On Saturday night, the Alabama Crimson Tide were back in action for what was one of their toughest tests yet in the Arizona Wildcats.
With the game played in Birmingham as part of the annual C.M. Newton Classic, the Wildcats eventually did go on to give Alabama one of their most challenging games of the season as well, as the Crimson Tide eventually fell, 96-75.
An overall disappointing performance for Alabama, especially late, the Crimson Tide did start strong in this matchup however, even carrying a 41-39 lead into halftime. Arizona went on to dominate the second half though to the tune of a 57-34 edge in the game’s final 20 minutes, headlined by a sizable rebounding edge and some strong offensive play from the likes of Brayden Burries.
Rebounding was also a major story coming out of Saturday night’s contest as well, as despite many similar shooting percentages, Arizona dominated the glass with a combined 52-32 advantage. Arizona also owned a 22-3 edge on the offensive glass, and as a result, attempted nearly 30 more shots than the Crimson Tide, a significant number of which were second-chance looks.
A result that may have shocked some across college basketball, following are some reactions on social media to Alabama’s loss against top-ranked Arizona on Saturday night in Birmingham.
Final. pic.twitter.com/I5coXA9OCa
— Alabama Men’s Basketball (@AlabamaMBB) December 14, 2025
WILDCATS WIN BIG IN BIRMINGHAM 😤
No. 1 Arizona races past No. 12 Alabama for another resume-building victory 🔥 pic.twitter.com/CdMSZT45ui
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) December 14, 2025
Arizona is just dominating Alabama right now.
Such a well-rounded and deep team
— College Basketball Report (@CBKReport) December 14, 2025
Arizona is physically overwhelming Alabama right now. Tide look like they’ve run out of answers.
— Jeff Borzello (@jeffborzello) December 14, 2025
Final
Arizona @ 1.26 ppp
Alabama @ 0.99 pppDominating 2nd half by Arizona as Alabama again struggles to rebound with an elite, physical team.
— Alabama Roundball (@BamaRoundball) December 14, 2025
Arizona gets a 21-point win over Bama in Birmingham 😳 pic.twitter.com/q2BpxenAGp
— ESPN (@espn) December 14, 2025
Alabama sophomore guard Labaron Philon tonight against Arizona #NBADraft
— 24 PTS
— 10 REB
— 5 AST
— 1 BLK
— 7/16 FG
— 3/6 3P
— 7/10 FT pic.twitter.com/cwTx2eE1sJ— No Ceilings (@NoCeilingsNBA) December 14, 2025
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This article originally appeared on Roll Tide Wire: Alabama basketball reactions to loss vs. Arizona Wildcats
