On Saturday, the Florida Gators looked like one of college basketball's best teams. The Alabama Crimson Tide looked like a team with zero chance for postseason glory. Alabama lost by 23 points, 100-77. The score was not the worst thing for Alabama.
There was little Nate Oats could say after the game that would appease any Alabama fan. He said, "We've got to look in the mirror." No doubt Oats was referring to not only the players but the entire coaching staff, including himself.
For much of the game, Alabama let the Gators make them look like a mid-level Sun Belt team. The only Crimson Tide player who stood out was Aden Holloway, who led Alabama with 19 points. Labaron Philon battled enough to scrape together 14 points, while being often suffocated by Boogie Fland's defense. Philon also led Alabama with five turnovers.
The game can be summarized in two different ways. Both of which are correct. One way was that Florida transitioned Alabama to death, not just off turnovers, but after Crimson Tide made baskets as well. Making 18 turnovers on the road, to the defending national champion's two, guarantees a defeat. Florida scored 25 points off Alabama turnovers. Alabama produced zero points in that stat line.
Alabama Crimson Tide and Physicality
The other way to summarize the game is that Alabama was either unwilling or unable to match Florida's physicality. That's not a new problem. Nate Oats has tried to alleviate the problem all season. Making it fair to ask if the 2025-26 roster has it in them to change.
For now, talk of championships and notable postseason success needs to be put aside. The Crimson Tide must focus on winning the next game, then the next, and the next. One bad February loss does not define a season. But with the conference leader coming to Tuscaloosa on Wednesday night, followed by Auburn in Auburn on Saturday, it could get uglier quickly. Just one loss in the two games, and February could begin to look like a February Crimson Tide fans may hope to forget.
Note: Game stats provided by StatBroadcast