Arizona Dominates Alabama in C.M. Newton Classic

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The Arizona Wildcats came to Birmingham, Alabama, for the second half of a pseudo home-and-home with the Crimson Tide after Alabama went to Phoenix, Arizona, during the 2023-24 season. The Crimson Tide led in the first half, but a strong second-half showing from the Wildcats, with their best player on the bench, propelled the No. 1 team in the country over the Crimson Tide, 96-75.

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Alabama head coach Nate Oats hammered home the point of offensive rebounding with the Crimson Tide after key losses to Purdue and Gonzaga, but the messaging didn't transfer to Alabama's game against Arizona, with the Wildcats controlling the boards 52-32, and 22-3 on the offensive boards.

The Wildcats' extra effort to collect their offensive rebounds created a staggering disparity in the shooting numbers, with Arizona attempting 84 shots in the game to Alabama's 56. The Crimson Tide attempted just six more three-point shots than Arizona in the 21-point blowout loss.

Outside of Labaron Philon and Latrell Wrightsell Jr., Alabama struggled to put points on the board, with no other player scoring double-digit points. Philon and Wrightsell combined for 45 of Alabama's 75 points on Saturday night. Wrightsell and Philon both shot 50% from three, with the rest of the team shooting 30% from range. Alabama also had 15 turnovers in the loss to Arizona, with Philon having five of them. Alabama's 75 points are the fewest scored by the Crimson Tide in a game so far this season.

With 15:58 left in the contest, Alabama only trailed by five points. Arizona delivered the kill shot over the next four minutes of play, with an 18-4 run. Wrightsell finally stopped the bleeding with a layup, but the damage had been done, and Arizona kept the 20-point cushion over Alabama as the game came to a close.

The Crimson Tide falls to 7-3 on the season, with Alabama's next game coming on Wednesday, December 17, against the South Florida Bulls.

Wyatt Fulton is the Tide 100.9 DME and Brand Manager, primarily covering Alabama Crimson Tide football and men's basketball. For more Crimson Tide coverage, follow Wyatt on X (Formerly known as Twitter) at @FultonW_.