The positive, negative, and ugly aspects of Alabama basketball’s last three games

As Alabama basketball enters a crucial stretch of the 2025 season, the team’s performance over its last three games provides a mixed picture of progress and challenges. For Alabama fans, the season has been an emotional rollercoaster, with highs, lows, and moments of frustration that are common in the college basketball landscape. While the Crimson Tide continues to show flashes of brilliance, there are still questions to be answered as they approach the postseason.

In this breakdown, we’ll examine the positive, negative, and ugly aspects of Alabama’s last three games, which showcase a team full of potential but also dealing with some growing pains. From standout individual performances to critical lapses in execution, these games have been a microcosm of what Alabama has faced this season—a mix of impressive moments and cautionary tales.

The Positive:

1. Offensive Firepower

In each of the last three games, one thing has been abundantly clear: Alabama has the offensive firepower to hang with the best teams in the nation. Whether facing top-ranked opponents or mid-tier conference rivals, the Crimson Tide offense has been a dominant force.

In particular, Brandon Miller continues to impress as one of the most dynamic players in college basketball. Averaging over 20 points per game, Miller has shown a consistent ability to take over games, whether through his exceptional shooting range or his ability to drive and finish at the rim. His performances in these last three games were nothing short of outstanding, scoring efficiently and serving as a matchup nightmare for opposing defenses.

Another positive aspect has been the development of Alabama’s backcourt, with Mark Sears and Jahvon Quinerly providing steady play and leadership. Sears, who has taken on more responsibility in recent games, demonstrated his ability to create offense not just for himself but also for his teammates. Quinerly, though a bit inconsistent at times, has the potential to be a game-changer when he’s clicking, showcasing both playmaking and scoring in moments of need.

Alabama’s offensive balance has been another standout feature. In the past, the team relied heavily on one or two players, but in the last three games, they’ve been able to get contributions from various spots. Noah Gurley has emerged as a reliable option in the post, while Rylan Griffen has provided an offensive spark off the bench. This diversity in scoring makes Alabama difficult to defend, as multiple players are capable of stepping up on any given night.

The fast-paced offense has also been a strength. The Crimson Tide thrives when they push the tempo, and their ability to transition quickly from defense to offense allows them to rack up easy points. In particular, Alabama’s full-court press and fast breaks have been effective in turning defense into offense, which helps them build leads and force opposing teams into uncomfortable positions.

2. Defensive Resilience

Though Alabama has had its ups and downs on defense, there have been moments where the defense has stepped up, particularly in the second halves of games. Alabama’s defensive efforts have been led by Noah Clowney, who has proven to be a shot-blocking and rebounding force in the paint. His size and mobility make him a tough matchup for opponents in both the post and on the perimeter.

The Crimson Tide has also shown an ability to clamp down on key opposing players when necessary. Whether it’s forcing turnovers with an aggressive trapping defense or locking down an opposing scorer, Alabama’s defense has had flashes of excellence in these last three games. In particular, their ability to switch on screens and defend the pick-and-roll has improved, allowing them to limit opponents’ scoring opportunities in key moments.

Alabama’s rebounding, led by Clowney and Charles Bediako, has also been a bright spot. These two players have been a major part of the team’s ability to win the battle of the boards, which has helped limit second-chance opportunities for opponents and create more possessions for the Crimson Tide’s offense.

3. Team Chemistry and Leadership

Despite the ups and downs, the Alabama basketball team has shown strong chemistry and leadership, particularly from its veteran players. Nate Oats, the head coach, has instilled a sense of unity and purpose within the team, and that’s been evident in the way the players support each other on the court. The communication on both offense and defense has been solid, and players are making the extra pass when necessary, highlighting the team’s unselfishness.

Brandon Miller’s ability to lead on and off the court, despite being a freshman, has been impressive. His poise in clutch moments and his ability to rally his teammates has added to his growing reputation as one of the best players in college basketball. Similarly, Quinerly’s veteran presence and ability to manage the game in key moments have been crucial for the Tide.

The Negative:

1. Inconsistent Shooting

While Alabama’s offense has been dynamic overall, one of the key negative aspects of their last three games has been their inconsistent shooting. While Miller and Sears have been reliable shooters, other players have struggled with their shooting percentages, particularly from beyond the arc. Jahvon Quinerly and Rylan Griffen have had streaky shooting performances, and Alabama’s perimeter shooting has been hit or miss.

In these recent games, there were times when Alabama went cold from three-point range, leading to offensive droughts and allowing the opposition to gain momentum. While the Crimson Tide’s ability to drive to the basket and score in the paint is a strength, the lack of consistent shooting from the outside has been a major concern. Defenders are able to sag off Alabama’s non-shooters, clogging the lane and making it more difficult for the offense to flow freely.

Alabama’s struggles with shooting also extend to free throws. Although the team has some good individual shooters, they’ve had difficulty in clutch situations, missing key free throws down the stretch of close games. This inconsistency from the charity stripe can make the difference between a win and a loss, especially in tight matchups.

2. Turnover Troubles

Another negative aspect of Alabama’s recent games has been its turnover issues. While Alabama’s fast-paced offense can create exciting plays, it has also led to mistakes. In the last three games, the Crimson Tide has committed a number of unforced turnovers, whether due to poor passing, miscommunication, or simply trying to force plays that weren’t there.

While Alabama’s defense thrives on creating turnovers from its opponents, they’ve been on the wrong end of turnovers themselves, often giving the ball away at crucial moments. Against some of their tougher competition, these turnovers have led to easy transition points for their opponents, which has allowed teams to stay in games or gain leads.

For Alabama to take the next step and become a true championship contender, they must do a better job of protecting the ball and limiting turnovers. Smart decision-making, particularly in high-pressure situations, will be key moving forward.

The Ugly:

1. Defensive Lapses and Lack of Consistency

While Alabama has had some strong defensive stretches, they’ve also had their fair share of defensive lapses. In all three of the recent games, Alabama allowed opposing teams to go on significant scoring runs, especially in the second half. These defensive breakdowns often stemmed from poor rotations, blown assignments, and failure to communicate effectively.

One of the most glaring issues has been Alabama’s inability to consistently contain opposing players on the perimeter. Teams have been able to exploit mismatches and hit timely three-pointers, making it difficult for Alabama to get stops when needed most. While Alabama’s defense has the potential to be elite, their inconsistency in locking down key players and defending the three-point line has been a recurring issue.

In particular, when facing faster-paced teams or those with a high volume of three-point shooters, Alabama has struggled to make the necessary adjustments. This defensive inconsistency is something that will need to be addressed if the team is to compete for a national title.

2. Lack of Depth in Key Positions

Another ugly aspect has been the lack of depth in certain positions, particularly at guard and forward. While Alabama has solid contributors in their starting lineup, the bench play has been inconsistent. Some games, the bench has provided crucial minutes, but in others, they’ve struggled to maintain the momentum set by the starters.

The lack of consistent depth in the backcourt has been especially troubling. When players like Sears or Quinerly have gotten into foul trouble or have needed rest, the team has been forced to rely on younger or less experienced guards, which has sometimes led to a drop-off in production. Similarly, the frontcourt depth has been tested when Clowney or Bediako are in foul trouble, leaving the team exposed in the paint.

For Alabama to make a deep run in the NCAA tournament, they will need to shore up their depth, particularly in their guard rotation and frontcourt, to ensure they can weather the ups and downs of a long postseason run.