Alabama Basketball: 3 keys to pulling off upset win over Kentucky Wildcats

Play Tight Defense Without Fouling

One of the keys for Alabama to beat Auburn on Tuesday night was to keep the Tigers off the free-throw line. Heading into that game, Alabama had allowed 20 or more free throws in six of their seven losses, which means they’re allowing opponents the opportunity to get free points, time and time again.

Then on Tuesday, the Crimson Tide let the Tigers take 39 free throws, the most Alabama had allowed all season, and Auburn made 31 of them and would go on to win by 19 points, meaning free throws were a large reason why they were able to win.

Then in his post-game press conference, one of the key points Alabama head coach Nate Oats made was that they have to learn how to play defense without fouling, and he added that anytime you give up 39 free throws, your chances to win that game go down significantly.

Now obviously, free throws weren’t the only reason Auburn beat Alabama, the Tigers shot 48.5% from the field, and were just giving Alabama problems all night. However, if you make 31 free throws in a game, you’re going to win that game 99 times out of 100.

If Alabama gets into foul trouble and allows Kentucky to shoot free throws time and time again, it’s going to be a VERY long night for the Crimson Tide, and to stop this, they will have to play tight defense, but just be more careful than they have been in the past, and especially on Tuesday night.

Kentucky shoots an average of 16.9 free throws per game, if Alabama can keep them there, or maybe even hold them to a little less than that, then their chances of beating the Wildcats will rise significantly. Including Tuesday’s game against Auburn, Alabama has now allowed 20 or more free throws in seven of their eight losses, and if that is the case once again on Saturday, then chances are the result will not be in favor of the Tide.