In a battle of potentially the two best teams in the SEC this season, Alabama couldn't overcome a pair of pivotal injuries or poor three-point shooting on the road against undefeated Vanderbilt, falling 96-90.
Alabama center Aiden Sherrell was a game-time decision after suffering a knee injury in Saturday's win over Kentucky, but didn't play. Star guard Labaron Philon checked out of the game in the second half with 16:06 to play, and never returned. There have been no updates on his status yet.
Alabama overcame an early 13-point deficit to battle back and tie the game at 43 at halftime. The second-half was the Don Daily and ref show in Nashville, which slowed a fun matchup down to a crawl. It was a free-throw fest. The officiating was not favorable for either team, in fairness. It was poor overall and completely interrupted the flow of a fun game between two quality teams.
There was a combined 63 fouls and 88 free throws in a 40-minute basketball game. Unacceptable.
The most important observations from Alabama's loss to Vanderbilt
1. All eyes are on the Labaron Philon injury
The sophomore sensation was cooking the Commodores before his injury. In 20 minutes of action, the SEC's second-leading scorer had already dropped 18 points.
After an ugly start by Philon that included multiple early turnovers, he settled down and led the way for the Crimson Tide to get back into the game. Without him, Alabama's offense struggled down the stretch with multiple scoring droughts.
Philon returned to the bench with under three-minutes to go and was flexing both of his legs. Nate Oats will provide an update on his status after the game, which will have the full attention of Tide fans.
2. Alabama couldn't find the range from three
Perhaps it was partially due to neither team being able to find a rhythm in the second-half thanks to the consistent parade of foul calls, but Alabama struggled mightily from three-point range, which directly contributed to the defeat.
Alabama came into this game shooting 36% from three on the season. Against Vanderbilt, Alabama hit just 9-of-40 (22%). It's tough to beat anyone like that. It's even more difficult when you are playing a team of Vanderbilt's quality.
3. Alabama sorely missed Aiden Sherrell
Sherrell being a game-time decision is a good sign that the knee injury he suffered against Kentucky won't keep him out long-term. Which is good, because Alabama's ability to protect the rim without him wasn't good.
Vanderbilt struggled from three, too, only hitting 7-of-20, but they relentlessly attacked the paint and scored or got to the free-throw line.
Sherrell has been one of the best shot blockers in college basketball this season, taking a massive leap on the defensive end in his sophomore season. Without him, Oats combated by going small by starting Keitenn Bristow at the five. Bristow ultimately only played eight minutes before fouling out.
Noah Williamson, the surprising star from the Kentucky win, was back to being the Williamson he had been before that game. He managed just one rebound and four fouls in his four minutes of action.
If there was any doubt of Sherrell's importance for this team, it was erased in Nashville.
4. Amari Allen and Aden Holloway did everything they could
With Philon out for the majority of the second half, a lot was put on the shoulders of Amari Allen and Aden Holloway. Both finished with 20+ points to keep the Crimson Tide in the game. It wasn't enough, but the fight they showed - the whole team, really - is something that Oats can build on moving forward in SEC play.
Allen scored a career-high 25 points, doing the majority of his damage at the free-throw line. He hit 12-of-12 from the charity stripe.
Holloway scored 22, but surprisingly struggled from the foul line. He came into the game shooting over 90% on the year, but hit just 1-of-4 against the Commodores.
In the end, it sucks to lose, but there's not much to be taken from a game against a team as good as Vanderbilt when you are missing two of your most important players.
It continues the snake-bitten story of this team. Hopefully, at some point, we'll get to see this team fully healthy.