UPDATED 4:53 PM EST: A release from the University confirms the suspensions of Green, Releford and Steele for “violation of team rules.” Coach Anthony Grant said of the suspensions, “The consequences of their choices have negatively impacted them as individuals and the people that love and support them. Our hope is that they will be mature enough to accept responsibility for their actions and place a higher value on their character.”
The roster for tonight’s game will be Eblen, Randolph, Lacey, Cooper, Hankerson, Jacobs, Engstrom, Gueye. Four freshmen and four sophomores. Hope you took some of that LSU action while you had the chance.
The Alabama Crimson Tide (16-7, 5-4 SEC) will travel to Baton Rouge to face the LSU Tigers (13-10, 3-6 SEC) for the final time this season. Alabama took the first matchup in Tuscaloosa 69-53, only days after the two teams squared off for the BCS National Championship.
Alabama and Head Coach Anthony Grant look to continue their winning ways without star forward Tony Mitchell. In the last matchup, Trevor Releford and Tony Mitchell were the only two Alabama players in double digits. Releford led the Tide with 20 points in the game in Tuscaloosa.
Trevor Releford needs to look to score again tonight. As the Tide’s point guard, Releford usually looks to facilitate other players on the team, but he is great on the dribble drive. Trevor Releford can create points by being aggressive on the offensive side of the ball. He is great at making shots after contact and drawing fouls. If Alabama can pressure LSU’s post early and force them into foul trouble, the Alabama post should benefit.
In Alabama’s first game without Tony Mitchell, nine of Alabama’s ten players scored. Anthony Grant went to the bench very early in the game and stuck with a nice rotation. Look for Coach Grant to do the same thing tonight. Alabama’s bench has been on a scoring roll over the past three games. Depending on who gets the start, Trevor Lacey and Charles Hankerson Jr. could make a difference in the scoring department, while post players Moussa Gueye and Carl Engstrom will provide relief for Nick Jacobs and JaMychal Green.
LSU isn’t a great shooting team; they shoot just over 40 percent from the field. Alabama needs to limit the Tiger’s touches on the low block. JaMychal Green has proven before that he can handle big-time competition, limiting Kentucky’s Anthony Davis for most of the game on offense. Green will have to lock down the paint against LSU’s big men and force them to shoot from outside. If Alabama can accomplish this, the Tide’s chances of winning greatly increase.
Alabama’s team chemistry is still a crucial aspect of the game tonight. The Tide proved they could win in a hostile environment without Tony Mitchell. Can they keep the mentality going? Response to blown calls and fouls will give us a glimpse of the team morale. It is key to have thick skin on the road, especially in Baton Rouge. Alabama can’t let LSU’s fans, players or the referees get into their heads. If Alabama can continue their boosted team chemistry, they will be hard to stop.
Look for Alabama and Coach Grant to pressure LSU on the ball and come out with their smothering defensive zone attack. Alabama’s 2-3 zone has worked very well for most of the season. With LSU’s shooting woes, it is poised to work again. The zone will allow some help inside for JaMychal Green and Nick Jacobs, if the Tigers decide to attack the paint.
If the opportunity arises, Alabama needs to jump out with an early lead. Alabama fell down early against Auburn on the road. A big deficit on the road isn’t what you would call optimal. If the Crimson Tide can sustain a lead early, pressure will be taken off the Alabama defensive attack.
Finally, Charles Hanerkson Jr. has had the hot hand of late. It is well known that Alabama isn’t a great shooting team, but Hankerson has provided a great spark from behind the arc. I’m sure this is in the LSU scouting report, but if LSU decides to pressure him, it will open up other scorers for the Tide.
Key Matchup
JaMychal Green vs. Justin Hamilton. Both players are the proven leaders inside for their teams. Green and Hamilton both have extended SEC experience, and have faced off a couple times.
Justin Hamilton leads the Tigers in scoring at 13.4 points a game, and in rebounding at 7.5 rebounds per contest. Look for LSU to try and get the upper hand in the post early, but JaMychal Green and Nick Jacobs will be waiting.
JaMychal Green also leads Alabama in scoring and rebounding. Green comes into this game averaging 14.1 points and 7.2 rebounds per game. Look for Green’s defensive production to be key against LSU’s star big man.
Green has locked down many of his star counterparts this season and tonight shouldn’t be any different. Alabama has the benefit of having two great defensive players in the post. So, if Hamilton is able to beat JaMychal Green, Nick Jacobs will have help side defense.
In their second game without Tony Mitchell, look for Alabama to continue their winning ways. The game tonight in Baton Rouge won’t be a walk in the park, but the Tide should come away with the win. Alabama faces a make-or-break stretch of the season right now. The Crimson Tide can’t drop many more SEC contests if they want to keep their tournament hopes alive.
Game Info
February 11, 2012 – 6:00pm CST
Pete Maravich Assembly Center (Baton Rouge, Louisiana)
ESPN2, streaming on ESPN3