Toughness. Something Alabama looked to have in spades in its dominating win versus Kentucky on Friday disappeared almost entirely in a crushing defeat on Saturday. The SEC Tournament semifinal clash between the No. 4 Florida Gators and the No. 5 Alabama Crimson Tide on March 15, 2025, at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville delivered a decisive outcome, with Florida pulling away for a 104-82 victory.
The Gators, fueled by a dominant second-half surge, showcased their depth and physicality to advance to the championship game, while Alabama struggled to maintain its early momentum. For both teams, the stakes were high—each vying for a potential No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament—but it was Florida that seized control and dominated the Tide after halftime, leaving Alabama to regroup for Selection Sunday.
Alabama opened the game with promise behind crisp ball movement and aggressive play in a tight first half contest. Guard Mark Sears, a consistent force all season, finished the game with 3-10 shooting including 0-4 from long range and only 9 points.
Forward Grant Nelson also contributed 9 points before his lower leg injury in the first half. Nelson did not return. Florida quickly adjusted at the half, tightening its defense and forcing Alabama into tougher shots as the second half progressed. Florida center Rueben Chinyelu’s double-double (10 points, 10 rebounds) included a pair of tip-ins that shifted momentum, helping the Gators close the half with a 47-45 edge.
Coming out of the locker room, Florida flipped the script entirely, using a devastating 15-5 run in the second half that Alabama couldn’t counter. Guard Alijah Martin ignited the spurt with a jumper, finishing with 13 points and five assists, while forward Alex Condon added 11 points and eight rebounds to the Gators’ balanced attack.
Alabama coach Nate Oats later reflected on this stretch, saying, “I told them, ‘Do you want me to call a timeout and tell them to play harder?’ We sat in the video room after the first time we played Florida. We said we’re going to be the hardest playing, toughest team. It’s not because we’re tired. We can make up a lot of excuses.”
Florida’s dominance on the glass was a key factor, outrebounding Alabama 45-33, including 14 offensive boards that led to 18 second-chance points. Chinyelu and Condon controlled the interior, while Alabama’s Clifford Omoruyi managed just four points and five rebounds in 21 minutes. The Gators capitalized on their size advantage, shooting 56.9% from the field (37-of-65) and converting 12-of-16 layups, a stark contrast to Alabama’s 10-of-24 effort inside. This physical mismatch underscored Florida’s ability to dictate the game’s tempo.
Alabama’s offense, typically a national leader at 91.4 points per game, faltered after its strong start, finishing at 42.9% from the field (27-of-63). Freshman Labaron Philon provided a spark off the bench with 12 points, but the Tide’s three-point shooting—8-of-24—couldn’t keep pace with Florida’s efficiency.
Oats acknowledged the disparity, noting, “We want to be the hardest-playing, toughest team on the floor,” Oats said. “We were not today, particularly in the second half … got to determine whether you’re going to play tougher or not. Then you figure some stuff out, to be honest with you. They need to figure out whether they wanted to be the hardest playing, toughest team on the floor or not.” The Tide’s defense, which ranks among the nation’s weakest at 80.7 points allowed per game, crumbled under Florida’s relentless pressure.
The Gators’ defensive adjustments neutralized Alabama’s usual firepower.
The game’s turning point came during Florida’s second-half outburst, which ballooned the lead to 24 points at its peak. Will Richard’s jumper and a Clayton three-pointer punctuated the run, pushing the score to 64-47 with 15:48 remaining. Alabama never recovered, as Florida maintained a double-digit advantage the rest of the way. The Gators’ 104 points set a new SEC Tournament single-game record, a testament to their offensive prowess and Alabama’s defensive lapses.
For Florida, the win improves their record to 29-4 and sets up a championship showdown with No. 6 Tennessee on Sunday, March 16, at noon CT. The Volunteers advanced with a 70-65 victory over top-seeded Auburn, promising a high-stakes finale. The Gators’ fourth straight win over Alabama—including a 99-94 triumph on March 5—solidifies their edge in the rivalry and bolsters their case for a top NCAA seed.
Alabama’s next step comes with Selection Sunday on March 16, when the NCAA Tournament bracket is revealed at 5 p.m. CT on CBS. The Crimson Tide will learn their first-round opponent and location, with the tournament tipping off March 18-19. Florida, meanwhile, prepares for Tennessee on ESPN, with radio coverage on the Gators Sports Network via The Varsity Network App. The Gators’ balanced attack and rebounding prowess will face a stern test against the Volunteers, who boast a stout defense.