Alabama Basketball: Grant Nelson may miss Purdue Game

In Alabama Basketball’s 89-65 victory over Arkansas State Forward Grant Nelson suffered a leg injury that may hold him out of a few upcoming games. One of the top players on this year’s Alabama Basketball team Nelson, has yet to practice since the injury. Nate Oats said the following on the status of Nelson:

"He hasn’t practiced yet, but we’re going to try him tomorrow and see how it goes."

Losing Nelson before facing fourth-ranked Purdue would be a massive blow to the Alabama Basketball team. Nelson is third on the Alabama Basketball team in points scoring 14 points per game while leading the team with 6.2 rebounds per game.

Purdue is powered by returning player of the year big man Zach Edey. Edey is averaging 23.7 points per game good enough for 3rd in the country while hauling in 11.2 rebounds per game good enough for 6th in the country.

Alabama Basketball: Facing Edey shorthanded

This Alabama Basketball team may be significantly shorthanded when they face off against Purdue. The position you’d hope to be at full strength at facing Zach Edey is with your big men. However, if Nelson can’t go you’ll be without two of your best big men in Nelson and Nick Pringle who’s currently suspended for conduct detrimental to the team.

The player who will need to perform the best without Nelson is true freshman Jarin Stevenson. The freshman has impressed scoring 7.6 points per game, 3.6 rebounds per game, and nearly a block per game. At 6’11 Stevenson will likely draw the assignment of guarding Zach Edey, limiting Edey will be a massive challenge for the Alabama Basketball team.

In the absence of Nelson the point production will come from Aaron Estrada and Mark Sears. Sears is leading the team with 19.8 points per game while Estrada is scoring 16.4 point per game. In Purdue’s lone loss to Northwestern they got beat by solid guard play with Boo Buie scoring 31 points and Ryan Langborg scoring 20 points.

Note: All stats via ESPN