For any Alabama basketball fans who are unaware, Arizona this season is not a typical Wildcats team. Broad attrition, some driven by a reputation tarnished by the FBI probe, has Zona in a rebuilding mode.
Still, the name carries residual stature. After a disappointing loss to UCF and an embarrassing loss to Georgia State, Alabama basketball was in dire need of a win.
The Crimson Tide got the needed win, in many ways despite itself. At 7:05 remaining in the first half, Tevin Mack made a three, pushing the Tide lead to 19 points. By halftime, the lead was down to nine.