Alabama Basketball gets win over South Dakota State

Alabama basketball showed some maturity in defeating the South Dakota State Jackrabbits on Saturday night. The Crimson Tide defeated the Jackrabbits 78-65 in Coleman Coliseum to improve to 7-1 on the season.

The game was essentially divided into three separate acts. The first act saw Alabama basketball race out to a 20-point lead in the game’s first 15 minutes. The second act saw that lead evaporate just as quickly, as SDSU went on an extended run spanning both halves. To the shock of Alabama fans, the Crimson Tide found itself trailing midway through the second half.

This brief period of adversity was ultimately just another opportunity for Bama to prove its maturity once again. The Crimson Tide was able to overcome the lapse in a decisive third act, hitting the gas once again and running away from South Dakota State for a 13-point victory.

Alabama basketball hit 13 three-pointers in the game and recorded 20 assists on 27 made baskets.

Once again, the freshmen class paced the team in the victory. Forward Noah Clowney was coming off of an injury, and it was uncertain if he would even play in this game. Clowney played, and was arguably the best player on the floor. He began the game with a flurry of three-pointers, and finished with game-highs of 22 points and nine rebounds. The big man added a career-high four assists for good measure.

Fellow freshman forward Brandon Miller added 16 points and nine rebounds. Miller is one of the best scorers in the country, but he has shown the ability to morph into whatever role Alabama basketball needs him to play in order to win the game at hand.

Junior guard Mark Sears was lights out from the three-point line for the second straight game, pouring in 19 points for the home team.

Backcourt mate Jahvon Quinerly had an off day shooting and failed to score in the game. The veteran guard found other ways to impact the contest, as he grabbed five rebounds and dished out seven assists with just one turnover. Sophomore center Charles Bediako was a force in the paint. The big finished with four points, six rebounds, and five blocked shots.

Alabama basketball will have more opportunities to show maturity and consistency, as its stacked schedule quickly ramps right back up in difficulty. Alabama is entering a tough stretch that begins with a road trip to play the top-ranked Houston Cougars next weekend. This game should be a heavyweight battle and there will be no respite for the Tide afterwards, as the gauntlet continues with games against Memphis and Gonzaga.

This non-conference schedule gives Alabama ample chances to grow, develop, and learn. More importantly, it grants the Tide a lot of opportunities to rack up Q1 victories. Alabama has answered such challenges well to this point.