The calendar is about to flip as the stakes have risen, and SEC play is officially here. The Kentucky Wildcats open conference action on the road Saturday, January 3rd, traveling to Tuscaloosa to face the Alabama Crimson Tide in a noon ET tipoff on ESPN.
For both programs, the matchup represents more than just another game, as it’s an opportunity to define the early direction of the season.
Kentucky enters SEC play at 9-4 after a non-conference schedule that featured both encouraging highs and frustrating
lows. The Wildcats picked up two resume-boosting wins late in December, knocking off Indiana at Rupp Arena and then defeating St. John’s on a neutral floor. Those victories helped steady a team that had struggled to find consistency earlier in the season.
The losses, however, still linger. Kentucky fell on the road to Louisville, dropped neutral-site games against Michigan State and Gonzaga, including a lopsided loss to the Zags, and suffered a stunning home defeat to North Carolina that few saw coming. At times, the Wildcats looked disjointed and searching for answers.
Those answers may finally be emerging.
Jaland Lowe, who had been fighting through shoulder issues, appeared to find his rhythm against Indiana, controlling the offense and playing with renewed confidence. That momentum seemed in jeopardy when Lowe re-injured his shoulder in the first half against St. John’s, but in a defining moment for Kentucky’s season, he returned after halftime and delivered one of his best stretches of basketball in a Wildcat uniform.
That same game marked another major turning point: the long-awaited debut of Jayden Quaintance. Playing in his first game since tearing his ACL, meniscus, and fracturing his knee, Quaintance gave Kentucky a much-needed boost in the frontcourt. While still working back into game shape, his presence alone altered rotations and provided optimism about Kentucky’s ceiling entering league play.
The Wildcats wrapped up non-conference action against Bellarmine, turning the page firmly toward SEC competition.
Alabama, meanwhile, enters the weekend in a similar position. At the time of this article, the Crimson Tide sit at 10-3 after defeating Yale before hosting Kentucky. Like the Wildcats, Nate Oats’ team has been tested and exposed against elite competition. Losses to Arizona, Purdue, and Gonzaga have raised questions, but quality wins over St. John’s, Illinois, and Clemson show this group is far from vulnerable.
In many ways, Kentucky and Alabama are mirror images entering SEC play: Talented, battle-tested, but still searching for that signature win to anchor their resume.
What to Watch For in Kentucky vs. Alabama
Limit Alabama’s 3-Point Shooting
Everything Alabama does offensively starts behind the arc. At this point in the season, the Crimson Tide are launching an eye-popping 36.7 3-point attempts per game and knocking down 13.1 of them, which is good for 35.8% from deep. That volume and efficiency are staples of Nate Oats’ system.
Kentucky’s perimeter defense will be tested immediately. Poor closeouts or breakdowns could turn this game into a track meet that Alabama is built to win.
Win the Rebounding Battle
Rebounding has been an issue for Kentucky all season, particularly on the defensive glass. Alabama averages 12.3 offensive rebounds per game, nearly identical to Kentucky’s 12.1. The bigger concern is on the defensive end, where Alabama pulls down 29.5 defensive boards per game compared to Kentucky’s 28.2.
Overall, Alabama holds a slight edge in total rebounds (41.8 to Kentucky’s 40.2), but those margins matter in games like this. Second-chance points could decide the outcome.
The return of Jayden Quaintance, combined with Mo Dioubate’s expected availability and contributions from Malachi Moreno and Brandon Garrison, will be crucial if Kentucky wants to flip this advantage.
Force Turnovers
Neither team is particularly sloppy with the ball. Alabama averages 10.5 turnovers per game, while Kentucky sits at 10.2. That makes forcing mistakes even more valuable. Extra possessions and transition opportunities could swing momentum quickly in a hostile environment.
Alabama Players to Watch
Alabama’s guard play drives the offense. Leading the way is 6-foot-4 guard Labaron Philon, the team’s top scorer at 21.9 points per game, along with 5.6 assists and 3.6 rebounds. He’s shooting an efficient 55.1% from the field and 42.2% from 3-point land in nearly 29 minutes per game.
Philon has a minor leg injury but is expected to play vs. Kentucky.
Aden Holloway, a 6-foot-1 junior guard, adds 17.6 points per game while shooting 48.8% overall and 44% from deep. He’s a dangerous secondary scorer who thrives off ball movement and defensive breakdowns.
Veteran presence comes from sixth-year senior Latrell Wrightsell Jr., who averages 11.3 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.5 assists. While his shooting numbers have dipped, his experience matters in SEC play.
In the frontcourt, freshman Amari Allen has emerged as Alabama’s leading rebounder at 7.2 per game while contributing 10.6 points and strong defensive activity.
Taylor Bol Bowen provides size and shot-blocking at 6-foot-10, while sophomore Aiden Sherrell anchors the paint defensively, leading the team with 2.9 blocks per game.
Depth pieces like Jalil Bethea, returning from injury, and fifth-year senior Houston Mallette add scoring punch and lineup flexibility.
How to Watch Kentucky Basketball at Alabama Crimson Tide
- Time: 12:00 PM ET on Saturday, Jan. 3rd, 2026
- Location: Coleman Coliseum, Tuscaloosa
- TV Channel: ESPN
- Online Stream: WatchESPN and the ESPN app.
- Radio: Tom Leach and Jack Givens will have the call on the UK Sports Radio Network.
- Replay: WatchESPN and the ESPN network (check local listings)
- Rosters: UK | UA
- Stats to Know: UK | UA
- KenPom: UK | UA
- Team Sheet: UK | UA
- Odds: FanDuel Sportsbook does not yet have an official spread, so check back Friday afternoon for those. EvanMiya gives the Wildcats a 34.3% chance to win, while KenPom (31%), ESPN (37.3%), and BartTorvik (19%) also don’t have high hopes for the Cats.
- Predictions: EvanMiya picks Alabama to win 88-83. Haslametrics (86-81), BartTorvik (92-81), and KenPom (89-83) also have the Tide rolling the victory. This is the only regular-season meeting between Kentucky and Alabama, and history favors the Tide under Nate Oats, who went 3-0 against Mark Pope last season. While the first matchup at Rupp Arena was competitive, Alabama ultimately controlled the series. Saturday feels like another close battle. Kentucky is healthier, more confident, and trending upward, but Alabama’s shooting and home-court advantage loom large. Expect a tight game deep into the second half. In Tuscaloosa, though, that edge matters. Prediction: Alabama 84, Kentucky 78.
How do you see this one playing out? Let us know in the comments section!
Go Cats!!
