No. 3 Alabama Stays Hot at Home in Thumping of Florida

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Another night at Coleman Coliseum, another game that was over by halftime.

The Alabama Crimson Tide remains unbeaten in SEC play after its 97-69 win over the Florida Gators on Wednesday night.

The Crimson Tide (21-3, 11-0 SEC) led by as many as 30 points. Brandon Miller led the way with 24 points, nine rebounds and three assists.

Ten others contributed to the scoring, including 19 from Mark Sears and 11 from Jahvon Quinerly. As a whole, Alabama shot 49% from the field and 44% from 3-point land.

There was no slowing down Florida forward Colin Castleton for the Crimson Tide. The Gators’ leading scorer finished with 29 points and 10 rebounds in 34 minutes.

Other than that, it was a slow night at the office for Florida (13-11, 6-5 SEC). Aside from Castleton, the Gators shot 13-for-45 (29%) from the field.

After having its nine-game winning streak snapped by Oklahoma on Jan. 28, Alabama has a new one going — winning its last three games by a combined 95 points.

Next up is the big one in The Jungle. The Crimson Tide will face off with its arch rival, Auburn, on Saturday afternoon.

Tipoff from Neville Arena is set for 1 p.m. CT on ESPN.

How it Happened

Second Half

FINAL: Alabama 97 | Florida 69

The Crimson Tide has made six of eight shots from the field.

Alabama 92 | Florida 62 | 3:08 2nd

Brandon Miller is making it happen for the Crimson Tide. He's up to 19 points, eight rebounds and three assists. The lead has ballooned a bit.

Alabama 78 | Florida 55 | 7:07 2nd

Just a reminder that Brandon Miller can do more than score 🥽

📺: https://t.co/fsmSLKWydY #RollTide | #BlueCollarBasketball pic.twitter.com/bD8lf2xJTJ
— Alabama Men’s Basketball (@AlabamaMBB) February 9, 2023

The Gators have trimmed the lead to under 20. Colin Castleton is having his way on the offensive end right now.

Alabama 69 | Florida 50 | 10:08 2nd

Brandon Miller throws it down.

A 𝗖𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗹𝗲𝗕𝗟𝗢𝗖𝗞 leads to 𝗠𝗜𝗟𝗟𝗘𝗥 𝗧𝗜𝗠𝗘!

📺: https://t.co/fsmSLKWydY #RollTide | #BlueCollarBasketball pic.twitter.com/TeUuG5bnqy
— Alabama Men’s Basketball (@AlabamaMBB) February 9, 2023

Nick Pringle throws it down.

PRINGLE IS IN HIS CAN 🤯

📺: https://t.co/fsmSLKWydY #RollTide | #BlueCollarBasketball pic.twitter.com/VDGqSKzLeK
— Alabama Men’s Basketball (@AlabamaMBB) February 9, 2023

The Crimson Tide is just 2-for-8 from the field since the beginning of the second half. Gators are 5-for-8 in that same span.

Alabama 57 | Florida 35 | 15:45 2nd

No sir ❌

📺: https://t.co/fsmSLKWydY #RollTide | #BlueCollarBasketball pic.twitter.com/bWNpgECARU
— Alabama Men’s Basketball (@AlabamaMBB) February 9, 2023

The Gators start the half on a 7-2 run to cut the lead to 24 quickly.

Alabama 54 | Florida 30

We're back underway at Coleman Coliseum.

First Half

HALFTIME: Alabama 52 | Florida 23

The Crimson Tide is lighting up Coleman Coliseum again. 56% from the field and 53% from 3-point range.
Everybody is getting in on the fun — 8 different scorers for Alabama.
Colin Castleton (13 PTS) trying to carry the load for the Gators.

It's gotten so bad — the Gators are putting in baskets for the Crimson Tide. Everyone that has touched the floor has scored except for Nimari Burnett.

Alabama 42 | Florida 20 | 2:54 1st

A little help from a Gator 🤷🏻‍♂️

📺: https://t.co/fsmSLKWydY #RollTide | #BlueCollarBasketball pic.twitter.com/3D9IzU6Pgs
— Alabama Men’s Basketball (@AlabamaMBB) February 9, 2023

Tell me if you've heard this — the Crimson Tide has opened up a large first half lead. The lead is already 25 here at Coleman Coliseum.

Alabama 40 | Florida 15 | 6:13 1st

Just sit back and admire this beautiful basketball from the Tide!

📺: https://t.co/fsmSLKWydY #RollTide | #BlueCollarBasketball pic.twitter.com/IQw3B2pWxW
— Alabama Men’s Basketball (@AlabamaMBB) February 9, 2023

Dom Welch's and-one takes us to the media timeout. The Crimson Tide still has its foot down on the gas on both ends of the floor.

Alabama 33 | Florida 15 | 7:21 1st

The Crimson Tide is a crisp 64% from the field so far — with five getting their name on the stat sheet early. Mark Sears and Jaden Bradley are leading the way with six points each.

Alabama 22 | Florida 11 | 11:55 1st

Jahvon Quinerly makes his first basket of the game.

Go to work JQ!

📺: https://t.co/fsmSLKWydY #RollTide | #BlueCollarBasketball pic.twitter.com/uzBNdGumPO
— Alabama Men’s Basketball (@AlabamaMBB) February 9, 2023

Excellent start for the Crimson Tide — who feels like it's a few makes away from blowing this thing open early. Colin Castleton doing what he can for the Gators early on.

Alabama 15 | Florida 7 | 14:24 1st

A block on the Castle 🏰❌

📺: https://t.co/fsmSLKWydY #RollTide | #BlueCollarBasketball pic.twitter.com/kL5r4a7qB9
— Alabama Men’s Basketball (@AlabamaMBB) February 9, 2023

First basket of the game goes to Brandon Miller.

The Nation's 𝘽𝙀𝙎𝙏 Freshman get things going for the Tide!

📺: https://t.co/fsmSLKWydY #RollTide | #BlueCollarBasketball pic.twitter.com/OVINVfhiSz
— Alabama Men’s Basketball (@AlabamaMBB) February 9, 2023

We're underway in Tuscaloosa.

Pregame

Starting Lineup for Alabama:

Mark Sears
Jaden Bradley
Brandon Miller
Noah Clowney
Charles Bediako

Tonight's Officials:

Don Daily
Bart Lenox
Jeb Hartness

Head coach Nate Oats, Brandon Miller, Delaney Heard and Adam Cottrell delivered pizzas to students waiting outside Coleman Coliseum.

Pizza Delivery🍕

Shoutout to @Crimson_Chaos! The best students in the country! #RollTide pic.twitter.com/VUwkKTAbMx
— Alabama Men’s Basketball (@AlabamaMBB) February 9, 2023

Alabama head coach Nate Oats is ready to go.

𝗚𝗮𝗺𝗲 𝟮𝟰: Grab your hard hat and get to Coleman tonight because we got the Gators in town!#RollTide | #BlueCollarBasketball pic.twitter.com/B4jTHuAs5A
— Alabama Men’s Basketball (@AlabamaMBB) February 8, 2023

How it Happened

Second Half

First Half

Pregame

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