Alabama Basketball: Iowa State runs away from a defense-less Crimson Tide

So far, the islands have been unkind to Alabama basketball. Iowa State put a second loss on the Crimson Tide in two days of ‘Battle 4 Atlantis’ play.

The game started so well for Alabama basketball on an early, Thanksgiving evening in the Bahamas. John Petty was on fire. Three minutes and four seconds into the game, the Crimson Tide led 14-4. Eleven of the Tide’s points had been scored by Petty. The junior wing was sensational in 33 minutes of play. He scored 34 points and pulled down 12 rebounds. He shot 50 percent for the game, including 6-for-9 from outside the arc. He made all six of his free throws and had three steals.

Petty needed some help. He did not get near enough. The Crimson Tide lost 104-89. The only other player in double figures for Alabama basketball was Beetle Bolden with 10 points. Still, the Crimson Tide put up 89 points. That output should be enough to win a basketball game. It was not for two reasons – turnovers and defense.

We should say a lack of defense. First the turnovers. At 17, the number was not bad. What was damaging was how many of them occurred and the result. More than half of the turnovers were unforced errors. The result of the 17 miscues was 24 points for Iowa State.

The defensive problems are harder to explain. Most of the game, Nate Oats’ team showed effort. As will be the case often this season, it was sometimes over-powered inside. Too many other times, players appeared a step or more too late. That problem could be confusion and communication issues with a new system.

Iowa State shot 52 percent for the game, including the same percentage on 15-for-29 shooting outside the arc. Ball movement was excellent by the Cyclones and often 3-point shooters faced no defensive pressure.

Much must change for Alabama basketball. In fairness to Nate Oats, he chose little of this roster and none of the Crimson Tide’s brutal schedule. There is a final game in Nassau, followed by a December of tough opposition. Stephen F. Austin comes to Tuscaloosa on Dec. 6. The Lumberjacks knocked off Duke in Cameron Indoor Arena recently. Later in December, Belmont and Richmond will be tough outs without improved Tide defense. A road game at Penn State could also be a problem.

Nate Oats had this to say,

"We’ve got to start focusing on all the aspects of the game, all the little details. Once we get a group that’s got a concerted effort to play defense for 40 minutes, I think we’ll be all right."

Alabama basketball fans are restless. Most of the enthusiasm generated by the Oats hire has dissipated. It is far too early for a rush to judgment. The man needs time.