Kentucky Sports Writer Jerry Tipton Previews Alabama vs. Kentucky [Audio]
Coming off a thrilling 90-86 win in four overtimes at South Carolina, the Alabama Crimson Tide returns to Tuscaloosa to face the 15th ranked Kentucky Wildcats.
Saturday’s matchup marks the only regular season tilt between the Crimson Tide and Wildcats.
During Wednesday’s edition of Inside the Locker Room, veteran Kentucky basketball writer of the Lexington Herald Leader Jerry Tipton broke down the 2016-2017 season for the Wildcats and what fans should look for out of head coach John Calipari’s squad.
No. 15 Kentucky enters Saturday’s game in a three-way tie atop the SEC standings with a 19-5 overall record and 9-2 in the conference.
Since January 24, the Wildcats have lost three of their last five ballgames and have surrendered 83 points per game in that span. In their most recent game, Kentucky defeated 92-85 but nearly gave up a 25-point lead. Tipton addressed some of the issues internally going on with the No. 15 team in America.
“Calipari mentioned buy in last night (Tuesday night) and suggested that some of the players are not totally committed to the approach that Kentucky wants to take, and Isaiah Briscoe, who’s kind of a team leader, a sophomore guard, he kind of said the same thing two or three weeks ago that some guys had to buy in more.” Tipton said.
Tipton later touched on Kentucky’s struggles on the road, opponents adjusting to the fast break defensively and the mental approach that the team will take Saturday against Alabama.
Alabama and Kentucky will tip-off at noon Saturday with CBS televising the game.
Catch Inside the Locker Room every weekday from 7-9 AM on Tide 102.9/100.9 and the radioPup app.