Alabama Basketball: Herbert and Quinerly could get minutes Saturday

Alabama Basketball: Facing the Arkansas Razorbacks Saturday, Nate Oats may get some minutes from Herbert Jones and Jahvon Quinerly.

Alabama basketball coach, Nate Oats said Friday Herbert Jones and Jahvon Quinerly might be able to play Saturday. His description of how much the pair could play was “some minutes.” That is good news for the Crimson Tide, as it indicates Jones and Quinerly could get more than a few minutes Tuesday night in Baton Rouge.

Arkansas started the season 9-0, but the Razorbacks have slipped to 10-3, having lost three of their last four games. The most recent Hogs’ loss was a blowout in Baton Rouge. The high-scoring Razorbacks shot just 34 percent compared to 52 percent for LSU. Arkansas was awful outside the arc against LSU, making only 8-of-31 attempts.

The Razorbacks are still trying to adjust to the loss of Indiana transfer, Justin Smith. Smith was injured against Auburn a couple of weeks ago and is expected to miss another 2-3 weeks. With other injuries besides Smith, Arkansas is down to nine active, scholarship players.

Eric Musselman can still field a tough team. Three games back, playing in Knoxville without Smith, it took a string of late free throws for the Vols to win 79-74. The Hogs hung tough against Tennessee despite their top scoring threat, Moses Moody having a dismal game and scoring only eight points. At 6-feet-6, the freshman guard will challenge the Crimson Tide defense.

Without Smith and Abayomi Iyiola, lost for the season due to an ACL injury, the Hogs rely on a three-guard offense mixed with 7-feet-3 center, Connor Vanover. The big man can shoot and, of course, rebound. He is averaging only 18 minutes a game, mostly due to foul trouble.

Though hobbled with a short bench, the Razorbacks remain dangerous, especially on Saturday. After being embarrassed at LSU, the Hogs will try to regain respect. A full-strength Alabama basketball team would win. At less than full strength, the Tide must match Arkansas in intensity.

Other Friday comments from Nate Oats were,

"Herb, we dodged a bullet. It’s not as bad as we thought.” Day-to-day, finger is still swollen.Jahvon’s been able to participate in some of practice, so we’re gonna see where he’s at with the trainer tomorrow. Hopeful on him.Jordan Bruner is out 4-6 weeks."

The Crimson Tide NCAA NET Ranking is No. 23. Arkansas is at No. 30. LSU has jumped up to No. 18 after three straight wins.

The Arkansas game is 2:30 PM CST Saturday. It can be seen on the SEC Network.