Alabama Crimson Tide takes down Samford by 18, but not easily

Alabama Crimson Tide basketball won by 18 on Wednesday night. Don’t be fooled by the score, it was not an easy win for Nate Oats team.

Alabama Crimson Tide basketball evened its record at 5-5 Wednesday night, beating Samford in Birmingham. The final score was 105-87, giving the appearance of an easy win for the Tide. It was anything but easy.

Had John Petty Jr not scored 39 points and pulled down 10 rebounds, Nate oats team might not have won. Petty made 10-of-13 three-point shots, sparking an early Tide explosion that created a 22-2 lead, four minutes into the game.  Nate Oats’ team kept that same 20 point lead at halftime.

The second-half was vastly different. Three minutes into the second half, the Tide lead grew to 25. Seven-plus minutes later, the lead was six points. Samford became effective and the Tide ineffective. The Alabama basketball squad looked unprepared to deal with a Samford press. While the Tide struggled with the press, it also struggled to defend. Compounding the problem were 11 second-half turnovers.

Eventually, Samford wore down. Alabama outscored the Bulldogs 13-3 in the last five minutes of the game. To the Tide’s credit, it was superb from the foul line down the stretch. The Tide shot 85 percent from the charity stripe for the game, 22-for-26, shooting a dozen more free throws than the Bulldogs.

Why should Alabama basketball fans be concerned? There are several reasons why. Samford drops to 6-7 on the season. The Bulldogs lost to Belmont by 32 points. Belmont is the next Alabama basketball opponent. What happens against Belmont when John Petty cannot match 39 points and the team is not 22-for-26 at the foul line? A loss probably happens.

Belmont is a good team but the Crimson Tide will have many, tougher games this season. Ten games into the Nate Oats’ era, his team is looking at a rough season. In fairness, Oats does not have all the personnel needed. Also, giving credit to Oats, John Petty is a much-improved player. He rebounds and fights hard defensively. When he is not scoring, he dishes assists.

Herbert Jones, even without much improvement finishing at the rim, is also improved. Jones had seven boards and seven assists against Samford. He was also 5-for-6 from the foul line. Alex Reese is contributing more than last season. Jaden Shackelford has been a welcome addition. Javian Davis shows promise.

How long will it take for Nate Oats to build a consistent winner? It does not look as though it can happen this season. One reason is Kira Lewis Jr. The talented sophomore is not playing like a future NBA star. Labeled by everyone, including Nate Oats, as being perfect for Oats’ system of play, Lewis must improve. His 17.3 ppg is good. But he averages over four turnovers per game and is only making threes at 34 percent. What is worse is not being a factor in some games. He had only eight points against Iowa State and just seven against Penn State.

Kira is forced to play too many minutes. Oats has little choice but over-use him. But this Alabama Crimson Tide basketball team needs Lewis and Petty to carry it every game.

After the Belmont game in Huntsville, the Crimson Tide gets Richmond in Tuscaloosa. Then the Tide opens SEC play on the road versus Florida.