Alabama basketball showcased their depth and resilience on Wednesday night, securing a commanding 100-75 victory over Mississippi State at Coleman Coliseum. Even with star guard Labaron Philon sidelined, the Crimson Tide extended their winning streak to seven games.
The first half was a shooting clinic for Alabama, as they unleashed a stunning 3-point assault, hitting 16-of-27 from beyond the arc to establish a 63-33 lead. Although their shooting cooled in the second half (6-of-23), the damage was done.
With Philon out, Aden Holloway stepped up, delivering his first double-double of the season with 16 points and 10 assists, while also grabbing seven rebounds. Freshman Amari Allen added firepower, leading the team with 23 points, including a remarkable 6-of-7 from three-point range. Contributions came from all around, with Latrell Wrightsell (18 points), Aiden Sherrell (11 points), and Taylor Bol Bowen (10 points) also reaching double figures.
Defensively, Alabama executed a well-coordinated plan to contain Mississippi State's Josh Hubbard, one of the SEC's top scorers. Holding him to just 11 points on 4-of-13 shooting, Holloway, Wrightsell, and Jalil Bethea, as anticipated by coach Nate Oats, combined efforts to keep Hubbard in check.
This game also allowed Alabama to give Philon some much-needed rest due to his lingering leg injury, a strategic move by Oats that could prove crucial as they prepare to face Tennessee on the road. A win there would position Alabama favorably for a double-bye in the SEC Tournament.
Alabama's journey this season has been impressive. After a tough loss to Florida on February 1st, they were at a crossroads with a 4-4 SEC record. However, Oats and his squad rallied, now sitting at 11-4 in the conference and holding second place behind the Gators.
Looking ahead, Alabama faces a challenging stretch with back-to-back road games against Tennessee and Georgia before wrapping up the regular season at home against Auburn on March 7th. The Crimson Tide's momentum and depth will be key as they push towards the postseason.