Where to watch: No. 9 Kentucky (11-3, 1-1 SEC) at Alabama (9-4, 0-1) – Today 5 p.m. Central, Coleman Coliseum, SEC Network
Who to watch: Retin Obasohan. Harsh as it sounds, the senior combo guard is the only Bama player who would be likely to crack Kentucky’s regular playing rotation. Against Ole Miss he scored 23 points for the second consecutive game, matching his career high. Unfortunately, he also logged 39 minutes against the Rebels, the third time in four games he has been on the floor at least 36 minutes. That pace is unsustainable long-term, but probably is unavoidable today if the Crimson Tide wants to pull off its third Top 25 upset.
What to watch for: Foul trouble inside. Alabama’s defense broke down in Oxford as its foul troubles mounted up front. Jimmie Taylor, Donta Hall and Michael Kessens all accumulated four fouls by the middle of the second half and the Rebels gleefully took advantage, outscoring Bama in the paint 34-24. Taylor only scored two points and Hall had none before fouling out. The Wildcats can relate though. Starting forwards Alex Poythress and Marcus Lee both fouled out in Kentucky’s 85-67 upset loss at LSU on Tuesday, combining for just four points and leaving slumping freshman Skal Labissiere to ineffectively fill the void. If the Tide can make a consistent effort to drive inside and get to the line, it could provide the needed opening for what would be a mammoth upset.
Follow Chris DePew on Twitter @TideFansChris