Alabama Women’s Basketball Upset in Opening Game of SEC Tournament

In a stunning turn of events at the 2025 SEC Women’s Basketball Tournament, Alabama’s promising season came to an unexpected halt in their opening game. After a strong regular season that saw them finish with one of the best records in the conference, the Alabama Crimson Tide entered the tournament with high hopes, expecting to make a deep run. However, they were upset in a heart-wrenching defeat to an underdog opponent, shaking up their postseason aspirations and leaving fans and analysts alike scratching their heads.

The loss, which came after a disappointing 74-66 scoreline, is one of the most shocking upsets of the tournament so far. For Alabama, a team that had shown flashes of brilliance throughout the year, the result raised serious questions about what went wrong and what needs to be fixed as they look to regroup for the NCAA Tournament. As the Crimson Tide reflect on their early exit, there are several factors to consider when analyzing what led to the upset. From missed opportunities to defensive lapses, Alabama’s loss was a result of a combination of unfortunate circumstances that ultimately left them with a lot of unanswered questions.

1. Offensive Struggles and Inefficiency

One of the most glaring issues in Alabama’s upset loss was their offensive struggles. Despite boasting a talented group of players capable of scoring in a variety of ways, the Crimson Tide simply could not find their rhythm against their opponent. The game featured multiple scoring droughts, poor shot selection, and uncharacteristic turnovers that hindered their chances of pulling off a win.

Shooting Woes

Alabama’s offense has often been propelled by their ability to shoot from long range, but in this game, they were ice-cold from the perimeter. The Tide finished the game shooting just 25% from three-point range, a stark contrast to their usual efficient outside shooting. For a team that relies on spacing the floor and knocking down shots from deep, a cold shooting night can be disastrous, and that’s exactly what happened here.

As the game wore on, Alabama struggled to generate any momentum from beyond the arc, with many of their shooters missing open looks and forcing contested attempts. This shooting inefficiency forced them into the paint more frequently, but their offense became predictable and stagnant, as they could not establish a consistent flow or find easy scoring opportunities. With their outside shooting failing, Alabama’s offense seemed to lose confidence, resulting in several rushed shots and missed opportunities.

Turnovers and Lack of Execution

Another issue that severely affected Alabama’s offensive performance was their inability to take care of the basketball. Throughout the game, they committed 15 turnovers, many of which were unforced errors or mistakes made under pressure. The turnovers not only prevented Alabama from getting into a rhythm offensively but also gave their opponents easy fast-break opportunities. The opponent capitalized on these turnovers, scoring several quick baskets and shifting the momentum in their favor.

In addition, Alabama struggled to execute in the half-court offense, with players forcing shots or failing to make the extra pass. The ball movement was disjointed at times, and it was clear that the team lacked the crisp execution they had shown during the regular season. This lack of offensive flow made it difficult for Alabama to generate easy looks at the basket and allowed the opposing defense to settle in.

Key Takeaway:

If Alabama is to have any chance of advancing in the NCAA Tournament, they must improve their offensive efficiency and take better care of the ball. The Tide’s shooting performance in this game was uncharacteristic, but they also need to be smarter with their possessions and make better decisions when it matters most. Moving forward, it will be essential for Alabama to get back to their offensive identity, focusing on better ball movement, finding high-percentage shots, and reducing turnovers.

2. Defensive Lapses and Missed Assignments

While Alabama’s offensive struggles were certainly a major factor in their loss, their defensive performance was equally concerning. For a team that has prided itself on defensive intensity throughout the season, their effort on the defensive end in this game left much to be desired. The Crimson Tide allowed their opponents to score 74 points, which is far higher than the typical defensive output they had been accustomed to.

Poor Closeouts and Defensive Rotations

One of the most noticeable issues on defense was Alabama’s failure to contest shots, particularly from beyond the arc. Their opponents were able to find open shooters all over the floor, and Alabama’s closeouts were often slow or nonexistent. This lack of defensive urgency allowed the opposing team to get into an offensive rhythm and knock down crucial three-pointers. Alabama’s defense was also slow to rotate, leading to easy kick-out passes and wide-open shots from the perimeter.

