Overview
- Alabama beat Kentucky 89-74 in Tuscaloosa, improving to 11-3 overall and 1-0 in the SEC.
- Aden Holloway tied his career high with 26 points on 6-of-8 from three, and Labaron Philon returned to add 17.
- The Crimson Tide hit 15 of 38 from deep and led 50-34 at half, with Kentucky trimming the gap to 77-68 before Alabama closed strong.
- Starting center Aiden Sherrell exited late in the first half with a leg injury and did not return, as Noah Williamson supplied 10 points and four rebounds off the bench.
- The win marked Alabama's fourth straight over Kentucky, as Pope cited just nine team assists, lapses in pace and communication, and difficulties guarding flare actions; Otega Oweh and Jaland Lowe led UK with 22 and 21.