Crimson Tide Takes on Wildcats in First Round
Before the season many expected Kentucky and Alabama to meet in the SEC Tournament, just not on the first day. Two teams with lofty preseason expectations come staggering into the tournament playing in Game 1 Wednesday, at 12 pm CT, in the Atlanta Georgia Dome.
The meeting will be between the SEC's two most successful conference tournament teams. Kentucky owns a 109-19 (.852) record in the conference tournament and has claimed 25 titles, five more than the rest of the league combined. Alabama is second to UK both in tournament wins (55) and titles (six).
Kentucky(20-10, 9-7) enters the game as the fourth seed from the Eastern Division and is coming off a 85-72 loss at Florida last Sunday. The Wildcats are led by junior center Randolph Morris and his 15.3 points and 7.3 rebounds per game. Morris has totaled nine double-doubles this season. Tubby Smith starts three guards and both Ramel Bradley (14.1) and Joe Crawford (14) average in double figures per game.
Alabama (20-10, 7-9) needs a couple wins in the tournament to have a chance at an NCAA Tournament bid. If the Tide drops this match up to the Wildcats, the University can start selling tickets to our first round NIT game. Alabama is led by its two big men as sophomore Richard Hendrix is averaging 14. 6 points and 8.8 rebounds per game, while senior Jermareo Davidson is averaging 14.2 points and 8.2 rebounds. Preseason All American Ronald Steele is listed as questionable for the game as he is battling a knee problem that has affected him all season. If Steele is indeed healthy, he would be a tremendous help for the Tide against the 'Cats.
Alabama won the first meeting this season, 72-61, in Tuscaloosa and needs a similar effort to beat UK for the second time. By pounding the ball inside and trying to get Morris in foul trouble the Tide could exploit Kentucky's lack of depth inside. That said, if Alabama plays like it did in its season finale at Mississippi State, we have no shot. Hopefully, Alabama will come out with high energy and show some toughness, a trait that has been missing all year. This is the last chance to save the season and I think Alabama will take advantage.
Nicks Prediction: Alabama 72 Kentucky 68
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