Final a really good win for the Cats especially without Wheeler and Washington and I also think this will help going into the end of the season. The Cats placed 4 of the 5 starters in double figures.

UK starting 5 played the entire second half except Collins in for Oscar for about 2 minutes around the 8 minute TO. 

Hell of an effort from Kentucky after that start from Alabama.  I'd bet my next paycheck Wheeler could have played today but Calipari wanted to see how they'd look down two guys against a top 25 team at a "neutral arena".  Also, just get healthy. 

These are the types of wins that really are the hallmark of a contender. It helped they were at home, but Kentucky played a Top 25 team while short handed, and were punched in the mouth with an avalanche of threes. To win that game when a lot was going against you early on is HUGE. Kentucky was +21 in scoring the final 24 minutes. 

UK shot 64% on 3's. Grady was 7-9 on 3's. 

Collins with a nice contribution in limited minutes scoring 6 and 2 rebounds.

Mintz is the only starter not in double figures but zero turnovers in the game for Mintz while handling the ball a lot.

Brooks gets 8 rebounds and blocks 2 shots to go with his 18 points.

Cats played a slow pace once they got the lead. Went deep into the shot clock and then converted points. Cats shot 53% for the game.

Cats also played very good defense on Bama the last 30 minutes and made Bama use clock on offense.

I know the minutes were big for the starters but Collins played well off the bench, Hopkins was aggressive, Ware drew a technical. It was always going to be about the starters today but the bench was solid in limited action. 

1 hour ago, Voice of Reason said:

UK starting 5 played the entire second half except Collins in for Oscar for about 2 minutes around the 8 minute TO. 

That's part of the upside with an experienced team.  Those guys have their bodies ready to play 40+ minutes if necessary. 

The technical against Alabama really changed the tide. Much different game from that point forward. 41-31 Alabama when it happened, I think. 

I really enjoy watching this group play. 
They’ve got a lottery pick in Washington, a few shooters and a ton of effort guys.

The transfer portal has obviously been good for UK. I said when the NIL stuff got announced that it was a huge deal but the transfer rules would change the game more.

31 minutes ago, sportsfan41 said:

The technical against Alabama really changed the tide. Much different game from that point forward. 41-31 Alabama when it happened, I think. 

I don't agree. It was 41-31 when the T happened. The Alabama lead had hovered 10 points for over 10 minutes of play and stayed around 10 points for the next 2 and a half minutes. UK didn't get it below 10 points till almost 2 and a half minutes after the T. It was a run in the last two minutes of the half that got UK the lead at halftime. I don't think the T had any impact on the game.

Pretty solid performance. Love the lack of turnovers. Games like this should definitely help prepare for next month.

Get healthy.

Thank goodness for the transfer portal once again and Grady saved the Cats with steady outside shooting.

35 minutes ago, nikeman49 said:

Thank goodness for the transfer portal once again and Grady saved the Cats with steady outside shooting.

Isn’t it great how Cal adapts and is on the forefront of these developments in recruiting? 

38 minutes ago, nikeman49 said:

Thank goodness for the transfer portal once again and Grady saved the Cats with steady outside shooting.

I'll help you with this one...

"Thank goodness for a Head Coach that utilized the transfer portal very well to build a solid team for the 2021-2022 season."

The transfer portal is here to stay in college basketball, so there is no point to keep on thanking it.  Good thing Cal isn't set in his ways and adapts to the landscape of the game just as well, if not better than anyone (minus the part where he was pretty late to the game when it came to tons of three balls haha).

Remember, since every loss and bad thing that happens in a game is Calipari’s fault, it’s only right he gets full credit when things go well.