Nate Oats on why Alabama basketball freshman Labaron Philon didn’t start at North Dakota

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Eyebrows raised when Alabama basketball freshman Labaron Philon didn’t make the starting five for North Dakota.

Even the CBS Sports Network broadcast had a graphic that featured the four-star recruit’s face and name in the pregame lineup. However, coach Nate Oats opted to start Mark Sears, Jarin Stevenson, Grant Nelson, Cliff Omoruyi and five-star rookie Derrion Reid.

Back in Tuscaloosa on Friday, Oats explained what he called a “non-basketball decision” to reporters ahead of Kent State.

“That was an off-the-court minor deal,” Oats said, adding Philon “needs to clean some stuff up.”

Dec 14, 2024; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama guard Labaron Philon (0) celebrates in the closing moments of the game with Creighton at Coleman Coliseum. Alabama defeated Creighton 83-75. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-Tuscaloosa News

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Philon eventually entered the game with 14:20 to halftime, playing just nine minutes in the first period. His 15 minutes in the second half proved to be the juice the Crimson Tide (9-2) needed to leave North Dakota (4-9) with a win.

Coming out of the locker room trailing 38-35, the Mobile native dropped 13 points with two rebounds and two steals.

Starting nine out of 11 games this season, Philon is shooting 54.2% with averages of 11.9 points and 3.9 rebounds per contest. His 40 assists trial 45 for the All-American Sears.

“There was no Xs and Os decision on that one,” Oats said.

No. 7 Alabama faces Kent State on Sunday at noon in Coleman Coliseum.

Emilee Smarr covers Alabama basketball and Crimson Tide athletics for the Tuscaloosa News. She can be reached via email at [email protected].

This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Nate Oats explains not starting Alabama basketball freshman Labaron Philon

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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/nate-oats-why-alabama-basketball-202151427.html

Author : The Tuscaloosa News

Publish date : 2024-12-20 20:21:00

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