Coming off a one point loss in Auburn on Saturday afternoon, the Crimson Tide came back to Coleman looking for a big win to start the big three game stretch. Instead, the Crimson Tide suffered their second consecutive one point loss as Anthony Grant fell just short against his former team.
It marked another bitter defeat for the Tide as they have proved that they aren’t quite ready to seriously compete in the SEC, although a one point loss at the hands of Florida is nothing to be that upset with. But, it is a loss that likely won’t happen in future
Alabama came up just short against Florida on Thursday
years with Anthony Grant on the bench. Alabama is close, but they aren’t there yet and will need Grant to bring in recruits to improve their depth.
The Crimson Tide once again took a lead to the half at 37-33, but like we have seen on numerous occasions this season, they couldn’t hold on to the lead in the second half. Florida took the lead with a little over six minutes left and held it until Mikhail Torrance hit a jumper with 42-seconds left to give the Crimson Tide a 65-64 lead.
Florida had the ball and Erving Walker missed a jump shot but the Gators were able to corral the offensive rebound with 11-seconds left, which was a theme of tonight’s game in Tuscaloosa. Florida out-rebounded Alabama 31-21 on the night and this offensive rebound was key as Walker would redeem himself with a jumper with 9-seconds left to put Florida ahead 66-65 in what would prove to be the game winner.
Alabama would get a shot at winning the game, but Mikahil Torrance wasn’t able to convert his lay-up attempt. After the Tide grabbed the offensive rebound and came out of the timeout, Dan Werner slapped the inbounds pass down the court as the time expired and Alabama suffered a tough loss against Florida.
Mikhail Torrance led the Crimson Tide with 22 points and 5 assists, JaMychal Green added 14 points, and Tony Mitchell chipped in 10. Florida got 50 of their 66 points from the big three of Alex Tyus who had 19, Erving Walker with 16, and Kenny Boynton with 15. The Gators got only two points from their bench the entire game.
Alabama fell to 13-9 (3-5) on the season. This marked the third SEC game that Alabama has lost by one point, and second in a row. It all started at home against Vanderbilt when the Tide fell 65-64 back on January 13th. Then, the Crimson Tide lost 58-57 at the hands of their rival Auburn, and most recently the loss tonight to Florida.
Florida was able to avenge their one point loss on Sunday at Tennessee as they came out on the right side of the one point game this time around in Tuscaloosa. Florida improved to 16-6 (5-3) on the year. Since the Gators lost their first two conference games, they have won five of their last six games and are making a good run in the SEC. Florida will return home on Saturday as they face off with Mississippi State.
Alabama will now head to Oxford for the first of two meetings with Ole Miss as they look to show they are serious competition in the SEC. At 13-9 (3-5), the Crimson Tide are sitting with the exact same record as they had at this point last season.
This was the most winnable game of the three game stretch as after Alabama goes to Oxford they head to Lexington to play the class of the SEC in Kentucky on Tuesday night. Honestly, I don’t like Alabama’s chances against either team. Alabama won’t be back at Coleman until February 13th when they face off with Arkansas for the second time.
The Crimson Tide’s NCAA tournament hopes are likely over with unless they win the SEC, and they are going to need to start winning some close games, especially at home if they even want to make the NIT. In the end, I see Alabama getting an NIT invite.
Alabama’s game with Ole Miss on Saturday will be at 5:00 CST and will be viewable on espn360.com.
Top Performers:
Alabama:
- Mikhail Torrance: 22 points (7/15) 5 assists
- JaMychal Green: 14 points (6/11) 5 rebounds 3 assists
- Tony Mitchell: 10 points (4/8) 6 rebounds
Florida:
- Alex Tyus: 19 points (8/10) 7 rebounds 1 block
- Erving Walker: 16 points (7/14) 4 rebounds 4 assists
- Kenny Boynton: 15 points (6/13) 6 rebounds 2 assists
