If the first SEC game is any indication of how the rest of conference play will go, Alabama men’s basketball is in pretty good shape.

Facing Oklahoma, the Crimson Tide built a comfortable lead in the first half, and the Sooners never found a way to climb back into the game. Alabama cruised to a 107-79 victory over Oklahoma on Saturday at Coleman Coliseum to open conference play.

Here are takeaways from the game between No. 5 Crimson Tide (12-2) and No. 12 Oklahoma (13-1).

Grant Nelson thrives en route to double-double

Oklahoma entered the game with one of the nation’s top perimeter defenses. So if Alabama wanted to win, a good path to victory was going to be dominating near the basket.

Nelson did that and then some, especially early in the game.

The North Dakota native made plays in a variety of ways. He denied shots. He made shots. He dunked. He rebounded. He imposed his will on Oklahoma.

By halftime, Nelson had seven points, seven rebounds, two blocks and two steals. He was a big reason why the Crimson Tide was able to grab a 19-point halftime lead.

He also hit some shots beyond the arc. So it wasn’t just what he did in the paint. But his effort there included some of the more impressive plays on a night in which he made all kinds of them.

Nelson’s efforts continued in the second half. At one point on back-to-back series, Nelson scored a layup then grabbed a rebound on the defensive end of the floor. That rebound gave him his fourth double-double of the season. He ended the day with 12 points and 11 rebounds.

The offense goes through Mark Sears

Alabama’s best player is no stranger to high scoring games.

But it’s not every day he has double-digit assists.

Sears not only led all scorers with 22 points, but he also tallied 10 assists. That’s a career high for the Alabama guard.

Sears was a key piece of the colossal victory. His plus-25 in plus-minus led

Rebounds make a difference

Alabama won the battle on the glass, and it wasn’t even close.

The Crimson Tide out-rebounded the Sooners 50-27. Alabama, in particular, grabbed offensive rebounds at a much higher rate. That led to the Crimson Tide having a 25-4 edge in second-chance points.

Nelson (11), Clifford Omoruyi (seven) and Chris Youngblood (eight) made the biggest difference on the glass.

Nick Kelly is an Alabama beat writer for AL.com and the Alabama Media Group. Follow him on X and Instagram.