Alabama basketball could take home another title
Alabama basketball is in the middle of one of the best runs in decades. After only two conference losses, the Crimson Tide won the SEC regular-season title and earned the top seed in the SEC Tournament. After an elite performance against Mississippi State, Alabama only needs two more wins to secure the SEC Tournament title as well.
Alabama is favored to win the SEC, but a tournament title is far from guaranteed. With that in mind, what does Alabama basketball need to do to finish the SEC Tournament strong?
3. The offense must remain efficient
Alabama’s offense is successful, but that is because of the system. Alabama starts with driving to the rim. They will either score at the rim, find an open three or make it to the free-throw line. This system leads to high-percentage shots. Even when shots aren’t falling, they stick to the system and ride out the storm.
The only time Alabama’s offense struggles is when they get into foul trouble and get frustrated. They then start taking bad shots.
Shots don’t have to fall for 40 minutes, but Alabama basketball needs to find a way to keep taking efficient shots.
2. Improve on rebounding
Alabama dominated against Mississippi State thanks to their ability to force steals, but they were actually outrebounded significantly. Some of that was because Alabama had the bench in for most of the second half, but this is something that must improve across the board.
Alabama has relied on an improved defense this year, and that is why they won the SEC. However, rebounding has hurt them in a few games. That could hurt them against Tennessee, so Alabama needs to improve for the rest of the SEC Tournament.
1. Expect more from rotational players
This was an elite performance by Alabama’s bench. Jahvon Quinerly and other players stepped up, but that will need to become the norm. This is more important with the potential loss of Josh Primo.
Primo had a knee injury against Mississippi State. Fans aren’t aware of how severe his injury is, but he is far from a guarantee to play. If he’s available, he would be a key asset for Alabama basketball. If not, players like Quinerly and Keon Ellis will have to step up.
This team has what it takes to make a deep NCAA Tournament run, but they have to get through the SEC Tournament first. These keys will lead them to a championship.