The Crimson Tide lost by double digits at home against Ole Miss on Tuesday night.

On Tuesday night, the Alabama Crimson Tide men’s basketball team suffered a surprising and disappointing double-digit loss at home to the Ole Miss Rebels in an SEC showdown. The game, held in Coleman Coliseum in Tuscaloosa, was expected to be a crucial one for the Crimson Tide as they aimed to build on a solid season and strengthen their position within the conference standings. However, Ole Miss had other plans, pulling off a convincing win that sent shockwaves through the Alabama basketball community.

For Alabama, the loss marked a troubling dip in their performance, especially considering their promising season up until that point. After a strong start to the 2024-2025 season, many had high hopes for Alabama’s prospects in the SEC and beyond. But the defeat to Ole Miss raised serious questions about the team’s consistency, especially as they now face tougher matchups down the stretch.

Let’s dive into the details of the game, the key moments, what went wrong for Alabama, and what this loss means for their season moving forward.

1. Pre-Game Expectations for Alabama

Heading into the game, Alabama was riding high on the back of solid performances in previous weeks. Under head coach Nate Oats, the Crimson Tide had shown signs of being a strong contender in the SEC, and they were ranked within the top 20 in the nation. Their fast-paced offense, bolstered by sharp-shooting guards and strong inside play, had allowed them to dominate opponents in both non-conference and early conference games.

Ole Miss, on the other hand, was not as highly regarded heading into the matchup. The Rebels had struggled in the SEC, and their record heading into the game was not indicative of a team capable of pulling off a road upset against one of the conference’s best teams. Still, Ole Miss has a history of playing spoiler, and they were determined to prove their worth in one of the most hostile environments in college basketball.

The game was seen as a potential opportunity for Alabama to flex its muscles and keep pace with the elite teams in the SEC. However, in a surprising turn of events, the Rebels came out firing on all cylinders, and the Crimson Tide were unable to answer.

2. Game Overview: Ole Miss’ Impressive Performance

From the opening tip, Ole Miss showed that they had come prepared for a tough battle. The Rebels attacked Alabama’s defense relentlessly, exploiting weaknesses in transition and on the perimeter. They spread the floor effectively and used a balanced offensive attack to keep the Crimson Tide on their heels throughout the game.

The first half was a back-and-forth affair, with Ole Miss managing to gain a slight edge through solid shooting and tough defense. While Alabama stayed competitive in the opening 20 minutes, the Rebels were able to extend their lead as the first half progressed, thanks to a combination of key 3-pointers, fast-break points, and solid rebounding. Ole Miss guard Daeshun Ruffin, in particular, had a standout first half, knocking down a couple of key 3-pointers and facilitating the offense with precision.

Alabama, on the other hand, struggled to find consistent rhythm. While they got good looks from beyond the arc, their shooting was off, and they lacked the same energy on defense that had carried them in previous victories. The Crimson Tide’s usually potent offense was stagnant, and they found themselves playing catch-up for much of the first half. Heading into the locker room, Ole Miss held a 40-33 lead, a surprising advantage given the talent gap many had assumed existed between the two teams.

As the second half began, Ole Miss came out with even more intensity, pushing their lead to double digits within the first few minutes. Alabama’s offense continued to sputter as they struggled to create open shots, and their defense faltered in key moments. The Rebels took full advantage, with Tye Fagan and Matthew Murrell stepping up as major contributors. Ole Miss’ ability to hit timely 3-pointers and control the tempo of the game proved to be the difference-maker as the second half unfolded.

By the midway point of the second half, the Crimson Tide found themselves trailing by as many as 15 points, a deficit they could not overcome. Despite some late-game efforts, including a couple of baskets from Brandon Miller and Noah Gurley, Ole Miss maintained their composure and continued to execute their game plan effectively. In the end, the Rebels won the game 82-71, a decisive 11-point victory that stunned the home crowd.

3. Key Factors in the Loss

Several key factors contributed to Alabama’s disappointing loss, many of which are concerning for the team moving forward. Let’s take a closer look at the specific issues that plagued Alabama in this game.

