Alabama basketball just pulled off something they’ve never done in the history of the program. If you turned the game off at halftime, you missed one of the gutsiest road performances of the Nate Oats era.
The Crimson Tide beat Oklahoma 83-81 on Saturday, January 17, 2026.
It wasn’t pretty. Honestly, for the first twenty minutes, it was borderline disastrous. But a win is a win, especially when it involves erasing a double-digit deficit in a hostile environment like the Lloyd Noble Center.
How Alabama Basketball Won the Game
The first half was a slog. Alabama looked sluggish, and Oklahoma took full advantage, closing the period on a demoralizing 11-0 run. When the buzzer sounded for halftime, Bama was down 44-33. Coach Nate Oats was visibly frustrated. He later mentioned in his postgame presser that he’s basically tired of having to "look in the mirror" to figure out why his team starts so slow.
Then the second half started. Everything changed.
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Aiden Sherrell and Labaron Philon Jr. decided they weren't going home with a loss. Sherrell, who is quickly becoming the heartbeat of this interior defense, went on a personal 7-0 run early in the second half. He finished with 19 points, but his impact was felt more in the "blue-collar" metrics. His presence on the floor made the Tide defense significantly more efficient—statistically about 64 points better per 100 possessions than when he sat.
Philon Jr. was the closer. He hit two massive three-pointers late in the game to tie things up at 73-73. It was a back-and-forth affair with 12 lead changes, but Alabama’s depth and conditioning eventually outlasted the Sooners.
Key Stats from the Victory
While the final score shows a two-point win, the box score tells a story of survival. Alabama struggled mightily at the free-throw line, which has become a recurring nightmare for Tide fans lately.
- Final Score: Alabama 83, Oklahoma 81
- Free Throws: Alabama shot a mediocre 58% (15-of-26).
- Points in the Paint: Bama edged out OU 38-34.
- Turnovers: The Tide forced 9 Oklahoma turnovers, turning them into 13 crucial points.
Oklahoma didn't make it easy. They shot 86.4% from the charity stripe, which is usually a recipe for a home-court upset. But Alabama found enough "competitive juice," as Oats calls it, to secure their first-ever win in Norman.
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Why This Win Matters for the Season
Before this game, things felt a bit shaky in Tuscaloosa. A tough loss to Texas had fans questioning the team’s toughness. Oats even publicly challenged his players, saying they were "too comfortable with losing."
This win over Oklahoma moves Alabama to 13-5 overall and 3-2 in the SEC. It’s a vital "road rescue mission" that keeps them in the hunt for a top seed as the calendar turns toward February. They’ve proven they can win when the shots aren't falling, which is a hallmark of a team that can actually make a deep run in the tournament.
The Role of Aiden Sherrell
Sherrell is the name everyone is talking about today. He isn't just a rim protector anymore. He’s becoming a scoring threat that forces opposing bigs out of the paint. Oats praised his growth, noting that while he didn't rack up blocks against Oklahoma, his positioning and rebounding were the difference-makers. He won the team's "Hard Hat" award for the game, a symbolic nod to the player who does the dirty work.
What’s Next for the Crimson Tide?
The schedule doesn't get any easier. Alabama now has a week off to get healthy and fix those glaring free-throw issues. They’ll need every bit of that rest because a massive showdown is looming.
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On January 24, 2026, the Crimson Tide returns to Coleman Coliseum to host No. 24 Tennessee. That game tips off at 7:30 p.m. CT and will likely be one of the most-watched SEC matchups of the month.
If you are following the team's progress, pay close attention to the starting rotation in the next game. Oats hinted at potentially moving Houston Mallette into the starting lineup to inject more energy from the jump. The coaching staff is clearly looking for a way to stop the "slow start" trend before it bites them against a top-tier opponent like the Volunteers.
Keep an eye on the injury report this week. Getting the rotation solidified and the free-throw percentage back up toward 75% will be the main priorities in practice.