Lineup Changes Could be Coming Soon for Bama Basketball

Tuscaloosa, Ala. - Following Alabama's loss to Auburn, the Crimson Tide will turn its focus towards the mid-week game it faces on Wednesday. Alabama will need to put the troubles of the Auburn game behind it and prevent the Tigers from beating them again as Alabama takes on Missouri on Wednesday night.

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One area of concern for Alabama is the Crimson Tide's starting lineup. three of the current Crimson Tide starters have consistently started every game this season, with Mark Sears, Grant Nelson, and Clifford Omoruyi starting all 25 games for the Tide so far this season, and Jarin Stevenson starting 21 of the 25 possible games. Alabama has started slowly several times this season, and Stevenson has struggled at times.

On Tuesday, Alabama head coach Nate Oats referenced a potential change to the starting lineup.

"Mark's probably the only 'creator' in the starting lineup...Holloway's been great off the bench and can score in a hurry, he's the fastest of our guards..." Oats said on Tuesday during media availability. "If you want to have two creators in, is it Labaron [Philon] and Sears, or do you make a quick sub early, we've also got to figure out who is healthy enough to go on all that stuff."

"There's been talk" of Labaron Philon re-entering the starting lineup according to Oats.

Philon has started 17 games for Alabama so far this season. On the year, the freshman from Mobile, Alabama averages 23.2 minutes per game with 10.4 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game. Philon is shooting 45% from the field and 28.4% from three-point range.

Philon's top performance came in Alabama's 105-82 victory over South Dakota State on December 29, scoring 21 points on 57.1% from the field and 28.6% from three-point range.

Since the start of conference play, Philon is averaging 8.2 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per game.

Wyatt Fulton is the TIde 100.9 DME and Brand Manager, primarily covering Alabama Crimson Tide football and men's basketball. For more Crimson Tide coverage, follow Wyatt on X (Formerly known as Twitter) at @FultonW_.