Alabama vs. Auburn Basketball Preview
By Nick Jones
The final home game of the season for Alabama marks a journey no one predicted; one we will look back onto at the end of this season and say, “it was worth it.” Alabama goes for their fifth straight win in the Iron Bowl basketball series over in-state rival Auburn on Wednesday night.
Alabama has come full circle this season. The Crimson Tide started the season with high expectations and a top 20 ranking. Now, the taste of victory is back in Tuscaloosa and the young Tide players are hungry for more. Auburn comes into Coleman Coliseum to face an Alabama team that is ready to eat. Alabama has risen through adversity and is a better team because of it.
Rebounding has been a staple for Alabama all season long, and it should play a major role in Wednesday night’s game. JaMychal Green is projected to start for the first time since his suspension. Green had a great return against Mississippi State on Saturday and will play a major role against Auburn. Green will bring his game on the boards, but will the young Tide post players be able to step up and support him? Nick Jacobs, Carl Engstrom, and Moussa Gueye have to setup and support him on the boards. If Alabama can control the rebounding game, the Tide’s style of play will benefit.
Another staple for Anthony Grant’s team has been defense. Coach Grant has instilled in his players a unrivaled defensive effort and passion. It is amazing to watch Alabama play the defensive side of the ball. From man-to-man to the 2-3 zone, the Crimson Tide is a complete defensive team. Wednesday night’s game won’t be any different; Alabama needs to use the defensive attack to force turnovers and create easy baskets.
Alabama’s depth at guard has been truly amazing. It seems as if Grant has an unlimited number of athletic and disciplined guards to throw on the floor. Andrew Steele and Trevor Releford will lead the Tide’s guard attack. Both players have experience in this rivalry and should step-up to lead the younger guards like Rodney Cooper and Trevor Lacey. Look for Cooper or Charles Hankerson, Jr. to put in some big time minutes for the Tide.
Look for Coach Grant to work the zone early and often. Alabama’s 2-3 zone attack works very well. Releford and Steele at the top of the floor control passing lanes and drives from the outside. Green, Jacobs, and Levi Randolph protect the basket with tough interior defense. Auburn’s streaky play plays directly into Alabama’s zone attack. Unless Auburn gets hot from outside, the Tigers will be forced to attack Alabama’s core post players.
Coleman Coliseum will be rocking on Wednesday night. Here’s Auburn’s recipe for disaster: combine Alabama’s success of late, Auburn coming to town, and the Iron Bowl trophy presentation. The atmosphere will play a major role for Alabama. If the Tide can get the fans involved early, it will be a tough task for Auburn to rebound. Alabama’s final home game of the season could be its best.
Finally, control your confidence. It’s an amazing feeling to step onto the court and know you are going to win, but it can also be very dangerous. Alabama can’t let the outcome of the last couple games go to their heads. Sure, the Tide has pretty much locked in a tournament spot, but there is always room for improvement. The best teams improve everyday. That’s what Anthony Grant wants from his team; players that work hard and focus on getting better everyday. Alabama is favored in this game, but we all know Auburn would love to walk into Tuscaloosa and upset the Tide in front of a sellout crowd.
Usually, there are several keys to victory that I go through, however this week I want to focus on one. Don’t give Auburn anything. I am a firm believer that you can control what you give your opponent. The Tide has to take care of the ball, work their game and make open shots. When Alabama does those three things the outcome is usually great. If the Tide allows Auburn any source of motivation or momentum, it puts the Tigers right back into the game.
Key Matchup
JaMychal Green vs. Rob Chubb. Alabama and Auburn both have experienced big men that will be ready for a battle in the paint. Both players have respect for the other team and understand the rivalry and the importance of this game.
For JaMychal Green, this is his last time to play under the lights of Coleman Coliseum. He has truly made his mark on this university and it’s fans. I have no doubt he will come to play on Wednesday. He might not fill up the stat sheet, but he will do everything he can to lead Alabama to victory.
Rob Chubb had some early success in the contest earlier this season in Auburn. He will be an interesting matchup for Green and the rest of Alabama’s forwards. He is dangerous on the inside, but he can make a jumper or two. Although Chubb only averages 8.6 points a game, he could come up in a big way for the Tigers on Wednesday night.
Game Info
February 29, 2012 – 7:00pm CST
Coleman Coliseum (Tuscaloosa, Alabama)
SEC Network, streaming on ESPN3