Alabama Basketball: Tide tops Florida and takes lead in SEC at 3-0

Alabama Basketball: With a starter out, Crimson Tide breezed to a 86-71 win over the Florida Gators.

Alabama basketball went without one starter Tuesday night. The team’s second-leading scorer, Jahvon Quinerly missed the game for ‘medical’ reasons. In fairness to the Gators, they were without their best player as Keyontae Johnson continues to recover from a scary and serious medical issue. Johnson has not played since he collapsed on the court on Dec. 12. He has recovered enough he was able to travel with his teammates to Tuscaloosa.

The Gators needed Johnson Tuesday night. The Crimson Tide did not need Quinerly. As we discussed on Monday, the Crimson entered the first NCAA NET Ranking as the No. 36 Division One team. Florida with a 5-1 start went into Tuesday’s game with an NCAA NET ranking of No. 22.

The Crimson Tide has a half-game lead in the SEC standings at 3-0 and one of only two SEC teams undefeated in league play.

The Gators defense had no answer once Nate Oats’ Alabama basketball team settled into its flow. ESPN commentator, Jimmy Dykes aptly described the Tide offense as “pace and space.” It was however the Tide’s defense and rebounding that set the tone in the first half. The Gators led most of the first half. It was not until the 4:57 mark when a Keon Ellis trey gave the Tide a lead of more than two points. At 14:49 in the second-half, the Tide lead hit double digits and continued to build as the Tide breezed away from the Gators.

Nate Oats made these comments after the game.

"We finally put together an offensive and defensive game. Dominated them after the 18 1/2 minute mark.I thought our defense was really good in the second half. They’re a good team. Did a good job keeping them out of the paint. Keon Ellis had an unbelievable gameWe’ve got some really high IQ guys. Herb, Petty, Bruner, veteran seniors that open their mouth a lot, Shack’s coming along in that regard too."

He made another statement that should excite Alabama basketball fans – and cause future opponents concern.

"We’re more capable than shooting 50+ three-pointers in a game."

Take notice Tide b-ball fans. The Crimson Tide easily handled Florida while making only eight three-point shots on 20 attempts. It was not until 12:33 of the second-half when John Petty took his first shot outside the arc. He made it and missed his only other long-range attempt in the game. Petty’s defense and leadership overshadowed a respectable 12 points, with two rebounds and two assists.

John Petty is quickly showing what Nate Oats is building. The Tide outscored the Gators in the paint, 46-28 and won the rebound battle, 44-39. The scoring was balanced, led by Herbert Jones, Keon Ellis and Jaden Shackelford each getting 16 points. Five Tide players scored in double-figures.

There are many tough games coming up in January. All of them will not end with an Alabama basketball win. But this Tide team has come together, and at 8-3, can again be considered an NCAA Tournament contender.

Next up for the Crimson Tide is a tough, two-game road run. Saturday morning the Tide tips it off in Auburn, followed by Tuesday night in Lexington.