In the Coleman season finale, No. 5 Florida dominates the glass and defeats No. 7 Alabama.

As the regular season came to a close, the SEC was set for one of its most anticipated matchups of the year. With NCAA Tournament positioning and pride on the line, the No. 7-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide hosted the No. 5-ranked Florida Gators in the season finale at Coleman Coliseum. Both teams entered the game with impressive resumes, but Florida came out with something to prove. Dominating the glass and controlling the tempo, the Gators handed Alabama a 79-66 defeat that highlighted the importance of physicality and rebounding in high-stakes basketball.

Florida’s performance in this critical game was a complete one, as they dominated on both ends of the floor. Alabama, known for their high-powered offense and dynamic players like Brandon Miller, Jahvon Quinerly, and Mark Sears, struggled to establish consistency. The Gators’ aggressive defense, combined with their rebounding prowess, overwhelmed Alabama, particularly in the second half, as Florida asserted control of the game and secured a much-needed victory.

The Game: Florida 79, Alabama 66

A Strong Start for Alabama

The atmosphere at Coleman Coliseum was electric as the Crimson Tide took the court for their final regular-season home game. The crowd was buzzing, as Alabama had the chance to finish strong on their home floor before heading into postseason play. Early on, Alabama looked sharp. The team got off to a solid start, showing flashes of the offensive brilliance that had made them one of the most dangerous teams in college basketball.

Brandon Miller, Alabama’s star freshman, set the tone early with a quick three-pointer and a few smooth drives to the basket. His early success, along with Jahvon Quinerly’s playmaking and Mark Sears’ offensive versatility, helped Alabama establish a rhythm. The Crimson Tide’s offense was clicking, and they looked poised to take control early in the game.

Florida, however, wasn’t backing down. The Gators’ defense, which had been one of their strengths all season, proved to be difficult for Alabama to break through. Florida applied constant pressure on the ball and swarmed the perimeter, forcing Alabama to settle for contested shots. Despite their offensive struggles, the Gators were able to stay within striking distance early on, using a series of strong drives and fast-break opportunities to remain competitive.

Florida’s Rebounding Prowess Takes Over

The defining factor of the game quickly became apparent: Florida’s dominance on the boards. The Gators’ size and physicality in the paint completely neutralized Alabama’s usual rebounding advantage. Florida came into the game ranked among the top teams in the country in rebounding margin, and they demonstrated exactly why in this game.

The Gators’ ability to consistently crash the boards was evident from the start. They grabbed 15 offensive rebounds in the first half alone, outworking Alabama on the glass and giving themselves multiple second-chance opportunities. Colin Castleton, Florida’s standout center, was a major factor in this regard, pulling down a game-high 15 rebounds, including six offensive boards. His ability to clean up missed shots was crucial in Florida’s overall dominance.

Florida’s relentless effort on the glass extended beyond Castleton. Guards and forwards alike contributed to the rebounding effort, and the Gators’ team-wide physicality took a toll on Alabama. Despite their athleticism and size in the frontcourt, Alabama struggled to box out and contain Florida’s attackers. The Crimson Tide were often caught out of position, unable to secure the ball after a missed shot.

Florida Seizes Control in the Second Half

After a back-and-forth first half, the Gators’ rebounding and defense began to tilt the game in their favor in the second half. While Alabama had some early success shooting the ball, they were unable to sustain their offensive flow as Florida’s defense began to tighten. The Gators disrupted Alabama’s offensive rhythm by forcing turnovers, contesting shots, and continuing their dominance on the boards.

Florida made their move with just under 12 minutes left in the game. After a series of missed shots by Alabama, the Gators went on a 15-2 run that gave them a 13-point lead. The Crimson Tide found themselves increasingly out of sync, with forced shots and a lack of movement on offense. Alabama’s inability to get open looks and their struggles in the paint were compounded by Florida’s ability to control the tempo and the boards.

One of the standout plays during this stretch came when Florida guard Kowacie Reeves nailed a clutch three-pointer from the wing to stretch the lead to double digits. Reeves, who had been a steady contributor off the bench, made several big plays that helped Florida keep their foot on the gas.

Meanwhile, Alabama struggled to get stops, especially as Florida’s perimeter players—like Reeves and Myreon Jones—found their rhythm. Jones, in particular, was a key contributor, adding 12 points, and his shooting kept Alabama’s defense stretched. With their lead growing, Florida was able to slow the game down, making it harder for Alabama to launch their fast-paced, high-scoring offense.

