Alabama basketball adds to impressive stat with upset win over Baylor

With its upset of Baylor on Saturday, the Alabama basketball team added to its impressive resume this season. The Crimson Tide have now beaten three of the teams that made the Final Four in 2021.

Alabama defeated the Bears by a score of 87-78 to improve its record to 14-7. The Crimson Tide have also notched victories against Gonzaga and Houston this season. UCLA is the only team from last year’s Final Four that Alabama hasn’t played.

The Crimson Tide led Baylor just 38-34 at halftime, but came out strong in the second half to create more separation. By the 11:50 mark, Alabama was up by 15, its largest lead of the game. Guard Jaden Shackelford stuffed the stat sheet with 19 points, nine rebounds, five assists and three steals. Jahvon Quinerly led all scorers with 20 points on 6-of-10 shooting.

The victory improved Alabama to 6-4 against quadrant 1 opponents this season. The Crimson Tide have thus far built a solid resume, with their 1-4 record on the road perhaps the biggest flaw. They were listed as a five seed in ESPN’s bracketology predictions ahead of this weekend.

Alabama earned a two seed last season in the second year under coach Nate Oats. The Crimson Tide advanced to the Sweet Sixteen, where they lost to none other than UCLA.

The victory against Baylor was the final nonconference game for Alabama during this regular season. The Crimson Tide will now turn their full attention to SEC play, where they sit at just 4-4.

They have a big matchup coming up on Tuesday, when they are set to face their biggest rival and No. 1-ranked Auburn at 9 p.m. ET on the road. The Tigers won the previous matchup, handing Alabama its only home loss of the season earlier this month.

After taking out Baylor on Saturday, can the Alabama basketball team pull off another top 5 upset?