Alabama Basketball Preview: Tide Looks to Go 4-1 in SEC
By Ronald Evans
Alabama Basketball has a great chance Wednesday night to push its SEC record to 4-1. Missouri has not won a SEC road game in almost three years.
Needing a boost, Alabama basketball got a break in its Sat-Wednesday, road-home schedule. The Tide traveled to Baton Rouge Saturday and blew past a struggling LSU team. On Wednesday, the Tide faces a floundering foe; the Missouri Tigers.
The Tigers have not won a SEC road game in a long time. When they tip it off in Coleman, Missouri will be ten days short of going 3 years without a SEC road win. They have played 2 SEC road contests this season. After leading Georgia at halftime, they lost a close game in Athens. In Missouri’s last game, at Arkansas, they were blown out 92-73.
Missouri fans doubt their team can become competitive this season. Coach Kim Anderson may not survive the season.
Alabama fans are encouraged. In the second half at LSU, the Tide showed offensive rhythm and point production that has been lacking this season. Coach Johnson appeared to make effective adjustments at halftime. In half-court sets, the Tide used Hall at a low post, while using other players at a high post position. The double post formation allowed quick kick-out passes to open perimeter shooters. The tweaked Tide attack allowed Riley Norris and Corban Collins to catch and shoot.
Before we proclaim the Tide’s offensive woes are history, it should be noted that in scoring defense stats, LSU is last in the SEC and 300th nationally.
Going into Wednesday night, Missouri is down and the Tide is up. Which suggests a sure Tide win against the Tigers. Before we put another “W” in the Tide’s SEC win column, let’s review some team stats.
More from Bama Hammer
- Alabama Football: Gut check time for 11 guys Saturday afternoon
- Alabama Football: Moving past Crimson Tide quarterback rumors
- Alabama Football: How improved is the Ole Miss defense?
- Alabama Football: Power Ranking the SEC after week three
- Alabama’s latest win total projection hints that team is in trouble this season
SCORING OFFENSE
The teams are comparable.
Missouri at 70.8 points per game is 13th in the SEC and 246th in nationally. Alabama at 68.6 points per game is 14th in the SEC and 277th nationally.
SCORING DEFENSE
Alabama has the edge.
Alabama at 62.6 points per game is 2nd in the SEC and 19th nationally. Missouri at 70.1 points per game is 7th in the SEC and 132nd nationally.
TOTAL REBOUNDS
Missouri has a slight edge.
Missouri at 40.4 rebounds per game is 2nd in the SEC and 19th nationally. Alabama at 39.1 rebounds per game is 6th in the SEC and 54th nationally.
Alabama at 39.1 rebounds per game is 6th in the SEC and 54th nationally.
TURNOVERS
Missouri has a slight edge.
Missouri at 12.5 turnovers per game is 5th in the SEC and 99th nationally.
Alabama at 13.6 turnovers per game is 9th in the SEC and 187th nationally.
FREE THROW PERCENTAGE
Missouri has a slight edge.
Missouri makes 67.5% of its free throws; 11th in the SEC and 232nd nationally.
Alabama makes 64.2% of its free throws; 13th in the SEC and 313th nationally.
Admittedly, analysis of only five stats is limited. Any conclusion drawn should not be confused with detailed basketball sabermetrics. Based upon these five stat categories Missouri has a slight edge. Beyond stats, the Tide will have the advantage of momentum and confidence.
Next: Fulmer Slouches Toward Knoxville
Alabama must not squander such a winnable game. Alabama has too many weaknesses to take any game for granted. One of these years, Missouri will win another SEC road contest. Let’s hope it does not happen in T-Town.