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Alabama Basketball: Crimson Tide Drops Key Game To Georgia

By Ronald Evans

Feb 23, 2017; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Georgia Bulldogs guard William Jackson II (0) shoots against Alabama Crimson Tide forward Jimmie Taylor (10) during the first half at Coleman Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 23, 2017; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Georgia Bulldogs guard William Jackson II (0) shoots against Alabama Crimson Tide forward Jimmie Taylor (10) during the first half at Coleman Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports /
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Alabama Basketball NCAA Tournament hopes dim with a home loss to Georgia. Let’s take a look at why the Tide failed in the important contest.

Alabama Basketball had a chance on Thursday night to edge into serious conversation about a NCAA Tournament berth. The Crimson Tide failed to deliver, losing to Georgia 65-60 in Tuscaloosa.

There are multiple reasons why Alabama Basketball could not take advantage of a depleted Georgia basketball team. And there is one Big Reason. Let’s look at the other reasons first before moving to the Big Reason.

For most of the first half, Alabama appeared to lack defensive intensity. On offense, the Crimson Tide was 7-32 and 22 percent. Take away Armond Davis’ 4-8 shooting and the rest of the Tide shot 3-24 in the first half and that is 12.5 percent. Alabama cold as ice shooting did not deter the Tide from jacking up three balls.

Alabama basketball shot 13 first half threes, Georgia basketball shot two and led by 12 at the break. The Tide settled for three’s when it did not need to, while Georgia used dribble penetration to score inside the paint.

In the second half, Alabama fought back and cut the lead to one point twice. The Tide shot better in the second half and improved shutting down the lane. It might have been enough to pull off a heroic comeback.  But it wasn’t.

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Alabama made two of its last 13 shots in the game, one of its last nine, and zero of its last five. End result; heroic comeback thwarted.

Alabama held on until almost the end with a fierce determination and an eventual 42-30 rebound margin. Turnovers were close between the teams, Georgia had a seven-point edge in points off turnovers.

The BIG REASON Alabama basketball lost? First, all of the above problems damaged but did not destroy the Crimson Tide. No, the BIG REASON the Tide lost was Alabama could not guard J.J. Frazier.

Frazier is a 5’10” senior guard for the Bulldogs. He scored 28 points against Alabama. The Tide could not defend him. Ingram, Key, Avery Jr., Collins, Davis, and Norris all tried to stop him. No one stopped him. Avery Jr. slowed him down a bit.

J.J. Frazier is a very good offensive basketball player. He is as quick as his shooting touch is sweet. Alabama could not guard him because Alabama has no guards with enough quickness. As in quick enough feet to stay close enough to contest a shot.

It is not a new problem. The same deficiency contributed to being swept by Auburn. Dazon Ingram is not a point guard. Collins and  Avery Jr. are invariably a step slow, chasing rather than defending.

Asking Key or Norris to shut down a small, quick scorer is unfair and mere fantasy.

Due to injuries, Frazier is Georgia’s one real offensive weapon. When you can’t contain the opponent’s best offensive option, you need to stop his teammates. Alabama was so ineptly focused on Frazier it also broke down defensively on other Bulldogs.

And that is the BIG REASON why on Thursday night, Alabama Basketball Bubble dreams were burst.

Next: Does the Tide have a Point Guard for 2017-18?

It is too soon to discard a glimmer of hope for a NCAA bid. Let us know what you think about the future of Alabama Basketball.

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