E114 BH Alabama wins over Oklahoma on the road 83 81 Quick Reaction in Hoops

Alabama wins a tough road game 83 to 81 over Oklahoma in Norman to run its record to 3-2 in the SEC and 13-5 overall as Bama holds on and does just enough to win. It is another Big road win to keep Bama in pace for a top 4 seed in the tournament. Labon Philon was again the star of the game with a career high 23 pts to lead the Tide as he made clutch plays down the stretch to lead Bama to victory in real nail-biter. First Half Recap Stars of the Game LaBaron Philon with 23 pts, 5 rebs, 4 assists, but had 3 TO’s and missed 4 free throws. Other notables: Amari Allen with 12 pts, 8 rebs, 2 assists, 3 steals, but 2 TO’s Aiden Sherrell with 21 pts, 9 rebs, 2 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block Aden Holloway with 9 pts, 2 assists, 1 steal, and 2 TO’s in a quiet night for him Houston Mallette with 12 pts, 6 rebs, 2 assists, and 1 steal, but missed a key Free throw at the end of game Bama rebounded as a five-man team on the defensive end in the MIA’s Keitenn Bristow – did not play – ankle injury TBB with wrist injury – not effective London Jemison struggled Noah Williamson not much Jalil Bethea scored 4 pts and had 2 rebs in 7 mins Davion Hannah out with Key Performances Oklahoma had 4 players in double figures led by Xzayvier Brown’s 21 pts. Derrion Reid had 16 and 9 – former Bama player Tae David had 14 and Nijel Pack had 12 Former Bama player Mohamed Wague had 6 pt, 6 rebs, and 2 blocks The Stats Key Team Stats Bama outrebounded by OK 45-43 Bama had 11 TO’s to just 9 for OK. Bama shot 44% from the field, just 30% from 3, and made 15 FT’s shooting 58% from the charity stripe and missing 11 Free Throws that helped allow OK to stay in the game. Tough shooting night for Bama and the free throw shooting was bad This win is a big road win when Bama was not at its best, but got a win nonetheless. Highlights Philon with a game high 21 pts making key plays in the 2nd half when needed as he scored 15 pts in the 2nd half Bama outrebounded OK in the 2nd half after being outrebounded in the first half to win the rebounding battle 45-43. When dialed in and focused, Bama can be a decent rebounding team. Best four are Philon, Holloway, Sherrell, and Amari Allen Who is that fifth player? Who will bring effort and consistency of performance game in and game out Mallette had a solid night. We need this type of effort from him every game. Issues Issue – Why did Bama close out the first half so poorly? Bama has little depth in the front court. TBB is hurt. Bristow is hurt. And Williamson is not reliable. Need TBB healthy and to play well game in and game out Need Bristow to step up and contribute. Don’t know what he will do and how he will play game in and game out. Williamson played and contributed very little in this game, but need more from him if Bama wants to be a great team. I know who our best four players are, but who is the fifth starter? Bethea contributed a bit in 7 minutes, but we need more from him. Alabama is now 13-5 on the season and 3-2 in the SEC. Bama needs to figure some things out and keep winning games or their seeding in the NCAA will slide. And let’s hope it doesn’t get so bad that they risk not making the tournament. Bama is not playing like a final four or even elite 8 team if you judge them by the way Bama played against Oklahoma. Up next: Alabama plays Tennessee at home on Saturday, Jan 24 at 7.30 pm. Tennessee is struggling, but Rick Barnes will have them ready to play against Alabama. Will be a tough game. Bama must play with the kind of effort and focus game in and game out they played with against Oklahoma in the 2nd half if they want to be a sweet 16 team again this year. I am cautiously optimistic that Bama can make the elite 8.