Alabama Dominates Kent State in Non-Conference Matchup
The No. 6 Alabama basketball team secured a commanding 81-54 victory over Kent State on Sunday in its second-to-last non-conference game of the season. Despite struggling with shooting efficiency, the Crimson Tide excelled on defense and dominated the boards, stifling the Golden Flashes’ offense and earning a comfortable win.
Alabama delivered one of its weaker performances from beyond the arc this season, hitting just 9-of-35 three-point attempts. However, their defensive effort limited Kent State to a mere 54 points, tying the Crimson Tide’s best defensive showing of the year, last achieved during their season opener against UNC Asheville.
Coach Nate Oats Reflects on Non-Conference Games
Following the game, head coach Nate Oats emphasized the importance of these final non-conference matchups—against Kent State and the upcoming South Dakota State game—as opportunities for players to solidify their roles before conference play begins. Throughout the season, Alabama has leaned on a deep rotation, frequently utilizing 11 or more players, and Sunday’s game was no exception.
“Every game is helping us refine our strategy and figure out what works best for us,” Oats explained. “Some players are proving they’re indispensable, and we’re close to narrowing down the rotation to nine or ten guys. With one game left before SEC play, we’ll finalize things soon.”
Widespread Participation Highlights Depth
Twelve players saw court time during Sunday’s game, including walk-on Max Scharnowski, who entered in the final minutes. Guard Houston Mallette played the fewest minutes, logging six, but made an impact by hitting one of his two three-point attempts, grabbing two rebounds, and showcasing solid defense. Among the forwards, Aden Sherrell, Mouhamed Dioubate, and Jarin Stevenson had relatively limited playing time with 11, 15, and 18 minutes, respectively.
The upcoming SEC schedule will likely force Oats to trim the rotation, raising questions about which players might see their minutes reduced.
