NASHVILLE, Tenn.- No. 5 Alabama took another tough loss to No. 4 Florida Saturday in the SEC Tournament semifinals 104-82.
In a game that felt like deja vu from just 10 days ago, Florida pulled away from Alabama in the second half. The first few minutes of the second half set the tone for the rest of the way. With Alabama leading 48-47 a minute into the second half, the Gators went on a 15-2 run over a four-minute span that gave Florida a commanding 12-point lead.
“Obviously not one of our better games. Florida’s a very good team. We want to be the hardest playing, toughest team on the floor. We were not today, particularly in the second half,” Alabama head coach Nate Oats said.
What gave Florida the ability to pull away was the ability to get out in transition in the second half. After halftime, Florida outscored Alabama 13-2 in fast break points. The Florida offense as a whole collectively gave Alabama trouble all game.
“This is the SEC tournament. It’s March. So at the end of the day, the things that caused the 17-2 run had nothing to do with basketball. Toughness, discipline, playing hard, like coach said,” Alabama guard Chris Youngblood said on how Alabama can stop opponents from going on long runs moving forward.
Florida shot 56% in the second half and 51% for the entire game. From long range, Florida continued to make Alabama pay as the Gators hit 12 3-pointers. Florida guard Walter Clayton Jr. was a thorn in Alabama’s side again. Following a 22-point performance on March 5, Clayton Jr. put up 22 more points Saturday as he shot 7-for-16 in the game and 6-for-11 from beyond the arc.
For Alabama offensively, guard Chris Youngblood was the brightest spot for the Crimson Tide as he scored 14 points and hit four of his seven 3-pointer attempts. Alabama forward Mouhammed Dioubate finished with a double-double as he scored 12 points and secured 12 rebounds in his effort.
While the rebounds were not as big of a concern as the first meeting between the two schools, it still was not good. Alabama got out rebounded 43-38, including being out rebounded 13-11 on the offensive glass.
However, perhaps the biggest concern coming out of the game Saturday is the status of Alabama forward Grant Nelson. Nelson left the game in the late stages of the first half with a left leg injury and did not play in the second half. Before exiting the game, Nelson scored nine points on 4-for-7 shooting and recorded a 3-pointer in the game.
“He got the knee injury. I’m not exactly sure what it is. I don’t think it’s anything with an ACL or anything like that,” Oats said on the status of Nelson’s injury.
The turnovers also contributed to the difference in the game. Alabama finished -3 in turnover margin as Florida outscored Alabama 12-4 in points off turnovers. At the end of the day the message for the NCAA Tournament is clear.
“We just have to regroup. Regroup. That’s all we’ve got to do.” Alabama guard Mark Sears said.
Up next, Alabama will now look to the NCAA Tournament. According to numerous bracketologists projections, including ESPN’s bracketologist Joe Lunardi, the Crimson Tide is projected to receive a 2-seed.
“It will be set up for us to make a deep run again. We’re going to have to do a little soul searching, see how bad we want to make a deep run,” Oats said.
The Round of 64 of the NCAA Tournament will begin Thursday. Alabama will know its seed, who it plays and where it plays during the selection show Sunday. The NCAA Tournament Selection Show will begin at 5 p.m. CT.
