The Texas Longhorns secured a massive upset. They defeated the No. 13/12 Alabama Crimson Tide. The final score was 92-88. This crucial news broke on January 11, 2026. The game took place at Coleman Coliseum in Tuscaloosa. It marked Texas’s first Southeastern Conference win of the season. For Alabama, it was a disappointing home loss. It also represented their second SEC defeat. This outcome gave Alabama its worst start in SEC play since the 2021-22 season.
Texas controlled much of the game. They led for over 34 minutes. Alabama only held the lead for about 4 minutes. The Longhorns built a significant lead in the second half. They went up by 13 points at one point. Alabama fought back valiantly. They erased the deficit. The teams battled fiercely late in the game. The score was tied at 74-74. Ultimately, Texas made key plays. They secured the victory. This win is the first true road ranked win for coach Sean Miller at Texas.
Jordan Pope spearheaded the Texas offense. He poured in a game-high 28 points. Pope hit six three-pointers. He also made all six of his free throws. This stellar performance kept Texas competitive. Dailyn Swain contributed significantly. He scored 18 points. Swain also grabbed eight rebounds. A critical block by Swain in the final minute sealed the win. Tramon Mark also added 18 points for Texas. His layup late provided needed cushion. The Longhorns showed resilience. They avoided a three-game losing streak.
Alabama’s backcourt duo led their scoring. Labaron Philon Jr. scored 21 points. Aden Holloway contributed 18 points. Both players got to the free-throw line often. However, Philon also committed five turnovers. Alabama had other players in double figures. Aiden Sherrell scored 13 points. Taylor Bol Bowen added 11 points and 10 rebounds. Despite these efforts, Alabama struggled overall. They were outrebounded by Texas 48-38. This was a key factor in the game’s outcome. Texas also scored 20 second-chance points.
Coach Nate Oats of Alabama expressed his frustration. He specifically cited defensive issues. Oats noted that opponents’ backcourts have consistently challenged his team. Jordan Pope’s high-scoring performance exemplified this. Pope entered the game averaging 12 points. He nearly doubled that total against Alabama. Oats called for more pride from his players. He admitted defensive lapses occurred. Alabama allowed 16 points off isolation plays in the first half alone. These defensive struggles have been a recurring theme for the Crimson Tide. They have given up high scores in recent games. This loss highlights those persistent concerns.
The game was a hard-fought contest. Texas shot 22-of-32 from the free-throw line. Alabama made 19-of-27 attempts. The score was close at halftime. Texas led 46-45. Texas began the second half with a decisive 20-8 run. This set the tone for their eventual victory. Alabama mounted a strong comeback. They tied the game late. However, they could not complete the rally. This upset news sends shockwaves through the SEC. Texas improves its record to 10-6. They are now 1-2 in conference play. Alabama falls to 11-5. They are also 1-2 in SEC action.
This game provides significant talking points for college basketball news. The Texas Longhorns demonstrated toughness. They secured a vital road win. The Alabama Crimson Tide must address their defensive shortcomings. Coach Oats has a clear challenge ahead. Alabama will look to regroup. Texas aims to build on this momentum. The SEC race remains highly competitive. This upset is a significant development for both programs. The win serves as a strong editorial statement for Texas. It shows their potential in the SEC.
