Illinois basketball coach Brad Underwood opened his postgame press conference with effusive praise for an Alabama basketball player. If you heard that, you'd probably assume his praise was for star guard Labaron Philon, who took over the game down the stretch to ensure a Crimson Tide victory.
You would be wrong.
Underwood's focus was immediately on Keitenn Bristow, who made his Alabama basketball debut after missing the first three games with an ankle injury. His impact was immediate - and gigantic.
"Difference in the game, in my opinion, was Bristow," Underwood said. "My hat's off to that kid. ...Just absolutely dominated the second half with his effort. That young man has been out for a month, and you would never have known it. (He) was absolutely fabulous."
Keitenn Bristow was the 'difference in the game' according to Brad Underwood
Alabama fans weren't sure what to expect from the Tarleton State transfer. He was more of an under-the-radar find in the Transfer Portal by Nate Oats and the coaching staff. He was the WAC freshman of the year, but how that would translate into high-major college basketball was anyone's guess.
It's clear after one game that Oats found a hidden gem in the portal. Bristow's energy and effort swung the game in Alabama's favor on Wednesday night in Chicago. Bristow played 20 minutes off the bench - which was more of a run than Oats probably wanted to give him, as he was a game-time decision to even play - and nearly finished with a double-double, scoring 10 points and grabbing eight rebounds.
"Keitenn's made a huge difference," Oats said. ..."He's still not in great shape, you can see he had to ask for some breaks, but he gives us everything he's got when he's out there."
Bristow was active on the glass, made a huge difference defensively, and came up with countless loose balls to save possessions for the Crimson Tide. He and freshman Amari Allen keyed the effort on the glass, allowing Alabama to bounce back from going -24 in rebounding against Purdue last week to just -2 against Illinois.
Oats may have unlocked his best defensive lineup with a frontcourt of Bristow and Florida State transfer Taylor Bol Bowen. They are interchangeable at the four or the small-ball five, and while both are a little undersized to play up at the five, they make up for it with length, athleticism, and the ability to switch the pick-and-roll and defend guards.
"I thought we found something that worked with him (Bristow) playing some small-ball five with switching, thought they got a little bit stagnant when we went to it," Oats said.
Alabama has depth and versatility that can allow Oats to have an answer for whatever is thrown at his team. Bristow is going to be a big part of the answer every night going forward.