Tennessee Completes Second Half Comeback to Topple Tide

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - The Crimson Tide returned to action after a week off following a two-point victory over Oklahoma last Saturday. Alabama returned to Coleman Coliseum to take on one of its bitterest rivals, the Tennessee Volunteers, in a matchup that garnered more national spotlight than originally anticipated between two teams with five and six losses on the season.

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The return of Charles Bediako thrust Alabama into the spotlight this week despite the Crimson Tide not playing a game. Bediako declared for the NBA draft after Alabama's Sweet 16 run during the 2022-23 season, but went undrafted. After spending time with both the San Antonio Spurs' and the Detroit Pistons' G-League teams, Bediako was reinstated on the Tide's roster this week after he filed a lawsuit against the NCAA and was granted a temporary restraining order. With Alabama missing both Aden Holloway and Amari Allen on Saturday night due to injury, what would Bediako's presence mean for the Tide against the Volunteers?

Bediako's impact was felt immediately upon entering the game, with his 7-foot frame towering over the Tennessee roster. His play looked like when a coach asks a former player to come back to practice to humble his roster, but Bediako was doing it wearing a game jersey for Alabama. He helped Alabama claim a first-half lead that the Crimson Tide never relinquished in the first half, contributing eight points to Alabama's halftime lead. While the story will be Bediako's return to the Crimson Tide, don't overlook the contribution that Latrell Wightsell Jr. made in his first game back from injury. Wrightsell has missed the last three games due to injury, but was the Tide's leading scorer in the first half with 11 points before getting injured in the second half, but re-entered the game with 8:19 left in the contest against Tennessee.

Labaron Philon showcased his abilities while the Volunteers focused on the emergence of Wrightsell and the return of Bediako, with the sophomore scoring 26 points, his 13th game of the season in which he scored 20 or more.

The Crimson Tide couldn't hold on to its halftime lead, however, as Tennessee opened the second half on a 12-5 run to take a quick lead over Alabama. The Vols' scoring duo of Nate Ament and Ja'Kobi Gillespie, who combined for 53 points against Alabama. Additionally, Wrightsell scored just three points in the second half after a strong first half, and while Alabama had six players score points in the second half, it wasn't enough to make up for the lack of production with Allen and Holloway missing against Tennessee.

Tennessee outscored the Crimson Tide 43-34 in the second half, marking the Vols' fifth-straight victory against the Crimson Tide. Alabama falls to 13-6 after Saturday night's 79-73 loss to Tennessee.

Alabama's next game will come on Tuesday, January 27, against the Missouri Tigers in Coleman Coliseum. Tip-off is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. CT.

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_.