Alabama men’s basketball defeated Kentucky and will play Florida in the SEC tournament semifinals.

Alabama’s first game of the 2024-25 postseason went relatively easily on Friday night in Nashville

Nashville, Tennessee — Alabama’s first game of the 2024-25 postseason went rather easily on Friday night.

The Crimson Tide defeated Kentucky, 99-70, in the SEC tournament quarterfinals. Alabama, the third seed this week and now 25-7 overall, will face second-seeded Florida in the semifinals on Saturday at roughly 2:30 p.m. CT (ESPN).

Faced with the 6-seeded Wildcats and a Kentucky-heavy crowd inside Bridgestone Arena, Alabama transformed a seven-point halftime lead into a 20-point lead only 10 minutes into the second. The Tide then cruised to their third victory over Kentucky this season, becoming the first team in history to defeat the Wildcats three times in a row.

Alabama shot 51% from the field, including a scorching 58.8% in the second half and a 9-of-16 performance from three. Alabama dominated the game to the point when Kentucky supporters began to leave Bridgestone during the second half Under-8 timeout.

Although five Alabama players scored in double figures, Labaron Philon was the standout. The rookie from Mobile led the Tide with 21 points, four assists, three steals, and three rebounds. It was his fifth consecutive game with a double-digit score, and his eighth in the last nine. It was the type of game that implies he may have been a one-and-done player all along.

Behind Philon, Jarin Stevenson and Mo Dioubate scored 16 and 13 points, respectively, off the bench. Both players, according to Alabama coach Nate Oats, must improve if the Tide are to make a run this week. Friday was a strong day: Dioubate had eight rebounds, while Stevenson had three triples and two steals.

Kentucky, at 22-11 overall, was again missing Jaxson Robinson and Lamont Butler, two of its top four scorers. Amari Williams led the Wildcats in this game with 16 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists. Andrew Carr scored 18 points off the bench.

On Saturday, Florida will face a harder opponent after defeating Missouri 95-81 earlier on Friday. The Gators are now 28-4 this season, including a 99-94 victory over the Tide at Coleman Coliseum. They’ve beaten Alabama three consecutive games since last season, including in the SEC tournament quarterfinals.

Alabama was outrebounded 50-35 against the Gators earlier this month. However, if they can shoot the ball as effectively as they did against Kentucky on Friday night, they may have a chance to defeat Florida and win a 1-seed in the NCAA tournament.