Kentucky basketball thrives when its best shooters are taking the most critical shots. Saturday night’s 102-97 loss to Alabama highlighted what happens when that formula is abandoned.
Despite strong shooting performances from Koby Brea and Jaxson Robinson, who combined to shoot 8-for-17 from the field, the Wildcats’ offense often ran through lower-percentage options in key moments. Amari Williams and Lamont Butler, known more for their playmaking and inside presence than their scoring efficiency, combined to go 11-for-25. The pair also committed 5 of the 8 Kentucky turnovers.
Key Moments Define the Outcome
The game was tied at 81 late in the second half when Kentucky’s offense unraveled. Lamont Butler made a pass to no one and that kicked off a stretch where Alabama just dominated and put the game away.
In the span of those miscues, Alabama launched a decisive 9-0 run that effectively sealed the game. It was one of four separate 9-0 runs the Wildcats allowed, each underscoring their inability to maintain focus.
Shooters Left Watching
Amari Williams has been playing at a really high level of late but him being really aggressive offensively is exactly what Alabama wants.
— Chris Fisher (@ChrisFisher247) January 18, 2025
Brea and Robinson’s performances were a bright spot, with the two sharp-shooting wings combining to hit 47% from three-point range. Yet, too often, they were left as spectators during critical possessions.
Kentucky basketball is at its best when the best shooters shoot and tonight, that just didn’t happen.
The team’s struggles to prioritize its top scoring threats were evident in the numbers. Kentucky shot a respectable 47.9% from the field and 40.7% from beyond the arc but lacked efficiency in key moments, particularly during Alabama’s game-clinching runs.
The Need for Offensive Clarity
Amari Williams should never lead Kentucky in fg attempts
— Derrick Jordan (@DMJ32) January 18, 2025
Coach Mark Pope acknowledged the offensive shortcomings in his postgame remarks.
“We scored 97 points, but we didn’t play great,” Pope said. “There is so much we left on the table.”
That sentiment applied especially to the late-game offense, where poor shot selection and turnovers allowed Alabama to control the tempo and put the game out of reach.
Moving forward, Kentucky will need to recalibrate its offensive approach, ensuring its top shooters—Brea, Robinson, and others—are the ones taking the big shots. With a roster loaded with potential, the Wildcats have the tools to bounce back, but only if they play to their strengths.