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PREVIEW: Alabama Basketball Takes On Creighton in NIT

By Chris Hale

Mar 11, 2016; Nashville, TN, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide guard Retin Obasohan (32) works against Kentucky Wildcats guard Dominique Hawkins (25) in the first half during the SEC tournament at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 11, 2016; Nashville, TN, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide guard Retin Obasohan (32) works against Kentucky Wildcats guard Dominique Hawkins (25) in the first half during the SEC tournament at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Alabama basketball team will get their chance to even the series against the Creighton Bluejays tonight at the NIT Tournament.

ICYMI: The NCAA is Ridiculous

  • No. 5 seed Alabama Crimson Tide vs. No. 4 seed Creighton Bluejays
  • Time: 8 PM CT
  • Location: CenturyLink Center, Omaha, NE
  • Arena Capacity: 17,390
  • Television Information: ESPN
  • Television Announcers: Play-by-play—Jason Benetti, Analyst—Dameon Fishback
  • Radio Info: Crimson Tide Sports Network (Play-by-play—Chris Stewart, Analyst—Bryan Passink
  • Livestream Info: WatchESPN app
  • Vegas Odds: Creighton (-7)

Not too many expected the Alabama Crimson Tide men’s basketball team to be playing in the postseason, but they proved everyone wrong. Even the head coach of the Tide didn’t expect it, mentioning at the beginning of the season for fans to no expect too much out of this season. Coach Avery Johnson even told reporters yesterday that he had no expectations of making the postseason.

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As JOX Radio host Jim Dunaway pointed out, Coach Avery Johnson posted an 18-14 record with an NIT bid which is same thing that Coach Anthony Grant did in his last season. However, he pointed out something more important. There is a new energy around the basketball program. I agree with him and I think this is the beginning of something great.

The Tide will have to take care of the 7-point favorite Creighton team if the Tide continues to advance. The two teams have only faced on time in the NCAA Tournament in 2012, where the Tide lost a heart breaker, 58-57.

SEE MORE: Alabama Game Notes

Hopefully, the Tide will get some offensive production from the rest of the team in addition to Retin Obashohan (17.7 ppg) and Shannon Hale (10.28 ppg), the team’s leading scorers. Arthur Edwards is also one that’s had the hot hand from three-point land and leads the team shooting 40.8-percent from there.

SEE MORE: Creighton Game Notes

This would be a great night to be on fire from behind the three-point line, but could pose a challenge with Creighton. In their nine conference wins in the Big East, they held opponents to 29.1-percent compared to 37.3-percent in their losses. If things start going well from behind the arc, I may crack a grin before it’s over.

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The Tide will have to slow three different double digit scorers from the Bluejays and one just shy of a double figure if the projected starting lineup holds true— guard Maurice Watson Jr. (14.5 ppg,), guard James Milliken (9.5 ppg), forward Cole Huff (10.7 ppg) and center Geoffrey Groselle (10.6 ppg).

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