Basketball in the SEC is just different. One minute you're staring at a 14-point deficit in a hostile road environment, and the next, you’re watching the home crowd head for the exits with seven minutes left on the clock. That is exactly what happened in the Alabama Crimson Tide last game, a wild 97-82 victory over Mississippi State on Tuesday night.
Honestly, if you only watched the first ten minutes, you probably thought Bama was in deep trouble. They looked sluggish. The shots weren't falling. Meanwhile, State was playing like their lives depended on it, jumping out to a 29-15 lead at Humphrey Coliseum. But Nate Oats has built a program that doesn't panic. They just keep shooting.
The Turning Point in Starkville
So, how does a team go from being down by double digits to winning by 15? It started with a 21-5 run to close out the first half.
Labaron Philon Jr. is becoming a household name for a reason. He basically took over the game, finishing with a career-high 32 points. It wasn't just that he was scoring; it was the way he was doing it—aggressive drives, hitting 71.4% from the field, and showing a level of composure you don't usually see from younger guards. By the time the halftime whistle blew, Alabama had snatched a 36-34 lead.
The second half was a total different story. Alabama came out and dropped 61 points. Sixty-one. In twenty minutes.
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Key Performers Who Stepped Up
- Labaron Philon Jr.: 32 points, career high. He was the engine.
- Aiden Sherrell: Dropped 22 points, another career best. He was massive in the second-half surge.
- Amari Allen: A quiet but dominant double-double with 13 points and 13 rebounds.
- Aden Holloway: Contributed 15 points to keep the pressure on.
Mississippi State’s frustration eventually boiled over. Brandon Walker ended up getting ejected with about 15 minutes left after a hard foul on Amari Allen. That felt like the final nail in the coffin. After that, the Tide never looked back, leading by double figures for the final 18 minutes of the contest.
What This Means for Alabama’s Season
Coming into the Alabama Crimson Tide last game, there were some real questions. They had just dropped back-to-back games against Vanderbilt and Texas. The Texas loss (92-88) was particularly stingy because it happened at home. People were starting to wonder if the "high-octane" offense was starting to sputter or if the defense was too porous to hold up in SEC play.
This win over the Bulldogs moved them to 12-5 overall and 2-2 in the SEC. It’s a momentum shifter.
Winning on the road in this conference is never easy, especially when you’re missing starters like Latrell Wrightsell (leg injury) and Taylor Bol Bowen (hand). Seeing the bench and the younger guys like Sherrell step up proves that the roster depth is actually there. It’s not just the "Philon and Holloway show."
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Looking Back at the Gridiron
While the hoops team is heating up, the football side of the house is still processing the end of their season. The Alabama Crimson Tide last game on the football field was a tough 38-3 loss to Indiana in the Rose Bowl (CFP Quarterfinals) on New Year's Day.
It was a weird way for Kalen DeBoer's first season to end. After a gritty 34-24 win over Oklahoma in the first round, the Tide just couldn't find the end zone against a disciplined Indiana squad. Since then, the headlines have been dominated by the transfer portal.
We’ve seen defensive end Jordan Renaud head to the portal recently, and the team is losing veteran leadership like LT Overton to the NFL Draft. However, they've also been active in bringing guys in, like Kedrick Bingley-Jones, to shore up the defensive line for 2026.
Real Insights for the Road Ahead
If you’re a fan or a bettor following this team, keep an eye on the injury report. The Crimson Tide’s ability to score 90+ points is well-documented, but their defensive consistency is what will determine if they make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament.
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The football team is currently in "rebuild and reload" mode. The 2026 schedule is already out, featuring a massive home game against Georgia on October 10 and a season opener against East Carolina on September 5.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Watch the Oklahoma Matchup: Alabama heads to Norman this Saturday. See if Philon can maintain this scoring efficiency away from home.
- Monitor the Portal: Keep an eye on the defensive line additions. With Renaud out, Alabama needs a "Bandit" edge rusher to step up immediately in spring camp.
- Check Wrightsell’s Status: His return to the hardwood will be crucial for floor spacing as the SEC schedule gets even tougher.
The Tide is currently ranked No. 18 in the AP Poll, and if they keep playing like they did in the second half against State, they’ll be back in the top ten before February hits.