Alabama Dominates the IBOB on Senior Night, Earning Two-Seed in SEC Tournament

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - The 16th-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide had one challenge standing in front of it before postseason play: The Iron Bowl of Basketball against an Auburn team that was deadlocked in the bubble conversation for the NCAA tournament. Alabama was previously riding an eight-game win streak, which saw the Tide rise from No. 9 in the SEC standings to No. 2 in the standings by the end of February, securing a double bye in next week's SEC tournament. That streak was snapped on Tuesday when the Georgia Bulldogs defeated Alabama 98-88 in Stegeman Coliseum. To avoid a skid and finish second in the regular season standings in the SEC, Alabama needed to defend its home court on senior day against the Auburn Tigers.

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The Crimson Tide played a great first half against the Tigers, recognizing the importance of Saturday's IBOB for SEC and NCAA tournament seeding. Alabama star guard Labaron Philon had a strong first half, leading all scorers with 16 points while shooting 7-11 from the floor and 2-4 from three-point range. The Tide also saw good minutes from Miami transfer guard Jalil Bethea, who had five points on 2-3 shooting from the floor. Alabama guard Aden Holloway was second on the team with nine points against his former team.

Alabama listened to the message from head coach Nate Oats, while the student section did not, chanting "nepo baby" and "DUI" at Auburn head coach Steven Pearl and Auburn guard Tahaad Pettiford. Alabama just needed to maintain control and stay healthy during the second half, and the Tide would secure a two-seed in Nashville next week.

Alabama cruised in the second half, with the Tide's dynamic guard duo of Aden Holloway and Labaron Philon, who both scored 21 points, with star sophomore Labaron Philon receiving a standing ovation as he walked off the court for what is likely his final time as a member of the Crimson Tide.

Alabama had five players score double-digit points:

Labaron Philon - 21 points
Aden Holloway - 21
Amari Allen - 16
London Jemison - 11
Aiden Sherrell - 10

Alabama outrebounded Auburn 42-28 in Saturday night's victory, and limited the turnovers better than the Tide has for most games during the season. The Tide never trailed in Saturday's contest.

Alabama clinches the two-seed in the SEC Tournament in Nashville, Tennessee, and won't begin play until Friday, March 13. Alabama will play at 6:00 p.m. CT and will finish the regular season with a 23-8 overall record and a 13-5 record in conference play.

Wyatt Fulton is the Tide 100.9 DME and Brand Manager, primarily covering Alabama Crimson Tide football and men's basketball. For more Crimson Tide coverage, follow Wyatt on X (Formerly known as Twitter) at @FultonW_.