Unlike other college basketball teams, John Calipari’s Kentucky Wildcats face an opponent playing their “super bowl” of the season nearly every weekend. Saturday’s game was no different, as Kentucky looked to ring in the New Year with a win at the Alabama Crimson Tide.
However, despite a 40-38 halftime lead, the Wildcats fell behind double digits in the second half due a lack of offensive production. Freshman point guard Ashton Hagans wowed viewers with a late rally, but his efforts ultimately came up short in a 77-75 defeat.
Kentucky’s contributions on offense weren’t necessarily terrible, having all five starters reach double-figure scoring. No one exactly had a standout performance, though. PJ Washington (15) led all scorers as Keldon Johnson (13), Reid Travis (12), Tyler Herro (12) and Hagans (12) followed suit.
Immanuel Quickley was also productive in limited action, scoring eight points in 15 minutes. Nick Richards was active early, finishing with the team’s best plus/minus (+5).
Though there weren’t any Wildcats who stood out on offense, Crimson Tide wing Tevin Mack played a first half to remember. Mack scored 20 of Alabama’s 38 first half points, single-handedly keeping his team close enough to capture the win.
Mack was kept in check throughout the second half, though, being held to just two additional points.
While “just” three steals were credited to Hagans via the box score, the freshman turned in yet another stellar performance on defense. He seemed to have possession of the ball every time it popped loose, which led to the evidence of improved decision making in the open court.
Kentucky’s loss comes via frustrating fashion. Their second half offense was as stagnant as it had been all season, immediately falling behind the likes of Auburn (12th-nationally) and Tennessee (3rd-nationally) in the SEC standings.
Next up will be the Texas A&M Aggies as the Wildcats return to Rupp Arena for the first time in three weeks.