Tide plays Kentucky tonight at 6 PM...     

Update: Tide now a two seed in Bracketology

Will Rojas play tonight?

      In talking with some of my friends who are very close to the Kentucky program, they tell me that Calipari thinks his team will beat Alabama tonight. Don't joke yourself; Kentucky can indeed do just that. They have quality players who are becoming more experienced every game. The Wildcats beat LSU 82-69 in their last game. With Bruner out, the Tide's inside game will be tested. Rojas might or might no be back. Even if he returns, you have to question whether his illness has slowed him down. I have been told that he had the "regular: flu. The has been speculation that contract tracing was the problem. Alabama will need his junkyard dog work under the boards. Rojas is 6-8, and we need him inside. The Wildcats will try to make this an interior game and hope to make a few outside shots. Boston has improved. That will help Kentucky. I think Jones will slow down Boston. 

       Alabama basketball radio commentator Brian Passink shared an interesting stat. Last season Alabama beat four teams on the road by twenty plus points. They then lost the return game in Coleman Coliseum. I think Alabama will reverse that trend, but it is worthy to note.  Alabama's offense Is unique in the SEC.  Once you have seen it, is it easier to defend the next time up? I think so. Anytime you have seen an offense, it is probably easier to defend next time out. 

     So what does Alabama need to do to beat Kentucky? First and foremost. They need to make three-point baskets. How would Kentucky stop Alabama from doing that?  A team doesn't always shoot well. That's what you hope for if you are the defense. Next, stop Alabama from penetrating. To do that, you have to allow your perimeter players to help defend the paint, which of course, means that the outside shots might be wide open, or in Alabama's case, will be open. Alabama's spacing on offense is a thing of beauty. The Tide has shown they will make that extra pass, which leads to better shots. What does Alabama do? They run their offense. They run the fast break. They try to find a good open shot in the first 10 seconds of their possession. 

      Last year's team was young and hadn't fully embraced the five-out offense. This year's team was inexperienced and understands what to do.  Herb Jones, Jahvon Quinerly, and Jaden Shackleford will take the back to rack and dish outside to the other players on the floor.  If Alabama shoots well, they will win. I don't think Kentucky can outscore the Tide otherwise. Alabama's defense is so much better than last season. 

I like the Tide to win.  I'll take one point and be happy. Will they cover the line? They should. Alabama has now moved up to a 2 seed in Lunardi's site. Kentucky will not make enough threes to win or create enough turnovers. Alabama will make enough threes to win and create enough turnovers/steals to skin the Cats. Look for Ambrose-Hylton and Gary to stop in tonight for some big minutes.