Alabama Basketball: Sexton does not disappoint as Tide dashes to victory

Alabama basketball dashed and dished as Collin Sexton dazzled and the Tide raced to a home opener victory, 86-64 over Lipscomb.

Alabama basketball took on a determined Lipscomb team that can be a NCAA tourney team this season. The Bisons played hard and smart but could not match the firepower of the Tide. Lipscomb shot only 33 percent for the game, including just 26 percent on threes.

Alabama basketball shot the ball well, except from the free-throw line. The Tide shot 60 percent, despite only hitting 33 percent from three. The Tide was so bad from the foul line it may have set a record for poorest free throw shooting in a win. The Tide was 12-for-32 at the line for just 38 percent.

That kind of abysmal foul shooting will usually guarantee a loss. It did not matter Tuesday night. Alabama ran the floor for 16 fast-break points and consistently pushed the tempo to create 17 assists and 50 points in the paint.

Avery Johnson played 11 guys and nine of them got 13 or more minutes, led by John Petty with 33 minutes. Avery started with two bigs, Giddens and Hall and also used Galin Smith and Alex Reese. The best mix for the night was a four-guard unit of Sexton, Petty, Herbert Jones and Dazon Ingram, playing with Donta Hall.

The only true point guard in the group was Sexton. Sexton, Petty, Jones and Ingram played a free-flowing style that defies traditional position definitions. Call them hybrid guards because they can all dribble, pass and shoot.

What we learned about the Tide

• Collin Sexton lived up to advance billing. He can score, but the best part of his game is finding the open man. He took only 10 shots in 27 minutes, scoring 22 points and adding five assists. His only flaw was being 5-for-12 at the line.
• Herbert Jones is the best pure defender on the team. He can play offense as well. Jones only took four shots and scored six points with three rebounds.
• John Petty plays with as much confidence as Sexton. His shot was a little off early but he finished with 14 points, six rebounds and three assists.
• Alex Reese has not dialed in yet on long-range shots but the rest of his game is already strong. In just 16 minutes he pulled in nine rebounds.
• Donta Hall is a force on defense and running the floor. He also showed a nice touch passing the ball. Coming off dishes from teammates he had five dunks.
• Dazon Ingram is the most consistent player on the team. He shot 6-for-8 with seven rebounds and five assists.

What is next for the Tide?

Avery said after the game “we are not a very good team” and he is correct. They are very much a work in progress. The next two games against Alabama A&M and Texas-Arlington may not reveal much.

The first real tests come Thanksgiving weekend in Brooklyn with BYU and Minnesota. Nine guys played tonight that are good enough to keep playing. Two more that deserve playing time will be added in the coming weeks. Norris should play before the Brooklyn trip. Braxton Key will return later, early to mid December. Alignments, playing rotations and minutes will be a puzzle for Avery.

Once Avery settles in on something other than a merry-go-round of substitutions, this team can be good. When and how good remains unknown but the level of talent in Tuscaloosa is stunning.

Next: Check out this Crimson Tide Gift Guide

For a Tuesday night in November, the Coleman crowd was very good. The students came out in good numbers. Coleman is not a great venue but fill it with a big crowd and it can give the Tide a home court advantage.