Jahvon Quinerly, Jaden Shackelford react to Scotty Pippen Jr.'s comments

Vanderbilt put their money where their mouth is on Thursday. After star Commodores guard Scotty Pippen Jr. stated the Crimson Tide were a “very beatable team,” Vanderbilt eliminated Alabama from the SEC Tournament with an 82-76 loss.

Afterwards, Alabama stars Jahvon Quinerly and Jaden Shackelford reacted to Pippen Jr.’s comments. While the two Crimson Tide leaders led the team in scoring, it wasn’t enough to get their team a victory.

“It’s something we talked about,” stated Quinerly, who scored 13 points in the loss. “It’s something that did motivate the team. I think we came out with the right energy. We just didn’t put it together for 40 minutes.”

Moreover, Shackelford — who led Alabama with 21 points — echoed Quinerly’s sentiment.

“I agree. Obviously, we don’t try to pay too much attention to stuff like that, but obviously when it’s a game of this magnitude, I guess you kind of use it for motivation,” stated Shackelford. “Like he said, we came out with the right energy, right mindset. Just got to put it together for 40 and win those tough games.”

As you can see, the comments did motivate Alabama. However, it wasn’t enough for the Crimson Tide to outcompete with Vanderbilt for an entire 40 minutes. Now, Jahvon Quinerly, Jaden Shackelford and Alabama have to take a hard look in the mirror before the NCAA Tournament begins.

More on Scotty Pippen Jr., Vanderbilt upset of Alabama

Scotty Pippen Jr. knew his comments would give Alabama extra motivation. The star guard also knew his team needed the motivation as well, and it brought them an 83-76 upset victory on Thursday.

“It got to them, it got to us, so we know we had to come out and get the win,” Pippen said.

Pippen finished the game with 26 points despite a 5-19 shooting night, but logged 7 assists to make up for his low-percentage shooting night, and 18 turnovers from the Crimson Tide aided Vanderbilt in their victory. Alabama will now wait to hear their fate come Selection Sunday, while the Commodores look to make a Cinderella run into the semifinals with a win Friday night.

Vanderbilt erased a 10-point deficit in the second half thanks to an early 14-2 run and never looked back. A litany of missed shots, turnovers, fouls, etc. plagued the Crimson Tide and the Commodores sent them packing for Tuscaloosa earlier than expected.

“Coach [Jerry] Stackhouse came into the locker room and said ‘this is it, you know. Either we go home or play tomorrow, so it was fuel to the fire,” Pippen said during his postgame interview.

Indeed they will. The Commodores will take on the Kentucky Wildcats Friday night in the quarterfinals of the SEC Tournament. The game will tip off approximately 25 minutes following the conclusion of Tennessee and Mississippi State, which is slated for a 6 p.m. ET tip.