In a better system fit with Alabama Basketball, Aden Holloway looks to reach ceiling

We are living in the peak of the Iron Bowl of Basketball rivalry with Alabama's Nate Oats and Auburn's Bruce Pearl elevating the two programs to their historical peak. Both teams have made the Final Four in the past five years, which was a first for each.

That rivalry got even more juice this offseason when Auburn guard Aden Holloway, the crown jewel of the Tigers' 2023 recruiting class, decided to transfer to Alabama in a rare rival-to-rival swap.

Holloway was highly recruited out of high school, ranking as a five-star and the No. 18 player in the country per the 247 composite rankings.

It was an up-and-down freshman season on the Plains for Holloway. He started the year hot with an impressive 19-point, six assist performance in Auburn's season opening loss to Baylor on a neutral floor. He had a 15-5 game against Notre Dame soon after, hitting four of five from deep. He dropped a season-high 24 points in a neutral site win over Indiana where he connected on five of his eight three point attempts.

Through the season's first 10 games, Holloway was 24/63 (39.7%) from deep. Over the final 25 games, Holloway was just 28/109 (26%). He hit the freshman wall, and dealt with a lack of confidence that wasn't helped by Pearl publicly telling his guards they should shoot the ball less.

Transferring 157 miles northwest to Tuscaloosa, Holloway should get his confidence back from a coach in Oats who will never ask him to stop shooting.

Holloway was billed as the best shooter in his recruiting class, and the form and mechanics is all there. If he can get his confidence back in his shot, then they will go in at a high rate.

Oats spoke about the best shooters on the team, and mentioned Mark Sears, Latrell Wrightsell, and Holloway. If those three guys shoot as well as they are capable of, then there isn't a better three-point shooting backcourt in the country.

Holloway has the ability to pass at a high level, too. He sees the game in slow motion, and while he needs to improve his ability to finish at the rim, he can get to the rim off the dribble, which opens things up for his teammates.

There's always been a misconception about Alabama basketball under Oats. People believe that everything is predicated on three-point shooting. But that isn't true. The offense revolves around paint touches. Oats preaches efficiency, and the most efficient shot in the game is an open layup. So that's priority No. 1. Followed closely behind is the free throw, which Holloway hit at a 77% clip last season.

Failing those two, a kick-out open three is next. Why? Because three pointers are worth one more point than other shots. It's just math, baby.

Holloway is probably the newest addition to the team that I'm most excited about. I think he was born to play in this system. Alabama adding ball-handlers like Holloway and freshman Labaron Philon will allow Sears to play off the ball a little more, which should lead to even more open shots.

A Holloway/Sears backcourt will give up some size, but they will be a nightmare for opposing guards to defend, particularly flanked by two other capable shooters at a time. Having Rutgers transfer Cliff Omoruyi defending the rim will help cover up for any warts.

It'll come down to Holloway's ability to compete defensively for how big of a role he'll have. Ideally, he'll be the backup point guard to Sears and be the engine that runs the second unit. When Chris Youngblood is healthy, I imagine he'll be in the starting lineup with Sears and Wrightsell in the backcourt.

Until then, there's a chance Holloway starts next to Sears, though I'd probably lean Philon as the replacement due to his size.

In any case, if Holloway is competitive defensively, he'll be tough to leave off the court. Increased confidence and a system tailored to his strengths should allow the Auburn transfer to reach his ceiling in Tuscaloosa, playing a full season like he did the first 10 games last season for the Tigers.

Projected role: Rotational guard