In today’s match-up with the Kentucky Wildcats, Alabama will have to play a nearly perfect game to come away with the victory. Unlike the first time the two teams played, Alabama will not have home-court advantage. In fact, this will be an away game for the Tide that just so happens to be played on a neutral floor. In the first game, Alabama jumped out to a huge lead and controlled the game throughout the entire first half. Instead of staying aggressive and playing to win in the second half, the Tide backed off and played not to lose. If the Tide want to make their first SEC Championship Game since 2002, they will need to “cut the head off the monster” early and never let up.

Keys to the Game

Alabama

-Keep JaMychal Green and Chris Hines out of foul trouble

-Force Terrence Jones to shoot from the perimeter

-Keep Kentucky from getting offensive rebounds and second chance points

-Apply full-court pressure to Kentucky’s guards

-Not let Brandon Knight and Doron Lamb get open shots from the perimeter

Kentucky

-Force Alabama to shoot from the perimeter

-Double team JaMychal Green in post

-Make Trevor Releford a Scorer

-Play Inside-Out Basketball

-Play a Complete 40-Minute Game

With a win, Alabama will almost certainly earn an at-large NCAA tournament berth. Kentucky is safely in the tournament win or lose.