Alabama’s rollercoaster week in SEC play offered a little bit of everything - a humbling blowout, a gutsy bounce-back, and a reminder that the Crimson Tide can still be a dangerous team when they’re locked in.
After getting steamrolled by Florida in a 100-77 loss - their most lopsided defeat of the season - Alabama responded with a statement win of their own, outlasting Texas A&M 100-97 in Tuscaloosa. That win didn't just stop the bleeding; it kept the Tide within striking distance in the SEC standings, now just two games back from the conference leaders as they prepare for a heated rivalry matchup at Auburn.
Head coach Nate Oats didn’t sugarcoat what went wrong in Gainesville. The effort wasn’t there, and the team knew it.
“I think some guys admitted their effort wasn't where it needed to be,” Oats said. “Their mind wasn't where it needed to be, and we've got to turn this thing around.
So I think it was more of an internal thing. We've got to get internal leadership from players.”
And that internal leadership showed up in a big way against the Aggies.
Six Alabama players hit double figures, the ball movement was crisp - 19 assists on 31 made field goals - and the team took care of the rock, committing just six turnovers after coughing it up 18 times against Florida. The Tide also continued their hot shooting from beyond the arc, drilling 16 threes for the third straight game with at least 14 made triples. That kind of offensive rhythm is hard to stop, but Oats made it clear the focus wasn’t on scoring.
“We weren’t going to talk about scoring this game,” he said. “We were going to talk about our effort, our toughness and our playing for each other.”
It’s no coincidence that Alabama’s best offensive showing in SEC play came in a game where the team’s energy and unity were front and center. When this team plays with that kind of intent, they can hang with anyone in the league.
Meanwhile, there’s still a cloud of uncertainty around Charles Bediako’s eligibility. As of Friday night, he remains eligible to play thanks to a temporary injunction that’s allowed him to return from professional basketball to the college game. The NCAA has asked the court to overturn that injunction, and a ruling is expected soon.
Next up for Alabama is a trip to face Auburn, who’s also sitting at 5-4 in SEC play and looking to bounce back after a 77-69 loss at Tennessee that snapped a four-game win streak.
The Tigers have had a full week to regroup and get healthy. Head coach Steven Pearl said the timing of the break couldn’t have been better, especially for a few players nursing minor injuries.
Chief among them is Keyshawn Hall, Auburn’s leading scorer at 20.9 points per game. Hall played through three stitches in his shooting hand against Tennessee and still dropped 21 points - a testament to his toughness and importance to the team.
“He's one who is never going to complain about a little injury,” said forward Sebastian Williams-Adams. “Getting stitches is no joke, but he treated it like it was a paper cut.
He's a warrior. We aren’t obviously in that game without Key.”
With both teams sitting at 5-4 in conference play, Saturday’s matchup isn’t just about bragging rights - it’s a pivotal swing game in the SEC standings. Alabama seems to have found its fight again.
Auburn’s had time to heal and reset. Expect fireworks.