Alabama Guard Exits Florida Matchup with Lower Leg Injury

Alabama basketball had a forgettable night against Florida on Tuesday, but the game took a turn for the worse late in the second half, potentially impacting the team’s season moving forward.

During an offensive rebound attempt, sophomore guard Rylan Griffen collided with two Florida defenders, resulting in him falling to the ground and immediately grabbing his right leg. With assistance from trainer Clarke Holter and teammate Nick Pringle, Griffen was helped off the floor without being able to put weight on his injured leg.

Alabama head coach Nate Oats commented on Griffen’s injury post-game, stating, “He’s dealing with a calf injury, and we’re scheduled to have an MRI tomorrow to assess whether it’s a bruise, strain, or something else.”

At the time of the incident, Florida was leading 91-72 with 4:15 remaining in the second half. The collision involved Walter Clayton Jr. and Will Richard from Florida. Griffen had contributed three points and four rebounds before the injury occurred.

Although the play was reviewed for a potential foul, officials determined that both teams were vying for a loose ball, resulting in no foul call. Oats received a technical foul for disputing the ruling, expressing his belief that Griffen was knocked down intentionally.

Additionally, senior guard Latrell Wrightsell Jr. returned to the court after missing four games due to a head injury. However, he only played eight minutes in the first half and did not return after checking out with 8:19 remaining in the first half. Oats mentioned that Wrightsell’s appearance was a positive step towards his recovery and game readiness.

Despite Alabama’s efforts, Florida emerged victorious with a 105-87 win, marking Alabama’s second consecutive loss. The team’s regular-season finale against Arkansas awaits them this Saturday at 11 a.m. Griffen, who has played in all 29 games this season with 27 starts, ranks fourth on the team in scoring with an average of 11.4 points per game.