This is just insane. Every time I literally pick Bama to lose, they win and vice versa. Anyway, what a HUGE program building win today against South Carolina today. Sure the first game Bama beat them was big, but this was on a huge stage in the SEC Tournament in the quarterfinals. It's been a long time since Bama has won multiple games in the SEC tournament and Coach Avery accomplishes that feat in the 2nd year. This gets Bama on the map as your casual basketball fan only watches when March comes around and they see what Coach Avery is doing at Alabama. Alabama didn't play pretty to most people, but they played beautifully based on what they like to do. They like to grind you down on defense, rebound, and be aggressive on the offensive end. When Alabama can make timely shots and FT's, they can beat anyone in the SEC. Watching this team the past two days, you can see a focus in their eyes that I haven't seen most of the season. I can tell because they are making their free throws and look relaxed. Let's check on the X Factors:
USCe was getting off to a fast start and get to the FT line and make them. The fast start didn't happen. They had 4 points in the first eight minutes. Alabama made every shot tough for them and outrebounded them 8-1 in the first several minutes. On the Free throw side of things, thy got to the line a decent amount in 23, but only made 13. That's a huge difference in the first game.
Alabama was play without fouling and slowing down Thornwell. Bama always seemed to foul USCe after a big basket when USCe drove to the goal. However, I like how physical we were fouling them. Making them feel it when they took it to the rim and make them think twice about doing it again. Slowing down Thornwell is not easy, but Alabama did it. He only had 16 points and 5 rebounds compared to 44 and 22 rebounds last game. He was off his game as he did have quite a few open shots, but couldn't hit them. That's what you have to hope for with a player of his caliber though.
Player of the game: Braxton Key. The freshman had 18 points and seemed to get everyone where they needed to be and was aggressive all game. He served up a poster too.
Honorable mention: Riley Norris. I mention Riley because did anyone hit bigger shots than Riley did that game? I say not. He had 2 huge threes to extend leads and prevent USCe from taking the late lead.
Prediction: USC 71-63
Actual: Alabama 64-53
Nuff said.
USCe was getting off to a fast start and get to the FT line and make them. The fast start didn't happen. They had 4 points in the first eight minutes. Alabama made every shot tough for them and outrebounded them 8-1 in the first several minutes. On the Free throw side of things, thy got to the line a decent amount in 23, but only made 13. That's a huge difference in the first game.
Alabama was play without fouling and slowing down Thornwell. Bama always seemed to foul USCe after a big basket when USCe drove to the goal. However, I like how physical we were fouling them. Making them feel it when they took it to the rim and make them think twice about doing it again. Slowing down Thornwell is not easy, but Alabama did it. He only had 16 points and 5 rebounds compared to 44 and 22 rebounds last game. He was off his game as he did have quite a few open shots, but couldn't hit them. That's what you have to hope for with a player of his caliber though.
Player of the game: Braxton Key. The freshman had 18 points and seemed to get everyone where they needed to be and was aggressive all game. He served up a poster too.
Honorable mention: Riley Norris. I mention Riley because did anyone hit bigger shots than Riley did that game? I say not. He had 2 huge threes to extend leads and prevent USCe from taking the late lead.
Prediction: USC 71-63
Actual: Alabama 64-53
Nuff said.
