OATS BRAKS program record with 26th win against AP Top 25 Foe in Bounce Back victory against No. 17 Kentucky -The Crimson White

The head coach of Alabama, Nate Oats 96-83 victory over No. 17 Kentucky on Saturday.

The victory was the 26th victory of Oats against an AP Top 25 opponent in Alabama and exceeded the previous program record of 25 victories of the former head coach Winfrey “Wimp” Sanderson. After two difficult losses against the rivals of the state came after two difficult losses No. 1 Auburn And No. 15 Missouri.

Hafer has achieved this feat in less than half as many seasons as Sanderson, with oats in his sixth season in Tuscaloosa compared to Sanderson's 12 seasons at the top.

“I think it speaks to the level of the SEC overall that we now have all these options,” said Oats about the breaking of the record. “I suspect that Wimp did not have as many options as we do, but they have to win them too.”

The victory on Saturday contributed to keeping Alabama's slim second championship of the regular season. The Crimson Tide does not control its fate in the SEC and needs help to win a share or direct profit from the conference.

The victory was also 139 in his term in Alabama and was a crucial Auburn for the team.

“Without calling it a must, I mean, we can't fall three times in a row,” said Oats. “We needed this evening.”

Alabama's defense reacted well after a rough performance on Wednesday in Missouri and enabled Kentucky to shoot only 42.6% of the field and 34.6% compared to 3 compared to the shot of 60.1% and 39.1% on Wednesday.

“I think Alabama is a great defensive team,” said Mark Pope, head coach of Kentucky.

Alabama will continue on Tuesday when it takes place in Mississippi State No. 21 in the Coleman Coliseum. The game will tip over at 8:00 p.m. CT and can be observed on ESPN2.