Alabama basketball’s submit protection has been tested a lot this year. Gonzaga’s Drew Timme, North Carolina’s Armando Bacot, Mississippi State’s Tolu Smith are a number of of the names. But the hardest matchup on the routine could be this week.
Kentucky’s Oscar Tshiebwe is coming to Tuscaloosa, and Alabama finest be completely ready. He’s the reigning national participant of the calendar year, as selected by the Sporting Information, Involved Push, the United States Basketball Writers Association and a lot more. Once yet again, he’s averaging a double-double.
Charles Bediako and Alabama’s other bigs will will need to fare properly for the Crimson Tide to win. But general, this Kentucky workforce has proven it is susceptible. The Wildcats have lost four game titles by now: Michigan Point out, Gonzaga, UCLA and Missouri.
No. 7 Alabama (12-2, 2- SEC) aims to join that record Saturday (midday CT, ESPN) when it faces the Wildcats (10-4, 1-1) at Coleman Coliseum.
Here’s our scouting report of the Wildcats and a score prediction.
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Projected starting up lineup for Kentucky
Guard Sahvir Wheeler (senior): 5-foot-9, 180 lbs .. Averages: 9.1 details, 2.6 rebounds, 6.8 helps, .9 steals, .2 blocks, 2.3 turnovers
Guard Cason Wallace (freshman): 6-foot-4, 193 pounds. Averages: 12.9 factors, 3.6 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 2.3 steals, .3 blocks, 1.7 turnovers
Ahead Chris Livingston (freshman): 6-foot-6, 220 lbs. Averages: 5.7 points, 2.9 rebounds, .5 helps, .4 steals, .1 blocks, .8 turnovers
Ahead Jacob Toppin (senior): 6-foot-9, 205 lbs. Averages: 11.5 details, 6.1 rebounds, 1.8 assists, .5 steals, .4 blocks, 1.3 turnovers
Heart Oscar Tshiebwe (senior): 6-foot-9, 260 kilos. Averages: 16.8 points, 13.8 rebounds, 1.5 helps, 1.7 steals, 1.3 blocks, 2. turnovers
Wheeler, Wallace, Toppin and Tshiebwe have been the four major regulars in the commencing lineup. Antonio Reeves could see some time as an alternative of Livingston. The duo has split minutes at the smaller ahead location.
Kentucky’s rotation
Up to 13 players are bundled in the Wildcats’ rotation. That many gamers likely will not see that a lot time, but Kentucky has applied that quite a few this time. Powering the 6 already mentioned, forward Lance Ware is an additional who has witnessed a reasonable amount of time. Guiding him in time on the court docket are guards CJ Frederick and Cason Wallace. Ware and Frederick were being out towards LSU this 7 days with accidents, however. They are deemed day-to-working day, per the workforce.
Who sees the courtroom off the bench will be identified by availability but also matchups.
How Kentucky stacks up with Alabama in scoring, protection and tempo
KenPom tracks adjusted offensive and defensive efficiency, which are factors scored and authorized per 100 possessions. The Wildcats have a slight edge on offense but Alabama has a greater protection.
As far as tempo goes, Alabama is likely to consider to perform much a lot quicker than Kentucky will on offense. Which is the case for most teams the Crimson Tide will face. The quantity shown for tempo through KenPom is based mostly on range of possessions for each 40 minutes.
Altered offensive efficiency:
Kentucky: 113.8 (15th nationally)
Alabama: 113.1 (16th)
Modified defensive performance:
Kentucky: 93.9 (46th)
Alabama: 89.4 (13th)
Tempo
Kentucky: 66.5 (260th nationally)
Alabama: 74.7 (3rd)
Rating prediction
Alabama 82, Kentucky 73: This Wildcats crew nonetheless has Tshiebwe, and he could give Alabama troubles. But if the Crimson Tide can consist of him, Alabama ought to leave Coleman Coliseum with the victory.
