Alabama Rolls Over Big Blue in Nashville

Nashville, Tenn. - The Alabama Crimson Tide entered the SEC tournament fresh off a buzzer-beating victory against its bitter rival, the Auburn Tigers. Alabama is a team that could likely use the rest should the Crimson Tide have fallen in its first game in Nashville. However, Crimson Tide head coach Nate Oats wanted no part in the "losing" conversation to earn rest for the NCAA tournament next week.

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However, Alabama faced a giant in its way on Friday night in Nashville - the Kentucky Wildcats.

While Kentucky has not had the season Big Blue Nation is accustomed to, the blue and white "UK" logo commands respect and strikes fear when the calendar flips to March. Kentucky was riding high after a buzzer-beating victory over the Oklahoma Sooners on Thursday night in the second round of the SEC tournament.

The Crimson Tide started hot thanks to a freshman who was playing in his first postseason game of his short college career. Labaron Philon was Mr. Do It All for the Crimson Tide in the first half, leading the way with 13 points and three assists (both leading all players in the game). Alabama's big men, Grant Nelson and Clifford Omoruyi, were handling Amari Williams for Kentucky on the offensive end, scoring seven points apiece while pulling in a collective seven rebounds between the two 6-foot-11 prospects for the Crimson Tide.

The "live by the three, die by the three" crowd was having a hard time directing the Crimson Tide in the first half, as Alabama led the way 45-38 despite shooting 2-13 from three-point range - just 15 percent. While Kentucky was shooting exponentially better (33 percent) the Wildcats only made one more three-pointer than the Crimson Tide (3-9). Alabama made four more attempts from the field than Kentucky did in the first half.

In the second half, the Tide continued to roll while heating up from three-point range. Philon continued the domination that he displayed in the first half, meanwhile the Crimson Tide shot over 50 percent from three-point range as Alabama showed the power that a confident Crimson Tide squad can display.

Mouhamed Dioubate was among the confident Crimson Tide players, as the Tide's defensive superstar displayed offensive prowess with a double-digit scoring performance while leading the team in rebounds with Omoruyi and Nelson in foul trouble late in the contest.

Oats told the media before the SEC tournament that Dioubate and Jarin Stevenson were players Alabama would need to step up for Alabama to compete for championships this postseason. Both players did just that, with Jarin Stevenson scoring double-digit points for the first time since Alabama's 103-80 victory over Texas on February 11. In that game, Stevenson scored 22 points while shooting 4-5 from three-point range.

While Stevenson did not quite score the 22 he had against the Longhorns, he still finished the night with three made threes and 16 points.

The Crimson Tide flat out dominated Kentucky in Alabama's first SEC tournament game in the 2025 SEC tournament, 99-70. It is the first time Alabama has beaten Kentucky three times in a row.

Alabama will now get a rematch with the Florida Gators, a team that has beaten Alabama three straight times dating back to last season. Tip-off between Alabama and Florida is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. CT.

Alabama Stat Leaders

Points: Labaron Philon - 21
Rebounds: Mouhamed Dioubate - 8
Assists: Aden Holloway, Labaron Philon, Mark Sears - 4

Alabama Players in Double Digit Points

Labaron Philon - 21 points
Jarin Stevenson - 16 points
Mark Sears - 13 points
Mouhamed Dioubate - 13 points
Aden Holloway - 13 points

The Sportsbook at Pearl River Resort sponsors coverage of the SEC Tournament. Located at Golden Moon Hotel & Casino, it offers traditional sports betting, where guests can bet on all professional league sports and major collegiate sporting events.

Wyatt Fulton is the Tide 100.9 DME and Brand Manager, primarily covering Alabama Crimson Tide football and men's basketball. For more Crimson Tide coverage, follow Wyatt on X (Formerly known as Twitter) at @FultonW_.