It wasn’t in Maui, and it wasn’t exactly how Alabama basketball drew it up, but the Crimson Tide will take it. Alabama ended its run in the Maui Invitational with a 88-71 victory over Providence on Wednesday.
The victory secures a fifth-place finish for the Tide, which began the tournament with a lopsided loss to Stanford on Monday before rebounding with a win over UNLV on Tuesday. This year’s Maui Invitational was held in Asheville, N.C. due to COVID-19.
Alabama (3-1) will play Clemson (3-0) in Atlanta on Dec. 12 as part of Holiday Hoopsgiving.
Here are three observations from Alabama’s win over Providence.
Healthy Herb is an offensive threat
It’s time to start talking about Herbert Jones the scorer.
Last year, the gritty forward served as the Tide’s glue guy, earning SEC All-Defensive Team honors while leading the team in charges taken (22), deflections (84) and floor dives (31). He’s still taking on that role this season. Although, he’s added a bit more offense to his game.
Wednesday, Jones stepped in at the point after starter Jahvon Quinerly picked up his second foul with 8:09 left in the half. The 6-foot-8, 210-pounder filled in capably in the role, serving as a nice facilitator while showing an improved ability to finish at the rim.
Jones recorded 11 points, eight rebounds and five assists against Providence. He even added his third 3 of the season, two more than he had during his junior year.
Last season, Jones dealt with multiple injuries, including a fractured wrist, which forced him to wear a cast on his dominant left arm for the final eight games. Now healthy, the Greensboro, Ala. native looks to be taking his game to another level during his final year with the Tide. Through four games, he’s averaging 11.75 points and 7.0 rebounds per game while shooting 50 percent (18 of 36) from the floor.
"He's spent a ton of time in the gym all offseason," Alabama head coach Nate Oats said of Jones. "I've been telling you guys all fall that he's really trying to be a pro. He starts hitting jumpers like he's hitting them right now and he's playing a lot of point guard when Quinerly comes out... He's going to get a triple-double this year."
"He's been playing as good as anybody on our team through the first three months of practice here. I'm really happy to see his shots go down for him, see his hard work pay off."
The energy was there
After a lackluster start to the tournament, Oats called for more effort from his team. The energy was better during the Tide’s win over UNLV on Tuesday, but there were still times when the head coach admitted he thought some of his players were “figuring out how hard they have to play in a Division I basketball game.”
Wednesday, the Tide’s drive was unquestioned.
Alabama didn’t look like a team playing its third game in three days. After falling to an early 8-0 lead, the Tide came firing back, going on a 17-3 run to retake control of the game.
Alabama nearly doubled Providence on the boards in the first half (26-14) and outrebounded the Friars 48-28 on the night. The Tide held a commanding 18-8 advantage in offensive rebounds which translated to a 21-9 edge in second-chance points.
"I thought our effort was a lot better," Oats said. "I think we've improved a lot over the three days we've been here. That's what we're trying to do is get better, so if it took a loss to Stanford to get our guys where they needed to be, then that's what it took."
Heating up from 3
After ratcheting up 40 3-point attempts Tuesday night, Alabama wasn’t shy from beyond the arc against Providence. After a slow start, the Tide caught fire from deep, shooting 41 percent (12 of 29) from 3 on the night.
Alabama hit its first six 3s of the second half, including three in roughly the span of a minute to take a commanding 65-49 lead with 12:48 remaining.
Jaden Shackelford and Joshua Primo had 15 points apiece while both connecting on three 3s. John Petty Jr. led the Tide with 16 points but was just 1 of 6 from beyond the arc.
Alabama's improved shooting as a team was an encouraging sign as the Tide entered the night 29 percent (29 of 100) from 3 over its first three games.
The victory secures a fifth-place finish for the Tide, which began the tournament with a lopsided loss to Stanford on Monday before rebounding with a win over UNLV on Tuesday. This year’s Maui Invitational was held in Asheville, N.C. due to COVID-19.
Alabama (3-1) will play Clemson (3-0) in Atlanta on Dec. 12 as part of Holiday Hoopsgiving.
Here are three observations from Alabama’s win over Providence.
Healthy Herb is an offensive threat
It’s time to start talking about Herbert Jones the scorer.
Last year, the gritty forward served as the Tide’s glue guy, earning SEC All-Defensive Team honors while leading the team in charges taken (22), deflections (84) and floor dives (31). He’s still taking on that role this season. Although, he’s added a bit more offense to his game.
Wednesday, Jones stepped in at the point after starter Jahvon Quinerly picked up his second foul with 8:09 left in the half. The 6-foot-8, 210-pounder filled in capably in the role, serving as a nice facilitator while showing an improved ability to finish at the rim.
Jones recorded 11 points, eight rebounds and five assists against Providence. He even added his third 3 of the season, two more than he had during his junior year.
Last season, Jones dealt with multiple injuries, including a fractured wrist, which forced him to wear a cast on his dominant left arm for the final eight games. Now healthy, the Greensboro, Ala. native looks to be taking his game to another level during his final year with the Tide. Through four games, he’s averaging 11.75 points and 7.0 rebounds per game while shooting 50 percent (18 of 36) from the floor.
"He's spent a ton of time in the gym all offseason," Alabama head coach Nate Oats said of Jones. "I've been telling you guys all fall that he's really trying to be a pro. He starts hitting jumpers like he's hitting them right now and he's playing a lot of point guard when Quinerly comes out... He's going to get a triple-double this year."
"He's been playing as good as anybody on our team through the first three months of practice here. I'm really happy to see his shots go down for him, see his hard work pay off."
The energy was there
After a lackluster start to the tournament, Oats called for more effort from his team. The energy was better during the Tide’s win over UNLV on Tuesday, but there were still times when the head coach admitted he thought some of his players were “figuring out how hard they have to play in a Division I basketball game.”
Wednesday, the Tide’s drive was unquestioned.
Alabama didn’t look like a team playing its third game in three days. After falling to an early 8-0 lead, the Tide came firing back, going on a 17-3 run to retake control of the game.
Alabama nearly doubled Providence on the boards in the first half (26-14) and outrebounded the Friars 48-28 on the night. The Tide held a commanding 18-8 advantage in offensive rebounds which translated to a 21-9 edge in second-chance points.
"I thought our effort was a lot better," Oats said. "I think we've improved a lot over the three days we've been here. That's what we're trying to do is get better, so if it took a loss to Stanford to get our guys where they needed to be, then that's what it took."
Heating up from 3
After ratcheting up 40 3-point attempts Tuesday night, Alabama wasn’t shy from beyond the arc against Providence. After a slow start, the Tide caught fire from deep, shooting 41 percent (12 of 29) from 3 on the night.
Alabama hit its first six 3s of the second half, including three in roughly the span of a minute to take a commanding 65-49 lead with 12:48 remaining.
Jaden Shackelford and Joshua Primo had 15 points apiece while both connecting on three 3s. John Petty Jr. led the Tide with 16 points but was just 1 of 6 from beyond the arc.
Alabama's improved shooting as a team was an encouraging sign as the Tide entered the night 29 percent (29 of 100) from 3 over its first three games.
