One thing that Nate Oats coached teams have shown, is that they’re going to compete even if they’re not at their best. Last night, Alabama played pretty bad all game offensively and still nearly scored 100 points. This team has so much heart and wants to win. That’s so important this time of year.
Mark Sears and Rylan Griffen had an off game. Insert Grant Nelson and Aaron Estrada. This was Grant’s best game in an Alabama uniform. He’s found his role and adjusted physically to be a competent big man in this league. 6 blocks against a team full of 7 footers is impressive. Aaron Estrada keeps searching for that triple double, but he was relentless on the glass and scoring at the rim.
This is a team that can go far in March because they’re relentless and are never out of a game. The amount of times Florida answered Alabama’s runs last night was incredible, but Alabama kept fighting. Let’s give Florida a ton of credit. They’re a very very dangerous team that matches up great with Alabama. Alabama missed Wrightsell big time on both ends, but this team just figures it out.
Live by the 3 and Die by the 3, right? Wrong. I try to tell people that logic is not accurate. Alabama can win games when they don’t make 3’s because every year they’re elite scoring in the paint. At one point they were 2-17 from 3 at the half, but were down 4. That speaks volumes.
Big game this weekend in Rupp. If they win, then the SEC championship is looking pretty.