Rylan Griffen practices ahead of Friday's SEC Tournament game

Alabama is still waiting to see who they will face on Friday at the SEC Tournament. Florida and Georgia will play the final game of the day, with Nate Oats and his staff likely scouting. Until then, all focus is on their own team and more importantly, getting healthy.

Rylan Griffen was someone who enjoyed the time off after a calf injury he suffered on March 5 against Florida. He did not play in the season finale vs. Arkansas, seen on the sideline in street clothes and a walking boot.

Oats originally called Griffen a game-time decision but positive news has now come in regarding the sophomore guard. He practiced on Thursday and if everything feels good when waking up tomorrow, he will play on Friday.

“Alabama’s Rylan Griffen (calf) practiced today and if he feels okay Friday morning, will play in tomorrow’s SEC Tournament game, per Nate Oats,” Jon Rothstein said via X. “Averages 11.1 PPG. DNP in last game.”

Griffen has been a key part of Alabama’s rotation this season, being one of the few returners from last season’s team. Averaging 11.1 points per game, Griffen is fourth in scoring for the Crimson Tide. He has been quite effective from behind the three-point line too, making 38% while attempting 5.2 on average.

Oats directly spoke to the media on Wednesday, saying Griffen had not been live at practice at the time. Everything was going to be based on how he responded to Thursday’s practice.

“Rylan has not gone live yet, but he’s doing more and more basketball activity every day,” Oats said. “We’re hopeful he can possibly play Friday. We’ll put him through more stuff tomorrow and see how he responds. He’ll end up being a game-time decision.”

Based on the update Oats provided Rothstein with, Alabama feels good about having Griffen back in the lineup.

Being thin at guard has been an issue down the stretch with a couple of injuries piling up. Latrell Wrightsell missed multiple games due to a head issue which caused for Oats to play his star guards a ton of minutes. Thankfully, the Wrightsell and Griffen injuries have not overlapped.

Getting both players back to full health will give Oats the depth he wants to win three games in three days and cut down the nets once again in Nashville. The mission will begin against the Bulldogs or Gators, with tip-off scheduled for 8:30 p.m. CT.