Ranking Alabama Basketball's Best Games of 2025-26: Just a Minute

As the Crimson Tide's season has officially come to a close, here's a look at Alabama's five best winning performances in thrilling contests.

Alabama guard Labaron Philon Jr sinks a three in the second half of the game against Arkansas on Feb. 18, 2026. | Sarah Munzenmaier/Alabama Crimson Tide on SI

Watch the above video as BamaCentral staff writer Hunter De Siver discusses Alabama basketball's five best games of the 2025-26 season.

4-seed Alabama basketball fell to 1-seed Michigan 90-77 in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament on March 27 in Chicago. This loss ended the Crimson Tide's 2025-26 season with a 25-10 record.

Several of Alabama's winning performances were in games that came down to the final minutes. Here's a look at what I believe are the Crimson Tide's five best games of the season.

5. No. 11 Alabama 90, No. 8 Illinois 86

Alabama forward Amari Allen (5) celebrates during the game against Illinois at United Center in Chicago, IL on Wednesday, Nov 19, 2025. | Photo by Crimson Tide Photos / UA Athletics

The Crimson Tide brushed by this current Final Four Team 90-86 on Nov. 19 in the United Center in Chicago. Alabama guard Labaron Philon Jr. had just five points in the first half on a 2 of 6 clip from the field. Illinois held a narrow 42-41 lead going into the break, but coming out of it, Philon gave Alabama its first lead with a layup. The Crimson Tide never lost the lead from then on, and the sophomore finished with 24 points.

4. No. 15 Alabama 103, No. 5 St. John's 96

Alabama forward Taylor Bol Bowen vs. St. John's | Obtained from Alabama Basketball's X/Twitter

The Crimson Tide beat the Red Storm 103-96 on Nov. 8 in Madison Square Garden. Alabama guards Philon (25 points), Aden Holloway (21) and Latrell Wrightsell Jr. (17) scored a combined 67 points. Forward Taylor Bol Bowen was the X-factor, as he finished with 17 points on 6 of 7 from the field, while collecting nine total rebounds (four offensive), two blocks, two steals and an assist.

3. Alabama 100, Texas A&M 97

Alabama guard Aden Holloway (2) in action against Texas A&M at Coleman Coliseum in Tuscaloosa, AL on Wednesday, Feb 4, 2026. | Photo by Crimson Tide Photos / UA Athletics

The Crimson Tide overcame the Aggies 100-97 at home on Feb. 4. This was a much-needed win for UA as it became unranked earlier that week for the first time since January 2024. This "tipping point" was the first of an eight-game win streak. Alabama had six of its eight players who saw time on the floor score 10-plus points. Holloway and Philon combined for 29 points in the second half, and the rest of the Crimson Tide scored 25. Holloway also hit a circus shot under the basket that eventually became the dagger after a missed three-pointer at the buzzer by former Alabama and current Texas A&M guard Rylan Griffen.

2. No. 17 Alabama 71, No. 22 Tennessee 69

Feb 28, 2026; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide guard Labaron Philon (0) brings the ball up court against Tennessee Volunteers forward J.P. Estrella (13) during the second half at Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-Imagn Images | Randy Sartin-Imagn Images

The Crimson Tide took down the Volunteers 71-69 on the road on Feb. 28. The Crimson Tide overcame a mountainous 13-point deficit, thanks to an incredible second-half effort on both ends of the floor. Head coach Nate Oats crowned Aiden Sherrell "the MVP," but Wrightsell finished with a team-high 25 points. Additionally, Philon, who had 13 of UA's final 18 points, hit the game-winning shot with under 23 seconds remaining. It was Alabama's first lead of the entire game, but it's all the Tide needed to get out of Knoxville after losing its previous five meetings with the Vols.

1. No. 25 Alabama 117, No. 20 Arkansas 115 (2OT)

Alabama guard Houston Mallette sinks a three late in second overtime against Arkansas on Feb. 18, 2026. | Sarah Munzenmaier/Alabama Crimson Tide on SI

The Crimson Tide outlasted Arkansas 117-115 at home on Feb. 18 in a double-overtime game for the ages. Alabama’s 117 points became the second-most scored in school history. Philon scored a career-high 35 points, while forwards Amari Allen and Sherrell both recorded double-doubles. Houston Mallette did not have any points in regulation, but in overtime, only Arkansas' Darius Acuff Jr. had more points in the extra period (8) than Mallette (6). Acuff scored the most points (49) by a freshman in Division I history, while fellow Razorbacks Meleek Thomas (24) and Billy Richmond III (20) combined for 44 points.

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