Head coach Nate Oats and the No. 25 Alabama Crimson Tide are gearing up for a showdown with LSU in Baton Rouge, La., this Saturday.
After a nail-biting double-overtime victory against No. 20 Arkansas, Alabama is eager to see standout performances from Labaron Philon Jr. and Aiden Sherrell once again-hopefully with a bit less drama this time around.
Philon and Sherrell were nothing short of spectacular in their last outing, posting career highs with 35 and 26 points, respectively. Their efforts were crucial in overcoming a sensational 49-point display by Arkansas freshman Darius Acuff Jr., ultimately securing a 117-115 win.
Riding a five-game winning streak, Alabama (19-7, 9-4 SEC) showcased their offensive prowess by shooting an impressive 76.2% from the field in the second half, rallying back from a 14-point deficit. The game-winning moment came courtesy of Houston Mallette, whose jumper with 51 seconds left in the second overtime sealed the deal.
“That was a fun game, I’m sure the fans enjoyed that,” Oats remarked. “Our defense on Acuff could’ve been better, especially in the first half. We’ve got to tighten up, but we improved as the game went on.”
Philon also dished out seven assists, while Sherrell dominated the boards with 13 rebounds, marking another career best. Amari Allen added 19 points, and Aden Holloway chipped in 15, as the Crimson Tide continued to lead the nation in scoring with an average of 92.7 points per game.
“Aiden Sherrell really stepped up, playing nearly 40 minutes and delivering 26 points and 13 rebounds,” Oats noted. “Philon was clutch, making big plays down the stretch.”
On the flip side, LSU (14-12, 2-11 SEC) has struggled with injuries, which have derailed their promising start. After beginning the season 12-1, the Tigers have hit a rough patch in conference play, losing four straight and seven of their last eight.
Despite the setbacks, LSU nearly pulled off an upset against Texas, falling just short in an 88-85 defeat. Max Mackinnon, returning from a knee injury, led the charge with 27 points in 33 minutes off the bench, helping the Tigers rally from a 15-point halftime deficit.
“Max’s movement off the ball was key, especially in the second half,” LSU coach Matt McMahon said. “Whether it was off-the-ball screen actions or baseline runners, he was really effective.”
Marquel Sutton added 21 points and five rebounds, while Mike Nwoko and Jalen Reece contributed 15 and 14 points, respectively. Reece also tallied a career-high nine assists, demonstrating his ability to orchestrate the offense with precision.
“We did a much better job finishing, shooting 63% in the second half and scoring 52 points,” McMahon added. “Jalen Reece was fantastic, with nine assists and just one turnover. He really ran the offense well.”
As Alabama and LSU prepare to clash, fans can expect a high-energy matchup with both teams eager to make a statement on the court.