It was a big day for Alabama basketball. ESPN’s College Gameday’s hardcourt edition was in Tuscaloosa for the first time ever, ahead of the Crimson Tide’s battle for first-place in the SEC with Tennessee.

Alabama played the Volunteers closer than the last matchup, a 20-point drubbing in Knoxville. However, UA couldn’t take advantage of enough opportunities, and fell 81-74.

The Crimson Tide (20-9, 12-4 SEC) will be back in action Tuesday, facing Florida in Gainesville. Before that, here’s what to know about the loss.

Keeping at it

Alabama didn’t start well. The Crimson Tide did exactly what it couldn’t do at the beginning of the game, turning the ball over and struggling on defense.

The Volunteers weren’t able to take full advantage, but built a lead that got out to 11 points. Eventually though, Oats was able to get his team awake.

Multiple times, Alabama pulled the score close. However, defensive mistakes and an inconsistent offensive output kept UA from pulling ahead.

Right before halftime though, the Crimson Tide finally broke though. Alabama was able to make enough stops to pull it close and an Aaron Estrada layup gave the Tide a 41-39 lead going into halftime, after the Vols came up empty on their final possession.

Mark Sears led Alabama with 12 points in the first half and Estrada had 11.

Faltering late

Alabama had the lead for most of the second half, but Tennessee didn’t make it easy. The Crimson Tide’s offense, fully capable of putting up 100 points against many SEC teams, wasn’t able to get near that output against the Volunteers.

The Crimson Tide were able to make enough stops to keep the lead most of the way, but was floundering on the other end. UA led by as much as seven, but couldn’t take advantage and pull away.

Grant Nelson fouled out with 6:43 left, his team clinging to a 62-60 lead. That went away quickly after his departure and Tennessee got back in front.

After that, an Alabama win required stops. The Crimson Tide got a few, but not enough to make a win happen, especially when coupled with a struggling offense.

SEC outlook

The loss deals a serious blow to the Crimson Tide’s hopes of an SEC regular-season title. The victory over Alabama gave the Volunteers sole possession of first place in the league, with a 13-3 conference record.

At 12-4, tied for second place in the SEC with South Carolina, Alabama does still have a path to the title. Tennessee has an extremely difficult final two games, matching up with the Gamecocks in Columbia and Kentucky in Knoxville to close out.

To contrast, both of the Tide’s final two games are extremely winnable. UA starts Tuesday at Florida, a matchup it won earlier this year in Tuscaloosa.

The Crimson Tide closes the season with Arkansas, which stands near the bottom of the league. That game is in Coleman on Saturday.