Category: Alabama crimson

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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‏Since 2009, an Alabama player has been chosen in the first round of the NFL draft every year.

On April 24, in Green Bay, Wisconsin, several athletes will try to continue that 16-year run in the 2025 NFL Draft.

Two former Crimson Tide players were selected in the first round of the NFL on SI’s first-round mock draft, which was made public on Tuesday.

According to the writers, linebacker Jihaad Cambell was taken No. 29 by the Washington Commanders, and offensive lineman Tyler Booker was selected 24th overall by the Minnesota Vikings.

SI’s mock draft for the first round did not include quarterback Jalen Milroe.

The head coach of the Vikings has stated that improving the interior offensive line is a top focus for Minnesota this summer, according to John Pluym, NFL editor for Sports Illustrated.

Pluym remarked, “Booker, a 6′ 5″, 325-pound immovable force, is the perfect way to reinforce that line and should also assist boost the play of center Garrett Bradbury.”

According to NFL writer David Harrison, Campbell would fit right in Washington.

“Washington has to look to impact the passing game with this pick,” Harrison stated.

“They can do so by drafting offensive line, secondary, or pass rush help and with Campbell, the Commanders get a versatile defender who can help on all three downs in various ways while eyeing OL and DB help on Day 2 of the draft.”

 

Kalen DeBoer’s first season at Alabama didn’t go exactly as planned as the team finished 9-4 with a ReliaQuest Bowl loss to Michigan.

 

But, he knows what comes next in 2025. The Crimson Tide have to be better fast to measure up to the Alabama standard.

 

DeBoer recently talked about the opportunity for the entire Alabama program looking inward.

 

“Yeah, we know that we need to be better,” DeBoer said. “That’s the expectation I had, you know from day one is that we perform at a championship level, and we certainly fell short of that. Whether you’re 0-12 or 12-0 in a regular season, you know you’re always going to really critique and be detailed on how you got to improve. And I appreciate what our staff is doing, what our players are doing, to really look inward, work together and continue to move forward.”

 

There were some bad losses for Alabama, including to Vanderbilt and Oklahoma that really stand out. It all but ended their College Football Playoff hopes.

 

Of course, a sputtering offense in a postseason loss to Michigan didn’t inspire too much confidence. But Rome wasn’t built, or rebuilt, in a day.

 

“A lot of good things are already happening,” DeBoer said. “It already feels just a lot different internally as we turn the page into 2025, from the first team meeting, which was less than two weeks after our last bowl game. So, just excited about what’s happening. The work that’s being put in. Haven’t had a chance to be around the guys a lot, just because we’ve been on the road recruiting and only get a few days here, especially as a head coach, the only time of the year down in January to get out.