Without the help of two of its biggest pieces, Alabama basketball couldn’t pull out a win at Vanderbilt in its first SEC road game.
Crimson Tide coach Nate Oats gave an update about point guard Labaron Philon and big man Aiden Sherrell before the team faces Texas on Saturday, January 10.
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“Labaron practiced. He’s not quite 100%, but he’s not a guy who wants to sit out games,” Oats said. “I would anticipate him playing. Hopefully, we’ve got the cramping issue under control.”
HOW IT HAPPENED: Alabama basketball wild dunk streak snaps with no Aiden Sherrell at Vanderbilt
REQUIRED READING: Why Labaron Philon left Vandy game, and why Alabama basketball needed him
Against the Commodores, Philon played 20 minutes before checking out the game with full body cramps. He finished with 18 points and one assist.
Oats knows that one of Alabama‘s focuses is getting healthy and commended the Crimson Tide’s training staff’s evaluation of Philon.
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“Testing him in practice to check his levels on stuff. They looked at past games,” Oats said. “I mean, with him, he was a guy that played three straight games, heavy minutes out in Vegas have no issues at all. He’s a guy that loves to play baseball. He was out probably three games in one day in AAU growing up, never had an issue.”
Oats also highlighted how hot Memorial Gymnasium was and how the venue’s temperature may have contributed to cramping.
Leading up to Vanderbilt, Sherrell was a game time decision and never entered the game. Oats said that will be the case for Sherrell once again as Texas comes to Coleman Coliseum.
Sherrell was first sidelined with an apparent knee injury in the first half of the SEC opener against Kentucky on January 3. However, he practiced with the team on Friday.
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Regardless of who is available this weekend, Oats knows he will put five capable bodies on the floor. No. 12 Alabama (11-4, 1-1) plays Texas (9-6, 0-2) at 7 p.m. CT.
Emilee Smarr covers Alabama basketball and Crimson Tide athletics for The Tuscaloosa News. She can be reached via email at esmarr@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Alabama basketball injury update: Where Philon, Sherrell stand before Texas
