Three things to remember from Alabama basketball’s convincing victory over Texas

 

Three Key Takeaways from Alabama’s Convincing Victory Over Texas

On February 11, 2025, the No. 2-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide rolled into the Moody Center in Austin, Texas, and put on a clinic in basketball, defeating the Texas Longhorns 103-80. The win extended Alabama’s winning streak to seven games and improved their overall record to 21-3, with a remarkable 10-1 mark in SEC play. The victory not only solidified Alabama’s status as one of the nation’s elite teams but also offered plenty of important lessons and insights. Here are three key takeaways from the game that underscore why Alabama is one of the most formidable teams in college basketball this season.

1. Alabama’s Offensive Mastery: Efficiency and Firepower

Alabama’s offensive performance against Texas was a showcase of efficiency and explosiveness. The Crimson Tide’s offense has been a force all season, but against Texas, it reached new heights. Alabama finished the game with a staggering 61.8% shooting from the field and 58.8% from beyond the arc, making 17 out of 29 attempts from three-point range. These numbers not only reflect Alabama’s ability to shoot the ball but also underscore the team’s depth and versatility.

Career-High Performances

Jarin Stevenson, Alabama’s dynamic sophomore guard, led the charge with a career-high 22 points. He displayed remarkable efficiency in his shooting, connecting on 9 of 12 field goals and 3 of 4 from three-point range. Stevenson’s all-around performance — coupled with his strong rebounding and playmaking — highlighted his growth as a player and his importance to Alabama’s success moving forward.

Aden Holloway and Mark Sears also contributed heavily to Alabama’s offensive explosion. Holloway, known for his ability to both score and create for others, finished with 18 points on 6-of-8 shooting, including 2-of-3 from deep. His combination of scoring, passing, and basketball IQ was a key component of the team’s offensive fluidity.

Sears, who has been one of the team’s most consistent contributors all season, also put up 18 points, including some crucial three-pointers that stretched Texas’ defense. His leadership and ability to hit shots in critical moments provided the Tide with much-needed momentum throughout the game.

Alabama’s Three-Point Shooting: A Game-Changer

The most striking aspect of Alabama’s offensive game was their dominance from the three-point line. The 17 made three-pointers were the difference in the game, as Alabama’s sharpshooters continuously stretched Texas’ defense. Three-point shooting has been a hallmark of Alabama’s offense under coach Nate Oats, but in this game, they elevated it to a whole new level. The Longhorns simply had no answer for Alabama’s ability to space the floor and knock down shots from beyond the arc.

Texas, a solid defensive team on paper, found themselves outmatched as Alabama found rhythm early and often from deep. Whether it was Stevenson, Holloway, Sears, or any other player on the court, Alabama had multiple threats from the three-point line. This scoring explosion not only helped them build a significant lead but also demoralized a Texas defense that struggled to make adjustments.

2. Alabama’s Defensive Dominance and Rebounding Superiority

While Alabama’s offensive display was impressive, their defense and rebounding were equally critical to the win. Alabama’s defense was physical, intense, and disciplined, frustrating Texas’ offensive flow throughout the game. The Crimson Tide’s defense started strong, as they kept Texas’ shooters at bay, especially in the first half when the game was still in reach for the Longhorns.

Rebounding: The Key to Controlling the Game

One of the most notable stats from the game was Alabama’s 41-25 rebounding advantage. This dominant performance on the boards played a huge role in the team’s overall success. By securing so many rebounds, Alabama not only prevented Texas from getting second-chance opportunities but also provided their own offense with extra possessions.

The Crimson Tide’s ability to control the glass allowed them to limit Texas’ offensive flow. Long rebounds from missed shots or forced turnovers often led to fast-break opportunities, and Alabama capitalized on these with great efficiency.

Alabama’s rebounding dominance was led by senior forward Brandon Miller, who contributed six rebounds to the team’s total, along with his usual offensive scoring. However, it wasn’t just the big men who dominated the boards. Alabama’s guards, led by Sears and Holloway, were active on the glass, providing much-needed help in securing rebounds and preventing Texas from getting easy putbacks.

