The Alabama Crimson Tide walked into Neville Arena and walked out with a statement win - and a pair of season records to show for it. In a 96-92 victory over in-state rival Auburn, Alabama managed to flip the script on its usual offensive identity, taking its fewest three-point attempts of the season while also hitting a season-high 52% from deep. That’s not a contradiction - it’s a testament to adaptability in the face of a tough, well-prepared Auburn defense.
This wasn’t some grand tactical shift from Nate Oats. Auburn came in with a clear game plan: take away the three.
And for much of the night, it worked. The Tigers blanketed Alabama’s perimeter threats, particularly Aden Holloway, who had to grind for every look.
Holloway ended up with 15 points on 12 shots, but only three of those came from beyond the arc - a clear sign of how tightly Auburn defended the perimeter.
Early on, Auburn had the upper hand. They built a 10-point lead with just over two minutes left in the first half, fueled largely by Alabama’s carelessness with the ball.
The Tide coughed it up nine times in the first 20 minutes - three of those from freshman guard LaBaron Philon - and Auburn turned those mistakes into points. But Alabama closed the half on a 10-5 run, trimming the deficit to four and setting the stage for a second-half surge.
Defensively, Auburn’s plan worked in the first half. Alabama was held to 37 points, and with injuries thinning the rotation - Latrell Wrightsell exited after just 10 minutes with a knee injury, and Taylor Bol Bowen was clearly limited - Oats leaned heavily on a seven-man rotation.
That usually spells trouble for a team that thrives on tempo. But instead of wearing down, Alabama turned up the heat.
The Tide dropped 59 points in the second half, powered by some of the most efficient offense they’ve played all season. Their second-half points-per-possession mark was a blistering 1.55 - a number that would make any offensive coordinator smile. Auburn wasn’t far behind at 1.42, but Alabama’s shot-making down the stretch was the difference.
Philon, after a shaky start, was the engine. The freshman was everywhere - scoring 25 points, dishing out six assists, grabbing five boards, swatting two shots, and adding a steal.
And maybe most importantly, after those three early turnovers, he committed just one more the rest of the way. That kind of composure from a young guard in a hostile environment is no small thing.
Alabama’s shooting numbers told the story. They hit 58.3% from three in the second half and were nearly automatic at the line, going 18-of-20 (90%). Auburn shot a respectable 35.7% from deep and 75% at the stripe in the second half, but it wasn’t quite enough to hold off the Tide’s late push.
This was a high-level game between two teams that know each other well and play with an edge when they meet. Auburn brought the energy, the game plan, and a raucous home crowd. But Alabama brought the execution - and just enough firepower to silence Neville Arena when it mattered most.
For Nate Oats and the Crimson Tide, it’s a win that goes beyond the box score. It’s proof that they can win when the game isn’t played entirely on their terms.
When the threes aren’t flowing freely, when the pace slows, when the bench shortens - they can still find a way. And that’s the kind of versatility that wins big games in February… and even bigger ones in March.