Alabama Basketball: August Crimson Tide Hoops update

Thanks to the upcoming European tour, Alabama Basketball gained an extra 10 offseason practices. One of the already completed sessions was a full-game scrimmage.

The Crimson Tide played four, 10-minute quarters and allowed public viewing. The game was close until the fourth quarter when the White team pulled away for a 97-77 win. Balanced scoring on the White team came from Nimari Burnett and Noah Clowney with 21 points each. Rylan Griffen had 20 points, followed by Mark Sears with 16 and Darius Miles with 12.

The Crimson team was led in scoring by super freshman, Brandon Miller who poured in 30 points. The Tide’s other highly heralded freshman, Jaden Bradley scored 19 points, followed by Noah Gurley with 16 points.

Alabama fans on hand were buzzing about Miller, who on Saturday was the best player on the court. Bradley is still recovering from a foot injury and while healthy is not back to game-pace shape. He will be in the next few weeks. Nimari Burnett is fully recovered from last year’s knee injury and provided a strong performance in his side’s win. Jahvon Quinerly did not play, but it is hoped he can return before the end of the calendar year.

Alabama basketball fans with high expectations for Brandon Miller

Going into Saturday, expectations were high about Brandon Miller. He looked every bit the part of a young man ready for the NBA after one season of college ball. The biggest surprise on Saturday came from Noah Clowney. Clowney is a thin 6’10” player with plenty of skills around the basket and outside the arc. At 210 lbs., it was anticipated Clowney would need more weight before being ready for SEC play. Clowney is ready now.

Check out the video below from the scrimmage.

This season’s player numbers are Jaden Bradley (0); Mark Sears (1); Darius Miles (2); Rylan Griffen (3); Noah Gurley (4); Jahvon Quinerly (5); Dom Welch (10); Charles Bediako (14); Noah Clowney (15); Nick Pringle (23); Brandon Miller (24); Nimari Burnett (25).

If the photo of Brandon Miller, in the tweet below. does not pump you up, you are not an Alabama basketball fan.

https://twitter.com/AlabamaMBB/status/1552739095603994624

The Alabama Basketball future is bright

The prospects for success in the 2022-23 season are bright. Over the next two weeks, the Crimson Tide will play three games against international competition. Nate Oats’ team leaves Aug. 5 for Barcelona, Spain. On August 8, the Tide plays the Spanish Select Team. On Aug. 11, in Paris, Alabama will play the Lithuanian Men’s B Team. On Aug. 12 the Tide’s opponent is the Chinese National Team.

Talking about the upcoming opposition, Nate Oats said,

"It will be good for our team to play against those pros over there.We’re going to see some real men."

Not every opposing player will be a professional and Oats is not sure what the exact strength of the other teams will be. Talking about measuring a good result, Oats said,

"I think if we give great effort on the defensive end all the time, which didn’t happen last year, and if we really move the ball and see the chemistry is there and everybody is pulling for the team to get a great shot and nobody’s hunting their own, I’ll feel great after the trip.Defensive effort and unselfish play on the offensive end, whatever happens with the scoreboard at the end, I’ll be fine."

Nate Oats and every one of his players will battle to leave Europe with three wins. Unfortunately, there will be no streaming source to view the games live.