It is safe to say that the Alabama basketball team is now on the outside looking in. The Crimson Tide will continue their home stand on Saturday afternoon vs. the Tennessee Volunteers. Tennessee has been on a tear as of late, and Alabama is still trying to find themselves without JaMychal Green and Tony Mitchell.
Let’s get down to it. Alabama has been very strong in the paint all year, especially with JaMychal Green and Tony Mitchell. The Tide’s two leading scorers will once again be unavailable for the game, as both remain suspended indefinitely.
Nick Jacobs has become the go-to big man down low for the Tide. He got into major foul trouble early in the Tide’s last game vs. Florida and never rebounded. Jacobs’ absence allowed Florida’s Patric Young to score 19 points and lead the Gators to a big win in Tuscaloosa.
The freshman forward can’t let that happen against Tennessee. Alabama has to have a decent post game to compete with their sub-par shooting. Nick Jacobs is the new star on the inside. He has to dominate his opponent on offense and on defense. It is tough to say, but at times, Jacobs is very soft on the inside. He is a true freshman, so what can you say? He didn’t expect to be the star forward for the Crimson Tide in the heat of SEC play.
Anthony Grant has shown that he isn’t afraid to go to the bench, especially if Nick Jacobs is working hard. Alabama has a decent supporting cast on the inside. Moussa Gueye and Carl Engstrom provide some great height, but both are very inexperienced. Jacobs has to step up and be the leader. He needs to lead the Tide on the boards, scoring inside, and on defense for Alabama to execute.
Although some fans would disagree, Coach Grant is a great scheme coach. He always comes out with a great offensive and defensive set at the start of the game and the second half. Saturday afternoon will be no different. You can bet Coach Grant has been studying film for days on the Volunteers. Remember, Tennessee knocked off Florida both times the teams faced off this season. Tennessee is on a hot streak at just the right time, and the key for Alabama will be slowing it down.
Alabama falls into a major trap, especially when they are down. They try to change their game plan really quick to morph to the other team. I know there is a time for in-game changes to plans, but you can’t just drop your game plan completely. If Alabama keeps their composure for the whole game, plays as a unit, and executes in critical times, they can pull out a victory.
There is simply no excuse for Alabama’s poor free throw shooting performance earlier this week against Florida. Free throws should equal free points. I can understand a couple misses a game, but Alabama leads the SEC in free throw percentage. Free throws are elementary, and you have to make them to win a close game.
With all the pressure on Nick Jacobs, it is crucial that Alabama compete on each and every rebound. Tennessee has a good rebounding game, the Tide plays much better when they lead the rebounding game. This will be another part of the game to watch for Alabama.
Finally, a win tomorrow will need someone outside of Trevor Releford to produce on the outside. The Tide has shown that Charles Hankerson Jr. and Rodney Cooper can score. Look for one of Alabama’s guards to step up. Andrew Steele may get the start tomorrow, so hopefully he will continue his great defensive play and clutch performances.
Key Matchup
Jeronne Maymon vs. Nick Jacobs. Usually we look at two stars for the respective teams, but Saturday afternoon might be a little different. Don’t get me wrong; Jeronne Maymon is a key player for the Volunteers, but he isn’t explosive.
Alabama is undersized and inexperienced down low. Who would have thought Alabama would look to a true freshman on the inside with the most experience? Don’t look for a double-double from Nick Jacobs. He may not have the best stats, but for Alabama to win, he has to do the little things. Box out on every single play, play physical, and contest every shot on the inside.
If Tennessee learned anything from Alabama’s loss to Florida it is their weakness inside. The Volunteers will look to Jeronne Maymon to go head-to-head with Nick Jacobs. Maymon is second in scoring for the Volunteers and averages 7.9 rebounds per game.
Nick Jacobs better bring his A-game tomorrow to Coleman Coliseum. He will have to step up and be physical, especially on the offensive and defensive boards. Jeronne Maymon can be a force inside and Nick Jacobs is Alabama’s only hope at stopping him.
Alabama continues their tough stretch in the SEC without their top two scorers. Anthony Grant said on Friday that he hasn’t talked to JaMychal Green or Tony Mitchell in several days. He plans to meet with the two players next week to talk about their suspensions. Rumors have been flying about both players’ attendance on campus, but nothing official. Can the short-handed Tide get their first win without Green and Mitchell? We will see.
Game Info
February 18, 2012 – 12:30pm CST
Coleman Coliseum (Tuscaloosa, Alabama)
SEC Network, streaming on ESPN3