TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – If there are three things you want to do to beat Alabama, they are 1) Stop Mark Sears, 2) Make Alabama take bad threes, and 3) Make your shots. Florida did all three of those things, and yet Alabama still came out on top in overtime, 98-93.
It was a game defined by big defensive stops and timely baskets for the Crimson Tide. After taking an 18-17 lead at the under 12 minute mark in the first half, Alabama did not lead again until it was 77-76 with four minutes left in the game. The long stretch had some Alabama runs in it, but the Gators always seemed to make a basket to quiet the Coleman Coliseum crowd.
Alabama turned it around by forcing the issue on defense, especially in the last 10 minutes of regulation. Florida lead 72-62 with just under nine minutes to go, and did not score again until two minutes later. In that time, Alabama cut the lead to 72-67, and felt the momentum swing. A similar thing happened just a few minutes later, when the Gators lead 76-67. About two minutes later, Alabama took that 77-76 lead. A back and fourth end of regulation saw the score tied at 85 after Mark Sears’ layup got blocked at the end.
Overtime started and Alabama carried that end of game momentum to the start of overtime and jumped out to a 92-85 lead. Florida rallied and cut it to a three point game after some free throws, but late Alabama defensive stands helped the Crimson Tide seal it and move to 12-1 at home.
“We figured out how to win the game without playing well,” said Oats.
It is the sort of game that wins you a conference in college basketball. Being down 10 with eight minutes left gave fans flashbacks to the early season loss to Clemson in Tuscaloosa. That game saw Alabama shoot poorly, falter and defense, and give the Tigers a win late.
The difference with this game was the late game stops. Aaron Estrada and Grant Nelson played really well on defense, forcing Florida to take poor shots, or at least go to their second option. Nelson finished the game with six blocks, along with his 22 points in his best game as an Alabama player.
“Him playing the five has helped him,” said Oats “He has a knack for making big threes in these comeback games,” he added.
Alabama was also able to get the win without Latrell Wrightsell Jr. due to a head injury he suffered on Monday. Nate Oats said the injury was day-to-day, but the injury really hit Alabama against Florida. The Crimson Tide is undefeated when the guard scores more than 10 points, which has been often this season. Missing him was a big blow early in the game, but Alabama made the necessary adjustments to get the win.
“Everyone just came in and did what they had to do,” said Nelson.
With the win, Alabama moves to 19-7 on the year, with a 13-2 mark in the SEC. Still in first place, the team will have to put their road struggles to bed in a big way when they travel to Lexington for a matchup against No. 17 Kentucky on Saturday. The Crimson Tide are just 4-4 on the road this season, a big difference from the 13-1 record that it has at home.
Even if Wrightsell Jr. can’t play Saturday, guys like Grant Nelson, Sam Walters, and Aaron Estrada have to keep their performance level up. Playing Kentucky on the road is a big ask for Alabama, however, a team that has answered a lot of early season questions already might be primed to do it again.
