As the Fox announcers said Saturday, Madison Square Garden had 'April' basketball in early November. Before the game, some college basketball experts knew Alabama was capable of beating St. John's, but almost no one predicted an Alabama victory.
St. John's outshot Alabama from outside the arc and at the free-throw line, but Alabama won the rebounding battle and had a sizable advantage of 54 points in the paint to St. John's 40. The Red Storm shot 18 more free throws than Alabama, giving them +14 points at the line. Given the game's intensity throughout, it was well officiated.
Alabama guards LaBaron Philon, Aden Holloway, and Latrell Wrightsell were sensational, scoring 25, 21, and 17 points, respectively. Philon had only one turnover in 29 minutes of play. In 33 minutes for Holloway and 22 minutes for Wrightsell, neither player turned the ball over. Taylor Bol Bowen added 17 points and nine rebounds. Freshman Amari Allen led Alabama on the boards with 10.
After the game, Nate Oats said his team is a "little overlooked right now ... we're probably better off being an underdog." Oats is probably correct that in the Crimson Tide's next game, Purdue will be the favorite, despite the game being on Alabama's home court. But any coach overlooking the Crimson Tide is either blind or misinformed.
Summing up the game, St. John's coach Rick Pitino said, "They were a better basketball team than us. We could not guard them off the dribble." Make no mistake, Rick Pitino has one of college basketball's better teams, one that can go far this season. The Red Storm will not be the only good team that will be challenged trying to defend Alabama's guard lineup.
What it means for Alabama Basketball
Normally, a November win means little. That may not be true about this win. Alabama showed that its perhaps deepest-ever level of talent has more than the potential to become great. A Crimson Tide drowning a Red Storm in the Big Apple portends great results for Alabama in the 2025-26 college basketball season.
Note: Stats provided by StatBroadcast