If you woke up today wondering did Alabama lose today, the short answer is a resounding "no"—but man, they sure tried to for about twenty minutes.
It was ugly early on. Down eleven points at the half in a building where the program had quite literally never won before, things looked bleak. But No. 18 Alabama pulled off a gritty, come-from-behind 83-81 victory over the Oklahoma Sooners this afternoon. Honestly, if you stopped watching at halftime, I wouldn't blame you. The Crimson Tide looked disjointed and couldn't hit water if they fell out of a boat, shooting a miserable 4-for-19 from deep in the first frame.
Then the second half happened. Nate Oats must have chewed some serious paint off the locker room walls because Alabama opened the period on a 12-0 run that flipped the script entirely.
Did Alabama Lose Today? Breaking Down the Oklahoma Nail-Biter
For those tracking the SEC standings, this wasn't just another January road game. This was about survival. Alabama entered Norman with a 13-5 record and a 2-2 conference mark that felt a bit shaky after recent stumbles against Texas and Vanderbilt.
Labaron Philon is basically the engine of this team right now. He dropped 23 points, marking his third straight game crossing the 20-point threshold. When Alabama needed a bucket to stop the bleeding in the final minutes, Philon was the one driving into the teeth of the defense.
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It wasn't just him, though. Aiden Sherrell was a monster on the glass, finishing with 21 points and 9 rebounds. The chemistry between those two sophomores is probably the most encouraging thing for Tide fans heading into February. They combined for over half of the team's points.
A Final Sequence That Almost Went Wrong
Even with the lead, Alabama fans were holding their breath. The Tide shot a subpar 15-of-26 from the free-throw line. You simply can't leave eleven points at the charity stripe on the road and expect to walk away clean.
With 7 seconds left, Oklahoma’s Xzayvier Brown got fouled on a desperation three-pointer. He’s a 93% shooter. He makes the first. He makes the second. Then, the basketball gods intervened, and the third one rimmed out. Alabama’s Amari Allen grabbed the board, hit a free throw of his own, and survived a last-second Nijel Pack heave that hit the back of the rim.
Why This Win Changes the Season Trajectory
If you were asking did Alabama lose today because you're worried about the NCAA Tournament seeding, breathe a sigh of relief. This was a "Quad 1" type of environment. Winning in Norman for the first time in program history is a massive monkey off the back.
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The SEC is a gauntlet this year. Look at the standings:
- Vanderbilt and Texas A&M are sitting at 3-1.
- Florida and Arkansas are right there with them.
- Alabama moves to 3-2 in the conference.
Winning on the road when you aren't playing your "A" game is the hallmark of a team that makes a deep run in March. They won despite being outshot from the free-throw line and despite a horrific start. That's growth.
What’s Next for Nate Oats and the Tide?
The schedule doesn't get any easier. They head back to Tuscaloosa to host Tennessee next Saturday. That game is going to be a bloodbath. The Vols have a defense that makes every possession feel like a root canal, so Alabama's 3-point shooters—guys like Latrell Wrightsell and Philon—have to be more consistent than they were today.
Beyond the Court: A Quick Football Check
I know some of you are still thinking about the gridiron. Since the question did Alabama lose today often refers to the football team, it’s worth a quick reminder that the 2025-26 football season wrapped up on New Year's Day.
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Alabama fell to No. 1 seed Indiana 38-3 in the Rose Bowl playoff quarterfinal. It was a tough end to a transition year, but the 2026 schedule is already out. They open against East Carolina on September 5th. For now, the focus is entirely on the hardwood.
Actionable Insights for Crimson Tide Fans
If you're following this team closely, here is what you should be watching over the next ten days:
- Free Throw Consistency: Keep an eye on the team's percentage. If they stay under 60%, they will drop a game they should win.
- Bench Scoring: Outside of the starters, the production was thin today. They need a spark from the second unit.
- The Tennessee Matchup: This is a "prove it" game. A win there likely puts Alabama back in the Top 15 of the AP Poll.
Stay locked in. The Norman curse is over, and the road to Nashville for the SEC Tournament is starting to take shape.
Go check the secondary market for tickets to the Tennessee game now, because after today’s comeback, Coleman Coliseum is going to be rocking.