Alabama Basketball: Statement made Tide is King of SEC

Alabama Basketball thoroughly dominated Texas A&M on Sunday to win the SEC Basketball Tournament. It was a team win for the Crimson Tide, as they all are, but three Crimson Tide players stood out.

Nate Oats, praising Charles Bediako in the post-game, called it the sophomore’s best game in an Alabama uniform. Bediako had 12 points, 13 rebounds and five blocks.

Brandon Miller, who won the SEC Tournament MVP, had 23 points, 12 rebounds and four assists. Jahvon Quinerly scored 22 points and was particularly effective in setting the tone for the game early. Quinerly also had three rebounds and three assists.

The three Alabama Crimson Tide players were named to the All-Tournament team.

Comparing this season’s defense to the Tide’s stellar defense in the 2021 season, Nate Oats said,

"We don’t have Herb Jones, but we have Charles Bediako, we have much better rim protection."

Nate Oats, who coaches boldly, did not shy away from high expectations going into the NCAA Tournament, saying I think “we’ve got a really good chance to win.”

Being specific about the Crimson Tide’s National Championship chances, Oats gave three keys for the Tide.

• Limit turnovers
• Defensive Intensity
• Generating margin plays

Margin plays are defined as transition points and made free throws. It is noteworthy that Nate Oats did not mention shooting percentage as one of the main keys.

Check out one of the transition plays in the SEC Tournament Championship, with Jahvon Quinerly leading a controlled break, finished by Brandon Miller.

Alabama Basketball Three-Point Shooting

Alabama did not get well from outside the arc on Sunday. Thanks mostly to Jahvon Quinerly and Rylan Griffen, who combined to shoot 6-for-13, the Crimson Tide hit 33.3%. Despite being Alabama’s leading scorer, Brandon Miller was only 4-for-14 from outside the arc. Mark Sears, who hit his first trey on Sunday, finished 1-for-5.  Noah Clowney also made one of two, three-point shots.

Alabama controlled the backboards against Texas A&M, winning the rebound battle, 50-37. Given the Aggies are adept at causing turnovers, the Tide was sensational on Sunday with 12 turnovers.

Speaking after the game Aggies’ coach, Buzz Williams said of Alabama,

"They put so much stress on you with their pace, with their talent, when they’re able to get extra shot after extra shot, it keeps you in rotation."

Williams also described Brandon Miller as a “really, really, really good player.”

Will the Crimson Tide be the overall No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament? We’ll know early Sunday night.