Ineffective Shooting Performance

One of the biggest issues for Alabama on Tuesday night was their inability to find their shooting touch. The Crimson Tide have built much of their success on being a high-scoring team with the ability to shoot from deep, but they struggled mightily in this game. As a team, Alabama shot just 39% from the field and 28% from three-point range. While they took a fair number of attempts from beyond the arc, only Brandon Miller, one of their key players, was able to have any significant success from deep, finishing with 4 made three-pointers. The lack of efficiency on offense left Alabama in an uphill battle, as they were unable to create the kind of scoring run that could shift momentum.

In particular, the perimeter shooting of other key players like Jahvon Quinerly and Mark Sears was subpar. Both guards struggled to get going offensively, and their shooting woes contributed to Alabama’s inability to sustain offensive pressure. Against a team like Ole Miss, which thrives on controlling the pace and executing efficiently, shooting struggles can prove costly — and that’s exactly what happened.

Defensive Breakdown

Defensively, Alabama was also caught off guard. They were unable to contain Ole Miss’ perimeter shooting and struggled to stop the Rebels from driving to the basket. Ole Miss’ ability to spread the floor and create open shots from beyond the arc put tremendous pressure on Alabama’s defense. The Crimson Tide’s usual defensive intensity was lacking, and they allowed Ole Miss to shoot 47% from the field and 36% from three-point range.

In particular, Daeshun Ruffin and Tye Fagan were able to exploit Alabama’s defensive lapses and break down the defense with ease. Ruffin’s ability to create for himself and his teammates left Alabama scrambling, and the Tide struggled to close out on shooters effectively. The inability to lock down defensively allowed Ole Miss to build a comfortable lead and maintain it throughout the second half.

Lack of Offensive Rhythm

Alabama’s offense, which had been a key strength this season, seemed disjointed throughout the game. While the team did score 71 points, much of that came late in the game, when the outcome had already been decided. The Tide were unable to find their flow early on, with Ole Miss disrupting their offensive sets and forcing Alabama into uncomfortable situations.

The lack of ball movement was evident as Alabama struggled to get clean looks and instead resorted to isolation plays. With Brandon Miller being the focal point of the offense, teams have increasingly begun to throw multiple defenders at him, limiting his effectiveness. Without a secondary scorer stepping up to share the load, Alabama’s offense became too predictable.

Ole Miss’ Balanced Attack

Ole Miss’ balanced offensive attack played a major role in their victory. The Rebels had multiple contributors, including Matthew Murrell and Jarkel Joiner, who made timely shots and contributed to the flow of the game. The Rebels also did a good job of controlling the tempo and keeping Alabama from turning the game into a fast-paced, high-scoring affair. While Alabama typically thrives in an up-tempo setting, Ole Miss made sure to slow the game down at critical junctures, forcing Alabama into a half-court style of play that they didn’t execute well.

4. What This Loss Means for Alabama

The loss to Ole Miss is a major setback for the Crimson Tide in their quest for SEC supremacy and positioning for the NCAA tournament. Alabama will need to regroup and address their weaknesses, particularly on offense and defense, if they are to stay competitive in a challenging SEC.

While the Crimson Tide still have a talented roster and the potential to bounce back, they cannot afford to take any more games lightly. The loss to Ole Miss also highlighted a growing concern for Alabama’s lack of depth in terms of scoring and playmaking when their primary players are struggling. For Alabama to compete with the top-tier teams in the SEC, they will need to find more consistency across the board.

The defeat also provides an opportunity for Coach Nate Oats to evaluate his team’s performance and make adjustments moving forward. In the next few weeks, Alabama will face some of the conference’s top teams, and their margin for error will continue to shrink. If they want to avoid slipping down the SEC standings, they must address their shooting inefficiencies, tighten their defense, and improve their overall execution.

5. Looking Ahead

Alabama’s next few games will be crucial for their season. They have the talent to rebound from this loss and reassert themselves in the SEC race, but they’ll need to correct the issues that plagued them against Ole Miss. The Crimson Tide must get back to playing their style of basketball — fast-paced, high-scoring, and defensively tough.

The road to redemption won’t be easy, but the next few weeks will go a long way in determining whether this loss is a mere bump in the road or a sign of deeper issues within the team. For Alabama, the urgency is now. It’s time to regroup, refocus, and ensure that they don’t let one bad night derail their aspirations for success this season.