Alabama

Florida coach Todd Golden says Gators have ‘a lot on the line’ against Alabama basketball

Published

10 months ago

March 3, 2025

Florida coach Todd Golden says Gators have ‘a lot on the line’ against Alabama basketball

Last week, maturity was make-or-break for Alabama basketball and Florida ahead of the SEC foes’ meeting in Tuscaloosa on Wednesday.

While the No. 6 Crimson Tide was tested with keeping its composure against Mississippi State after completing the season sweep against Kentucky, the No. 3 Gators suffered a wild upset by unranked Georgia last Tuesday. On Saturday, Florida (25-4, 12-4 SEC) bounced back with a win over Texas A&M, but Alabama (23-6, 12-4 SEC) blew its momentum in a matter of 30 seconds against Tennessee.

Nate Oats recalled Alabama veterans throwing themselves pity-parties heading into last season’s game in Gainesville, egos bruised by Tennessee. The Crimson Tide finds itself in the same situation once again, but it’ll need a better response than the one that saw the Gators drop over 100 points on UA in both the 2024 regular season and SEC Tournament.

Here are three things to know before Oats and Florida coach Todd Golden meet again.

Todd Golden says Florida has ‘a lot on the line’ entering trip to Tuscaloosa

After an 89-70 win against a Texas A&M squad that’s navigating a four-game losing streak, Golden found Auburn a deserving lock to win the SEC regular-season. However, he has no problem with being the runner-up to the top overall seed ahead of the NCAA Tournament.

“Obviously Auburn is gonna win the league by themselves, what they’ve done this year. It’s incredible,” Golden said on Saturday. “But we have a chance to go into Tuscaloosa on Wednesday and if we win that game, then we’re in the driver’s seat to get second place. So we have a lot on the line left.”

Golden added the Gators, who have yet to have lost two games straight, are still playing for a No. 1 seed, too.

Gators F Alex Condon recovering well ahead of Alabama visit

Georgia marked UF forward Alex Condon’s first time back on the floor in four games. A couple weeks earlier at Mississippi State, the sophomore went down with a low ankle sprain, but the recovery process appears to be moving along just fine. Against the Aggies, Condon went 5-for-6 for 11 points with a game-high nine rebounds and split a team-best four assists with Walter Clayton Jr.

However, as the Gators went 11-for-16 from the one-line, Condon was 1-for-5. Every free throw is going to count against the Crimson Tide, which ranks fifth in Division I converting about 18.9 attempts per game.

“I was feeling a little bit more comfortable. Just got to make some free throws next game,” Condon said.

Another dogfight on deck for Crimson Tide

For the first time in the Nate Oats era, Alabama basketball scored more than 75 points against Tennessee. Florida’s offense, led by an average 16.9 points per game for Clayton, is a bigger threat than that of the Volunteers, and the Gators still give the Crimson Tide another defense to be worried about.

Florida guards Alijah Martin and Denzel Aberdeen understood the assignment against A&M, which resulted in a scoreless first-half for Aggies star Wade Taylor IV.

“Both those guys, their ability to impact at the top of our defense has been a big part of our growth that way this year. Ball pressure, staying in front, making it harder on guys. We didn’t have that last year, the way we do this year,” Golden said.

Behind the Volunteers, Florida’s defense from the floor and from deep rank No. 2 in the SEC at 39.3% and 29.2%, respectively. Against Tennessee, Alabama went 12-for-29 on layups while shooting 37.5% from three. The Gators are also second in the SEC — and 12th in DI — in offensive rebounds after Texas A&M, who leads Division I with 15.8 per game.

Emilee Smarr covers Alabama basketball and Crimson Tide athletics for the Tuscaloosa News. She can be reached via email at esmarr@gannett.com.

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Alabama

Alabama offensive lineman transferring to Georgia Tech

Published

2 hours ago

January 6, 2026

Press Room

Georgia Tech

Joseph Ionata, who spent two years with the Tide, will be joining former teammate Jaylen Mbakwe.

Georgia Tech fans celebrate during the second half against Syracuse on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025, at Bobby Dodd Stadium in Atlanta. (Hyosub Shin/AJC 2025)

A second former member of the Alabama Crimson Tide is transferring to Georgia Tech.

