It took some time for Alabama sixth-year senior guard Latrell Wrightsell to feel like himself again. Coming off of last year's Achilles tear, Wrightsell battled inconsistency throughout the non-conference schedule and saw his ever-reliable three-point shot mostly abandon him.
But Wrightsell has found himself during SEC play, turning back into one of the most reliable guards in college basketball. And with that, Alabama looks even more dangerous as March Madness approaches.
Wrightsell was honored with the SEC's co-Player of the Week this week after two terrific games in Crimson Tide wins over Mississippi State and Tennessee. Against the Vols on Saturday night in Knoxville, Labaron Philon took Alabama home, but it was Wrightsell's shotmaking that kept the Crimson Tide within striking distance to steal the game at the end.
Wrightsell led Alabama with 25 points, connecting on 6-of-9 from three-point range. After shooting unde 30% from three during the non-conference schedule, Wrightsell has hit 43% of his attempts during SEC play, which has brought his season percentage up to 37%.
Over Alabama's last six games, Wrightsell is averaging 17.3 points. He's also been a catalyst for a lot of recent improvement on the defensive end of the floor as he continues to take on a heavier minutes load. He's been unselfish enough to come off the bench, but when it's winning time, Wrightsell is in the lineup and making plays on both ends of the floor.
Latrell Wrightsell's re-emergence could be Alabama's ultimate March X-Factor
If Alabama is going to make another deep NCAA Tournament run, this is the version of Wrightsell it has to have. The Crimson Tide's guard play is as good as any in college basketball, with Wrightsell playing at this level, which can take the Crimson Tide a long way.
Philon is the engine, and Aden Holloway is more than capable of filling that role as well. But Wrightsell's three-and-D ability is better than both, adding a much-needed dynamic to the Crimson Tide's roster.
With Philon, Holloway, and Wrightsell, along with the emergence of freshman Amari Allen and the breakout of sophomore center Aiden Sherrell, not to mention some outstanding role players like Houston Mallette, London Jemison, and Taylor Bol Bowen, the Crimson Tide suddenly looks a lot more dangerous.
It's not a coincidence that Wrightsell looking like Wrightsell again has coincided with Alabama's current eight-game winning streak. And it won't be a coincidence if Alabama makes a run in the NCAA Tournament.