In a closely contested SEC matchup on February 8, 2025, the No. 3 Alabama Crimson Tide secured an 85-81 victory over the Arkansas Razorbacks at Bud Walton Arena in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The win elevated Alabama to a 20-3 overall record and a 9-1 mark in SEC play, tying them with top-ranked Auburn atop the conference standings. The Crimson Tide is now 14-1 in its last 15 games.
With losses on Saturday by #1 Auburn and #2 Duke, the win may elevate #3 Alabama to the #1 ranking when the AP poll comes out this week.
Alabama’s offense was led by forwards Grant Nelson and Chris Youngblood, each contributing 15 points. Mouhamed Dioubate added 14 points, while guard Mark Sears chipped in 11. The Crimson Tide showcased efficient shooting, hitting 54.8% from the field, though they struggled from beyond the arc, connecting on just 5 of 19 attempts (26.3%).
The game began with both teams exchanging baskets, but Alabama managed to build a 40-34 lead by halftime. Early in the second half, the Crimson Tide intensified their offense, embarking on a 14-6 run that extended the Tide’s lead to 54-40. A pivotal moment occurred when Youngblood completed a four-point play, followed by a Nelson basket, pushing the advantage to 60-43 with 13:14 remaining.
Arkansas, which fell to 14-9 overall and 3-7 in the SEC with the loss, mounted a spirited comeback late in the second half. Trailing by 15 with five minutes left, the Razorbacks orchestrated a 12-0 run and, ultimately, a 20-4 run. A highlight was Billy Richmond III’s emphatic dunk, narrowing the deficit to six, followed by an Ivisic three-pointer that brought Arkansas within 79-76 with 2:57 remaining.
Alabama responded with a crucial layup by Sears, halting Arkansas’s momentum. In the final moments, Youngblood secured the victory by splitting a pair of free throws with 1.4 seconds left, sealing the 85-81 outcome.
Postgame, Alabama head coach Nate Oats acknowledged the team’s end-of-game challenges, stating, “We have to do a better job of closing. We risked losing a road game that we were supposed to win. A lot of credit to them (Arkansas) because we did not do a good job of closing.”
Looking ahead, Alabama travels to Austin, TX to face the Texas Longhorns on ESPN on Tuesday, February 11, 2025 @ 8pm CT. That is followed by what many may consider as the most anticipated basketball in-state matchup in history when Auburn visits Tuscaloosa on Saturday, February 15 @ 3pm CT. ESPN’s Gameday will also be setup in Coleman Coliseum that day for the Alabama-Auburn game. Prices on StubHub.com for available seats for the game are at a stratospheric $400+ with many of the better seats double or triple that.