The Jungle serenaded Charles Bediako with “G League dropout” amid his ongoing eligibility case, but it was former Auburn guard Aden Holloway who helped Bediako and the Crimson Tide get the last laugh in Saturday’s Iron Bowl of Basketball. Alabama defeated Auburn 96-92 behind nine straight points from Holloway in the final three minutes.
Holloway, who jumped into enemy lines when he transferred from Auburn to Alabama ahead of the 2023-24 season, delivered the dagger with a four-point play right in front of Auburn’s raucous student section.
The road team has now won each of the past three iterations of the Iron Bowl of Basketball.
For Alabama, it’s a coming-of-age-caliber win for a team that hasn’t played 40 good minutes just once in the past month, with injuries making any ounce of continuity in the lineup impossible and the Bediako debacle looming every day.
Bediako was in court Friday for his lawsuit against the NCAA, but because Tuscaloosa Circuit Court Judge Daniel Pruet did not rule, he was allowed to file suit against Alabama for at least one more day. The 7-footer came off the bench to deliver 12 points and three boards in 22 minutes, just over 24 hours after listening to NCAA lawyers argue for a ban from college basketball.
“If we’re being intellectually honest, it’s about money,” NCAA attorney Taylor Askew argued during Friday’s hearing in rebuttal to Bediako’s representatives’ claim that his client would lose out on basketball and educational opportunities if Bediako’s temporary ban for the remainder of the year is not approved.
Alabama’s March madness The upside is certainly lower without Bediako, as Saturday showed what the Tide are capable of if they can keep Bediako in the lineup and start to gel.
Future N.B.A Senior guard Labaron Philon put on a brilliant show of 25 points, six assists and five rebounds. Future NBA wing Amari Allen was tremendous, burying three triples and finishing with 17 points. Add in a former pro center in Bediako and Alabama has three pros at three different positions. Oh, and Holloway. Oh, and Houston Mallette is one of several Alabama snipers who could also have a big day. He hit two huge triples late in the first half to erase Auburn’s 10-point lead.
The Jungle grunted Alabama at its best, but Alabama’s performance spoke volumes.
“They were pretty quiet when we left today,” Crimson Tide coach Nate Oats said.
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