Offensive lineman Joseph Ionata intends to play for the Yellow Jackets, according to On3. Ionata spent two years with the Tide and would be joining former Alabama defensive back and wide receiver Jaylen Mbakwe.

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Chad Bishop is a Georgia Tech sports reporter for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

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Alabama

Alabama Farmers Federation endorses Kristin Nelson for House District 38

Published

14 hours ago

January 6, 2026

Press Room

Alabama Farmers Federation endorses Kristin Nelson for House District 38

The Alabama Farmers Federation has endorsed Kristin Nelson in the upcoming special election for Alabama House District 38, a seat left vacant following the resignation of Rep. Debbie Wood (R-Valley). The district includes portions of Chambers and Lee counties.

Nelson recently secured the Republican nomination after winning a runoff election. The special general election is scheduled for Tuesday, February 3.

“Kristin Nelson is a well-respected community leader in Chambers County, and we are proud to endorse her,” said Jason McKay, president of the Chambers County Farmers Federation. “We know she will represent us well in Montgomery and ensure District 38 gets the attention it needs in the business and agricultural arenas.”

Support for Nelson’s candidacy also came from farmers in neighboring Lee County. “Kristin Nelson is a strong conservative with incredible knowledge of House District 38,” said Robert Walters, president of the Lee County Farmers Federation. “There is no doubt she will work hard and represent the people of Lee and Chambers counties well in the Legislature.”

Nelson grew up along the Chambers-Lee county line and brings experience from both the public and private sectors. Her background includes seven years in city administration with the City of Valley and three years as a third-grade teacher with Lanett City Schools.

She has also been active in homeschooling through Classical Conversations, where she has served as both a tutor and a local representative supporting other families.

In addition to returning to part-time work with Harris Gray LLC, Nelson serves as worship leader at Fairfax Methodist Church, secretary of the Junior Variety Club and president of the EAMC Lanier Auxiliary Board.

She also founded the Chambers County Young Republicans and currently serves as the chair of the Chambers County Republican Party.

“The farmers of this district and I share the same strong work ethic and conservative values,” said Nelson. “It is an honor to have their support and to be able to represent them and all the people of this district in Montgomery.”

Nelson and her husband, Jeff, live in the Huguley community with their two teenage sons.

The Alabama Farmers Federation is the state’s largest farm organization, representing more than 360,000 member families. The organization uses a grassroots endorsement process that relies on decisions made by county Farmers Federation boards of directors in local elections.

Sherri Blevins is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You may contact her at [email protected].

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Alabama

Tuberville officially files for 2026 Alabama governor’s race

Published

1 day ago

January 5, 2026

Press Room

Tuberville officially files for 2026 Alabama governor’s race

HOOVER, Ala. (WSFA) – Senator Tommy Tuberville officially filed the paperwork to run for governor at the Alabama Republican Party Headquarters in Hoover Monday morning.

“I want to make the lives of the people of this state better,” said Sen. Tuberville. “If I thought that staying in the U.S. Senate would be best for Alabama, I would’ve stayed. but I think the best thing for Alabama is for me to come back.”

He talked about the need to grow Alabama’s economy, with attracting manufacturers being a primary focus. Sen. Tuberville said that to do that, he would focus on improving the state’s infrastructure and making the state’s education and workforce systems more attractive to new residents.

When asked about cutting waste, fraud and abuse, a focus of his time in Washington, D.C., alongside President Donald Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency, Sen. Tuberville said, he expects to make changes if elected governor.

“You have a lot of different agencies here, we want to make them all better,” he said. “We also want to make sure that we save the taxpayers’ money, that we use it wisely and we give it back to them.”

The former Auburn football coach said he did not expect to go into politics, but now, he is ready to transition from national to state politics.

“It’s time to come home, put together a staff and worry about the state of Alabama and the people here,” he said.

According to Alabama’s constitution, someone running for governor has to have lived in the state for at least seven years. Some have questioned whether Sen. Tuberville fits that requirement. He said during the candidacy filing that the Republican Party of Alabama says he does fulfill the requirement.

The filing deadline for candidates to qualify for a major political party is Jan. 23.

Alabama’s Democratic primary has the following candidates: