Alabama Basketball: 3 keys for Tide to make the Final Four
By Dakota Cox
3 keys for Alabama basketball to make the Final Four
2. Fouls must be limited
Alabama’s defense has improved, and they play with intensity on both sides of the ball. That has led to success, but it comes with a risk. The Tide have multiple players who are prone to getting in foul trouble, and this can’t happen in the NCAA Tournament.
The biggest key is to keep Herb Jones out of foul trouble. Jones has developed into an all-around talent. When he used to only be a defensive locksmith, it was fine to lose him to foul trouble. Now that he impacts the offense, he is too valuable to lose.
Defensive fouls are an issue, but the Tide also have too many charges. They love to drive the paint, but they must keep control when they do so.
Foul trouble hurts in so many ways. It keeps your best players out of the game. It hurts if a game goes to overtime. It can even lead to a discrepancy in free throws. This hurt Alabama basketball in the regular season, and they can’t let it continue into the NCAA Tournament.
This might not matter in the first few rounds, but Alabama needs to avoid it against teams down the road. If Texas or Michigan gets them into foul trouble, the Tide will be in a tough spot.