Alabama’s injury-riddled roster took another hit late on Saturday when two more players were officially ruled out against Tennessee.
Alabama Basketball Loses Key Scorers Ahead of Tennessee Matchup
Per ESPN’s Pete Thamel, both Aden Holloway and Amari Allen will miss the SEC matchup, depriving the Crimson Tide of their second and third-leading scorers for the Saturday night matchup.
Alabama has officially listed both Aden Holloway and Amari Allen as out. They each play 28 minutes a game, leaving a big hole for the Crimson Tide. Alabama will be without five scholarship players against Tennessee. https://t.co/wUaNKDjwHr
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) January 24, 2026
Holloway, a junior guard averaging 17.7 points and shooting 46.2% from three, has been one of the SEC’s most efficient perimeter threats. Allen, a freshman forward, leads Alabama in rebounding at 7.8 boards per game while contributing 11.7 points.
Neither was mentioned by coach Nate Oats during Friday’s injury update, suggesting illness rather than structural issues may be the culprit.
The timing couldn’t be worse. Alabama already entered the week with three players ruled out: freshmen Davion Hannah and Collins Onyejiaka remain sidelined with medical conditions, while Tarleton State transfer Keitenn Bristow is out indefinitely with a right ankle injury.
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The Crimson Tide did receive positive news on other fronts. Guard Latrell Wrightsell Jr., who hasn’t played since the Jan. 7 loss at Vanderbilt due to a right leg injury, is expected to return Saturday.
“I feel like we’ve gotten a lot healthier,” Oats said Friday. “Taylor (Bol Bowen) looks a lot better. He had a hand injury, but it feels like, with him taking the time off with his hand, his legs have gotten better. London (Jemison) has gotten healthier.”
Charles Bediako’s Debut Arrives at Critical Time
The irony isn’t lost on anyone. Charles Bediako, whose court-ordered return to college eligibility has drawn criticism from coaches nationwide, may see an expanded role immediately out of necessity.
With Allen likely out, Bediako’s size alongside Aiden Sherrell becomes more than a curiosity — it becomes a survival tactic against Tennessee’s frontcourt.
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Wrightsell’s return helps, but he’s struggled since coming back from last year’s torn Achilles, shooting just 27% from three. That’s a far cry from Holloway’s elite marksmanship. Miami transfer Jalil Bethea will need to shoulder a significantly heavier offensive burden.
Alabama sits sixth in the SEC standings and can’t afford another stumble this early in conference play. Tennessee represents exactly the kind of opponent that exposes thin rotations.
