Alabama came up just short in its quest to win back-to-back games over top-five opponents in November, falling 87-80 to Purdue on Thursday night at home.
It's the third straight year the Crimson Tide couldn't get it done against the Boilermakers. Despite being a slight betting favorite, Purdue's experience and advantage on the glass proved to be too much for Alabama to overcome, even with home-court advantage.
It was the second game of a four-game gauntlet against highly-ranked opponents. Alabama earned a massive win over the weekend against St. John's, but couldn't capitalize with a second in a row.
Regardless of the result tonight, what these two games showed us is that this Alabama team can play with anyone. The pundits thought this team was a fringe Top-25 team in the preseason, and they're playing like a Top 10 team despite not being full strength.
You can be disappointed by the loss - I am too - but Nate Oats has put together another team that will compete for a deep NCAA Tournament run. Again.
4 observations from Alabama's 87-80 loss to Purdue
1. Alabama couldn't overcome the mismatch on the glass
It takes just one stat to see why Alabama fell short against Purdue. The Crimson Tide got manhandled on the glass, with the Boilermakers finishing the game +24. Losing the boards 52-28 is not going to win you many games.
Alabama was -14 in the first half, and despite an early concerted effort in the second half, still lost the final 20 minutes by 10. Purdue had two players finish in double figures in rebounding, led by Trey Kaufman-Renn's 15. They had four players overall with more total rebounds than Alabama's leading rebounder, which was a three-way tie between Aiden Sherrell, Labaron Philon, and Amari Allen, with a whopping four.
After competing hard against St. John's on the glass and finishing effectively even, Alabama got embarrassed on the boards against Purdue.
Purdue finished +9 in second-chance points thanks to 19 offensive boards in a seven-point win.
2. Alabama's three-point shooting abandoned it in the 2nd half
Alabama trailed by only two at halftime despite getting beaten soundly on the boards thanks to a 10-of-21 (47.6%) effort from three. That went away in the 2nd half, and with Alabama not rebounding much better, the only chance it had of winning was elite shooting from deep.
In the second half, the Crimson Tide shot just 6-of-23 (26%) from distance. Latrell Wrightsell and Labaron Philon combined to hit just 2-of-12 from three in the game.
3. Labaron Philon did not have a good night
Facing a crafty veteran point guard in Braden Smith and a Purdue defense that clogged the lane and took away the rim, Philon struggled to find production with his three-point shot not there. He only hit 1-of-6 from deep, and consistently tried to do too much attacking a lane that just wasn't open.
Philon finished with 11 points and seven assists on 5-of-14 from the floor, but he also turned it over four times after only turning it over once against St. John's.
Philon is one of the best guards in the country, and he will bounce back. But it was a night to forget for the star sophomore.
4. Aden Holloway continued his terrific start to the season
Aden Holloway was the best player on the court for Alabama tonight. With his backcourt mates struggling, Holloway put the team on his back, particularly in the first half, to give the Crimson Tide a fighting chance.
Holloway scored 21 points on 7-of-13 shooting from the field with three assists and one turnover. He just needed more help in the backcourt than he got. He was clearly gassed down the stretch, playing 35 minutes, and he missed a couple of open threes late in the game that he left short. It was obvious fatigue.
But Holloway has been outstanding through three games, averaging 21 points per game and looking every bit like an All-SEC guard. If he can continue his play offensively - along with some clear strides defensively - he might be an All-American candidate.