No. 6 Alabama vs Jacksonville State: preview, TV schedule

Game Preview: No. 6 Alabama vs Jacksonville State

When: Saturday, December 18 at 8:30 pm ET on SEC Network

Location: Coleman Coliseum, Tuscaloosa, AL

Coming off their second loss of the season, Alabama returns home to Coleman Coliseum to take on the Jacksonville State Gamecocks.

The Crimson Tide as mentioned previously suffered their second loss of the season on Tuesday night as Alabama fell 92-78 on the road to Memphis. Despite the game being close throughout the first half, a late run to end the half gave the Tigers a lead, and was one they would not surrender in the second half.

Ranked as the No. 6 team in the country, Alabama sits at 8-2 on the year averaging 85.2 PPG offensively, but are allowing 74.2 PPG to opponents defensively, including 80+ in each of the last three games. Leading the way for the Crimson Tide is star guard Jaden Shackelford (18.2 PPG, 7 RPG), while seven others average 6+ PPG headlined by guards Jahvon Quinerly and Keon Ellis who also average in double-figures.

Jacksonville State on the other hand are coming off a 66-59 win over Florida International on Wednesday, a back-and-forth contest in which the Gamecocks pulled away late. Despite the Gamecocks struggling offensively, a big deciding factor in the win was Jacksonville State’s success from the free throw line where they went 22-for-25.

The Gamecocks sit at 5-5 on the year, and come to Tuscaloosa averaging 71.9 PPG offensively while allowing 67.8 PPG to opponents. Jacksonville State has gotten strong play so far this season from leading scorer Darian Adams (14.7 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 4.4 APG), while five others also average 7+ PPG including guard Jalen Gibbs and center Brandon Huffman.

Coming off the loss to Memphis, this game is certainly Alabama’s to lose on their home court. Expect a big win for the Crimson Tide on Saturday, similar to Alabama’s 81-57 season-opening win in Tuscaloosa over the Gamecocks last season.

Prediction: Alabama 87, Jacksonville State 63