SEC Basketball: 2018-19 Keys to Kentucky at Alabama

LOUISVILLE, KY - DECEMBER 29: Reid Travis #22 of the Kentucky Wildcats and Keldon Johnson #3 share a hug as they walk off of the court following the 71-58 win over the Louisville Cardinals at KFC YUM! Center on December 29, 2018 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

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PITTSBURGH, PA – MARCH 17: Donta Hall #0 of the Alabama Crimson Tide dunks the ball against Mikal Bridges #25 of the Villanova Wildcats during the first half in the second round of the 2018 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at PPG PAINTS Arena on March 17, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

2. Tenacity Around the Rim

This phase of the game will be probably the most interesting matchup of the game for basketball fans. On one side of the ball, Kentucky is a Top 50 team in offensive rebounds, averaging 12.75 per game. On the other side is an experienced, high motor, Alabama frontcourt that is top 25 in the nation in blocked shots. The Crimson Tide deny an impressive 5.2 shots per game.

Alabama’s frontcourt is led by, if not solely staffed by, Senior forward Donta Hall. The three-year starter and Alabama native averages 10.9 points per game to go along with his 8.2 rebounds and 2.3 blocks. Hall also scores on an impressive 64.8% of his field goal attempts. That’s good enough for 21st among all qualifying D-1 players.

The Crimson Tide should find some strength in this aspect against an otherwise overwhelming Kentucky team. This is where they can compete best as Hall won’t be quick to back down from Kentucky’s one-two (three-four) punch of skilled big men.

Kentucky will ultimately have the edge as a team here though as they attack the paint by committee; led by Stanford graduate transfer Reid Travis and a rare Kentucky Sophomore in PJ Washington. Hall will be the lone competitor for the Wildcats in the painted area… Alabama’s second and third leading rebounders are guards.

Advantage Kentucky, as Hall won’t be able to guard everyone. But fans around Kentucky will certainly be surprised by the motor and efficiency of the All-SEC level player in Donta Hall. A great night from a great player could make this game more competitive than prognosticators have proposed.

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