Alabama made a few runs to try and get back into the game, but Florida was always one step ahead. The Gators continued to answer every Crimson Tide push with key buckets and rebounds, maintaining their lead. At the 5-minute mark, Alabama found themselves down 15, a deficit they couldn’t overcome, as their offensive struggles and Florida’s strong rebounding effort sealed the game.

Key Players: Florida’s Dominance

While the team effort from Florida was impressive, a few players stood out as particularly impactful in the win.

Colin Castleton: The standout player for the Gators, Castleton’s performance was a force to be reckoned with. He finished the game with a double-double, recording 16 points and 15 rebounds, including six offensive boards. His presence in the paint was critical for Florida, as he altered shots and controlled the glass on both ends. His ability to dominate on the boards helped limit Alabama’s second-chance opportunities, making it difficult for the Crimson Tide to get back into the game.

Kowacie Reeves: Coming off the bench, Reeves was an important spark for Florida, contributing 14 points and hitting several key three-pointers at crucial moments. His shooting from the outside allowed the Gators to stretch the floor, opening up the paint for Castleton and others to operate. Reeves’ ability to make plays in critical moments helped Florida maintain control throughout the second half.

Myreon Jones: Jones provided another scoring option for Florida, adding 12 points in the win. His scoring, especially from beyond the arc, was vital in keeping Alabama at arm’s length when they began to threaten. Jones was a reliable source of offense, and his timely contributions helped Florida secure the victory.

Alabama’s Struggles: Rebounding and Offensive Inconsistencies

For Alabama, the loss was a tough pill to swallow. The Crimson Tide were never able to establish a consistent offensive rhythm, and their struggles on the glass were a major factor in their defeat.

While Brandon Miller finished with a respectable 18 points, his shots were often contested, and he struggled to find open space against Florida’s aggressive defense. Miller’s usual ability to create offense through his versatility was stifled by Florida’s physicality, and he couldn’t generate the same kind of impact he had throughout the season.

Jahvon Quinerly and Mark Sears also faced difficulties. Quinerly, who has been Alabama’s primary playmaker, had a quiet game with just 8 points, and his decision-making in the second half was questionable at times. Sears, who had been consistent all season, also had a quiet game, contributing only 9 points on 3-of-12 shooting. Alabama’s other role players, like Noah Clowney and Dom Welch, struggled to contribute, and the team could not find the shooting touch that had made them a top team in the country.

But the most glaring issue for Alabama in this game was their inability to rebound. They were out-rebounded 42-27, a deficit that was impossible to overcome, especially given Florida’s dominance in second-chance points. Alabama’s lack of effort and focus in boxing out allowed Florida to control the tempo and force Alabama into tough shot selections.

Postgame Reactions and What’s Next

In the aftermath of the loss, Alabama head coach Nate Oats was understandably disappointed, but he also emphasized that his team needed to regroup and learn from their mistakes.

“We didn’t come out with the necessary intensity, and it showed,” Oats said in the postgame press conference. “Florida played a great game, and they outworked us, particularly on the boards. We have to get better in these areas if we’re going to make a run in the SEC Tournament and the NCAA Tournament. We can’t afford to give teams extra possessions like that.”

For Florida, the victory was a statement win. Head coach Todd Golden praised his team’s effort, particularly their rebounding and defense.

“Our guys played tough,” Golden said. “We knew we had to battle on the boards, and we did. Colin [Castleton] was incredible in the paint, and Kowacie [Reeves] came up with some big shots. This was a big win for us as we head into the postseason.”

 The SEC’s Intensity Remains High

With the season finale now behind them, both Alabama and Florida have their sights set on the postseason. Alabama will need to regroup and address their rebounding issues, especially as they prepare for the SEC Tournament and a likely high seed in the NCAA Tournament. Florida, on the other hand, enters the postseason with newfound confidence, knowing they have the tools to beat some of the top teams in the country.

As both teams enter the postseason, one thing is clear: the intensity of SEC basketball is unmatched, and every game is an opportunity to prove oneself. Alabama will need to quickly shake off the sting of this loss and make the necessary adjustments if they hope to advance deep into March Madness. Florida, with their dominant win over Alabama, will carry the momentum into the postseason, looking to make a deep run and potentially upset some of the nation’s top contenders.