Alabama's men's basketball team finally took to the court again on Saturday, having had a 10-day break and being away from Coleman Coliseum for about a month. This return was met with a mix of impressive performances and moments of struggle.

Witness Alabama's Basketball Resurgence

Early Impressions of Chris Youngblood

The South Florida transfer, Chris Youngblood, made his long-awaited debut for the Crimson Tide. He had been sidelined with an ankle injury throughout the entire season until now. In his first few minutes on the court, he showed great potential. Although he missed his first 3-pointer, his second one went in, helping to push Alabama's lead to 16 - 7 almost seven minutes into the game. During those initial three minutes, he contributed three points, one rebound, and one steal, with a plus-minus of plus-four. By the end of the day, he finished with five points (2 - for - 6), one rebound, one assist, and two steals over 16 minutes. Youngblood will undoubtedly have more flashy stat lines in the future, but considering he hadn't played this season yet, he started off quite well. It's clear that he will be a valuable asset for Alabama, providing tough minutes and some crucial shooting once he gets more game experience under his belt.

Labaron Philon Shines in Another Non - Conference Game

In yet another non - conference matchup, freshman Labaron Philon continued to impress. He has shown no signs of being a typical freshman in games against UNC, Oregon, Illinois, Purdue, and now Creighton. In each of these matchups, he has scored double figures, and the Creighton game was no exception. Philon tallied 16 points (7 - for - 11), five rebounds, two assists, and two steals. He was an important part of Alabama's offense and defense in a hard - fought victory, making plays in both halves. His consistent performance showcases his potential as a key player for the team.

Ryan Kalkbrenner's Impact

While Alabama didn't completely shut down Creighton's best player, Ryan Kalkbrenner, he also didn't dominate the game. Kalkbrenner made some notable plays, but Alabama was able to limit him at times. For example, in the first half, he denied Cliff Omoruyi on a dunk attempt. Then, on the other end of the floor, Omoruyi forced Kalkbrenner to miss a shot. In the next possession, Omoruyi dunked behind Kalkbrenner. Kalkbrenner finished the day with 18 points, seven rebounds, two assists, and two blocks, which is about his average per game. It was a good day for him, but not a dominant one.Nick Kelly is an Alabama beat writer for AL.com and the Alabama Media Group. Follow him on X and Instagram.