The Kentucky Wildcats blew out the Alabama Crimson Tide 117-95 in Rupp Arena on Saturday evening in what was one of the best offensive performances college basketball has seen this season.
This Kentucky team clearly had a bad taste in their mouth after the loss to LSU because they came out firing on all cylinders in this victory.
What can we take away from Kentucky’s 117-95 win over the SEC’s number-one team in Rupp Arena?
Justin Edwards had his breakout performance
Feb 24, 2024; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Justin Edwards (1) celebrates after making a basket during the first half against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-USA TODAY Sports
© Jordan Prather-USA TODAY Sports
Justin Edwards was literally perfect in this game as he went 10-10 from the field and 4-4 from three. If Edwards can start playing this well down the stretch, it will be huge for the Wildcats. Kentucky has been looking for a little bit more offense, and in this game, they got it from Edwards. The player that Big Blue Nation expected to see all year long was on the floor in this game. If this version of Edwards sticks around, the Kentucky Wildcats can win a National Championship.
It was an offensive explosion
Feb 24, 2024; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Reed Sheppard (15) dunks the ball during the second half against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-USA TODAY Sports
© Jordan Prather-USA TODAY Sports
Kentucky shot 63.1% from the field and 54.2% from three in the 117-point explosion. Kentucky scored 1.5 points per possession in the win. If Kentucky can have offensive showings like this in March, they will make a deep run. The Wildcats had five players score in double figures, and four of them scored 15+. Alabama has the best offense in college basketball numbers-wise, but Kentucky’s looked much better in Rupp Arena tonight. No one can beat Kentucky if they play like this on the offensive side of the floor.
Alabama only had six threes
Feb 24, 2024; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide guard Rylan Griffen (3) shoots the ball during the first half against the Kentucky Wildcats at Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-USA TODAY Sports
© Jordan Prather-USA TODAY Sports
Heading into this game, the whole conversation was whether Kentucky could stop Alabama from scoring from beyond the three-point line. Alabama only made six in the loss, shooting 35.3% from deep. Until garbage time, the Wildcats played incredible defense, slowing the best offense in all of college basketball. If Kentucky’s defense can continue to get better, watch out because, as Coach Calipari says, “this team is built for March.”
What’s next?
Kentucky will head to Starkville to take on the Mississippi State Bulldogs on Tuesday in what will be a challenging game as the Wildcats come off the emotional high of blowing out an excellent Alabama team.
