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Alabama Basketball: Tide Wins Again In SEC Tourney – Bring On The Cats

By Ronald Evans

Mar 10, 2017; Nashville, TN, USA; Alabama Basketball guard Dazon Ingram (12) drives against South Carolina Gamecocks guard Rakym Felder (4) during the first half of game eight of the SEC Conference Tournament at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 10, 2017; Nashville, TN, USA; Alabama Basketball guard Dazon Ingram (12) drives against South Carolina Gamecocks guard Rakym Felder (4) during the first half of game eight of the SEC Conference Tournament at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports /
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Alabama basketball won its second SEC tournament game Friday. How the Tide can take out the Cats in the Saturday Semi-Final.

Avery Johnson’s Alabama basketball team is alive in March Madness. The Crimson Tide took down the South Carolina Gamecocks 64-53 on Friday. Next up is a Saturday noon Semi-Final against the Kentucky Wildcats.

Against the Gamecocks, Alabama went on a 10-0 run in the last 2:27 of the game. Until the late run, the game had been tight and tough for both teams. Facing maybe the best half-court, pressure defense in the SEC, Alabama struggled to find offensive rhythm.

Dazon Ingram, who was perfect in shooting on Thursday against Mississippi State, could only manage 2-9 shooting. Riley Norris was huge for the Tide in the last five minutes, hitting two three-pointers, to put Alabama basketball up by five with 4:36 to play. Braxton Key led the Tide in scoring with 18 points.

Norris added two rebounds and a layup in the closing minutes, finishing the game with 12 points and five rebounds. Alabama closed the game out making 10-12 free throws in the last 2:27 of the game. Alabama basketball also dominated the backboards, out-rebounding South Carolina 42-27. Bola Olaniyan had 10 rebounds for the Tide.

March Madness Continues – Bring On The Cats

Alabama Crimson Tide Basketball
Alabama Crimson Tide Basketball /

Alabama Crimson Tide Basketball

What are the Tide’s chances against Kentucky Saturday in a heavily blue Bridgestone Arena? A Tide win would be a big upset but fans have reasons for optimism.

Kentucky is good, at times, very good, but they are not a great team. When Alabama basketball lost to Kentucky in Tuscaloosa, the Tide could have won. In that game, Alabama was 9-29 at the foul line. Kentucky also scored 14 points off 16 Tide turnovers.

Kentucky is playing better now than they were a month ago, but Alabama is playing much better.

Here is How the Tide Can Beat the Cats

  • Minimize turnovers – Alabama cannot afford many empty possessions
  • Defend without frequent fouls – keep the Cats off the line –
  • Shoot 68-70% from the foul line. Against Carolina, the Tide shot 71%
  • Don’t force shots in half-court offense

Do three of those four things well and the Tide can roll again in Nashville.

Next: Check out Avery's New Players for Next Season

A win tomorrow and Alabama is back in the bubble conversation. Hang in there, Alabama basketball fans, March Madness is not over for the Tide. Connect with us on Facebook and let us know what you think.

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