Dynamic Backcourts Headline Matchup Between Alabama and Kentucky

The Crimson Tide and Wildcats have arguably the two best backcourts in the entire SEC.

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — If you like offense, Saturday afternoon's matchup between No. 13 Alabama and No. 17 Kentucky should be at the very top of your viewing list.

The Crimson Tide has the best offense in the country, in terms of both points per game (91.0) and offensive efficiency (127.0). The Wildcats are one of the few teams in the country that can match Alabama's firepower, ranking third nationally in points per game and No. 9 overall in offensive efficiency.

Both offenses are spearheaded by elite guard play, with some of the best backcourts in all of college basketball.

"Kentucky's backcourt is one of the most talented in the country," Alabama head coach Nate Oats said during his Friday press conference. 

The Wildcats backcourt starts with Antonio Reeves, the third-leading scorer in the SEC who is in his fifth year of college basketball and second year in Lexington. 

"Reeves is a veteran, he's one of the top three scorers in the league. He's one of the best shooters in the SEC, shooting a high percentage from three, he can get downhill, he can shoot midrange," Oats said. 

Behind Reeves is a trio of freshman guards in DJ Wagner, Rob Dillingham and Reed Shepherd, who are all getting serious looks as first rounders in the upcoming NBA Draft and all have unreal shot making ability. 

"Wagner's very good, they start him. Great passer, he can get downhill in the paint," Oats said. "They bring Dillingham off the bench, who is the top-rated American guard in the draft. That tells you how talented their backcourt is. Arguably the best guard prospect in the country for the draft this year comes off their bench and he can score it at a ridiculously high level. [...] Reed Shepherd's a projected lottery pick, he doesn't miss many open shots."

While the Kentucky backcourt's talent level is daunting, it lacks the experience that the Alabama backcourt has.

Mark Sears is leading the SEC in scoring at 20.4 points per game, and is a senior in his fourth year of college basketball. Aaron Estrada, the Crimson Tide's second leading scorer, is a 5th-year senior that has spent time at four different schools. 

Latrell Wrightsell is in his fourth year, though he may miss the game after being listed as 'day-to-day' with a head injury. 

Even Alabama's least experienced guard, sophomore Rylan Griffen, played pretty significant minutes on the No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament last season. 

The biggest area of difficulty for Alabama this year has been it's ability, or lack thereof, to defend against high-level offenses. The Crimson Tide's defensive efficiency currently ranks outside the top-70 nationally.

For Oats, he sees it as an opportunity for his guards to showcase their defensive improvements.

"Our guards that are wanting to prove they belong at the next level have a great opportunity in this game to guard guys that are on draft boards, and prove they can play defense against future pros," Oats said.

Kentucky has a similar defensive efficiency number to Alabama, ranking No. 77 compared to Alabama's No. 71. The two teams have an incredibly similar statistical profile, which has resulted in an over/under total of 179.0 on some sportsbooks, the highest point total in a college basketball game since 2019.

"We're both going to be preaching defense, and maybe the first to 100 wins, I don't know," Oats said.

If it is first to 100, we're going to be in for a fun spectacle. Fun, at least for fans that aren't wearing crimson or blue.

See also:

How to Watch: No. 13 Alabama Basketball at No. 17 Kentucky