Defensive struggles continue for Alabama Basketball
In a home loss to Clemson, Alabama Basketball exhibited some of the same defensive issues that have plagued it all season.
After a solid first half showing, Bama had a meltdown on the defensive end of the floor, giving up 52 points to the Tigers in the second half.
The Crimson Tide has now given up 50+ points in the second half of three straight games, which are its only data points against high-major competition. Despite fielding a potent offense and scoring at a high clip, Bama went 1-2 in those games.
Alabama Basketball allowed Clemson to shoot a scorching-hot 11-21 from the three-point line, including an absurd 8-11 in the second half. Bama gave up 52 points on 10-17 from downtown to the Tigers’ big three of PJ Hall, Chase Hunter, and Joe Girard.
Heading into this game, we knew Alabama had to slow down this trio and put forth an improved overall defensive effort. It wasn’t able to do so, and took its first loss in Coleman Coliseum this season as a result.
Bama went 15-0 in Coleman last season, so it was the first loss in the building since Texas A&M defeated the Tide on March 2, 2022. Additionally, this was the first non-conference home loss for Alabama Basketball since it lost to Western Kentucky back in December of 2020 during the pandemic season.
Bama will have plenty of opportunities to bounce back, but it has yet to correct its most glaring weakness. Without a physical interior presence in the mold of Charles Bediako, nor a lockdown perimeter defender like Herb Jones, it may not even be possible to do so this season.
Still, Bama has way too much length and athleticism to be this porous on defense. There is hope that freshman wing Kris Parker, who has yet to appear this season, could eventually provide a defensive spark.
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With a ridiculous stretch looming, one that will include matchups with high-caliber opponents like Purdue, Creighton, and Arizona, the Tide must tighten up. If Coach Nate Oats can’t get Bama’s defensive issues fixed, they will be exposed to an even greater degree over the next couple weeks.