TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Well, that was certainly an answer.
Just three days after losing by 24 points to Oklahoma in the SEC/Big 12 Challenge, No. 4 Alabama silenced all naysayers within 40 minutes in his 101-44 mauling against the Vanderbilt Commodores.
The 57-point win was the biggest win for Alabama in SEC history — and the biggest in the conference since 2003.
With the win, the Crimson Tide ended the Commodores’ win of the season. It also matched its 2021-22 win total on Tuesday night.
Brandon Miller led with 22 points, eight rebounds and three assists. Nimari Burnett had his best game since returning from a wrist injury, finishing on 16 points in an efficient 5-on-8 from the field.
As a team, Alabama shot 59% from the field. The Crimson Tide knocked down 19 of 41 attempts from deep.
Needless to say, it wasn’t Vanderbilt’s night. The Commodores were a miserable 25% from the field and 10% from 3-point range. In addition, Vanderbilt turned the ball 16 times – resulting in 27 points for Alabama.
Forward Liam Robbins, who returned to the Commodores’ line-up, had no impact on the game.
Next, the Crimson Tide heads to Baton Rouge, La. to complete a win of the season against another opponent.
Tipoff between Alabama and LSU is set for 3 p.m. CT on ESPN/ESPN2/ESPNU.
How it happened
Second half
- FINALS: Alabama 101 | Vanderbilt 44
- Quite the answer. The Crimson Tide is rebounding in big style after their loss to Oklahoma on Saturday. Alabama remains unbeaten in the SEC 9-0 and will travel to Baton Rouge on Saturday afternoon to face LSU.
- Mercifully, it’s the last media timeout of the night. This one’s been over for quite a while.
- Alabama 90 | Vanderbilt 40 | 3:11 2
- We still play basketball in Tuscaloosa. The lead is now 51.
- Alabama 85 | Vanderbilt 34 | 6:59 2
- Another massive run for the Crimson Tide, this time 17-0.
- Alabama 74 | Vanderbilt 28 | 11:18 2
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- The Crimson Tide is still rolling. The hot shooting continued into the second half – the lead is now 30.
- Alabama 55 | Vanderbilt 25 | 15:43 2
- Play has resumed in Tuscaloosa.
First half
- HALFTIME: Alabama 43 | van derbilt 15
- How to react to a 24 point loss. Wasting no time, the Crimson Tide took them from the opening apex to the Commodores. Efficient attack and smothering defense have returned.
- Well, things can’t get any worse for the Commodores. 4-for-29 (14%) from the field, including several air balls.
- Alabama 37 | Vanderbilt 12 | 2:20 1
- The Crimson Tide is blowing off some steam from the last four games. A 29-5 run has already brought it nearly 20 points.
- Alabama 29 | Vanderbilt 10 | 7:20 1st
- The Commodores didn’t score in 6:14, extending the Crimson Tide’s run to 13-0. Four made baskets, four assists.
- Alabama 13 | Vanderbilt 5 | 11:50 1st
- The Crimson Tide starts out a bit sloppy – maybe a little Norman hangover. Then an 8-0 run to regain the early lead from the Commodores. Already a noticeable change on the defensive.
- Alabama 8 | Vanderbilt 5 | 15:23 1st
- We’re at the Coleman Coliseum.
foreplay
- Tonight’s officials:
- Tony Greene
- Steven Anderson
- Owen Kurz
- It will be the usual starting lineup for Alabama:
- Markus Sears
- Jaden Bradley
- Brandon Miller
- Noah Cloney
- Karl Bediako
- Vanderbilt forward Liam Robbins is fully dressed and going through various warm-up exercises with a trainer. Robbins has not played since Jan. 14. He is the top scorer for the Commodores (13.9 PPG) and Rebounders (5.9 RPG).
- Alabama head coach Nate Oats is ready to go.
See also:
No. 4 Alabama poised to hit reset button after 24-point loss
After losing to Oklahoma, Alabama in a similar position to the 2020-21 team