Bama Game Thread: SEC Semis MBB Bama v Florida - 3.15 2:30p CDT ESPN

[teamplayer]

Dang, the first half looked like a battle between top 5 teams. The second half we took a beating. Ouch! Time to gear up for tournament play. Roll Tide!

 

[BamaNation]

TideFans.com Game Wrapup:

Game Wrapup: Florida crushes Bama’s SEC Tournament hopes

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 Florid…

news.tidefans.com

 

[BamaNation]

Wow, that sucked.

And I purposely didn't watch it, so don't blame me.

We blame you because you didn't watch. If you had watched and we lost we would have blamed you for watching. It's all about you & your impact on the game's outcome and you cannot deflect blame!

 

[BamaNation]

My assessment: Florida clearly is a better team. We were very good in the 1H. Our guards were less than good but we were scoring points and essentially tied. When Nelson went down, that seemed to change the whole game and we looked totally lost on both ends of the floor. WIth Philon and Sears delivering nothingburgers and our bigs not able to guard effectively OR get rebounds OR hit point blank shots, we lose by 22. We fell apart and FL dominated us on both ends and with effort. I continue to fail to understand how we consistently miss so many shots inside 3 feet. When you're 6'8 +, that should not happen.

 

[Bazza]

My assessment: Florida clearly is a better team. We were very good in the 1H. Our guards were less than good but we were scoring points and essentially tied. When Nelson went down, that seemed to change the whole game and we looked totally lost on both ends of the floor. WIth Philon and Sears delivering nothingburgers and our bigs not able to guard effectively OR get rebounds OR hit point blank shots, we lose by 22. We fell apart and FL dominated us on both ends and with effort. I continue to fail to understand how we consistently miss so many shots inside 3 feet. When your 6'8 +, that should not happen.

Thanks for your wrap-up article, Brett. Very nicely written.

Couple additional comments.....

1. As good as this team is......I'm not sure we get here without Micah Handlogten making the decision to burn his medical red shirt and get back into the fray.

The rehab work he put in during the off season is truly remarkable....adding 31 pounds and more muscle.

It's a feel good story, regardless of all else.

2. The other item I want to share is the incredible chemistry this team has. We hear the term "unselfishness" all the time.....but this team goes way beyond that. They just love each other. And they love their coach and coaching staff.

Florida has had it's ups and downs since the Billy Donovan years. No matter who your school is.....we can all relate to 'up years' and 'down years'.

With the above two items in mind.....I'm going savor every moment our players get to play with each other.

Thank you and BEST WISHES to all going forward!

 

[day-day]

You mean one extra day. Doesn’t mean much.

True regarding recovery from fatigue. Avoiding another extra physical game may be more helpful than just getting an extra day of rest. The team already has enough bumps, pulls, strains, and bruises that need healing.

I wanted Alabama to win the SEC tournament but it carries a risk with the NCAA tournament coming right up.

 

[CajunCrimson]

True regarding recovery from fatigue. Avoiding another extra physical game may be more helpful than just getting an extra day of rest. The team already has enough bumps, pulls, strains, and bruises that need healing.

I wanted Alabama to win the SEC tournament but it carries a risk with the NCAA tournament coming right up.

Especially when playing teams who have rested much longer in round one.

 

[AUDub]

Florida continues to play the best ball in America. Sans that uga loss they have been amazing for 2 months.

 

[DzynKingRTR]

Florida continues to play the best ball in America. Sans that uga loss they have been amazing for 2 months.

If I were a neutral fan with no bias, Florida would be a smart pick to win it all.

 

[AUDub]

If I were a neutral fan with no bias, Florida would be a smart pick to win it all.

Now that they’re healthy they’re a holy terror of a matchup right now.

 

[day-day]

Florida didn't shoot the three quite as well as they did against Bama. They nailed some killers after a couple of Tennessee's runs. UF's Clayton had really big games against Bama and UT; he was a real difference maker even with all the UF talent.

 

[BAMARICH]

Auburn is not a bad matchup for us, so I wouldn't consider that the same sphere. We match up fine with them, and you could make the argument that we are the better team. They've done enough to deserve the #1 seed for sure, but I don't buy the notion that they're better than us. They just have a better resume, but that's not the same thing. If we face them in the dance, I like our chances.

The issue with matching up with Auburn is two-fold. First, they’re bigger and stronger at the guard position - and that was exploited in our first matchup. Second is the fact they have the ability to slow us down and make us play half court - something they did in both games. It’s tough to go fast on offense when they’re throwing the ball into Broome or foul and send guys to the line, especially when they’re making a high percentage.

Our equalizer is energy and intensity. If we play hard, we have a chance to flip things - that’s why Oats routinely mentions effort in his post game pressers.

 

[CrimsonTitles]

The issue with matching up with Auburn is two-fold. First, they’re bigger and stronger at the guard position - and that was exploited in our first matchup. Second is the fact they have the ability to slow us down and make us play half court - something they did in both games. It’s tough to go fast on offense when they’re throwing the ball into Broome or foul and send guys to the line, especially when they’re making a high percentage.

Our equalizer is energy and intensity. If we play hard, we have a chance to flip things - that’s why Oats routinely mentions effort in his post game pressers.

They're a tough team no doubt, and Broome is difficult to guard, but they are nowhere near the mismatch for us that Florida is. The issue in the first game was our slow start, and the fact that was shot poorly. Had we shot our average, and not dug ourselves a hole to start, we win that one too. Auburn would definitely be a tough matchup and are certainly capable of beating us, but they don't scare me in the way that Florida does. Florida is the only team I really just don't wanna face.

 

[BhamToTexas]

An extra day of rest can go a long way in basketball. Keep in mind, these guys are used to playing 2 games a week, unlike football, so an extra day can go a long way. I'm not mad about it. It means a lot for Grant and Mark being able to recover from their injuries.

He said a few days. It was one day. That’s the point.

 

[AUDub]

They're a tough team no doubt, and Broome is difficult to guard, but they are nowhere near the mismatch for us that Florida is. The issue in the first game was our slow start, and the fact that was shot poorly. Had we shot our average, and not dug ourselves a hole to start, we win that one too. Auburn would definitely be a tough matchup and are certainly capable of beating us, but they don't scare me in the way that Florida does. Florida is the only team I really just don't wanna face.

Florida just has so much *depth* up front. So one of their forwards gets into trouble. Here’s 3 more every bit as hard to square up. Add in those guards and they are nearly complete.

To the extent they have a weakness it’sFT shooting.

 

[Slowpoke Catracho]

I refuse to say anything good or positive about any team that wears the color orange! RTR!

 

[CrimsonTitles]

He said a few days. It was one day. That’s the point.

Either way, I think you'll be surprised how much it helps