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Alabama Basketball Drops Exhibition Game in Canada, 84-71

By Ronald Evans

LEXINGTON, KY - FEBRUARY 23: Avery Johnson the head coach of the Alabama Crimson Tide gives instructions to his team during the game against the Kentucky Wildcats at Rupp Arena on February 23, 2016 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
LEXINGTON, KY - FEBRUARY 23: Avery Johnson the head coach of the Alabama Crimson Tide gives instructions to his team during the game against the Kentucky Wildcats at Rupp Arena on February 23, 2016 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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Alabama basketball lost an exhibition game 84-71 to Canadian team Carleton University. Other than a brief third quarter lead, the Tide trailed throughout.

Before Alabama basketball fans overreact to the outcome of Wednesday night’s game, understand Carleton can play basketball. Their blowout win last August against Wichita State was no fluke. Neither was their win against Alabama.

Carleton outshot and outrebounded Alabama. They also made fewer turnovers. Those three components almost always assure victory. Alabama basketball trailed by 10 after one-quarter and 11 at the half. Strong defensive pressure brought the Tide the lead in the third, but Carleton regained the lead quickly.

John Petty with 16 points, Collin Sexton with 15 and Braxton Key with 14 points led the Tide offense. Riley Norris added nine points playing with foul trouble. No other Alabama basketball player was an offensive factor in the game.

Even Sexton’s contribution was dimmed by his 4-for-13 shooting and too many turnovers. The 13 point loss will hopefully be a valuable lesson for the young Alabama basketball team.

Why the Tide Lost

  • Carleton scored 22, second chance points. Alabama only managed six.
  • The Carleton bench contributed 28 points. The Alabama bench only 15 and nine of those came from Norris. Avery Jr., Ar’mond Davis, Lawson Schaffer and Alex Reese shot a combined one-for-sixteen. The one basket, a layup bunny by Avery Jr.
  • Alabama was outrebounded 44-34.
  • Carleton got open looks all through the game. Their spacing and ball movement was a mismatch against the Tide defense

Reasons for Concern

  • There was no evidence Alabama basketball has developed an effective inside presence on offense. Daniel Giddens did not look comfortable with the ball down low.
  • Giddens was 1-4 at the foul line. He was a poor foul shooter at Ohio State.
  • Alabama did not show adequate spatial awareness to create defensive rebounding positions.

Reasons for Optimism

  • John Petty is a polished offensive player who can get his own shot, off a dribble if necessary.
  • The Tide has the skills to play attacking, fast-paced basketball.
  • Despite a poor shooting effort, Collin Sexton’s effort remained intense.
  • Braxton Key looked stronger and made better decisions with the ball.
  • In limited play, Galin Smith showed a glimpse of inside offensive skill.

Alabama basketball has a long way to go. It was a bad loss but only an exhibition game. Player rotation patterns would have been different in a regular season game. The team has a big upside for 2017-18.

Next: 30 Great Tide Players who were 3-Star Recruits

There is one more exhibition game in Canada. Alabama basketball plays the University of Ottawa Thursday night.

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