Alabama Set To Take On Kentucky On Tuesday

The Alabama men's basketball team will close its two-game homestand on Tuesday night when it welcomes Kentucky to Coleman Coliseum. The contest is set to tipoff at 8 p.m. CT and will be televised on ESPN.

“We are excited to tomorrow’s game against Kentucky,” UA head coach Anthony Grant said. “After watching them on film, I am very impressed with their length, athleticism, speed and quickness. The numbers tell the story on what they are doing from an offensive standpoint. They are very efficient offensively. Defensively, they are an extremely diverse team. They are very talented in their ability to create steals, block shots and get in passing lanes. It will be a great challenge for our team. We have to do a great job offensively with our decision making and execution. Defensively we have to do a great job getting back in transition and limiting their opportunities in the open floor situations. We are looking forward to the opportunity."

The Crimson Tide (11-6, 3-1 SEC) enters the game having won three straight SEC games and four of its last five overall following a thrilling 50-49 win over Texas A&M last Saturday night. Sophomore guard Trevor Lacey hit the game-winning jumper with nine seconds remaining to lift the Tide to the win. Lacey finished with 14 points and led the team with six rebounds, five assists and three steals. Junior guard Trevor Releford returned from an ankle injury to finish with a team-high 15 points off the bench – all coming in the second half.

Releford comes into the Kentucky game as the team’s top scorer. A preseason All-SEC honoree, Releford ranks seventh in the league in scoring at 16.2 ppg, and ranks third in the SEC with an average of 18.7 points per game in conference play. In addition, the Kansas City, Mo., native is second in the league in free throw percentage (.850), fourth in field goal percentage (.490) and seventh in steals (1.8 spg).

Lacey is second on the team in scoring with 12.5 points per game and leads the SEC in three-point field goal percentage for the season (45.5 percent) and in league games only (55.6 percent). He also tops the team in three pointers made (35) and attempted (77) and assists (3.6 apg). Combined, the duo of Releford and Lacey contributes 28.7 points per game, or approximately 44 percent of the team’s 65.5 points per game.

Meanwhile, sophomore guard Rodney Cooper also averages double figures with 11.6 ppg. He leads the team in offensive rebounding (2.1 orpg) and total field goals attempted (169) and ranks second in rebounding (4.1 rpg).

Kentucky comes into Tuesday night’s showdown sporting a 12-5 overall mark and is tied for third in the SEC standings with Alabama at 3-1. Similar to the Tide, the Wildcats are playing good basketball as of late, and have won four of their last five contests entering Tuesday night's match-up.

A trio of freshmen lead the way for the Wildcats. Guard Archie Goodwin tops five UK players who average double figures, with 15.0 ppg, while forward Alex Poythress is second on the team with 13.1 points per contest. Additionally, Nerlens Noel averages 10.8 points and a team-high 9.2 rebounds a game. He also ranks fourth in the country blocks per game (4.06) and is 10th nationally in steals per game (2.59).

As a team, Kentucky ranks third in the nation in blocked shots per game (7.6 bpg), is 13th in field goal percentage (.489) and is 27th in field goal percentage defense (.383).

The last UA victory over UK came on a 68-66 win on Jan. 18, 2010. It was also the last time the two teams met in Tuscaloosa. Head coach Anthony Grant has a record of 1-4 when facing Kentucky.

The first 10,000 fans through the doors will receive a free t-shirt.

The contest can also be heard on the Crimson Tide Sports Network, with Chris Stewart and Bryan Passink on the call, locally, on 95.3 FM WFFN.

(Courtesy Alabama Media Relations)