Alabama seemingly has found its stride and looks to stretch its season-long winning streak to seven when it faces Mississippi State on Wednesday night in Southeastern Conference play at Tuscaloosa, Ala.
The No. 17 Crimson Tide sputtered with four losses in a seven-game stretch, including a 100-77 road setback against then-No. 19 Florida on Feb. 1, before the sudden turnaround.
High-octane Alabama (20-7, 10-4 SEC) is averaging 97.5 points during the six-game winning streak and leads the nation at 92.6 points per game. The Crimson Tide will be looking to defeat the Bulldogs for the second time this season and 10th straight overall.
The Crimson Tide are playing good basketball at a pivotal point in the season. Yet they also are trying to not look too far ahead with four regular-season games to go.
“We’re just trying to keep our head down and just take it game by game,” Alabama guard Aden Holloway said. “We’re not trying to worry about the SEC Tournament or March Madness.”
Holloway scored 17 points in Saturday’s 90-83 road win over LSU. He is averaging 16.9 points over the last seven games, which matches his season average, while ranking second on the squad behind star guard Labaron Philon Jr. (21.3).
Holloway was just 5-of-13 shooting against LSU and coach Nate Oats was much more impressed with his defensive play.
“I thought that was the best game Aden Holloway has played on the defensive end all year,” Oats said. “… Aden ended up with two steals, and his defensive leverage was tied for the highest on the team.”
Philon had just eight points against LSU, his lowest output of the season. He is the third-leading scorer in the SEC behind Arkansas’ Darius Acuff Jr. (22.2) and Mississippi State’s Josh Hubbard (22.0).
Hubbard scored 109 points during a three-game span before struggling during a 13-point effort as the Bulldogs (13-4, 5-9) lost 97-89 at South Carolina on Saturday.
Hubbard was just 4-of-20 shooting — 2 of 12 from 3-point range — against the Gamecocks. The poor effort came after he scored a career-best 46 points and drained a program-record 10 treys during a 91-85 home win over Auburn on Feb. 18.
Hubbard has scored 30 or more points six times this season. He’s also four 3-pointers away from becoming the first player in school history to make 300 in a career.
Second-leading scorer Jayden Epps (14.2) had 13 points in 13 minutes against South Carolina before leaving with a left knee injury. He watched the second half from the bench with ice on the knee.
Bulldogs coach Chris Jans said Monday he didn’t know when Epps would return to action.
“Fortunately Jayden avoided any major injury,” Jans said. “Going forward he’s going to be in rehab and will play when he’s available.”
Epps (13 points) and Hubbard (23) were the only double-digit scorers for Mississippi State when it fell 97-82 to visiting Alabama on Jan. 13.
Philon stood out for the Crimson Tide with 32 points on 10-of-14 shooting. It is one of two 30-point efforts of the season. He scored 35 in a 117-115 double-overtime victory at Arkansas last Wednesday.
Aiden Sherrell excelled with 22 points in the win over the Bulldogs. He established his career high of 26 in the Arkansas game.
