Alabama basketball took the lead at the 18:25 mark of the second half and never turned back in victory over Illinois in Chicago.
Alabama basketball won its second top-10 game of the season on an NBA floor inside the house that Michael Jordan built, 90-86 over the Fighting Illini.
“Listen, that’s a really good team we just played. They’re gonna be competing for a national championship in my opinion,” said head coach Nate Oats.
Tomislav Ivisic and Mihailo Petrovic both had limited-season debuts due to injury.
Cal transfer Andrej Stojakovic led the Illini with 26 points.
Only Arizona and Alabama have multiple top 10 wins so far this season.
The Tide continues to do a good job in limiting turnovers, with only 10 on the night.
Amari Allen won the second hard hat of the season.
The Tide now heads to Las Vegas for the second annual Players’ Era Festival in what is a loaded and expanded field.
Keitenn Bristow shines in his Debut
“Difference in the game, in my opinion, was Bristow. Hats off to that kid,” said Illinois coach Brad Underwood.
Coming off the bench and an ankle sprain, nowhere close to 100%, Bristow gave the Tide a huge spark off the bench with a near double-double with 10 points and eight rebounds.
Bristow was forced to play small ball five and battled against the Illini bigs while Aiden Sherrell was in big-time foul trouble.
The effort of the Tarleton State transfer was shown on the offensive glass with two massive put-back layups, and he has a knack for knowing where the ball will bounce on a miss.
The minutes for Bristow will only go up after this game.
Coach Oats had high praise and said, “Keitenn (Bristow) made a huge difference. He gives us everything he’s got when he’s out there. Defense, rebounding-wise, he was huge.”
Labaron Philon Jr. took over in the second half
“He’s an Alabama kid that wants to take Alabama further than it’s ever gone before,” said Oats on Philon.
After a tough first half in foul trouble and only five points on the board, Labaron Philon Jr. knew he had to step up and did so hugely in the second half with 19 points to finish with 24 points and five assists.
At one point in the last 2:30, Philon had scored nine straight points to keep the lead to two possessions with a clutch put-back and straightaway three at the top of the key.
Philon wanted to be more of a 3-point threat in his sophomore campaign and shot 3-6 on the night.
Aden Holloway struggled for much of the night because of Kylan Boswell guarding him, so Philon stepping up the way he did was massive to get the win.
Defense and rebounding improving
After getting out-rebounded by 24 just six days ago, the Tide only lost 40-38 on the glass, but were +3 in the second half. Allen was clutch yet again in that category with his second double-digit rebounding game of the season as a tall guard.
Bristow and Allen combined for 19 of the team’s rebounds.
Defense continues to get better in year two of defensive coordinator Brian Adams to force the Illini into some tough shots and struggled behind-the-arc in the second half 3-12. Forced 11 turnovers to win the turnover margin.
Right now, KenPom has the Tide at 35 in defensive efficiency, but limiting offensive rebounds and forcing foul shots should only push it up.
Next for Alabama basketball (3-1): vs. Gonzaga (Mon., Nov. 24 at 9:30 p.m. Â EST)
Next for Illinois (4-1): vs. Long Island (Sat., Nov. 22 at 2 p.m. EST)