Alabama Basketball: Jones and Sexton Lead Tide Past Sooners
By Mike Parham
The Alabama basketball team relied on defense, and got a much-needed win, against Oklahoma in the Big 12/SEC Challenge
The Alabama basketball team played its most complete game of the season en-route to an 80-73 upset over #12 Oklahoma (15-5). Every player scored for the Tide, who also had their best defensive game of the season.
Alabama (14-7) had twelve blocked shots, eight by Donta Hall, and also came away with eight steals. Alabama basketball relied on heavy ball pressure and forced 13 Oklahoma turnovers.
The Sooners, average 91.2 points per game which is second in the nation. Allowing only 73-points is a huge with for the Tide.
Before the game, all eyes were on the matchup between freshman point guards Collin Sexton and Trae Young. There were 58 NBA scouts in attendance at Coleman Coliseum and it’s safe to say that they left satisfied.
At the beginning of the game, Sexton was easily the aggressor. He took the ball right at the smaller defender, denied him the ball on offense, and often initiated body contact. That aggressiveness and denial of the ball was instrumental in disrupting the offensive flow for Oklahoma.
After Oklahoma took a 60-55 lead with 11-minutes left in the game, Alabama responded with a 13-0 run and never looked back. The Tide also held Trae Young scoreless in those final 11-minutes.
Sexton was able to finish with 18-points going 8-of-14 from the field. Young, finished with 17-points, eight assists, and five turnovers.
Herbert Jones Steals the Show
Although scouts came to see the Sexton/Young matchup, another Alabama basketball, freshman also got their attention. That player was Herbert Jones.
Scouts got a chance witness the offensive and defensive versatility of Jones. He had a big night stuffing the stat sheet, recording 14-points, five rebounds, three assists, two steals, and a block.
Jones was even tasked with the toughest assignment of the night for most of the game. Guarding the nation’s leading scorer and assists man, Trae Young, Jones didn’t disappoint.
He held Young to his lowest scoring total since the season opener and was instrumental in holding him scoreless for the final 11:12 of the game.
Jones’ 6-foot-7-inch frame caused problems for Young on defense and his playmaking ability caused mismatches on the offensive end. Herbert also served as a crowd igniter, sending Coleman Coliseum into a frenzy after amazing dunks in the first and second half.
This was a huge win for Alabama, who lacked a signature non-conference win. It should really impress the selection committee come tournament time.
Next: Alabama Football: Auto business and the Tide, Julio opens dealership
Alabama basketball has 10 more regular season games. Up next, Alabama faces off against Missouri in a home game on Wednesday night at 8 PM CST.