by Paul Jordan
GAME 24 – 2/9/2010
RUPP ARENA – LEXINGTON, KY
TV: 9PM – ESPNU
ALABAMA CRIMSON TIDE 13-10 (3-6)
KENTUCKY LEADS SERIES 98-35
RECENT MEETINGS:
1/24/2009: KENTUCKY 61 ALABAMA 51
2/9/2008: KENTUCKY 62 ALABAMA 52
3/8/2007: KENTUCKY 69 ALABAMA 67 (SEC TOURNEY)
2/17/2007: ALABAMA 72 KENTUCKY 61
3/10/2006: KENTUCKY 68 ALABAMA 61 (SEC TOURNEY)
1/14/2006: ALABAMA 68 KENTUCKY 64
Like John Calipari, Alabama’s Anthony Grant is one of the new coaching hires in the SEC. And like John Calipari, Anthony Grant was in the running for SEC coach of the year as he had the Crimson Tide off to an 11-4 start and visions of the NCAA Tournament. Grant’s Tide has stumbled to a 2-6 record since then and Grant is in the running for “tough luck coach of the year” instead. Grant’s charges have THREE one point losses in the SEC this year (65-64 to Vandy, 58-57 to Auburn, and 66-65 to Florida) so this team can not be dismissed as a “easy win” as they are literally 6 points from a 6-3 DEC record. Alabama also has a 7 point loss to Tennessee, you you can see this is not a team to be taken lightly.
THE STARTERS
G – MIKHAIL TORRANCE – SR 6’5 210
15.3 ppg, 3.5 reb rebs, 5.6 assists
G – SENARIO HILLMAN – JR 6’1 192
7.7 ppg, 3/1 rebs, 2.4 assists
F – TONY MITCHELL – FR 6’6 185
9.3 ppg, 5.4 rebs, 0.5 assists
F – JAMYCHAL GREEN – SO 6’9 220
14.7 ppg, 7.1 rebs, 1.3 assists
F – CHRIS HINES – JR 6’8 220
3.3 ppg, 3.0 rebs, 0.3 assists
Mikhail Torrance is the type of player that can present problems for Kentucky. He is a very consistent scorer (only 2 games not in double digits), one of the assist leaders in the SEC (with an 1.83 A/TO ratio) and a pretty decent 3-point shooter (36.4%). At 6’5, he also has the length that can present problems for John Wall. Senario Hillman is struggling this season and seems kind of lost in Anthony Grant’s system. After averaging almost 13 points a season last year, he is very inconsistent and has just 8 points in the last two games. Interestingly enough, his 3-point shooting has improved over last year, but he is not attempting as many shots. Hillman is capable of a big game, but don’t think it will be against the Cats. 5’9 Senior Anthony Brock will see lots of action and is averaging 5.7 points a game and has a very impressive 3.07 A/TO ratio. Look for Brock to bomb away from downtown as 84 of his 114 shot attempts have been treys. Charvez Davis is another guard that will come in and look to drop bombs from downtown. 101 of his 128 shot attempts have been treys.
If not for DeMarcus Cousins, we could be hearing a lot more about Tony Mitchell as a top freshman. He is a terrific scorer up close and is not afraid to do the dirty work and play defense. Mitchell is starting to heat up with 40 points and 29 boards in his last four games. For a big guy, he shoots 32.4% on 3-pointers. JaMychal Green is a difference maker for the Crimson Tide and if he is matched up with Cousins, it would be like old days for the Alabama high schoolers. Green is capable of a huge night as evidenced by his 27 points and 13 boards versus Mercer and he swats 2 shots a game. Shutting Green down is a key for UK. Chris Hines has been starting lately but only averages 17 points a game and is not a big factor when he is in. 6’9 Junior Justin Knox will see minutes in the post but both his scoring and minutes have been slipping lately. He has scored just 9 points and just 1 rebound total in the last two games.
OUTLOOK
Make no mistake. Alabama is no LSU, despite their record. I would say that Alabama is a little bit better than Georgia. Alabama has a very solid guard/forward combo like the Bulldogs but Alabama is tougher defensively. Torrance and Green will give UK problems, but in his first season at Alabama, Grant does not have the depth or type of players to play his system. Hillman could be the key for a good Alabama run, but I don’t see him stepping up and making a huge impact. I have been wrong before though.
This game has the potential to be a ugly game as Grant needs to keep the score in the 60’s to have a real chance. I look for Alabama to keep it fairly close for the first half but UK’s depth will trump Alabama’s defense. I think this will a game that UK will keep a comfortable lead in most of the game and won’t have any nervous moments, but in a closer than expected game, let’s call it UK 83 Bama 71.
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