Alabama Basketball: Non-Conference Games Help/Hurt Tourney Chances
By Mike Parham
(9-4) UT Arlington (RPI 82)
In Alabama’s first game as a ranked team in 2017, they took on the Mavericks in a neutral site game. UTA has an impressive win against BYU on their resume and is a team that’s loaded with seniors.
For most of the first half, Alabama basketball was outplayed by UTA but the Tide rebounded in the second half to secure a 77-76 victory. Particularly due to play from freshmen Collin Sexton and Herbert Jones.
Sexton scored 29-points and Jones contributed defensively with nine rebounds, four steals, and drew four charges.
This is another good win for the Tide against a team that is expected to win the Sun Belt.
What does this game mean? For close game experience, it means a lot. The Tide relied on freshmen against a senior led team to pull out a one-point victory. For resume purposes, the Tide needs UTA to win the Sun Belt or at least be a legitimate bubble team.
(11-2) BYU (RPI 54)
Up to this point, this is one of the Tide’s better wins on the season. BYU is a very experienced and well-coached team and Alabama basketball was able to get a double-digit win at a neutral site.
John Petty scored 16 points and led a balanced attack that saw four Tide players score in double figures. Alabama had a hot first half but missed 16 of 25 shots in the second half and relied on defense to get the comfortable victory.
“We have a very balanced team, we try to be as balanced as we can offensively and defensively.” – Dazon Ingram via ESPN
What does this game mean? Since their loss to Alabama, BYU has won 8 games in a row. This is yet another opponent whom the Tide beat by double-digits and are almost guaranteed to make the tournament. A very good win on the resume for Alabama basketball.
(11-3) Minnesota (RPI 50)
This was the game that caught the attention of all college basketball fans in the country. The Tide were forced to play with only four players after a “fight”, which then turned to three after an ankle injury to John Petty.
Still, Alabama only lost the game by five points and even outscored the Minnesota team 30-22 after losing the other players. This was Alabama’s first loss of the season and the circumstances surrounding the loss MAY be considered during selection time.
Even still, this game got the Tide and Collin Sexton, scored 40-points, plenty of exposure.
What does this game mean? It’s hard to really say. Does a Minnesota victory reflect more positive for the Tide instead of the Golden Gophers? Possibly but you don’t get rewarded for moral victories. The Tide missed out on an opportunity to knock off the #14 team which would have given them a signature win.