In a clash that carried all the weight of early-season SEC significance, the Alabama Crimson Tide’s hopes for a statement road win in Nashville were dashed by a resilient and undefeated Vanderbilt squad. On January 7, 2026, inside Memorial Gymnasium, Alabama—ranked No. 12—fell 96-90 to the No. 10 Commodores in a game that saw drama, adversity, and a few eyebrow-raising moments from start to finish.
Coming into this highly anticipated matchup, Alabama had reason for confidence. The Crimson Tide hadn’t lost to Vanderbilt in Nashville since 2018, and head coach Nate Oats had maintained a perfect record at Memorial Gymnasium. But as the contest unfolded, it became clear that history would not be on Alabama’s side this time around.
Vanderbilt, riding high after recent wins over ranked foes UCF and SMU, was looking to cement its status as a legitimate contender in the SEC. And what better way to silence doubters than by toppling a battle-tested Alabama team that had already faced five ranked opponents this season? The stakes, already high, felt even greater with both squads navigating injury concerns and roster adjustments.
Alabama’s starting point guard, Labaron Philon, was cleared to play after sitting out the nonconference finale against Yale due to a minor knee and groin contusion—an injury suffered in a collision with Kennesaw State. Philon, a sophomore dynamo, wasted no time making his presence felt. Despite a rocky start that saw him commit three turnovers in the opening minutes, Philon kept Alabama afloat in a first half defined by momentum swings and defensive pressure.
Vanderbilt jumped out to a 13-5 lead behind a 12-2 run, capitalizing on Alabama’s early sloppiness. The Crimson Tide coughed up eight turnovers in the first half, with Philon responsible for four of them. Yet, the young point guard’s resilience shone through. Philon sparked a 13-2 Alabama run late in the half, hitting two key triples—including one that erased the deficit and put the Tide ahead 37-36. By halftime, Philon had racked up 15 points, and Alabama had battled back to knot the score at 43-43.
“We’ve been the better team the last few years,” Oats told Crimson Tide Sports Network before the game. He added, “They haven’t played the schedule that we’ve had. But they’ve played the schedule that they’ve played good.” Those words would soon become bulletin board material for a Vanderbilt team hungry to prove itself.
The second half began with Alabama and Vanderbilt trading buckets, but the game’s complexion changed abruptly with just over 16 minutes to play. Philon, who had reached 18 points and was leading Alabama’s offense, checked out and quietly made his way to the locker room, accompanied by trainer Clarke Holter. As the ESPN broadcast noted, Philon was “in the locker room and waiting for further information” at the 6:05 mark, with Alabama trailing 80-72. The absence of their floor general would prove costly.
Without Philon’s steady hand, Alabama’s offense sputtered. The Tide’s shooting woes from beyond the arc only deepened: after shooting 5-for-18 (27.8%) from deep in the first half, Alabama managed just 4-for-22 (18%) in the second, finishing a dismal 9-for-40 (23%) overall. London Jemison and Taylor Bol Bowen, both key contributors, went a combined 0-for-11 from three-point land. The cold shooting, coupled with mounting turnovers—13 in total, leading to 14 Vanderbilt points—left Alabama searching for answers.
To make matters worse, Alabama was already shorthanded. Starting center Aiden Sherrell, a game-time decision due to a knee injury, was ultimately sidelined. His absence was felt in the paint, where the Tide struggled to finish strong and failed to record a single dunk through much of the contest. Coach Oats admitted earlier in the week that his team “isn’t healthy,” saying practices had been less competitive as a result.
Despite being outgunned, Alabama showed fight on the glass. Freshmen Amari Allen and London Jemison each hauled in 11 rebounds, helping the Tide out-rebound Vanderbilt by 11. Allen also led all Alabama scorers with 25 points, while Aden Holloway chipped in 22. Yet, the lack of depth and the absence of Philon’s playmaking in crunch time were too much to overcome.
Vanderbilt, meanwhile, got key contributions from previously injured players. Duke Miles (knee) and Devin McGlockton (undisclosed) returned to action, with McGlockton grabbing a team-high 12 rebounds and Miles providing crucial minutes. The star of the night, though, was Tyler Tanner, who poured in 29 points and hit big shots whenever Alabama threatened to rally.
The drama didn’t end with the players. With 8:39 to play and Alabama trailing by six, Nate Oats was assessed his first technical foul of the season after a heated exchange with officials. The Commodores capitalized, sinking both free throws and nailing a three-pointer on the ensuing possession to stretch their lead to 11. The sequence seemed to sap whatever momentum Alabama had left.
As the clock wound down, Alabama’s offense went ice cold. The Tide endured a four-minute field goal drought late in the game, and turnovers continued to pile up. With less than three minutes remaining, Vanderbilt led 84-75, and the sense in the building was that the Commodores had finally exorcised their Crimson Tide demons.
For Alabama, the loss marked the end of a four-game winning streak and served as a wake-up call for a team with championship aspirations. The defeat dropped the Tide to 11-4 overall and 1-1 in SEC play. Oats and his squad will need to regroup quickly, with a tough home tilt against Texas looming on January 10, followed by road trips to Mississippi State and Oklahoma.
Vanderbilt, now 15-0 and 2-0 in the SEC, continues its dream start to the season. The Commodores proved they can win ugly, grind out possessions, and capitalize on their opponents’ mistakes. With a signature win over a ranked Alabama team now in the books, Vanderbilt’s place among the SEC elite is no longer in doubt.
As for Alabama, the health of Labaron Philon will be the top storyline to watch in the coming days. His status could shape the Tide’s fortunes as conference play heats up. For now, though, the Crimson Tide leaves Nashville with more questions than answers—and a newfound respect for a Vanderbilt team that simply refused to back down.
