Never mind that rout of North Carolina in Las Vegas. Never mind that trouncing of Tennessee at Rupp Arena. Never mind that domination of Kansas at Allen Fieldhouse.
You can make a strong case that Kentucky's 90-81 victory over visiting Alabama was the Wildcats' most meaningful victory of this pleasing 2021-22 college basketball season.
The reason? Sahvir Wheeler and TyTy Washington were the reasons. UK's starting guards were both sidelined on Saturday, Wheeler nursing a wrist injury, Washington out again by a nagging ankle problem. Talk about vital to the Cats' cause. Wheeler is the table-setting point guard on offense and a persistent pest on defense. Washington is the mature-beyond-his years combo guard and multiple SEC Freshman of the Week honors winner.