Charles Bediako's re-debut for Alabama basketball didn't have the storybook ending Crimson Tide fans hoped for. Playing without Aden Holloway and Amari Allen proved to be too much as the Crimson Tide fell 79-73 at home against Tennessee.
But it was obvious, despite the defeat, that Bediako is going to be a major difference maker for Alabama, assuming he is granted the preliminary injunction on Tuesday and is able to continue playing the remainder of the season.
It took Bediako no time to assimilate with the team and make an impact. After just one practice, the former G-Leaguer logged 25 minutes off the bench, scoring 13 points with three rebounds, two steals, and two blocks.
He checked into the game to a standing ovation, and Oats wasted no time drawing up a play to get Bediako an easy dunk on a baseline out-of-bounds play that nearly brought the house down.
“I thought he was good," Oats said of Bediako. "I thought he meshed well with our guys early. I thought Labaron found him on some lobs. He got the dunk to start. His first block, it was great. He hit that little slip on the underneath out of bounds. For a guy that’s only been here a few days to fit in with the team... I thought he was good."
"He's got to get a few more rebounds for us. And he knows it."
Charles Bediako can raise the ceiling for Alabama basketball
Rebounding certainly has to be better for Bediako. Grabbing only three in 25 minutes won't get it done. That's been a major Achilles Heel for Alabama this season, and it reared its ugly head against Tennessee on Saturday night. The Vols were +9 on the glass, and it was a double-digit advantage in the second-half.
With Holloway and Allen out, Oats was trying to match Tennessee's size in the frontcourt by playing Aiden Sherrell and Bediako together a decent bit, but Sherrell's foul trouble caused him to sit out a big chunk of the second half.
Playing Tennessee's game might seem foolish in retrospect, but Oats was short on options with limited playmaking outside of Labaron Philon.
Alabama has to focus on getting healthy now. It needs Holloway and Allen to get back on the court on Tuesday night against a good Missouri team. At 3-3, competing for the SEC regular season title might not be realistic. But Bediako is a ceiling-raiser for this team, particularly if he can hit the glass better.
That revelation is more important than one singular result.
“None of us are gonna let this one game define us or the rest of our season," Bediako said. ..."We’re really good, we’ve just got to put the pieces together and get ready for the next game.”