Alabama split back-to-back games against Southeastern Conference co-leaders Florida and Texas A&M.
The Crimson Tide (15-7, 5-4 SEC) bounced back from a 100-77 thrashing at the hands of the host Gators to defeat the visiting Aggies 100-97 on Wednesday. That left them just two games behind the conference leaders as they visit Auburn on Saturday.
Head coach Nate Oats gave the players the credit for their response after their most lopsided loss of the season.
“I think some guys admitted their effort wasn’t where it needed to be (against Florida),” Oats said. “Their mind wasn’t where it needed to be, and we’ve got to turn this thing around. So I think it was more of an internal thing. We’ve got to get internal leadership from players.”
The Crimson Tide had six double-figure scorers and turned the ball over just six times after giving it away 18 times against Florida. They had 19 assists on 31 field goals and made 16 3-pointers in their third straight game with at least 14.
Oats said he wasn’t emphasizing scoring even though Alabama finished with its highest point total against an SEC opponent this season, reaching triple figures for the sixth time overall.
“We weren’t going to talk about scoring this game,” Oats said. “We were going to talk about our effort, our toughness and our playing for each other.”
As of Friday night, Charles Bediako remains eligible. On Friday, the NCAA requested that a court overturn Bediako’s temporary injunction that’s allowed him to return from professional to college basketball. The judge said he anticipates making a ruling “soon.”
Auburn (14-8, 5-4) has had a full week of preparation since a 77-69 loss at Tennessee on Jan. 31. Head coach Steven Pearl said the absence of a mid-week game came “at a great time” for a couple of “banged-up” Tigers.
Leading scorer Keyshawn Hall (20.9 points per game) played against Tennessee with three stitches in a finger on his shooting hand and scored 21.
“He’s one who is never going to complain about a little injury,” forward Sebastian Williams-Adams said of Hall. “Getting stitches is no joke, but he treated it like it was like a paper cut. He’s a warrior. We aren’t obviously in that game without Key.”
Auburn looks to get back on track after the loss to the Volunteers ended a four-game winning streak.
