The good news for Texas basketball (9-6, 0-2 SEC)? Saturday’s game at No. 13 Alabama (11-4, 1-1) provides a quick chance at redemption following Tuesday’s lopsided loss at Tennessee. The bad news? Saturday’s game could also mean the Longhorns start their SEC campaign 0-3 for the second consecutive season considering Alabama’s status as one of the conference favorites.
Texas coach Sean Miller hinted at changes to his rotation after an 85-71 loss to Tennessee. The Longhorns allowed Tennessee to shoot 52.7% from the floor and 40.0% from 3-point range and they were outrebounded for the first time this season.
Sixth-year senior Tramon Mark has emerged as the Longhorns’ steadiest player across two SEC games. The guard averages a team-best 20 points a game while shooting 50% from the floor in the first two conference contests. Alabama counters with a deep squad but may have to play without a fully healthy Labaron Philon, the Tide’s leading scorer with 21.3 points per game. He scored 18 points Wednesday in a 96-90 loss at Vanderbilt before exiting the game for good early in the second due to “full-body cramps,” according to Alabama coach Nate Oats. He’s listed as probable for the game against Texas
Follow below for live scores and updates Saturday as the Texas Longhorns visit No. 13 Alabama. Tip is at 7 p.m.:
The SEC game between Texas and Alabama will start on ESPN after the conclusion of Arkansas’s game against Auburn.
Texas coach Sean Miller sticks with his regular starters despite hinting at changes after the Tennessee loss in the Longhorns’ last game, and Alabama guard Labaron Philon is starting after being listed as probable on the pregame injury report.
G Jordan Pope (12.1 ppg, 2.7 apg)
G Tramon Mark (12.6 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 2.2 apg)
F Camden Heide (6.9 ppg, 2.6 rpg)
F Dailyn Swain (15.6 ppg, 7.1 rpg)
P Matas Vokietaitis (15.3 ppg, 7.3 rpg)
G Labaran Philon (21.3 ppg, 5.1 apg)
G Aden Holloway (18.7 ppg, 3.8 apg)
F Amari Allen (11.6 ppg, 7.6 rpg)
F London Jemeson (7.2 ppg, 3.3 rpg)
F Aiden Sherrell (8.7 ppg, 6 rpg)
Where: Coleman Coliseum in Tuscaloosa, Ala.
TV/radio: ESPN; 1300 AM, 98.1 FM
Line: Tennessee favored by 12½; total of 177½