Alabama Basketball: Tide stumbles, scrambles, advances in the ‘Dance’

Alabama Basketball: Iona pushed the Crimson Tide throughout but Nate Oats’ team survived the upset bid to advance in the NCAA Tournament.

There were surprises and no surprises as Iona battled Nate Oats’ Alabama basketball team toe to tor for 39 minutes Saturday afternoon. The no surprise category included a good plan from Rick Pitino and the toughness with which his team competed. Not shocking, but still surprising, was the Crimson Tide surviving 31 percent three-point shooting, 57 percent free-throw shooting and 10 first-half turnovers. Those kinds of numbers usually result in an NCAA Tournament loss.

Instead, the Crimson Tide won by 13 points, 68-55. As it has had to do, often in the season’s second half, the Tide’s defense and rebounding saved the day. The Crimson Tide defense held Iona to 23 second-half points. Alabama Basketball dominated the backboards, with a 42-26 margin, including 13 offensive rebounds to just six for the Gaels.

Herbert Jones was the Tide’s leading scorer with 20 points. Jones also contributed six rebounds, three steals and two assists. Jahvon Quinerly scored 11 points, finishing a couple of key dribble-drives in the second-half. Jaden Shackelford and John petty scored 10 points each for the Crimson Tide. Petty had a horrible afternoon shooting the basketball, going 3-for-13, including 1-of-5 outside the arc. He was only 3-for-8 at the foul line. Petty had seven rebounds, two blocks, a steal and an assist. Alex Reese hit two huge threes for the Tide.

Taking about his team’s performance, Nate Oats said,

"I walked in at half and said we have to settle down. It seemed like guys were uptight, and not playing like we’re used to them playing. We had some dumb turnovers. We needed to settle down, lock in, and control what we could control.Thought our effort was great. Maybe just had some NCAA Tournament jitters. Maybe get the first game out of the way… just gotta settle down and play a better offensive game."

Nate Oats was candid about what John Petty must do going forward. He also gave the senior credit for his defensive contribution.

"Petty has to settle down and quit putting pressure on himself. He won the hard hat award, he had more blue collar points than anyone. He wants to win at a high level. He did a great job on guarding Gist. Let the offense come."

Next up for Alabama Basketball is the winner of the Connecticut vs. Maryland game. Check out this preview of the two teams.