Alabama Begins to Come Together in Win over UNC

The Crimson Tide went into Chapel Hill as an underdog against the defending ACC Champions, the North Carolina Tar Heels, in the ACC/SEC Challenge, and did its part in the challenge, defeating the North Carolina Tar Heels 94-79.

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Alabama head coach Nate Oats has owned North Carolina head coach Hubert Davis on both the court and the recruiting trail as of late:

November 2023: Alabama wins 103-101
Jarin Stevenson's recruitment: Alabama landed the commitment from one of the top prospects in the country.
March 2024: Alabama defeats UNC in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament 89-87
Summer 2024: Alabama out-recruits UNC for Clifford Omoruyi.

And now, the Crimson Tide take North Carolina to the woodshed in their own arena.

Alabama fell 2-0 after North Carolina's first possession of the game, but the Crimson Tide did not waiver, and swarmed the Tar Heels in their home arena.

Alabama began to put it together in this game, with Labaron Philon proving why he continues to rise up the NBA draft board with 15 points, shooting better than 50% from the floor, and adding four assists and three steals to his stat line on Wednesday night.

Alabama's depth was being questioned following the loss of Latrell Wrightsell for the season, but Crimson Tide head coach Nate Oats decided to burn the redshirt of graduate transfer Houston Mallette. If you just watch the box score, you'll miss Mallette's contributions on the night. However, he added more than just the six points posted on the stat sheet. He played very physical defense and contributed three rebounds, and two steals in his nine minutes of play on Wednesday.

Alabama's big men made plays as well, with Clifford Omoruyi and Grant Nelson keeping North Carolina away from the rim, and forcing them to take more low-percentage shots than North Carolina typically wants to attempt.

Several Crimson Tide players ended the game with double-digit points.

Mark Sears - 20
Aden Holloway - 15
Labaron Philon - 15
Derrion Reid - 11
Clifford Omoruyi - 11
Grant Nelson - 10

Alabama's leader in rebounds was Grant Nelson, who ended the game on a double-double watch with nine rebounds. Sears led the team with seven assists.

Alabama had an incredibly strong offensive night, scoring 1.190 points per possession, and scoring on 51.9% of the team's possessions. The Crimson Tide punched the Tar Heels in the mouth and North Carolina never had a response.

Alabama advances to 7-2 on the season with a victory over the North Carolina Tar Heels in the SEC/ACC Challenge and will return to Tuscaloosa for a home game against the Creighton Blue Jays on Saturday, December 14.