Alabama basketball has been a revolving door of starting lineups this season - and not by design. Through 20 games, the Crimson Tide has already used 12 different starting fives, the most in any season under head coach Nate Oats since he took over in 2019. That’s not a sign of experimentation for the sake of strategy - it’s a direct result of a roster that’s been battling injuries almost weekly.
At 14-6 overall and 4-3 in SEC play, No. 23 Alabama is still searching for lineup stability as it heads into a crucial stretch of conference play, starting with a road trip to Florida on Sunday, Feb.
- The constant shuffling has made it tough to establish rhythm, chemistry, and consistency - the kind of things that can make or break a team come March.
No player has started every game this season, and even veteran guard Houston Mallette, who’s been available for all 20 contests, hasn’t been a mainstay in the starting five since early December. That’s been the story of the Tide’s season: available bodies one week, new injury report the next.
To put it in perspective, Alabama used just eight different starting lineups during last season’s Elite Eight run. In their historic 2024 Final Four appearance, they got there with six.
The 2022-23 squad only needed four combinations all year. Even in Oats’ first three seasons, when rosters were still taking shape, the most he ever used was 10.
This year? Already at 12 - and counting.
Let’s break down the combinations Alabama has rolled out so far and where we’ve seen them.
Most-Used Starting Five:
- Labaron Philon, Aden Holloway, Houston Mallette, Taylor Bol Bowen, Aiden Sherrell
This group has started five games - including heavyweight matchups against Purdue and Gonzaga - making it the most frequently used lineup this season. It’s a balanced mix of playmaking and size, and when healthy, it’s arguably Alabama’s most complete unit.
Other Notable Lineups:
- Philon, Holloway, Amari Allen, London Jemison, Sherrell This group saw action against Texas, Mississippi State, and Oklahoma. It leans a bit younger and less experienced, but there's athleticism and upside here.
- Philon, Holloway, Latrell Wrightsell Jr., Bol Bowen, Sherrell Used in high-profile games against Illinois and Arizona. This lineup adds perimeter shooting and defensive length, but hasn’t had much time to gel.
- Philon, Allen, Mallette, Bol Bowen, Sherrell This group took the court against North Dakota and Clemson. With Allen and Mallette on the wings, there’s strong scoring potential, though depth has been an issue.
- Philon, Mallette, Wrightsell Jr., Allen, Sherrell This lineup delivered Alabama’s biggest win of the season - a 42-point blowout over UTSA. It’s a group that can score in bunches and push the pace.
- Philon, Wrightsell Jr., Mallette, Jemison, Sherrell Saw action against USF. Jemison provides a physical presence inside, while the guard trio brings shooting and tempo.
- Philon, Holloway, Mallette, Allen, Sherrell Used against Kansas State. This is a small-ball lineup that can stretch the floor and create mismatches, but it’s vulnerable on the boards.
- Holloway, Allen, Mallette, Bol Bowen, Sherrell This group started against Yale. With Philon on the bench, Holloway took over primary ball-handling duties.
- Philon, Holloway, Wrightsell Jr., Allen, Sherrell Started against Kentucky. A high-octane lineup built for scoring, but it struggled defensively at times.
- Philon, Holloway, Wrightsell Jr., Allen, Keitenn Bristow This combination hit the floor against Vanderbilt. Bristow’s inclusion added a different look in the frontcourt rotation.
- Philon, Mallette, Wrightsell Jr., Bol Bowen, Sherrell Started against Tennessee. A veteran-heavy group with defensive versatility and perimeter shooting.
- Philon, Holloway, Wrightsell Jr., Sherrell, Charles Bediako Used against Missouri. Bediako’s return added a rim protector Alabama had been missing, giving this lineup a different defensive ceiling.
What does all this mean moving forward? For starters, Alabama’s depth has been tested more than ever.
The upside is that nearly everyone on the roster has now seen meaningful minutes in big-game situations. The downside?
The Tide still haven’t found their best five-man combination - and time is ticking.
As February arrives, Alabama’s goal isn’t just to stay healthy. It’s to find a lineup that can build chemistry, play with cohesion, and close out games in the SEC’s pressure cooker.
The talent is there. The question is whether the pieces can finally stay on the board long enough to fit together.