Alabama head coach Nate Oats highlighted the Kent State and upcoming game against South Dakota State as the final opportunities to make an impression on the coaching staff ahead of conference play. The Crimson Tide's routinely utilized 11 or more players in non-conference play and that continued on Sunday.

The sixth-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide didn't want another close call like the one they had earlier in the week at North Dakota. No worries there. Alabama's defense suffocated Kent State Sunday at Coleman Coliseum for an 81-54 victory.