The No. 4 Alabama Crimson Tide went on the road and defeated the No. 8 Kentucky Wildcats, 102-97, Saturday at Rupp Arena.
The Crimson Tide’s performance was a lot better than it was during their 74-64 loss to Ole Miss on Tuesday — a loss that drew a stern lecture from coach Nate Oats to Alabama players.
Oats had reason to be more upbeat after Saturday’s win in Lexington, which saw Grant Nelson score 25 points and Mark Sears finish with 24. Alabama’s free-throw shooting, something Oats bemoaned after the Ole Miss loss, was much better against the Wildcats; Alabama made 29 of its 34 foul shots (85 percent) vs. Kentucky.
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“I told our guys after the loss Tuesday that we didn’t deserve to win with our preparation going into the game and with our effort in the game,” Oats said following Alabama’s over Kentucky. “We need to deserve to win from now on, and it better start with guys putting so much time and effort in that they’re just not going to surrender.”
Oats said that two Alabama players in particular spent more time in the gym following the loss to Ole Miss.
“Grant Nelson came out ready to go and had 10 of our first 20 at the beginning of the game,” Oats said. “He goes 3-of-7 at the free-throw line Tuesday night and then he got in the gym and worked. We were able to make small corrections to his shot, get him some confidence by putting some work in.
“I think the past two days, he finished his individual workouts going 90 of 100 (on Thursday) and then 91 of 100 (Friday). Got some confidence, steps up, and goes 9 of 10. He was shooting 90 percent in his practices and goes 90 percent in the game when we need him.”
Freshman Labaron Philon was also big for Alabama, adding 15 points on 4-of-10 shots from the field. Philon was 3-of-5 from behind the arc and sank all four of his foul shots, including two with less than a minute to play to push the Crimson Tide’s lead over Kentucky to eight.
“Labaron spent a lot of time in the gym, and he goes 3-of-5,” Oats said. “It’s not rocket science. You spend time in the gym and you make shots. You spend time in the gym and you make your free throws.
Nate Oats shouts out Nick Saban after big win at Kentucky
Oats referenced the Alabama football legend and said that he hopes the Crimson Tide’s loss to Ole Miss can be a teaching moment.
“I’ve tried to study Coach Saban in football,” Oats said. “You go…
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