Defensive Pressure and Stepping Up

Defensively, Alabama’s pressure forced Texas into uncomfortable situations. Despite the Longhorns having talented players such as freshman Tre Johnson, who finished as the game’s leading scorer with 24 points, Alabama’s defense made it difficult for the Longhorns to generate consistent offensive opportunities. The Crimson Tide’s ability to lock down shooters and limit driving lanes meant that Texas was often forced into contested jump shots or low-percentage attempts.

Alabama’s defense was also keyed by their ability to disrupt passing lanes, creating turnovers and turning them into fast-break points. Their defensive intensity seemed to increase as the game went on, with the Tide consistently building their lead throughout the second half. This defensive effort — coupled with their superior rebounding — kept Texas from ever truly getting into the rhythm they needed to challenge Alabama’s lead.

3. Texas’ Struggles: Offensive and Defensive Challenges

Despite the loss, Texas showed glimpses of promise, particularly from their standout freshman Tre Johnson. Johnson has been one of the brightest young stars in college basketball this season, and his performance against Alabama was a testament to his skill and potential. Johnson finished the game with 24 points, leading all scorers and showcasing his ability to score from all areas of the floor.

However, even Johnson’s heroics weren’t enough to overcome the overall team struggles. Texas had difficulty getting consistent scoring from others, with Jayson Kent’s 19-point performance off the bench being the next-highest individual total. Unfortunately for the Longhorns, this wasn’t enough to keep up with Alabama’s firepower.

The Absence of Devon Pryor

One of the major storylines heading into the game was the absence of Texas’ key forward Devon Pryor, who missed the game due to a calf injury. Pryor’s absence was felt on both ends of the floor. Not only was he a reliable scorer and rebounder, but he also served as a defensive presence in the paint. Without him, Texas struggled to match up physically with Alabama, especially in the post and on the boards.

With Pryor sidelined, the Longhorns were forced to rely more heavily on their guards and wings, but they struggled to find any offensive flow or defensive answers against Alabama’s attacking game. The loss of Pryor was particularly evident in the rebounding department, where Texas was severely outmatched, as they could not secure the necessary boards to limit Alabama’s fast-break opportunities.

Texas’ Defensive Struggles

Defensively, Texas could not contain Alabama’s three-point shooting barrage. The Longhorns attempted to rotate and switch defenders, but Alabama’s shooters, both off the dribble and in catch-and-shoot situations, proved too much for them to handle. Texas’ inability to close out on shooters led to wide-open looks for Alabama, and they made the Longhorns pay for it time and time again.

Additionally, Texas struggled to defend the rim and force Alabama into difficult shots. While the Longhorns have been a solid defensive team this season, they could not get the stops they needed to slow down Alabama’s offense. The Longhorns’ inability to defend both the perimeter and the paint made it almost impossible to contain a team as talented and efficient as Alabama.

 Alabama Solidifies Their Status as National Contenders

Alabama’s dominant performance against Texas reinforced their status as one of the top teams in college basketball. Their offense, which featured efficient shooting from both inside and beyond the arc, was nearly unstoppable. They were equally dominant on the defensive end, where their rebounding and pressure forced Texas into difficult situations.

While Texas showed individual brilliance, especially from Tre Johnson, they were unable to overcome the depth and talent of Alabama. The absence of Devon Pryor further hindered their chances, as Texas struggled to keep up with Alabama’s fast-paced, high-scoring game.

As the season progresses, Alabama has firmly established themselves as a top contender for the national championship. Their combination of offensive firepower, defensive toughness, and rebounding dominance makes them a difficult team to beat. If they continue to play at this level, they will be a force to reckon with come tournament time.

Key Takeaways:

• Alabama’s offensive efficiency was at an all-time high, particularly from three-point range.
• Their defensive and rebounding efforts were just as crucial, helping them control the game on both ends of the floor.
• Texas, despite individual brilliance from Tre Johnson, struggled to contain Alabama’s offense and was handicapped by the absence of Devon Pryor.

As a result, Alabama’s 103-80 victory over Texas is a statement win, proving that they are ready for the challenges ahead in the final stretch of the season.