Two Shades of Red: No. 1 Alabama Looks for Revenge Against No. 2 Texas A&M in SEC Tournament Final

The Crimson Tide and Aggies meet for the second time in about a week for the SEC tournament championship game in Nashville.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — After a highly entertaining three days, the 2023 SEC Tournament comes to its climax on Sunday afternoon.

For the Alabama Crimson Tide, the week ends where it started. After back-to-back wins over No. 9 seed Mississippi State and No. 4 seed Missouri, top-seeded Alabama (28-5, 16-2 SEC) will get another crack at the regular season runner-up Texas A&M Aggies.

The Aggies (25-8, 15-3) finished just a game behind the Crimson Tide for the regular season title — and beat Alabama on March 4.

Since the loss, the Crimson Tide has shown signs of the dominant team it was a little earlier in the season — especially on the defensive end. Alabama is allowing an average of 55.0 PPG through the first two games of the tournament.

With Kentucky, Tennessee, Vanderbilt, Arkansas and Auburn out of the tournament, the Crimson Tide is sure to have the advantage when it comes to fans in the building at Bridgestone Arena.

Head coach Nate Oats would like as many people rooting for his team as possible.

“These SEC championship games don't come often,” Oats said. “Last time we were up here was [the] COVID year. Limited amount of fans. I just encourage all the Alabama fans, all you Alabama reporters, let's try to get it out, try to pack this place full of Alabama fans. It's not that far of a drive. Tipping off at noon tomorrow, as many Alabama fans as we can [get] up here to Nashville, support us in the championship tomorrow.”

Oats is still searching for his first win against Texas A&M. The Crimson Tide is 0-3 against the Aggies since Oats took over in 2019-2020. Alabama is on a five-game losing streak against Texas A&M dating back to 2019.

“We haven't beat A&M since we've been here,” Oats said. “0-3 against them. Lost to them our last regular-season game. They're good, tough [and] cause problems.”

Texas A&M forward Julius Marble was fairly confident about his team’s chances.

“We stack up pretty good [against Alabama],” Marble said. “We played them last week so we have some familiarity with them.”

“I mean, I think we'll be fine.”

The Crimson Tide is also excited for a rematch with the Aggies. Just ask Jahvon Quinerly.

“I think we want a shot at Texas A&M again,” Quinerly said. “They draw a lot of fouls so we can't foul against them. That was something that we emphasized last game. We’re probably really going to have to put an emphasis on it this time. Me personally — I want a shot at Texas A&M.”

“No matter who we play, it’s a championship to win,” Nimari Burnett said. “I’m excited to have a chance to play for the championship.”

Quinerly already has three rings in his time in Tuscaloosa. A fourth would mean a lot to him — but it’s not just about him.

“We’re ready to win,” Quinerly said. “I want to get this guy a ring [points to Noah Gurley]. I want to get some of these freshmen a ring. So that’s what we’re aiming for right now.”

For Brandon Miller, it will be a championship game in his hometown — in front of all of his family and friends.

“It means a lot,” Miller said. “This is my hometown. It’s close to family. They’re about 10 minutes away so they can come see me play whenever. Whatever half they want to show up in — I prefer them to be there in the first half [laughing].”

The top two teams in the SEC all season will battle it out for 40 minutes on the hardwood. Then, the confetti will rain down in one darker shade of red.

Does it get any better than that? May the best team win.

Tipoff between Alabama and Texas A&M is set for noon CT on ESPN.

See Also:

How to Watch SEC Tournament Final: No. 1 Alabama vs. No. 2 Texas A&M

No. 1 Alabama Basketball Secures SEC Title Game Berth with 72-61 Win over No. 4 Missouri

Noah Clowney Asserts Dominance Over Kobe Brown in Semifinal Win Over No. 4 Missouri

How Alabama Switched Momentum in Second Half to Beat Missouri

Full-Court Press: Takeaways from Alabama Basketball vs Missouri

Everything Nate Oats, Alabama Basketball Said After Defeating Missouri

BamaCentral Courtside: No. 1 Alabama 72, No. 4 Missouri 61