You can't overreact to an exhibition game, particularly one where you are without three key players and with massive roster turnover making it the first real game these guys have played together. But Nate Oats knows Alabama basketball has a lot to work on after Thursday night's 109-105 win over Florida State at Boutwell Auditorium in Birmingham.
That's the point of these exhibitions, however, and Alabama got an immediate look at what it needs to work on before the start of the regular season in 18 days. The Tide's schedule is, as usual, brutal. After opening with North Dakota, Alabama will play four consecutive teams ranked in the preseason AP Poll.
"If we play like this, we'll be 1-4," Oats said about Alabama's first five regular-season games.
The main areas of concern were on the glass, first-half turnovers, and the overall team defense. Alabama finished -5 on the glass and allowed Florida State to corral 23 offensive rebounds. Alabama's first shot defense wasn't terrible; FSU shot just 41% from the floor and 33% from three, but a whistle-happy officiating crew helped the 'Noles hit 27 free throws.
Alabama cleaned up the turnover issues in the second half, and that helped them close out a pesky Florida State team. The Crimson Tide turned it over 12 times in the first half, but only three times in the second half.
Alabama also missed 14 free throws, which allowed the Seminoles to stay connected.
Alabama will need to get better protecting the rim and on the glass
Alabama's defense at the rim was arguably the biggest concern coming into Thursday night. With Noah Williamson out, Alabama only played 18 minutes with a true center on the floor. Aiden Sherrell played 14, and freshman Collins Onyejiaka played four. Alabama spent a lot of time with Taylor Bol Bowen and Keitenn Bristow manning the five. Late in the second half, Alabama had a lineup where freshman wing Amari Allen was the five.
Even with Williamson healthy, he's now known as a rim-protecting big, so this could be a season-long issue for the Crimson Tide. But if they can clean up the glass, the defensive effort on the perimeter might be enough.
Florida State beat Alabama on the offensive glass 23-13. That ultimately allowed the 'Noles to get up 17 more shot attempts, which led to the game being closer than it probably should have been when you look at the box score.
There was plenty of good, too, like sophomore guard Labaron Philon, who led all scorers with 28 points. He shot 8-of-12 from the field and 3-of-4 from three and looked like one of the premier guards in America. It was obvious when it happened that his return was huge for Alabama - Thursday night was a glimpse into just how big it is.