Labaron Philon Injury Status: Alabama Basketball Faces Uncertainty Against Mississippi State

Alabama men’s basketball star Labaron Philon is listed as questionable for Wednesday night’s game against Mississippi State, adding uncertainty to the Crimson Tide’s matchup in Tuscaloosa. The sophomore guard has been dealing with a lingering injury throughout the 2025-26 season, impacting his performance in recent games.

Philon’s Recent Performance and Injury History

Philon played only 24 minutes in Alabama’s 90-83 win over LSU on Saturday, scoring a season-low eight points. This followed a game against Arkansas where he played over 40 minutes and scored 35 points, but appeared limited in the subsequent contest.

He has a history of a thigh-groin injury, initially appearing on the injury report before the game against Auburn on February 7th as questionable, and later listed as a game-time decision. He previously missed a game against Yale on December 29th due to a thigh and groin contusion.

Nate Oats’ Strategy and Potential Lineup Changes

Alabama head coach Nate Oats has been publicly emphasizing the importance of sophomore Jalil Bethea, seemingly preparing for the possibility of Philon’s absence and aiming to build Bethea’s confidence.

If Philon is unable to play, the Crimson Tide are likely to start Aden Holloway and Latrell Wrightsell in the backcourt. Yet, the team would miss Wrightsell’s contributions off the bench, potentially requiring Oats to supply Bethea more playing time, despite his previous struggles to secure a consistent role in the rotation.

Game Outlook and Betting Odds

Despite the uncertainty surrounding Philon’s status, Alabama remains a significant favorite in Wednesday’s game against Mississippi State, currently favored by 15.5 points on FanDuel. Mississippi State, led by guard Josh Hubbard, can still present a challenge, but Alabama is expected to handle the Bulldogs even without their star player.

Alabama plays Mississippi State at 8 p.m. CT Wednesday on ESPNU.