Beaten But Not Broken: Alabama Basketball’s Heartbreaking Two Months Ends in Emotional Win

The Crimson Tide has been through it all since mid-January. It ended in an SEC championship-clinching victory against Auburn.

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Headlines. Allegations. Tears. Repeat.

The Alabama Crimson Tide men’s basketball team has been through the grinder not once, but twice since the middle of January.

Jamea Jonae Harris was tragically killed. Former player Darius Miles remains behind bars awaiting trial along with the person who allegedly pulled the trigger.

And yet somehow, someway, the Crimson Tide (26-4, 16-1 SEC) has been able to continue to charge ahead this season.

Wednesday night was no different. The Auburn Tigers came into Coleman Coliseum hungry — and it showed. The Tigers (19-11, 9-8 SEC) led 66-49 with 9:31 remaining in the game.

That’s when everything changed.

Alabama proceeded to go on a 26-9 run the rest of the way to send the game into overtime.

There was no way the Crimson Tide was losing at that point.

Because after everything Alabama has handled over the last two months — what was five more minutes in a boxing ring with its arch-rival?

“It was a big night tonight for us,” head coach Nate Oats said. “We expected it to be a great game. Bruce [Pearl] had his guys ready to go. […] It was especially special to do it in front of our fans. […] They brought the energy which made the difference in the second half.”

The Crimson Tide cut down the nets for the second time in three years. This time was different, though. A capacity crowd, family and friends got to share the experience this time around.

And it was a much-deserved, emotional party on the court.

The hero of the night? Who other than Jahvon Quinerly — the battle-tested, fourth-year player that has seen everything in his college career.

“He's learned how to be a winner,” Oats said. “He's gotten better as a player, he's gotten better as a leader.”

As soon as the buzzer sounded, Quinerly pointed to his ring finger — which will soon have another piece of jewelry.

After that, Quinerly immediately embraced Oats at midcourt.

What did he say?

“[Coach], we got a second.”

There have been plenty of hugs over the past six and a half weeks. There were plenty more on the hardwood Wednesday night.

Jahvon Quinerly gets a piece of the net for the second time in three years. pic.twitter.com/NAM0Neh40Y

— Austin Hannon (@austinhannon_) March 2, 2023

Nate Oats and his youngest daughter finish off what’s left of the net. pic.twitter.com/VNRACmWOad

— Austin Hannon (@austinhannon_) March 2, 2023

There hasn’t been much positive light on the Alabama basketball program recently. The players and staff finally got a well-deserved recognition for their hard work and perseverance.

“I just couldn't be more proud of this group,” Oats said. “Obviously, it's a heartbreaking situation — that's never lost on us. But the kids have worked really hard. Winning the SEC is not an easy thing to do. […] I just couldn't tell you how proud I am of this group this year.”

The Alabama Crimson Tide is your 2022-23 SEC regular season champions. Because why wouldn’t it be? It has been a wire-to-wire dominant stretch since the opening win in Starkville on Dec. 29.

#Alabama.

Your 2022-23 SEC Regular Season Champions. pic.twitter.com/ZuijhWGGLv

— Austin Hannon (@austinhannon_) March 2, 2023

There’s still work to be done, though. The regular season championship is the first of three accomplished goals this season for Alabama.

If the Crimson Tide continues to play with the heart and soul it did on Wednesday night, there may be two more net-cutting ceremonies in the near future.

See Also:

Crimson Chaos: Alabama Basketball Downs Auburn in Thrilling Comeback, Clinches Regular-Season SEC Crown

Jahvon Quinerly Etches Name in Alabama Basketball Lore with Second SEC Title