Alabama Basketball Rolls Past Vanderbilt: 3 Takeaways

Alabama basketball, with another game in triple digits, got back on track at home with a win over Vanderbilt, and three guys had 20-plus point nights.

Despite the frozen temps outside Coleman Coliseum, Alabama basketball could not even stop the Crimson Tide offensively with a 103-87 win over Vanderbilt to move to 5-1 in SEC play. Mark Sears went into NCAA history books as the 82nd student-athlete to reach 2,500 points in his career and received a standing ovation from the Tide faithful.

“He’s been as consistent as a guy I’ve ever coached,” said head coach Nate Oats on Mark Sears. 

The Tide were without freshman Derrion Reid, who was out with an ankle injury and was questionable heading into the game.

Alabama had only 11 turnovers, and Mark Sears led the way with seven of the team’s 13 assists.

Alabama had 52 of its points off the bench.

Although Aiden Sherrell was not scoring, he did a good job on the glass in the limited minutes he has played. He had five rebounds and was a plus-12 when he was in the game.

“Some guys are gonna have to decide how good they want to be and how much effort they want to give on the defensive end. Because the effort we got in the second half is not gonna win us any championships,” said Oats.

Takeaway #1: Mo Dioubate dominates on both ends of the floor

Mouhamed Dioubate had his best scoring night in an Alabama uniform, scoring 22 points, 10 rebounds, two blocks, and one steal on 8-9 shooting from the floor. 

Dioubate won the hard hat for the second straight game.

“Mo D’s got the off-road package; it’s kinda like a smash-mouth, not typically the way we play,” said Oats.

Dioubate, while an undersized four/five at 6″7, outworks everybody on the boards and has the good instincts to be a good finisher and rebounder around the glass. 

With the size, Dioubate is able to guard one through five on the floor, causing blocks and steals.

Dioubate was a mismatch for most of the game, could get downhill, and had such an efficient night, with all nine attempted shots coming from under the basket.

Takeaway #2: Aden Holloway and Sears dominate

Aden Holloway and Mark Sears carried Alabama in the first half, with Holloway shooting a perfect 6-6 from the field and 16 points in the first half. Holloway finished the game with 22 points on 8-11 shooting. Holloway is now shooting 56.5% from three in conference play. 

“It feels kind of normal. Last year was abnormal for me; it was completely downhill, and it was tough getting back up. This year, my coaching staff put a lot of confidence in me, and my teammates put a lot of confidence in me. I’m very appreciative,” said Holloway.

Sears has his sixth 20-plus point game in the last seven games, with 21 points on 5-12 from the field and 10-13 from the charity stripe. Sears continues to mold his game as a true guard, having near-double-double performances daily and getting his teammates involved. 

Takeaway #3: Tyler Nickel was dominant for the Dores in the second half

After Alabama got up by 17 at the half, Vanderbilt needed guys to step up to make a run, and Tyler Nickel did just that. Nickel took advantage of being left open behind the arc and made Alabama pay by hitting 5-7 from three in the second half, finishing with 19 on the game after only scoring two points in the first half.

Jason Edwards was another guy who gave Alabama trouble. A small, shifty guard, he was able to get in the lane and use his speed to get open, finishing with 21 points on the night. 

Next up for Alabama (16-3, 5-1): vs. LSU (12-6, 1-4) – Jan. 25 at 8:30 p.m. EST

Next up for Vanderbilt (15-4, 3-3): vs. Kentucky (14-4, 3-2) – Jan. 25 at 2:30 p.m. EST