In a commanding display of offensive prowess, the No. 8 Alabama Crimson Tide secured a 100-87 victory over the No. 25 Illinois Fighting Illini on November 20, 2024, at the C.M. Newton Classic in Birmingham, Alabama. This win not only showcased Alabama’s scoring depth but also highlighted their resilience following a recent setback against Purdue.
Alabama’s forward Grant Nelson was instrumental, contributing 23 points, eight rebounds, and four blocked shots. Notably, 19 of his points came in the first half, setting an aggressive tone early in the game. Freshman guard Aden Holloway added 18 points, while Labaron Philon filled the stat sheet with 16 points, nine assists, and seven rebounds. Latrell Wrightsell Jr. also chipped in 16 points, underscoring the team’s balanced offensive attack. One player missing from the scoring attack was the team’s season scoring leader, Mark Sears, who did not score vs Illinois.
The Crimson Tide’s shooting efficiency was evident as they connected on 52% of their field goal attempts, including 11 of 34 from beyond the arc. This offensive output marked the second time this season that Alabama reached the 100-point threshold, reflecting their high-tempo, high-scoring style of play. The Tide’s largest lead was 17 acheived multiple times throughout the game. The first 8 minutes of the game were close until Alabama went on a 13-0 stretch and took a 52-38 lead into halftime. Illinois was able to cut the lead to 8 with 3:55 remaining in the game but the Crimson Tide was able to stem the onslaught and extended their own lead to the final 13 point difference.
Defensively, Alabama faced challenges containing Illinois’ key players. Will Riley led the Fighting Illini with 18 points and nine rebounds, while Kylan Boswell added 17 points and seven rebounds. Kasparas Jakucionis and Tomislav Ivisic contributed 15 and 14 points respectively, with Ivisic also grabbing 10 rebounds. Despite these individual performances, Illinois struggled to keep pace with Alabama’s relentless scoring.
Alabama’s head coach, Nate Oats, expressed satisfaction with his team’s performance, stating, “I thought our guys responded well after the Purdue game. We emphasized playing with pace and sharing the ball, and tonight we executed that game plan effectively.”
A critical aspect of Alabama’s success was their ability to capitalize on Illinois’ defensive lapses. The Crimson Tide’s ball movement and spacing created numerous open looks, particularly from three-point range, allowing them to build and maintain a comfortable lead throughout the game.
However, Alabama’s defense showed areas for improvement. Allowing 87 points indicates a need for tighter perimeter defense and better communication on switches. Coach Oats acknowledged this, noting, “While I’m pleased with our offensive execution, we need to tighten up defensively. Giving up 87 points is not where we want to be.”
The victory over Illinois serves as a confidence booster for Alabama, especially after their previous loss to Purdue. It demonstrates the team’s ability to rebound from adversity and perform at a high level against ranked opponents.
Looking ahead, Alabama aims to build on this momentum as they prepare for upcoming challenges. Maintaining their offensive efficiency while addressing defensive shortcomings will be key to sustaining their success in the highly competitive college basketball landscape.
What’s Up Next for Alabama
The Crimson Tide next faces the Houston Cougars on November 26, 2024, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. The Players Era Festival – Impact Tournament tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 PM CT, with television coverage on ESPN and radio broadcast available on the Crimson Tide Sports Network. Houston, currently ranked No. 12, presents a formidable challenge, boasting a strong defensive unit and a disciplined offensive approach.
Report by TideFans.om