Labaron Philon and his Alabama Basketball teammates refused to lose Wednesday night. In what was almost a home game for Illinois, it took until the last few seconds for the Crimson Tide to secure the 90-86 win. Alabama never led in the first half, with Illinois up by nine points at the 13:35 mark. The Illinois lead slipped to a single point by halftime. Illinois led for only the first 95 seconds of the second half.
Nate Oats complimented Illinois coach Brad Underwood after the game, saying Illinois is a good team that will compete for a national championship, and added, "If they make their free throws, they probably win." Alabama made free throws at 74% to 59% for Illinois.
Alabama had five double-figure scorers, led by Philon's 50% shooting from the field and 24 points. Bol Bowen has 12 points, Aden Holloway scored 11. Putting in 10 points each were Houston Mallette and Keitenn Bristow.
Still recovering from an ankle problem, Bristow played his first game of the season. Aiden Sherrell, limited by foul problems, played only nine minutes. Amari Allen and Bristow were huge on the glass for the Crimson Tide. Allen led the team with 11 rebounds, and Bristow pulled down eight boards.
Four games into his college career, Allen is already a difference-maker for Nate Oats. The Illinois game showed that when Bristow fully recovers, he can be a difference-maker as well. Oats talked about his team being a close-knit group, and it shows on the court and the bench. Multiple times, Oats directed intense communication at Taylor Bol Bowen. Once, as soon as Oats finished, Philon was in Bol Bowen's ear with apparent encouragement.
What Labaron Philon means to Alabama Basketball
Houston Mallette has been described as Alabama's glue guy, having a deep reservoir of optimism. Philon has become more vocal this season, but his play is by far his strongest statement. Without Philon, Alabama would not have beaten Illinois. After the game, Nate Oats boldly said of his star and his team, "He's an Alabama kid that wants to take Alabama further than it's ever gone. ... He came back to win a national championship, and I think we've got the team to do it."
That is mighty big talk, especially in November. It is, though, not a wild assessment, given that early in the 2025-26 season, Alabama has college basketball's two best wins, both on the road.