Alabama Basketball: Crimson Tide With Predictable Loss In NIT
By Ronald Evans
The Crimson Tide had a predictable loss in the NIT opening round. For fans of Alabama basketball surprised by the result, we’ll look at what happened and why.
Tuesday night in Tuscaloosa, Alabama basketball was outplayed from start to finish by the Richmond Spiders. Unlike football, where outcomes invariably come down to a small number of great plays, basketball games can be won without a single great play. In basketball, teams can win with good plays, made over and over and over.
That is exactly how Richmond defeated the Crimson Tide 71-64 in the NIT opening round. The outcome of the game is no fluke for close followers of basketball. The truth is Alabama never really had much of a chance.
SEC teams do not often see the style of basketball played by the Spiders. Offensively the Spiders run a hybrid Princeton system made legendary by coach Pete Carril. Richmond Head Coach Chris Mooney played for Carril at Princeton.
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The Spiders play more up-tempo than Princeton did under Carril, but most everything else is the same. Quick passing, minimal dribbling, sharp cuts, near constant motion away from the ball; all this designed to create an easy shot near the basket.
When the opponent clogs the middle to shut down the onslaught of layups, the ball is kicked outside for often uncontested shots. To execute this offense requires five players, each of whom can dribble, pass and shoot.
Richmond plays it with four guards and a forward. All five, and their subs can dribble pass and shoot. Alabama is not built that way, not offensively and not defensively either.
On Tuesday night Richmond shot 54 percent to the Tide’s 42 percent. Without a true center, Richmond scored 32 points in the paint, more than half coming from layups.
As always Alabama basketball fought heartily and kept the game within reach until missing seven of its last eight shots. The Tide lost the turnover battle to the Spiders, 16-12. Points off turnovers went for Richmond as well, 20 points to nine for the Tide.
Jimmy Taylor played 10 minutes and Dont’a Hall played 18. For Tide fans looking to quibble about tactics, the two big men could have played less. There was no one for Richmond that either one could guard.
Richmond had more players than Alabama who could dribble, pass, shoot and also play defense. Losing is never fun for fans, but we should give Richmond credit. They put on a clinic. Alabama basketball got schooled.
If you want to better understand how Alabama basketball came up short this season, read this: 5 Reasons Bama Missed the NCAA Tournament.
If you want to feel better about Alabama basketball next season, read this: Avery Has Help on the Way.
If you need a little break from Alabama basketball read below.
Next: 2017 Football Defensive Line is the Key to a Championship
Or if you are still are looking for more basketball, the Alabama’s Women’s team plays in the NIT on Thursday in Tuscaloosa. The Tide take on Mercer. Connect with us on Facebook and share your thoughts about anything Crimson Tide.