Alabama basketball is weird right now. If you watched that game in Norman on Saturday, you know exactly what I’m talking about. One minute you’re ready to turn off the TV because the Tide is down double digits at the half and shooting like they’ve never seen a rim before. The next, Labaron Philon Jr. is hitting back-to-back triples and Aiden Sherrell is looking like the best big man in the SEC.
They escaped Oklahoma with an 83-81 win. It was ugly. It was stressful. Honestly, it was a classic Nate Oats road experience.
But here’s the thing about the latest crimson tide basketball news: this team is starting to develop a "gamer" identity that might be more important than their actual shooting percentages. They’re 13-5 overall and 3-2 in the SEC, and while they dropped to No. 18 in the AP Poll recently, they’re finally starting to show they can win when the "blue-collar" stuff matters more than the highlight reels.
The Norman Breakthrough and the Philon Era
For those who don't follow the deep history, Alabama had never won in Norman, Oklahoma. They were 0-5 all-time in that city. Breaking that streak on Saturday wasn't just about a mid-January win; it was about exorcising some weird road demons that have haunted this program.
Labaron Philon Jr. is basically the engine of this team now. He dropped 23 points against the Sooners, marking his third straight game with 20 or more. Coach Oats called him a "gamer" postgame, and you can see why. When the team was shooting 7-of-29 from deep and looking completely lost, Philon just decided to take over.
It’s rare to see a sophomore play with that much "old man" composure. He doesn't panic.
Aiden Sherrell is the X-Factor
If Philon is the engine, Aiden Sherrell is the frame. He’s coming off a career-high 22 against Mississippi State and followed it up with 21 points and 9 boards against Oklahoma.
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The stats don't even tell the whole story. Nate Oats pointed out that the offense was 19 points better with Sherrell on the floor. That’s an absurd efficiency rating. He’s a "stretch-5" who can actually protect the paint, which is a combination Alabama has desperately needed since the Final Four run.
- Sherrell's last two games: 20+ points in both.
- The Impact: He’s shooting 8-of-12 and dominating the glass when it counts.
- The Future: If he keeps this up, Alabama's frontcourt isn't just a "placeholder" for the guards anymore.
What Most People Get Wrong About the SEC Standings
If you look at the SEC standings today, you’ll see Alabama sitting in a clump with Missouri, Kentucky, and Vanderbilt at 3-2. People are panicking because they aren't at the very top.
Don't buy into the panic.
The SEC is a meat grinder this year. Vanderbilt is somehow No. 10 in the country (yeah, you read that right), and Florida is looking like a juggernaut. Alabama’s losses to Texas and Vandy were close, late-game collapses. They aren't getting blown out.
What the crimson tide basketball news cycle isn't telling you is that Bama leads the league in scoring offense at 91 points per game. Their "floor" is still higher than most teams' "ceilings." The defense is the question mark, but holding Oklahoma to 38% shooting on Saturday suggests the "smash-mouth" defensive tweaks Oats is preaching might actually be sticking.
The Nate Oats Blueprint
Oats is an analytics nerd, and he’s not shy about it. After the Kentucky win earlier this month, he basically gave a masterclass on how to dismantle Mark Pope’s system. He told the media—and by extension, the whole SEC—that Kentucky doesn't pass out of the post.
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"Go get the ball," he told his guards.
That kind of intellectual honesty is why players love him and other coaches probably hate him. He’s not playing checkers. He’s looking at assist rates in "buy games" versus high-major matchups and adjusted his entire defensive scheme to exploit a single passing flaw.
Roster Health and the Road Ahead
We have to talk about the injuries because they’re starting to pile up. Latrell Wrightsell Jr. is out with that tragic Achilles tear from earlier in the season, which took away one of the best shooters in the country.
Then you’ve got London Jemison and Amari Allen dealing with various knocks.
Houston Mallette stepped up big against Oklahoma, hitting a massive three with under two minutes left to seal it. That’s the "next man up" mentality Oats has cultivated. You’ve got a roster full of guys like Aden Holloway and Jalil Bethea who haven't even fully peaked yet. If this team gets healthy by March, nobody is going to want to see them in their bracket.
Upcoming Schedule: No Breaks
The schedule doesn't get easier. Here’s what’s looming:
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- Tennessee: Coming to Coleman Coliseum next Saturday.
- The Revenge Games: Second looks at the teams that tripped them up early.
The Tennessee game is massive. The Vols are ranked No. 24 and they play a style of basketball that is basically the polar opposite of Alabama’s "run and gun." It’s going to be a fistfight in the paint.
Actionable Insights for the Tide Faithful
If you're following the crimson tide basketball news to see where this season is headed, keep your eyes on the free-throw line. Against Oklahoma, Bama shot a miserable 57.7%. You can't win a championship shooting like that.
- Watch the Rotation: See if Oats tightens the bench as SEC play gets deeper.
- Monitor Sherrell's Minutes: If he stays out of foul trouble, Alabama is a top-10 team. If he’s on the bench, they’re vulnerable.
- Coleman Coliseum Energy: The home-court advantage needs to be real for the Tennessee game to swing Bama's way.
This team isn't perfect, but they’re gritty. They’ve proven they can win "ugly" on the road, which is the hallmark of a team that makes a deep run in the tournament.
Keep an eye on the Tuesday practice reports for injury updates on the freshmen forwards. Getting Jemison back into the flow would give this defense the length it needs to survive the gauntlet of the SEC schedule. The win in Norman was a turning point; now they just have to prove it wasn't a fluke.
Next Steps for Alabama Fans:
- Secure Tickets: The Tennessee matchup at Coleman Coliseum is expected to be a sell-out.
- Check the NET Rankings: Alabama is currently hovering in a spot that suggests a 4 or 5 seed, but a win over the Vols could jump them back into 3-seed territory.
- Follow Labaron Philon Jr.: He is officially on "Triple-Double Watch" every time he touches the floor lately.