Alabama men’s basketball went on the road Wednesday for a rematch of last season’s Sweet 16 matchup with North Carolina. The Crimson Tide left Chapel Hill with a 94-79 win, scoring the victory in the SEC/ACC Challenge.
The Tide has a long layoff following the win, and will next play on Dec. 14 against Creighton in Tuscaloosa. The victory moved Alabama to 7-2 on the season.
As it enters the time off, here are three takeaways from Alabama’s Wednesday win.
Burn the redshirt
Originally, Alabama planned on redshirting Houston Mallette, preserving his final season of eligibility for a year in which he could make more of an impact on the court. Then, Latrell Wrightsell Jr. injured his Achilles tendon, putting him out for the rest of the 2024-25 season.
Nate Oats said Tuesday that the Crimson Tide was considering burning Mallette’s redshirt to help fill Wrightsell’s vacancy. On Wednesday, UA did just that.
Mallette, who transferred in from Pepperdine this offseason, played nine minutes on Wednesday. He scored six points, grabbed three rebounds and contributed two steals.
“We just thought it was best for the team,” Mallette said after the game. “In my opinion, a lot of times in society, we have what’s best for me, but I feel like what’s best for me in my life is best for the team. And anything I can do to help impact people, impact the team, is what I’m willing to do.”
In addition to Mallette, Alabama will soon have Chris Youngblood. The South Florida transfer guard has missed the start of the season due to an injury, but will likely return against Creighton.
Happy homecoming
Jarin Stevenson got a shot at playing his hometown team during last year’s NCAA Tournament win over North Carolina in Los Angeles. On Wednesday, made his actual return home, and said he brought over 20 people to the game.
“Definitely it’s a surreal feeling,” Stevenson said. “I’ve been to quite a bit of their games. My mom played here too. So yeah, it was nice being back and it was great to get the win.”
Stevenson scored six points for the Crimson Tide, in 12 minutes of action. He also had three rebounds, an assist and a block.
All of his points came on three pointers, and Stevenson went 2-for-3 from beyond the arc.
“Jaren kind of settled in and (was) making some big threes for us,” Oats said. “Made some, I thought he did a great job on (UNC’s) RJ Davis, who’s not easy to guard.”
The freshman
Mark Sears led Alabama in points, as he does frequently, with 20. Tied for second place was freshman guard Labaron Philon, who had 15, as did Aden Holloway.
Philon has shined brightest in both of the Crimson Tide’s true road games this year, also scoring 18, his season high, at Purdue in November.
“He’s a competitor,” Oats said of Philon. “He’s been practicing hard. You have to deserve to play well and he deserves to play well. He brings iit every day in practice. He’s been bringing it since he walked on the court.”
Philon had four rebounds and four assists to go with his points. He also earned three steals.
