Alabama has been without star freshman guard Amari Allen for the last two games, and his status remains up in the air heading into Sunday's pivotal road tilt against Florida.
According to Nate Oats, Allen has yet to return to practice and is considered a game-time decision against the Gators.
Amari's yet to practice, but he's been going through some basketball workouts and looking a lot better," Oats said. ... "If he's close to being able to play, I think he'll play."
Amari Allen's status could be a major factor in Alabama vs. Florida
The biggest concern when you face off against Florida is its physically imposing frontcourt. The Gators are No. 2 in the country in offensive rebound rate, and No. 2 in the country in offensive rebound rate allowed on the other end of the court, per KenPom. Todd Golden's group will punish you on the glass, and Alabama got a first-hand look at that twice last season.
In the two matchups a year ago, Florida was a combined +20 on the glass, including a +15 advantage in the regular-season meeting in Tuscaloosa, which swung a five-point game in the Gators' favor.
Allen may be a guard, but he's 6-foot-8 and is the Crimson Tide's leading rebounder this year.
Even with the addition of Charles Bediako to the frontcourt, it will take a total team effort on the glass to avoid getting bludgeoned, and having their top rebounder available for the game would be a significant boost for the Crimson Tide.
Allen is also third on the team in scoring and assists, turning in an impressive freshman season that has gotten him on NBA Draft radars. He's averaging 11.7 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 3.4 assists during his debut season of college hoops, connecting on 46% of his shots from the floor and 37% from three.
Allen got banged up during Alabama's road win over Oklahoma and sat out home games against Tennessee and Missouri.