No. 2 seed Alabama was stunned in the first game of the SEC Tournament, falling 80-79 to No. 15 seed Ole Miss.
It was another slow start for the Crimson Tide, but this time the hole was too big to overcome. Alabama found itself down by as many as 14 in the first half due to a lack of defense. A first-half deficit is a spot the Tide have found themselves in many times this season, but this time,e the outcome did not go in their favor.
The Crimson Tide had the ball with a chance to win the game, but a blocked shot from Ole Miss ended their comeback.
Here are a few takeaways from the game.
- Poor Start
Ole Miss came out in the first half doing what it has done to the other teams it has faced this week. The Rebels scored the first basket and kept the lead the entire first half, having not trailed a second in the SEC Tournament. The lead was extended to as many as 14 with five minutes remaining in the first half before Alabama finally came to life and trimmed the lead down to six before half.
- Defense Lacked Intensity
Defense wins championships is a cliché statement, but it couldn’t be more true for this Alabama team. The offense can score with anyone on any given night, but the defense, or lack thereof, will determine how far the Crimson Tide will go in not only the SEC Tournament but the NCAA Tournament as well. In the first half, Alabama’s defensive intensity was nowhere to be found. Ole Miss was able to get to the basket and find open looks with ease. The Crimson Tide surrendered 47 points in the first 20 minutes, the most by Ole Miss in a first half all season long.
- Philon Battles Through Sickness
At times during the game, you could tell Labaron Philon was not his usual self. Battling through sickness, Philon did his best to put the team on his back and delivered a game-high 28 points. Despite the valiant effort, the comeback fell short.
- Wrightsell Nowhere to Be Found
One of Alabama’s best three-point shooters and scoring weapons, Latrell Wrightsell, had a rough night. Wrightsell was held to 0 points in the loss. The senior guard missed all five of his shot attempts, including going 0-for-4 from behind the arc.
Alabama will find out their seeding for the NCAA Tournament on Sunday’s selection show at 5 p.m. on CBS.
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