Aden Holloway keeps having a knack for coming up clutch for Alabama in the biggest of moments.
The junior guard isn't scared of the moment. In back-to-back close wins over Texas A&M and Auburn last week, Holloway was a difference-maker down the stretch. He hit a circus shot against Texas A&M to help put the Aggies away in Tuscaloosa. A few days later, at his old stomping grounds on the Plains, Holloway scored nine straight points for the Crimson Tide, including an and-one three-pointer to help Alabama come out with a road win.
And while the moment wasn't quite as tense against South Carolina on Saturday night, Holloway was similarly clutch. He scored nine points over the final 2:13 of game time to put the Gamecocks to bed.
Holloway hit a tough layup on a nice drive to the basket on one possession to push Alabama's lead to 12. After a bucket by Meechie Johnson to cut it back to 10, Holloway hit an open three to give the Tide a 13-point lead. He calmly went 4-of-4 from the free-throw line after that, too. He finished with a team-high 20 points.
"He's shooting it really well. 4 of 5 from three tonight. I don't think the moment scares him, ever. He's got a lot of confidence in his abilities," Oats said about Holloway after the game.
Aden Holloway's ability to take over down the strech has been huge for Alabama
For most of the season, it has been Labaron Philon as the closer for the Crimson Tide. But Philon is less than 100% and struggling to win off the dribble as much as he did earlier in the season as a result. He doesn't have the same burst right now.
That's forced Holloway into more of an on-ball role. He's effectively playing the one with Philon at the two when both are in the game because his ability to attack and get two feet in the paint is better than Philon's right now, which is a pivotal part of Alabama's offensive philosophy.
And that's why the ball keeps finding its way into Holloway's hands in the game's most critical moments.
Holloway isn't shying away from it, either. He's embracing it.
"He's a big-time shot maker, Philon said about Holloway. "If there's anybody on the floor, I'd rather give him the ball."