Alabama faced off against Arkansas on Wednesday, February 18 at Coleman Coliseum.
This game was essential for Bama to win, as they have a high chance of making the tournament this March.
Arkansas was hot to start off this game and at one point had a 14-point lead over the Tide. Arkansas point guard, Darius Acuff, was huge in this game. Acuff had a career high 49 points.
Alabama head coach, Nate Oats, gives props to Acuff.
“Acuff played 50 minutes, scored 49 points. Obviously, our defense wasn’t very good on him, particularly in the first half, but even after halftime, he had 27. So, he’s a good player,” says Oats.
Alabama couldn’t have won without a great performance from Labaron Philon. Philon had 35 points in 41 minutes with huge shots in overtime.
Bama coach, Nate Oats, explains how his team kept up with Arkansas in double overtime.
“The best way to get in basketball shape is to play basketball at a really high level and really intense for longer periods of time. So that’s how we get in shape in the summer. And we practice hard,” says Oats.
With Acuff and Philon’s performance, this game will go down as a classic. The two future NBA stars boosted their draft stock after the game. After beating Arkansas, Alabama has a 100% chance of making the tournament.
Coach Oats, believes this game was a classic, and fans won’t forget.
“That was a fun game, I’m sure the fans enjoyed that. I give Arkansas a ton of credit, they are down men and to play a 50-minute game with basically seven players,” says Oats.
