Labaron Philon explains coming off the bench against Tennessee
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Usually, a team’s best players start on the floor.
But for Nate Oats and Alabama on Saturday night, that wasn’t necessarily the case.
Star guard Labaron Philon came off the bench for the first time this season in the Crimson Tide’s miraculous 71-69 road win over Tennessee, a move that surprised many.
As the end result alluded to, the strategy paid dividends for Philon & Co. The sophomore played 28 minutes and led the team with 23 rebounds to go along with a rebound and pair of assists.
And following the win, Philon explained what went into the lineup change, revealing that it actually wasn’t an idea that came from the coaching staff.
“It was my decision. Coach Oats, we kind of talked about it. It’s basketball. I just saw Payton Pritchard come off the bench and have 30 points against the Lakers. It really is a mindset thing. Most guys can’t do it. It doesn’t mean much to get your name called, so if I have to come off the bench from now on then I will.”
As Philon alluded to, it’s possible that the guard may have found a new scheme that can push his team to the next level.
A road date with Georgia on Tuesday and a home bout with rivals Auburn on Saturday will provide two more chances for Philon to prove that his sixth-man role could work in the postseason.
Can Labaron Philon lead Alabama back to the Sweet 16? Kalshi is taking action on predictions.
Parker is currently the sports editor for the Enterprise-Journal in McComb, Mississippi. He's a graduate from Mizzou who has experience covering the Tiger football and basketball beats for SB Nation, and he's worked for a variety of sports news outlets in the past.
