Postgame Thread: Alabama Basketball Defeats Soundly Illinois

Alabama jumped out early, scoring a dominant 30 points over the first nine minutes of the game and mostly keeping the pressure on the Fighting Illini throughout. Even though the Tide had a couple of mini-droughts in the second half, they still put up 100 points while shooting 52% from the field and committing just 7 turnovers. Just a great offensive show all around.

Mark Sears had probably the worst game of his basketball career, going scoreless and just having a terrible day, but Aden Holloway and LaBaron Philon stepped up at guard and combined for 34 points and 11 assists. Grant Nelson also had a dominant day, leading the team with 23 points, 8 rebounds and 4 blocks.

It’s great to see Alabama still able to put up 100 points even though their best player is totally invisible, and it’s even more impressive that they did it against a team that was just in the Elite 8 last spring.

The defense wasn’t great, but a lot of Illinois’ scoring was on a high volume of 3-pointers, hitting 35% of them, so you can’t complain too much.

All in all, a great midweek win for Alabama and one that the team can build on throughout the year.

Roll Tide!