After showing its mettle against North Carolina and Louisville the previous two weekends, Kentucky got a three-peat test of its poise under pressure.
Alabama, which came into Saturday’s game searching for a statement victory (as UK did against the Tar Heels two weeks earlier), gave Kentucky more adversity to deal with. More than UK could handle. Barely.
With Kentucky making only two baskets in eight-plus minutes down the stretch, Alabama won 77-75. Barely.
“Our guys poured their hearts out on the floor today,” Alabama Coach Avery Johnson said. “Was it beautiful? No. Was it perfect? Absolutely not.