Alabama basketball was pretty banged up for its season-opener against North Dakota. Already down Miami (FL) transfer guard Jalil Bethea for the first month or so, the Crimson Tide also missed Aden Holloway, Latrell Wrightsell, and Tarleton State transfer Keitenn Bristow for the opener.
Nate Oats mentioned before the game on Monday that he hoped all three would be able to play on Saturday against St. John's in Madison Square Garden. It sounds like two of the three will be back, but one will not.
“It looks very doubtful that Keitenn will play tomorrow,” Oats told reporters on Friday before the team departed for New York. “We’ll see what he’s like next week, but he didn’t even participate in practice today. Wrightsell and Holloway both participated in practice. We didn’t go hard today, but we went, and they did what we did. So, provided they look good tomorrow morning, after they went through practice today, hopefully they can both play."
Holloway and Wrightsell's return will be pivotal against a physical and attacking defense like St. John's. Labaron Philon was the only true ball handler in the opener against North Dakota, and the Crimson Tide struggled any time he was on the bench. Both Holloway and Wrightsell can run the offense when Philon needs a break.
It was obvious from the two scrimmages that Bristow was going to play a big role for Alabama this season. He's a tough, physical player who will certainly be missed against the Red Storm. Rick Pitino's teams are always among the most physical and hardest-playing teams in the country, and Bristow's energy and effort were obvious in the two exhibitions.
All eyes will be on Taylor Bol Bowen against St. John's
Oats wasn't happy with Florida State transfer Taylor Bol Bowen in the aftermath of Sunday's opener. He criticized his lack of activity on the glass, and that could be a glaring issue for the Crimson Tide at MSG tomorrow. St. John's will attack the glass, and they will expose anyone not giving requisite effort.
With Bristow out, Bol Bowen will have more on his plate at the four. Oats was complimentary of Bol Bowen's attitude and performance in practice following the North Dakota game.
"His attitude has been great," Oats said of Bol Bowen. "His attention to detail has been better. I would anticipate him playing a lot better."
His performance will be pivotal for the Crimson Tide and could go a long way in deciding whether Alabama can pull the upset on the road.