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BOL Basketball Show: What to make of Alabama's slow starts

1918632_10206777287683070_1367905321192383146_nby:Charlie Potter02/20/25

Charlie_Potter

Alabama Basketball Show
Alabama guard Mark Sears (Courtesy of UA Athletics)

No. 4 Alabama basketball lost back-to-back games for the first time this year after falling at home to top-ranked Auburn, 94-85, and on the road against No. 15 Missouri, 110-98.

After winning seven games in a row, the Crimson Tide fell in the biggest game on its home floor in the first of two matchups with its in-state rival. Alabama shot less than 50% on layups (14-30) and 19% from beyond the arc (5-26) in a battle for first place in the SEC.

The Tide was unable to bounce back last night in Columbia, Missouri, as the Tigers scored 110 points against the visitors from Tuscaloosa. Despite a 35-point effort from Mark Sears, Alabama turned in its worst defensive performance of the 2024-25 year at Mizzou Arena.

In both games, UA found itself in early holes. Against Auburn, the Crimson Tide fell behind 9-0 at Coleman Coliseum, and against Missouri, it saw the Tigers jump out to a 12-0 lead. In both contests, Alabama lost by nine points and 12 points, respectively. While there are other issues at hand, the slow starts have become an issue for the fourth-ranked team.

Alabama (21-5, 10-3 SEC) will look to bounce back against another ranked opponent as No. 17 Kentucky travels to Tuscaloosa on Saturday, February 22. Before the next Tide home game, BamaOnLine staff members Charlie Potter, Tim Watts and Blake Byler provide their thoughts on Alabama’s last two losses, what needs to change and a look ahead to UK.

The Alabama-related topics discussed by the guys include:

– Thoughts on the Auburn loss

– Kudos to Coleman Coliseum crowd

– Thoughts on the Missouri loss

– Slow starts becoming an issue

– Defensive struggles down the stretch

– Looking ahead to Kentucky game

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