Nashville, Tennessee — On Friday night, Alabama’s 2024–25 postseason opener went really well. In the quarterfinals of the SEC tournament, the Crimson Tide easily defeated Kentucky, 99-70. The semifinal matchup between second-seeded Florida and Alabama, the 3-seed this week and currently 25-7 overall, is scheduled for Saturday at around 2:30 p.m. CT (ESPN). Ten minutes into the second half, Alabama transformed a seven-point halftime lead into a 20-point lead against the 6-seeded Wildcats and a Kentucky-heavy crowd inside Bridgestone Arena. After that, the Tide easily defeated Kentucky for the third time this year.
season, marking the first time ever they’ve beaten the Wildcats three times in a row.
Alabama shot 51% from the field in the end, including a scorching 58.8% in the second half and a 9-of-16 effort from beyond the arc. During the second half’s Under-8 timeout, Kentucky fans started leaving Bridgestone because Alabama had such complete control of the game. Labaron Philon was the standout player, although five Alabama players ended in double figures. With 21 points, 4 assists, 3 steals, and 3 rebounds, the Mobile freshman led the Tide. He scored in double figures for the fifth consecutive game and the eighth in his previous nine. It was the type of game that makes you wonder if he’ll end up being a one-and-done player.
Mo Dioubate and Jarin Stevenson, who came off the bench, scored 13 and 16, respectively, to trail Philon. Nate Oats, the coach of Alabama, identified both players as having to improve if the Tide were to make a push this week. Friday got off to a strong start as Stevenson made three three-pointers and pulled down two steals, and Dioubate contributed eight rebounds.
Behind Philon, Jarin Stevenson and Mo Dioubate scored 16 and 13, respectively, off the bench. Both players Alabama coach Nate Oats singled out as needing to play better if the Tide were to make a run this week. Friday was a good start: Dioubate added eight rebounds while Stevenson hit three triples and recorded two steals.
Two of its top four scorers, Lamont Butler and Jaxson Robinson, were once again absent for Kentucky, which is currently 22-11 overall. Amari Williams finished with 16 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists, leading the Wildcats this evening. Off the bench, Andrew Carr scored eighteen more points. Florida, who defeated Missouri, 95-81, earlier on Friday, will be a more formidable opponent on Saturday. After defeating the Tide 99-94 in Coleman Coliseum, the Gators are currently 28-4 on the season. Since last season, they have defeated Alabama three times in a row, including in the quarterfinals of the SEC tournament
Alabama got bullied on the glass, losing the rebounding battle 50-35 to the Gators in that matchup earlier this month. But if they can shoot the ball like they did against Kentucky on Friday night, they may give themselves a chance to taking down Florida — and perhaps earning a 1-seed in the NCAA tournament as well
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