In Alabama's final non-conference matchup of the regular season, the Crimson Tide had little trouble dispatching of Ivy League favorite Yale 102-78 on Monday night in Coleman Coliseum without star sophomore guard Labaron Philon.
Philon suffered a thigh/groin injury in Alabama's win over Kennesaw State last Sunday in Huntsville, and Nate Oats held out his star guard against the Bulldogs with hopes that he'll be good to go for Saturday's SEC opener at home against Kentucky.
Alabama was also without freshmen London Jemison (knee) and Davion Hannah (undisclosed).
It was a balanced effort for Alabama without Philon. Five Tide players finished in double figures in the blowout win.
The most important observations from Alabama's blowout win over Yale
1. Alabama shot the lights out from three
Oats said several times in the preseason that he thought this might be the best shooting team he has had at Alabama. They lived up to that on Monday night against Yale.
Alabama hit 22 three-pointers, connecting on 41% from distance. The Crimson Tide had five different players hit multiple three-pointers, with Aden Holloway and Latrell Wrightsell leading the way with five apiece. Houston Mallette (four), Jalil Bethea (three), and Amari Allen (two) also hit multiple.
Even struggling Bucknell transfer big-man Noah Williamson got in on the action, splashing a three in the first half. In fact, Keitenn Bristow was the only player in Alabama's nine-man rotation not to connect on a shot from deep.
2. Aden Holloway set the tone without Labaron Philon
A lot was on Aden Holloway's plate with Philon out, and the junior guard didn't disappoint. He got off to a quick start, scoring 10 points and dishing out five assists with zero turnovers in the first half. He stretched Alabama's 24-point halftime lead to 30 early in the second half with a quick 10 point fury.
Holloway led Alabama in scoring with 26 points and picked up the playmaking slack without Philon, dropping seven assists. Even better, Holloway did it without turning the ball over.
Against a quality mid-major like Yale, Alabama needed Holloway to take on a starring role on Monday night, and he more than delivered.
3. Alabama responded with great effort on the glass
Everyone who has watched Alabama this year knows that the team's biggest Achilles heel has been on the glass. Even last Sunday against Kennesaw State, the Crimson Tide got outrebounded by the mid-major from the C-USA.
That changed against Yale. Alabama doubled up Yale in rebounding in the first half, with Taylor Bol Bowen and Amari Allen finishing with as many rebounds combined (14) as the Bulldogs in the first 20 minutes.
A little lackadasical effort in the second half led to Alabama only winning the battle on the boards by eight, but Oats will no doubt be happy with the effort. Bol Bowen and Allen led the way with nine apiece. Oats will be particularly happy with Bol Bowen, who has frequently drawn the ire of his head coach for his lack of rebounding.
4. Jalil Bethea took advantage of his opportunity
Since returning from his preseason injury, Miami (FL) transfer Jalil Bethea has struggled to carve out a consistent role for Alabama. With Philon out, he had a major opportunity and he took full advantage.
The sophomore played 20 minutes and scored 15 points on 4-of-7 from the field and 3-of-4 from three. He played solid defense and showed the consistent effort that will earn him more opportunities as the season progresses.
Bethea is a bucket, but he's on a team full of buckets. Playing within himself and in control like he did against Yale will lead to a spot in the rotation.