Kentucky basketball hit another rough patch on Saturday, falling 89-74 to Alabama in their SEC opener. The Wildcats stayed close early but quickly fell behind by double digits, and a late rally cut the deficit to just nine points with six minutes remaining — far too little, too late. With this loss, Mark Pope’s record against Alabama drops to 0-4. While Kentucky held Alabama under 90 points for the first time, three of those four losses have been blowouts.
Alabama’s shooting from deep was relentless. The Tide made 15 of 38 threes (39.5%), while Kentucky managed just four, giving Alabama a +33 advantage from beyond the arc. Aden Holloway led Alabama with six threes and 26 points, and SEC-leading scorer Labaron Philon added 17. For the Wildcats, Otega Oweh scored 22 points and grabbed eight rebounds, while Jaland Lowe posted a season-high 21 points — still not enough to keep Kentucky competitive.
Healthy Team, Same Struggles
For the first time all season, Kentucky had zero injuries listed on the SEC Availability Report. Jayden Quaintance played 24 minutes off the bench, and Jaland Lowe did not start at point guard. Despite a strong opening, Kentucky “hit a wall,” according to Pope, who said the coaching staff is always evaluating potential lineup changes.
Passing Woes Exposed
Alabama head coach Nate Oats pointed out a key weakness: Kentucky rarely passes the ball out of the paint. The Wildcats recorded only seven post assists in 13 games before Saturday, with Malachi Moreno responsible for four. This limited ball movement was a major factor in Alabama’s dominance.
Transfer Portal Frenzy
While Kentucky struggled on the court, the transfer portal kept fans talking. Former Arizona State quarterback Sam Leavitt visited Kentucky Friday night and stayed up late watching film with Will Stein, but he’s planning a trip to Texas Tech on Sunday. Meanwhile, former Kentucky QB Cutter Boley committed to Arizona State, and cornerback DJ Waller is transferring to Louisville.
Kentucky did land its first portal addition for Will Stein: linebacker Tavion Wallace, a 2025 All-American who spent last season at Arkansas. Other potential additions visiting on Sunday include safety Anthony Hawkins (Villanova), defensive lineman Markus Strong (Oklahoma), and running back Jovantae Barnes (Oklahoma).
Women’s Basketball Success
Unlike the men’s team, Kentucky’s women’s basketball squad opened SEC play in style. Tonie Morgan hit a last-second three to hand No. 5 LSU its first loss of the season. They return home Sunday to face Missouri at Historic Memorial Coliseum, with tip-off at noon on the SEC Network.
Kentucky’s blowout loss to Alabama shows there’s work to do on the court — but with the transfer portal already shaking things up, fans are left wondering: could these new additions be the Wildcats’ only hope?
