This was his classic moment of good / bad news.
Alabama basketball, historically good, open to play in the SEC included an 85-65 victory over Kentucky at Rupp Arena. He broke an eight-game skid at Lexington for his first win there in 15 years. Before Tuesday, Tide had not been 5-0 in the SEC game since 1987.
It was the most uneven home loss of the John Calipari era, which started in 2009.
That was a good thing.
Having two games lost with injuries can cast a shadow over that result. Veteran Herbert Jones fell holding the hand in the first half before the graduation transfer. Jordan Bruner failed to put weight on his foot in the second half.
Most of the attention went to Jones after he eviscerated a broken wrist last season.
“I don’t think it’s broken,” said Oats. “But I think they want our specialists to look at tomorrow before they give us a diagnosis. From what I’ve heard, it’s not broken, but I think he’ll be gone for a while. “
Oats also said that Bruner’s knee will be evaluated by doctors after they return home.
Alabama (10-3, 5-0 SEC) almost equaled the record of the season, with 14 shots from behind the arch that is still behind the 15 of the victory over UNLV. It was Tide’s sixth consecutive victory since falling to Western Kentucky on December 19. It is a series that includes victories over the top 5 in Tennessee, Florida, Auburn and now Kentucky.
The final 20-point margin was the largest in the game, as John Petty reached 23 points, the highest of the season, on a night when Alabama ended the game without three starters. Guard Jahvon Quinerly lost his third game followed by an undisclosed medical condition.
Petty did her part efficiently. The Huntsville senior scored 4 out of 7 out of 3 points to beat his previous record of 22 sets against UNLV on December 1.
Kentucky (4-7, 3-1) had no answer for Alabama’s penetrating guards from Petty to Jaden Shackelford and Jones before their injury. A handful of easy layups or dunks resulted from the Wildcats’ inability to switch when the ball entered the painting.
Alabama also took advantage of Wildcat’s sloppy game on the offensive side. Kentucky’s 19 turns turned into 28 points at the Crimson Tide on a night when the Wildcats ended with a 44-36 rebound advantage.
“Kentucky obviously fell this year,” said Oats, “but they are still in Kentucky.”
The hosts also continued a fight throughout the season in the 3-point range, making just 4 out of 18.
Alabama is hosting Arkansas at 2:30 pm CT Saturday at the Coleman Coliseum.
Michael Casagrande is a reporter for the Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @ByCasagrande or in Facebook.