Andrew Carr Gears Up for Redemption: A Second Shot at Grant Nelson and Alabama
If there’s one player on Kentucky’s roster with unfinished business, it’s Andrew Carr. As the Wildcats gear up for a highly anticipated rematch against Alabama, Carr isn’t just looking to help his team win—he’s got a personal score to settle.
The fifth-year forward had been a rock for Kentucky, delivering clutch performances in some of their biggest wins, including a 17-point showcase against No. 6 Duke and a 19-point explosion against No. 7 Gonzaga. But when the Wildcats faced Alabama on January 20, something wasn’t right. His back was failing him, and the impact was undeniable.
Against the Tide, Carr looked like a shadow of his former self. He played just 18 minutes—his lowest of the season at the time—scoring a mere four points on 1-of-4 shooting while managing only one rebound, one assist, and a single steal. Meanwhile, his defensive assignment, Alabama’s Grant Nelson, had a field day, torching Kentucky for a season-high 25 points, 11 rebounds, and two steals.
For Carr, it wasn’t just a bad game—it was a wake-up call.
“That was the moment I realized, I need to get better—a lot better,” Carr admitted after Kentucky’s victory over Vanderbilt.
Fighting Through the Setback
After struggling through the Alabama game, things didn’t improve for Carr. His back injury continued to hamper his mobility, forcing him to miss Kentucky’s loss to Vanderbilt on January 25 and limiting him to just one minute of action in the Wildcats’ win over Tennessee on January 28. Even when he returned, he wasn’t himself.
But now, things are changing.
This past week, for the first time in over a month, Carr was a full participant in back-to-back practices. That extra work translated into his best performance in weeks against Vanderbilt—11 points on 5-of-8 shooting, along with two rebounds, an assist, a block, and a steal in 21 minutes of action.
For head coach Mark Pope, that was all the proof he needed.
“He really did look like his old physical, attacking self,” Pope said. “I thought he was really, really good tonight.”
And just in time, too—because Alabama is next.
Carr vs. Nelson: A Rivalry Renewed
With his health finally restored, Carr isn’t just preparing for another battle with Alabama—he’s laser-focused on his individual matchup with Grant Nelson.
“Just as a competitor, we’re looking forward to getting another shot at a team like that,” Carr said. “Obviously, my matchup with Grant Nelson—he had a great game. I’m super excited to step up to that challenge and to be able to face him and try to shut him down.”
The last time these two met, Nelson got the best of Carr, and the Tide walked away with a 102-97 victory. This time, Carr is determined to flip the script.
But shutting down Alabama won’t be easy. Despite back-to-back losses, the Crimson Tide remains one of the most dangerous teams in the country, ranked No. 4 and hungry to bounce back. They blitzed through the SEC early in the season, with their only loss before this recent skid coming against Ole Miss on January 14. This isn’t just a revenge game for Kentucky—Alabama is just as desperate to reclaim its dominance.
The Battle Plan for Kentucky
Carr and the Wildcats know exactly what kind of challenge they’re walking into.
“They’re a super talented team,” Carr acknowledged. “We know how fast they like to play, how much they shoot threes, all of those things offensively. I think we’ve got to do a good job of trying to defend them at the rim—they shoot a great two-point percentage as well. Just trying to limit those things.”
The Wildcats are coming off a confidence-boosting win, but there’s no time to dwell on it. The SEC schedule is relentless, and Alabama won’t be in a giving mood.
For Carr, this isn’t just about evening the score with Nelson—it’s about proving that he’s back, stronger than ever, and ready to help lead Kentucky to victory.
This time, he’s healthy. This time, he’s ready. And this time, Andrew Carr is out for revenge.
