The Alabama Crimson Tide basketball team experienced a shocking defeat against the Ole Miss Rebels, with a final score of 71-68. This loss was particularly disheartening as Alabama entered the game ranked number two in the nation. Ole Miss played a strategic game, managing to neutralize key players, including Alabama’s star guard Brandon Miller, who had a quiet night with only 12 points. In the post-game analysis, Alabama’s head coach Nate Oats noted the team’s free-throw shooting struggles, emphasizing that “we missed critical free throws at crucial moments in the game,” referring to the Tide’s percentage of just 63% from the line. Additionally, Alabama’s freshman player Derrion Reid was unavailable for the matchup due to a knee injury, which further impacted the team’s performance. Reid’s absence was felt as Alabama struggled with its depth against an Ole Miss squad that executed their game plan efficiently. Despite the setback, Oats declared that the team will learn from this experience as they prepare for their next game. The loss dropped Alabama to a 14-3 season record, raising concerns about their prospects moving forward. Alabama’s faithful will be looking for a quick turnaround as they head into their upcoming match against a tough opponent, emphasizing the importance of addressing their free-throw woes in practice to regain momentum.
