Alabama basketball wrapped up its two-game exhibition schedule with a blowout 96-71 win over Furman on Sunday afternoon on the road. It was a better all-around effort, particularly on the defensive end, than we saw in the Crimson Tide's first exhibition win over Florida State. It's an encouraging sign of progress as Alabama heads into the regular season.
Furman started the game hot from three, connecting on its first three attempts and building an early 9-0 lead. It was all Alabama from there. The Tide outscored the Paladins 48-27 the rest of the half to take a 12-point lead into the locker room.
Alabama spent most of the second half on cruise control on the way to a 25-point win. Aden Holloway led the way with 18 points. Labaron Philon (16), Latrell Wrightsell (12), and Amari Allen (11) also finished in double figures.
Observations from Alabama's 96-71 win over Furman
A healthy Latrell Wrightsell is a game changer for Alabama
One of the most important additions for Alabama basketball this season wasn't a transfer; it was the return from injury of Latrell Wrightsell. His recovery from last season's torn Achilles culminated in his return to the hardwood 11 months later in Alabama's second exhibition game.
He shook off some early rust and was productive on both ends in 15 minutes of action. His shot was a little off - as was the entire team's in the second half, but he put up 12 points and two assists. He also had a nifty steal and layup off it.
Wrightsell looked healthy and aggressive. His shot wasn't falling, but he was able to get to the rim and convert. He's going to be called upon as a ballhandler more this year - likely the tertiary guy behind Labaron Philon and Aden Holloway.
Even if Wrightsell hadn't scored and would have missed 10 straight shots, it wouldn't have really mattered to me. Just seeing him healthy after all he has been through was great.
The Labaron Philon-Aden Holloway backcourt is devastating
Philon struggled early against Furman with some missed shots and uncharacteristic turnovers, but Holloway was there to pick him up. Holloway scored 16 points in the first half to help Alabama build a 12-point lead. In the second half, Philon scored nine of his 16 points and found a rhythm.
You aren't going to find many better offensive backcourts than what the Crimson Tide can roll out there. Philon and Holloway are devastating offensively with their ability to beat opposing guards off the dribble, get to the paint, and either finish or kick. They can both also shoot the lights out, too.
Perhaps the biggest improvement is on the defensive end. Philon was already a good defender, but Holloway has taken a big step, at least it seems through two exhibitions. Oats talked about Holloway's increased aggressiveness on that end of the floor a couple of weeks ago. That was evident against Furman as he consistently hounded the ball handler.
Alabama's defense took a significant step forward
Alabama struggled on the defensive end of the floor against Florida State. They took a nice step forward against Furman, holding the Paladins to 0.92 points-per-possession. That number drops to 0.80 if you take away the first three possessions where Furman drilled three consecutive three-pointers.
Alabama held Furman to 35% from the floor and just 25% from the three-point line. Oats would have liked more forced turnovers, something that plagued the Crimson Tide last season on that end, but the overall defensive effort was strong.
Alabama is compensating for a lack of an elite rim protector by putting a lot more pressure on the ball on the perimeter. It was an obvious countermove from replacing the departed Cliff Omoruyi with a more offensively minded center in Noah Williamson.
It was a nice step forward, one Oats and company wanted to see before Alabama opens the regular season next Monday against North Dakota.