Full Breakdown
Ole Miss Upsets Alabama in SEC Tournament Quarterfinals
3/15/2026, 12:33:59 AM
Game Overview
In a stunning upset, the 15th-seeded Ole Miss Rebels defeated the second-seeded Alabama Crimson Tide 80-79 in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) Tournament quarterfinals held at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee, on March 13, 2026. This victory marked Ole Miss's third consecutive win in the tournament, despite a challenging regular season where they lost 12 of their last 13 games, finishing with a 15-19 record. Alabama, with a season record of 23-9, was eliminated after just one game in the tournament.
Key Performers
Ole Miss was led by AJ Storr, who scored 17 points, and Ilias Kamardine, who contributed 16 points, with 14 of those coming in the second half. Labaron Philon was the standout for Alabama, scoring 28 points, including five three-pointers. Aden Holloway and Aiden Sherrell added 18 and 14 points, respectively. Despite Philon's efforts, Alabama struggled with shooting efficiency, finishing at 41% from the field compared to Ole Miss's 46%.
Game Dynamics
The Rebels established an early lead, never trailing throughout the game. They jumped to a 6-0 start and maintained a significant advantage, leading by as much as 14 points in the first half. Alabama attempted to rally, cutting the deficit to just one point in the closing moments, but could not secure the lead. A critical moment occurred when Ole Miss's Eduardo Klafke missed a free throw with 9.4 seconds remaining, giving Alabama a chance to win. However, Sherrell's layup attempt was blocked by Ole Miss's James Scott, sealing the victory for the Rebels.
Official Statements & Responses
Alabama head coach Nate Oats acknowledged the team's failure to capitalize on their opportunities, stating, "Maybe I needed to do an analytical breakdown, show them how much better they were playing." He emphasized the need for improvement ahead of the NCAA tournament, noting, "We're going to have to play significantly better."
Criticism & Opposition
Critics pointed to Alabama's lack of execution, particularly in high-pressure moments. The Crimson Tide's inability to convert layups—shooting only 8-of-22—was highlighted as a significant factor in their defeat. Some analysts suggested that Ole Miss's defensive strategy effectively disrupted Alabama's offensive rhythm, forcing them to take shots they were not comfortable with.
What's Next
Following this victory, Ole Miss advanced to the semifinals of the SEC Tournament, where they will face the winner of the Arkansas-Oklahoma matchup. Alabama will now await their NCAA tournament seeding, likely dropping to a fourth or fifth seed due to this unexpected loss.
Verbatim Quotes
“It was a tough season for us, and we want to stay alive. We have to keep pushing. We don’t want to stop. We want to keep playing,” — Ilias Kamardine, Ole Miss Forward
“Good thing for us is we played well enough at times during the year to guarantee ourself a tournament seed,” — Nate Oats, Alabama Head Coach
This upset not only alters the trajectory of both teams' seasons but also highlights the unpredictable nature of tournament play, where momentum can shift dramatically in a matter of minutes.
