Florida Men’s Basketball Breaks Alabama’s Will, Dominates Crimson Tide in Biggest Loss of the Season for Alabama

GAINESVILLE, Fla. - The Crimson Tide traveled to Gainesville, Florida, for a matchup with the reigning national champion Florida Gators. The Gators and the Crimson Tide matched up in the SEC tournament last season, where Alabama head coach Nate Oats said the Gators 'broke us.'

Get our free mobile app

The first half saw the Crimson Tide start the game with a two-big lineup with Aiden Sherrell starting at the four and newly added Charles Bediako starting at center for the Crimson Tide. The lineup was to combat what Florida does with 6-foot-9 Thomas Haugh and 6-foot-10 Rueben Chinyelu in the Gators' starting lineup. Even still, Alabama found itself in a 10-point hole at the halftime break. Aden Holloway's 13-point first-half performance wasn't enough for the Crimson Tide to overcome the powerful lineup of the Gators, who had 12 points off Alabama's nine first-half turnovers (Florida had zero in the first half) and 32 points in the paint. Alabama would have its work cut out for it in the second half if the Crimson Tide hoped to upset the reigning national champions.

The Crimson Tide came out for the second half flat and spotted the Gators 11-straight points, with Florida extending its lead to 21 points before Alabama ever scored in the second half. The Crimson Tide's struggles rebounding and protecting the basket continued to work in Florida's favor all game long, with the Gators outrebounding Alabama 44-33. Florida's big lineup of Haugh and Alex Condon had their way with the Crimson Tide's defense, with Haugh scoring 22 points and Condon scoring 25 points.

The offensive scorers for Alabama didn't have the day the Crimson Tide needed for Alabama to pull off the upset over Florida, despite Aden Holloway's team-leading 19 points. Labaron Philon had 14 points, Aiden Sherrell had 13 points, and Latrell Wrightsell Jr. had 11 points as the only four Alabama players with double-digit points.

No. 23 Alabama falls to 14-7 (4-4 in SEC play) after the humiliating 100-77 loss to the Florida Gators. The Crimson Tide's next game will come against the top team in the SEC, Texas A&M, on Wednesday, February 4, in Coleman Coliseum.

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_.