11-3 on the season and 1-0 in the SEC.
Next, Tide Hoops faces #11 Vanderbilt in Nashville on Wednesday, January 7 at 7 p.m. CST. Vandy won at South Carolina 83-71 Saturday in their first SEC outing.
Jim Zig Zeigler is a contributing writer for Yellowhammer News. His beat includes the positive and colorful about Alabama – her people, events, groups and prominent deaths. He is a former State Auditor and Public Service Commissioner. You can reach him at [email protected].
