Alabama’s 101-86 win over Arkansas State had the look of a comfortable final score, but the game itself was anything but smooth.
The Crimson Tide were playing at their usual breakneck pace, yet the shots didn’t follow. Alabama hit just 35.5% from the field and 30% from 3, while Arkansas State was sharper offensively at 42% overall and 38.5% from deep.
What kept Alabama in control was a huge edge on the glass, especially on the offensive end. The Tide piled up 21 offensive rebounds, with 20 of them coming in the first half.
That effort helped fuel one of the biggest individual moments of the night: Amari Allen posted a triple-double, the fifth in program history. The last Alabama triple-double before that came from Aaron Estrada in February 2024.
There was plenty to sort through after a game like that, and a few players clearly helped their standing.
Brandon Garrison was one of them. At 6-foot-10 and 255 pounds, he brings a physical presence that Alabama can use in the paint on both ends, but he showed more than just post power against Arkansas State.
He handled the ball at times, pushed it up the floor, attacked off the dribble and even tried a 3-pointer. Nate Oats had already praised his active hands on defense before the game, noting that he helped Alabama force turnovers with 10 deflections on Opening Night.
Against Arkansas State, Garrison backed that up and earned the team’s Hard Hat Award for the second straight game after finishing with 14 points, 10 rebounds and a steal.
Allen’s night deserves its own spotlight, too. He is not a natural shooter, and that part of his game is still what it is.
But his value showed up everywhere else. He pushed the tempo, kept his head up as the primary ball handler and looked to create for others whenever he had the ball.
Even when he wasn’t initiating the possession, he was still directing traffic and scanning for the next opening. When he saw a teammate free, he was willing to make the long pass and turn it into a fastbreak chance.
The result was a player who may not be a polished ball handler, but can run an offense effectively.
Bouie also made a strong impression. The high school scouting report on him centered on his athleticism and the fact that he still needed to put everything together, but this was a game that showed he sees things at a high level.
His offensive tools were obvious - he’s explosive, can hit the perimeter jumper and knows when to move the ball - but his defense stood out even more. He stayed in front of his man, moved well laterally and did a good job recovering when Alabama’s defense broke down.
Keitenn Bristow continued to look like a stabilizing force. He had three blocks and was one of the most important defenders on the floor, but he also made his presence felt on offense with five offensive rebounds, which tied Allen and Jamarion Davis-Fleming for the team lead. When Alabama’s young roster started to get loose, Bristow was the one who helped settle things down.
Not everyone had the same kind of night.
Labaron Philon finished with 17 points, but it took volume to get there. He went 3-for-13 from the field and 3-for-10 from 3-point range, though he did make all eight of his free throws. For a true freshman, the early-season bumps are part of the process, and this was the kind of game where those growing pains showed up.
Cole Cloer is still searching for his shot. He has started the season 1-for-12 from 3 and 2-for-16 from the field, and he seemed to be pressing again against Arkansas State.
Richard Hendrix, working as the color commentator, suggested that Cloer should try to get an easy basket just to see one go through. Cloer’s biggest strength coming into the season was supposed to be his perimeter shooting, but with that not falling, he has had trouble finding another way to help the offense.
He is not limited to one skill, either; he came out of high school with a reputation for athleticism and has shown an underrated post game.
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He also made clear the size of the challenge Alabama presents, calling the Crimson Tide the most talented team LSU has seen this season. So even before the first snap, the stage is set for a test that carries the usual SEC weight and a little extra noise, with kickoff slated for 12:30 p.m. PT/3:30 p.m. ET. [Read more 🡒]