How to Watch: No. 14 Alabama Basketball at No. 24 Florida
Alabama basketball suffered a gut wrenching loss on Saturday, falling at the hands of No. 4 Tennessee for its first home loss against an SEC team in over two years.
But in the SEC, there's no rest. Alabama has a quick turnaround, going on the road to face a Florida team who sent the Crimson Tide to overtime not even two weeks ago.
The game is important for a number of reasons. Alabama is looking to add Quad 1 wins as it continues to build its NCAA Tournament resume, but it's also still alive for a split of the SEC regular season title if a few other games fall the right way.
While an outright title is basically out of the question at this point, a get-right game is needed as the SEC Tournament and NCAA Tournament approach closer by the day.
How the Crimson Tide responds to its loss will be a huge factor in determining how the postseason plays out.
Alabama is also hoping for the return of guard Latrell Wrightsell, who has missed the last four games with a head injury. He did not play in the first meeting with Florida.
How to Watch: No. 14 Alabama at No. 24 Florida
Who: No. 14 Alabama (20-9, 12-4 SEC) at No. 24 Florida (20-9, 10-6 SEC)
When: Tuesday, March 5, 6 p.m. CT
Where: Stephen C. O'Connell Center, Gainesville, Fla.
TV: ESPN
Radio: Crimson Tide Sports Network (Play-By-Play: Chris Stewart, Analyst: Bryan Passink). The pregame show will begin one hour prior to tipoff.
Series: Alabama leads, 79-70
Last Meeting: Alabama and Florida met just under two weeks ago in Tuscaloosa in an exciting game where the Crimson Tide erased a 10-point second half deficit and won 98-93 in overtime. Grant Nelson led the way for Alabama with 22 points.
Last Time Out, Alabama: The Crimson Tide lost at home to No. 4 Tennessee 81-74 after blowing a 7-point second half lead. Mark Sears once again led Alabama with 22 points in the loss.
Last Time Out, Florida: The Gators went on the road on Saturday morning and fell to South Carolina in a highly entertaining, back-and-forth matchup. Florida's Walter Clayton Jr. led the team with 20 points.
Alabama Leaders:
- Scoring: Mark Sears (20.7 PPG)
- Rebounding: Grant Nelson (5.5 RPG)
- Assists: Aaron Estrada (4.5 APG)
Tennessee Leaders:
- Scoring: G Walter Clayton Jr. (16.9 PPG)
- Rebounding: F Tyrese Samuel (7.8 RPG)
- Assists: G Zyon Pullin (5.0 APG)
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