Beating Tennessee on Saturday in Knoxville is important for a variety of reasons for Alabama.
For starters, a win would effectively clinch a double-bye for the Crimson Tide in the SEC Tournament, and likely put them on the other side of the bracket from Florida, meaning a Gators rematch wouldn't happen any earlier than the tournament championship.
While that carries plenty of weight on its own, this game is also important for Nate Oats to get the Tennessee monkey off his back.
Tennessee's win over Alabama last month in Tuscaloosa was the fifth straight for Rick Barnes over Oats. Any which way they can lose, the Crimson Tide has found it when matched up with the Vols over the last few years.
If Alabama is going to break that streak - and earn a massive SEC road win - it's going to need all hands on deck.
But star guard Labaron Philon's status remains up in the air just over 24 hours before tipoff at Thompson-Boiling Arena.
Philon sat out Alabama's 100-75 win over Mississippi State on Wednesday. While the official injury report designation won't come until Friday evening, Oats' comments earlier in the day appear to point toward Philon being questionable.
And the ultimate decision won't come from Oats. Or Philon.
Labaron Philon's fate sits in the hands of Alabama athletic trainer Clarke Holter
Per Oats, Philon participated in "some" of Alabama's Friday practice. Oats said that Philon is roaring to go, as expected, but it'll be up to whether athletic trainer Clarke Holter clears him or not:
Nate Oats on Labaron Philon: "He's chomping at the bit to get back. We'll see if Clarke clears him, but he did participate in some of practice today."
— Charlie Potter (@Charlie_Potter) February 27, 2026
As badly as Oats and Alabama want to win this game, they aren't going to jeopardize Philon's ability to play in the NCAA Tournament for it.
If there's a risk of further injury that compromises his ability to play in March, then Philon will have to sit out the road game at Tennessee.
He's the ultimate competitor, so he's going to lobby to play. But this is why you have athletic trainers, and sometimes coaches and trainers have to save players from themselves.
Alabama certainly needs Philon, but the Crimson Tide will still be in a better spot health-wise for the second matchup against the Vols, whether he plays or not.
Both Aden Holloway and Amari Allen were unable to play against Tennessee last month in Tuscaloosa. They are healthy and ready to go for the rematch in Knoxville, which will provide a huge boost for the Crimson Tide.