Alabama vs. Ole Miss Hoops Preview
By Nick Jones
The Alabama Crimson Tide will travel to Oxford to face the Ole Miss Rebels looking to clinch a first-round bye and fourth-place finish in the SEC. The Tide, on a hot streak of late, look to continue their winning ways to finish the regular season.
Ole Miss is a physical team under the basket. JaMychal Green and Reginald Buckner both fouled out of the game the last time these two teams faced off, and tonight’s game will be another physical one.
Green will lead Alabama’s post attack along with Nick Jacobs. Green is usually very physical under the basket, but Jacobs has some issues, namely learning to play to his size. If he is going to be the centerpiece of the Tide, he has to step up. Straight up defense will be key, Jacobs has to play physical, but know when to stop. Alabama can’t afford to be in foul trouble early, especially inside.
The Rebels have one of the best rebounding teams in the nation. Ole Miss is ranked 27th in the nation in rebounds per game. With Ole Miss averaging 38.3 rebounds per game, the Tide’s post play will play a major role. Ole Miss plays two very experienced post players, Alabama only one. Look for Moussa Gueye and Carl Engstrom to get more playing time and give both JaMychal Green and Nick Jacobs some relief off the bench. Gueye and Engstrom give Alabama depth at the forward position. If Jacobs or Green get into foul trouble early, the Tide has options.
If history is an indicator, this game will be close. These two teams went to two overtimes earlier this month in Tuscaloosa. Alabama needs to control the game from the start. The Tide play their best basketball when they run their system. Coach Grant has laid out a game plan for a reason, and Alabama needs to play their game.
First, the Tide has to limit turnovers. Alabama has shown that turnovers usually come in transition or when pushing the pace. If Grant decides to work the set offense, turnovers will be less likely. This goes back to playing your game; Alabama has to rely on turnovers by Ole Miss to create easy baskets.
Alabama has to play great defense today. Ole Miss isn’t a great shooting team, but they have several guys that can beat you from outside. Guard play will be another big factor in today’s game. With all the focus centered down low, the guards will have to stay at home in the zone defense. Look for Trevor Releford and Andrew Steele to anchor Alabama’s zone attack from the top of the key, followed by Levi Randolph and Rodney Cooper.
Finally, contain the boards. This will be a game that Alabama might not win the rebounding battle, but they can slow Ole Miss down. Ole Miss has the definite advantage down low, but the Tide have some non-traditional rebounding weapons. Levi Randolph and Rodney Cooper will play a major role in the rebounding category from outside. Both players are big guards who can compete inside. Look for Levi Randolph to have a big impact especially on long rebounds. Randolph is a great box-out defender from outside. If Green can hold down the post, Ole Miss will be forced to shoot from outside. Always remember, long misses produce long rebounds.
Key Matchup
JaMychal Green vs. Reginald Buckner. These two experienced SEC players matchup very well. Reginald Buckner has the size advantage on Green, but Green is very physical. Look for both players to have a major impact for their respective teams.
Reginald Buckner has been a force on the boards all year long. Buckner averages 8.3 rebounds per game, but only 6.8 points per game. He isn’t a scorer, but he can have a major impact under the glass.
JaMychal Green has done it all for the Crimson Tide. He has a great low post game and can shoot from mid-range. He leads the Tide in scoring and rebounding, but he can be wild at times. Green gets called for way too many reaction fouls; he has to limit those calls. In a physical game like this, pushing the limit is key. Post players have to work the post while limiting fouls, which has been an issue for Green all year long.
Today’s game will come down to post play. Green and Buckner might not light up the score board, but they will compete under the basket all day. The winner of the inside battle will more than likely take the victory.
Game Info
March 3, 2012 – 3:00pm CST
C.M. “Tad” Smith Coliseum (Oxford, Mississippi)
SEC Network, streaming on ESPN3