Labaron Philon becoming the player Alabama basketball needs, and it showed in SEC Tournament
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Earlier in the week, Crimson Tide coach Nate Oats said he figured Alabama basketball's X-factors down the stretch were going to be Mouhamed Dioubate and Grant Nelson.
Judging by 21 points, a team-high four assists split with Mark Sears and Aden Holloway, plus a team-high three steals shared with Jarin Stevenson in Friday's 99-70 win against Kentucky in the SEC Tournament at Bridgestone Arena, freshman Labaron Philon took that personally.
The guard reminded the league why he was SEC Freshman of the Week three times, and right in the moment when Alabama (25-7) needs him most.
Labaron Philon emerging for Alabama basketball as March Madness arrives
Not just because Alabama had never beaten the Wildcats three times in a season, let alone three times consecutively. But also because while rival Auburn already has the regular-season league championship, but SEC bragging rights are still on the line.
Philon's aggression proved to be the key to Alabama staying alive to face Florida in an SEC Tournament semifinal Saturday. For the rookie from Mobile, Alabama, it just comes naturally. On nights like he had against Kentucky (22-11), sometimes he got lucky. At least that's what Philon would tell you.
"Because my teammates are turning them over and I get the chance to go up, go down and lay the ball up, I credit them the most," Philon said.
Philon had four driving layups off turnovers in the first half, two back-to-back with 11 minutes to halftime to lift Alabama to an early 22-14 advantage. And as Kentucky lost possessions, it lost confidence.
"I call it lucky plays, because, you know, when I'm guarding somebody else and I can just turn around and see the ball got loose and grab it to see a blur in the open floor, that's that's going to be easy for me," Philon said.
Alabama overwhelmed Kentucky with 11 steals.
The Crimson Tide tips off against the Gators at approximately 2:30 p.m. CT with a Sunday championship berth on the line against the winner of Auburn vs. Tennessee.
Emilee Smarr covers Alabama basketball and Crimson Tide athletics for the Tuscaloosa News. She can be reached via email at esmarr@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Labaron Philon becoming player Alabama basketball needs in SEC Tournament
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