While fouls weren’t the sole reason for Kentucky’s 102-97 loss to No. 4 Alabama on Saturday, the disparity in free throws played a significant role. Alabama’s 29-of-34 performance at the free-throw line far outpaced Kentucky’s 16-of-20 mark. The Crimson Tide’s frequent trips to the charity stripe, particularly in the second half when they shot 24 free throws, slowed the game to a crawl and stretched it to over two and a half hours.
Mark Pope didn’t shy away from addressing the issue during his postgame remarks.
“We gave up 15 offensive rebounds; that’s really tough. We let them shoot 39% from the three-point line; that’s really tough. And we sent them to the free-throw line 40 times. When you do those things, it makes it a really tough package to get a win. That’s like the trifecta,” Pope said.
Fouls Becoming a Trend in SEC Play
Kentucky’s struggles with fouls have become more pronounced in conference play. In their 13 non-conference games, the Wildcats averaged 16.1 fouls per game, slightly fewer than their opponents’ 17.1. However, in their first five SEC games, Kentucky’s average has jumped to 22 fouls per contest, with their opponents averaging 20. Against Alabama, the Wildcats were whistled for 25 fouls compared to the Crimson Tide’s 21.
The numbers are telling: Kentucky is 9-0 this season when committing fewer than 20 fouls, but just 5-4 when hitting or exceeding that threshold. Saturday’s loss felt eerily similar to their defeat at Georgia, where frequent fouls and opponent free throws became a defining factor.
“For us, it’s been such a huge emphasis all year long to guard without fouling, and we’ve been good at it,” Pope said during his postgame radio interview. “But league play has gotten complicated for us. That’s a space where we have to get better.”
A Call for Discipline and Adjustments
Pope acknowledged the need for his team to adjust both strategically and mentally to avoid giving opponents such a significant advantage at the free-throw line.
“We can’t send teams to the free-throw line 34 times. That’s part of us learning, part of us being more disciplined,” Pope explained. “It’s also on me to maybe scheme things a little differently and be more courageous in trying new defensive strategies. It’s hard to win a game when the other team takes 14 more free throws than you.”
One player who exploited Kentucky’s defensive lapses was Alabama’s Grant Nelson. The forward dominated with 25 points and 11 rebounds, going 9-of-10 from the free-throw line. Nelson posed a difficult matchup for Andrew Carr, who is still dealing with lingering back issues.
“He came down and knocked down two threes to start the game,” Pope said of Nelson. “That hasn’t been his game this year, but credit to him. From there, it was all about attacking the rim. Sending him to the free-throw line 10 times is really tough. That’s not the space he traditionally lives in.”
Oweh Addresses Defensive Frustrations
Otega Oweh, who has been one of Kentucky’s most consistent players this season, was candid when discussing the challenge of defending in a physical SEC environment.
“I feel like we’re playing good defense, and they’re just calling fouls,” Oweh said. “On a lot of plays, we’re showing our hands because we know the foul count has been high, and we’ve been preaching guarding without fouling. It’s a physical league, but I think we’re doing a good job of playing honest. They’re just calling our fouls, so we’ve got to find a way around it.”
Focus Areas Moving Forward
With a week off before their next game, the Wildcats have an opportunity to reset and address key areas of concern. Pope identified three primary issues Kentucky must improve upon: fouling, offensive rebounding, and defending the three-point line.
“Those three things lead to you giving up 102 points at home,” Pope said bluntly. “If we’re going to win high-level games, we have to be better in those areas. We can’t bail teams out with fouls. We have to handle teams in transition, keep them off the glass, and clearly guard the three-point line better.”
Despite the setback, Pope emphasized that Kentucky has shown progress in these areas throughout the season and believes Saturday’s performance was an outlier rather than a trend.
“This was a significant misstep for us, for sure,” Pope admitted. “But we’ve done these things before, and I know we can do them again. It’s about learning, growing, and being ready to execute at the highest level when it matters most.”
Final Thoughts
Saturday’s loss to Alabama highlighted Kentucky’s defensive vulnerabilities and the need for greater discipline in league play. While fouls and free throws tilted the game in the Crimson Tide’s favor, the Wildcats have shown they can compete with the nation’s best. With a week to rest, heal, and refine their strategies, Kentucky has the tools to bounce back and reestablish itself as a force in the SEC.
As Pope noted, “There’s so much room for us to grow. And I’m confident we’ll get there.”