Kentucky basketball fans know Coleman Coliseum in Tuscaloosa is a mixed bag. Since their first trip there in 1969, the Wildcats have played Alabama 43 times on that crimson court—winning 22, but losing 3 of the last 4. All time Kentucky is 114-41 all-time edge over the Tide. With No. 17 Kentucky (18-8) facing No. 4 Alabama on February 22nd, 2025, history looms large. Let’s dust off the archives and relive the Cats’ Tuscaloosa triumphs.
Legendary Nights in Alabama Territory
The stats tell a tale of Kentucky legends shining against the odds. On February 23rd, 1970, Dan Issel erupted for 47 points—still the Coleman high for Kentucky—leading Kentucky to a 98-89 thriller. He torched Alabama with 19 field goals, a mark no Wildcat has matched there since. Fast forward to January 29th, 1973, and Kentucky squeaked out a 95-93 nail-biter, fueled by Jimmy Dan Conner’s 8 assists(Kentucky record in Coleman).
The 1980s brought more heroics. February 13th, 1986, saw Winston Bennett snag 4 steals in a 73-71 escape, while Roger Harden dished 8 assists—tying the venue’s Kentucky record. The modern era? Oscar Tshiebwe’s 15 boards and 4 steals powered a 66-55 upset on February 5th, 2022, proving the Cats can still claw back. Kentucky’s peak team effort came in 1970 with 43 field goals, but Alabama’s countered with highs like 59 rebounds in 1975.
Why Tuscaloosa’s So Tough
Coleman Coliseum, opened in 1968 with a 15,043 capacity, is a fortress. Kentucky’s 8-35 record there includes heartbreakers—think 70-69 in 1987 or 78-71 in 2005, where Patrick Sparks’ 7 threes weren’t enough. The Tide’s owned the paint, posting 14 blocks in 1997 and 6 steals from Mark Sears in 2023’s 78-52 rout. Yet, Kentucky’s struck back—Nerlens Noel’s 7 blocks in 2013 and Jamal Mashburn’s 4 steals in 1993 show the Cats can disrupt.
Only 8 wins in 43 tries? That’s a grind. Highlights include a 70-48 thumping in 2015 and a 77-61 romp in 2016, both under John Calipari. The last victory—2022’s 66-55—saw Tshiebwe dominate a packed house of 12,477.
Can 2025 be better for the Cats?
Mark Pope’s Wildcats face a Tide squad averaging 90.6 PPG as they roll in today. Kentucky’s overall edge (103-40) shrinks in Tuscaloosa, where Alabama’s won 21 of 43 and 3 of 4. With Kentucky’s defense climbing and at 68th in KenPom and stars like Otega Oweh (16.2 PPG), a win could join Issel’s 47-point masterpiece in lore. ESPN’s got the 6 PM ET call—don’t miss it.