On several occasions, the Tide’s defenders were caught ball-watching or failing to communicate switches, resulting in wide-open looks for their opponent. The defensive breakdowns were especially damaging in the second half, as Alabama’s opponent began to exploit these lapses and build a lead that would prove insurmountable.

Inability to Contain Penetration

In addition to their struggles defending the three-point line, Alabama had difficulty defending against dribble penetration. The opponent’s guards were able to break down the defense consistently, forcing Alabama’s defenders to help in the paint and leaving their shooters open on the outside. While Alabama did manage to force a few turnovers with their pressure defense, they were unable to consistently contain the ball, leading to breakdowns that allowed easy baskets inside.

Alabama’s post players also struggled to protect the rim. The opponent was able to score several easy points in the paint, exploiting mismatches and getting high-percentage looks near the basket. Whether it was from pick-and-roll action or isolation plays, Alabama’s defense was unable to step up in the way they had earlier in the season, leading to easy scoring opportunities for the other team.

Key Takeaway:

For Alabama to be successful in the postseason, they must tighten up their defense. The defensive lapses in this game were a result of both individual mistakes and team-wide breakdowns, which is uncharacteristic of an Alabama team coached by Nick Saban. The Tide must improve their ability to close out on shooters, rotate quickly, and contain dribble penetration. Additionally, they need to be more disciplined in defending the paint and protecting the rim. With a more focused and disciplined defensive effort, Alabama has the tools to make a deeper postseason run.

3. Inexperience and Mental Toughness Issues

The Alabama women’s basketball team has a good mix of veteran players and talented underclassmen, but this loss also highlighted some of the challenges that come with such a blend of experience. In moments of adversity, Alabama’s mental toughness seemed to wane, as they failed to respond when things began to slip away in the second half.

Inability to Respond to Adversity

Throughout the game, Alabama struggled to respond to momentum shifts. After a competitive first half, their opponent came out strong in the third quarter, taking control of the game with a 10-0 run. Instead of regrouping and staying poised, Alabama allowed the run to snowball, making poor decisions and failing to execute under pressure. This inability to stay composed when the game was on the line was a clear sign of mental fragility.

When the game was still within reach, Alabama couldn’t string together enough stops or baskets to cut into the lead. They became frustrated offensively, taking rushed shots or forcing the ball into difficult situations. Defensively, they lacked the intensity needed to make stops and get back into the game.

Pressure of the Moment

While Alabama has had a successful season and has shown flashes of brilliance, the pressure of tournament play can be daunting, especially for younger players. Some of the Tide’s younger players seemed rattled in key moments, which contributed to their lack of execution on both ends of the floor. The inexperience showed when they faced a highly-motivated opponent that played with poise and confidence.

Key Takeaway:

For Alabama to succeed in future tournament games, they need to improve their mental toughness. Postseason basketball requires a high level of composure, particularly when facing adversity. Alabama’s players, especially the younger ones, must learn how to handle pressure and respond with maturity. This means staying focused on executing the game plan, even when things aren’t going their way, and not letting frustration or the pressure of the moment affect their performance.

4. What’s Next for Alabama Women’s Basketball

The defeat to an underdog in the opening game of the SEC Tournament was certainly disappointing, but it’s not the end of the road for Alabama women’s basketball in 2025. While the loss raises questions about their readiness for the NCAA Tournament, it also serves as an opportunity for reflection and growth.

In the coming days, the Crimson Tide will need to address the issues that led to this upset, including improving offensive execution, tightening up defensively, and developing stronger mental toughness. With the talent that Alabama possesses, they can certainly bounce back and use this loss as motivation heading into the NCAA Tournament.

Ultimately, Alabama’s road to redemption will require a return to their strengths—solid defense, efficient offense, and the ability to execute under pressure. If they can recalibrate and refine their play, the Crimson Tide will have the chance to make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament and finish the season on a high note. But the key to success will be taking the lessons learned from this early setback and using them to fuel their postseason ambitions.