One night after blowing out Kentucky, Alabama got smoked by Florida to exit the SEC Tournament, 104-82.
The first half was played at a breakneck pace, as you’d expect when these two teams get together. Both teams breached the 30 point barrier in the first eleven minutes, and it looked like a real barn burner was about to ensue. Things did cool off a bit toward the end of the half, however, and Florida took a 47-45 lead into the locker room. Florida’s Walter Clayton, Jr. was the story of the first half with 12 points on 4/8 three point shooting, but the Gators also dominated the offensive glass.
For Alabama, it was the big men carrying the scoring load as Florida made an extra effort to run the guards off the three point line. Grant Nelson and Jarin Stevenson got nine apiece and combined for 3/7 from three point range, and Cliff Omoruyi added eight points that mostly came from the pick and roll. None of Alabama’s guards could get much going. Mark Sears did manage seven points and three assists despite 0/4 shooting from three point range, and got banged up late in the half which appeared to limit him the rest of the way. Labaron Philon was held scoreless in the opening half, and Aden Holloway scored just a single three pointer. All told, the Tide shot 29% from three point range and 48% overall while Florida shot 47% including a robust 40% from three point range on 15 tries.
Perhaps most importantly, Grant Nelson left the game late in the first half with some sort of leg injury in a huge blow to Alabama’s frontcourt depth, against one of the nation’s best and deepest. Clayton missed a three on the first possession of the second half, but Alabama allowed three offensive rebounds and Omoruyi was tagged with his third foul. Both free throws were missed but Cliff went to the bench, further exacerbating the issue. Chris Youngblood was whistled for a flagrant one foul two minutes in, and the Gators opened up a quick ten point lead shortly thereafter.
Predictably, a shorthanded Alabama squad wasn’t able to keep up with a Florida team that is playing as well as anyone in the nation. With Nelson out of the game, Cliff in foul avoidance mode and Clayton on fire, there just weren’t any answers to be had. If you want to beat teams of this caliber that are playing to their potential, you’d better bring your best game. Alabama was unable to do that in the second half and the scoreboard reflected it.
Frankly, it looked as though Alabama accepted its fate with about ten minutes left. The energy on defense wasn’t there, and they looked as though they were going through the motions on offense. College basketball tends to be a fickle game, and we’ve seen both extremes the past two days. Kentucky shot 37% overall and 26% from three, and Alabama won in a blowout by shooting it well. Today Florida burned up the nets and the Tide lost in a blowout with pedestrian shooting of their own.
On to the NCAA Tournament now, where Alabama will almost assuredly be a two seed. Hopefully Grant can get better quickly.
Roll Tide.
