WATCH: Scottie Pippen congratulates son following Vanderbilt upset of Alabama
Chicago Bulls legend Scottie Pippen was part of some big wins in his career. But his son, Scotty Pippen Jr., got a huge victory of his own Thursday night — and his dad was there to congratulate him.
Pippen Jr. propelled Vanderbilt to an 82-76 upset over Alabama in the SEC Tournament Thursday night. He had 26 points, 15 of which came from the free throw line, to lead the Commodores in scoring. He also dished out seven assists.
To put it in perspective, Pippen Jr. shot 21 free throws. Alabama made 20 free throws as a team.
After the game, Vanderbilt fans began to celebrate, and Pippen Jr.’s dad — a six-time NBA champion with the Bulls alongside Michael Jordan — made his way to the floor to give his son a hug.
Pippen Jr. is Vanderbilt’s leading scorer this season, averaging 20.5 points per game while shooting 43.3% from the field and dishing a team-high 4.2 assists per contest. He arrived in Nashville as a three-star recruit and the No. 12 recruit in the state of Florida from the Class of 2019, according to the On3 Consensus, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.
Scotty Pippen Jr. reveals Alabama assistant provoked Vanderbilt ahead of SEC Tournament matchup
Trash talk is always healthy, especially when you can back it up — something Scotty Pippen Jr. was able to do in Vanderbilt’s 83-76 upset win over Alabama Thursday night. Pippen said postgame that an Alabama assistant coach had some choice words for himself and his teammates after Pippen called the Crimson Tide “very beatable” Wednesday night.
“You asked for it, so you’re gonna get it,” Pippen said that the Alabama assistant told him and his teammates. “It got to them, it got to us. So we know we had to come out and get the win.”
Pippen finished the game with 26 points despite a 5-for-19 shooting night, but logged 7 assists and went 15 for 21 from the free throw line to make up for his low-percentage shooting night. The Commodores also forced 18 turnovers from the Crimson Tide. Alabama will now wait to hear its NCAA Tournament fate come Selection Sunday, while the Commodores look to make a Cinderella run into the semifinals with a win Friday night.
Vanderbilt erased a 10-point deficit in the second half thanks to an early 14-2 run and never looked back. A litany of missed shots, turnovers, fouls, etc. plagued the Crimson Tide and the Commodores sent them packing for Tuscaloosa earlier than expected.