In a disappointing turn of events, Alabama men’s basketball faced a tough defeat at home against Ole Miss, losing 74-64 in their first SEC loss of the season following a remarkable win at Texas A&M earlier in the week. The setback dropped the Crimson Tide’s overall record to 14-3 and their SEC record to 3-1 as they prepare to take on Kentucky on the road this Saturday.
The highly anticipated matchup, featuring Alabama ranked No. 4 and Ole Miss at No. 21, fell short of expectations, especially in the early minutes. The game began sluggishly, with both teams exchanging turnovers rather than showcasing their abilities. By the under-16-minute mark in the first half, Ole Miss held a slim 4-2 lead, and after an improvement in Alabama’s performance, they managed to head into halftime with a 36-32 advantage, courtesy of Aden Holloway’s nine points.
However, Alabama’s turnover woes proved costly, with the team accumulating 21 turnovers throughout the game, allowing Ole Miss to score 19 points off those mistakes. This was particularly concerning as Alabama had previously maintained tighter control of the ball under head coach Nate Oats. The most turnovers that Alabama had recorded in a game this season prior was 20 against Rutgers.
Offensively, Alabama, touted as having the No. 2 offense in the nation, struggled significantly against Ole Miss. The Crimson Tide shot only 43% from the field and an alarming 25% from three-point range, marking a stark contrast to their performance against Texas A&M, where they showed better shooting form. Key players Mark Sears and Chris Youngblood failed to deliver, with Sears contributing 11 points but only making 2 of 8 shots, while Youngblood could only manage 8 points on 3 of 10 shooting.
Overall, this defeat serves as a wake-up call for Alabama as they aim to bounce back and refine their game before heading to Kentucky. The team has shown resilience in the past, and with an opportunity to learn from this experience, there is hope that they can return to form in their upcoming match.
In summary, Alabama’s disappointing performance emphasizes the need for improvement in ball control and shooting efficiency as they navigate the challenging landscape of SEC basketball.