Kentucky basketball is out of the SEC Tournament.
The Wildcats exited the 2025 edition of the conference tournament at the quarterfinal stage: 6 seed UK was thrashed by 3 seed Alabama 99-70 on Friday night at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville.
The 29-point result was the largest margin of victory by Alabama over Kentucky in series history, and it gave the Crimson Tide a third straight win over the Wildcats for the first time. All three of these wins by Alabama over Kentucky came this season.
After Kentucky’s 99-70 loss to Alabama in the SEC Tournament quarterfinals, head coach Mark Pope addressed the team’s performance and injuries affecting their play.
Pope credited Alabama for their aggressive play and fast pace, acknowledging their strong performance. He expressed disappointment in Kentucky’s response, noting the team was stagnant and didn’t play to their usual standards.
Pope provided an update on point guard Lamont Butler, who exited the previous game due to a shoulder injury. He stated that Butler’s imaging results were positive, and the team is hopeful he’ll return for the upcoming NCAA Tournament.
Reflecting on the challenges faced during the SEC Tournament, Pope emphasized the importance of resilience. He acknowledged that the team’s journey could either be “tear[ing] you to shreds or… mak[ing] you better,” and stressed the need for fortitude and togetherness as they prepare for the NCAA Tournament.
Kentucky’s SEC Tournament Journey Ends with Loss to Alabama