Alabama's star guard, Labaron Philon, is making headlines again, but this time it's not just for his on-court heroics. Heading into the recent matchup against LSU, Philon was listed as "probable" on the injury report. Despite suiting up, it was clear he wasn't at full strength, playing only 24 minutes and scoring a season-low eight points in Alabama's 90-83 victory over the Tigers.
This performance was a stark contrast to his previous outing against Arkansas, where Philon dazzled with 35 points and 7 assists in an intense double-overtime win. That game seemed to take a toll on the sophomore, as his status for the upcoming clash against Mississippi State remains uncertain. Officially listed as "questionable," Alabama fans are left wondering if Philon will hit the court in Tuscaloosa.
Coach Nate Oats has been strategically preparing for the possibility of Philon sitting out, using his recent media appearances to boost the confidence of sophomore Jalil Bethea. Bethea, a Miami transfer, might see extended minutes, especially with the potential lineup shift that would place Aden Holloway and Latrell Wrightsell in the starting backcourt. This adjustment could impact Alabama's bench depth, particularly missing Wrightsell's spark off the pine.
Despite these uncertainties, Alabama enters the Mississippi State game as a 15.5-point favorite, according to FanDuel. While Mississippi State hasn't had the best season under Chris Jans, they're not a team to be underestimated, especially with Josh Hubbard's scoring prowess.
The ideal scenario for Alabama would be to secure a win while giving Philon some much-needed rest. This is crucial as they prepare for a challenging road game against Tennessee in Knoxville. A fully healthy Philon could be key to pulling off an upset against the physical Vols.