It was a rough night for Kentucky basketball, and Alabama head coach Nate Oats didn’t mince words about it. After his Crimson Tide dismantled the Wildcats with a resounding performance, Oats was candid about how he saw the matchup.

“This team shouldn’t be playing with us and we know it,” he stated, a jab that hit as hard as the 27-point lead Alabama built during the game.

Kentucky’s defense had no answers as Alabama’s guards relentlessly attacked the rim and knocked down perimeter shots. The absence of star guard Lamont Butler was painfully obvious. Without him, Kentucky’s backcourt struggled to keep pace, allowing Alabama to take control of the game about midway through the contest. Philon and Sears lived in the paint, and the Cats had no answers on offense or defense.

This game was more than just a loss; it was history. For the first time in program history, Kentucky has now lost three consecutive games to Alabama. And the scoreboard certainly validated Oats’ post-game confidence.

But you can’t argue with the scoreboard. The Wildcats got outplayed from start to finish and after it was 33-30, Alabama outscored Kentucky 61-35 until the final minutes of the game. The final score left no doubt that Alabama is on another level right now, while Kentucky has plenty of work to do if it hopes to have a March to remember.

The Wildcats now will wait to see their fate on Selection Sunday. They have to regroup quickly, find a way to get healthier, and hope for the return of Lamont Butler if they want to right the ship. Without him, their defensive struggles against elite teams like Alabama are becoming all too predictable.

Mark Pope will have his hands full trying to refocus a team that has been battered by injuries and inconsistent play. The question now is whether Kentucky can bounce back or if this season’s best days are behind it.