Despite being a double-digit favorite, Alabama’s SEC Tournament run came to a premature end on Friday with a stunning 80-79 loss to 15th-seeded Ole Miss, who won its third game in three days in Nashville to send the Crimson Tide back to Tuscaloosa.
It was a familiar refrain for Alabama: a lack of early urgency marred by defensive lapses, and a double-digit deficit to overcome. Alabama trailed by as many as 14 in the first half. It battled back, and Labaron Philon had the ball in his hands with a chance to win the game, but an ill-fated pass to Aiden Sherrell led to a loose ball, and the Rebels held on for the upset.
Nate Oats was frustrated with the performance in the postgame, and his tone felt familiar for a team that has struggled to do the little things right for most of the season…