Thoughts after the Kentucky losd

[Jordan Harper]

Some people need to step away from the ledge. I saw more positivity after losing to UGA than losing to, in my opinion, the best team in the country right now last night. People want Oats home? Lol. Same people were riding his coattails last year during arguably the greatest basketball season in Alabama history. You can tell those who don’t know basketball or are suffering from Auburn jealousy by those who make those type of comments.

Now back to my thoughts on the game:

I thought it was the best defensive game Alabama has played all year. Kentucky is 5th in the country in adjusted offensive efficiency and Alabama made them look average. The guards did a good job clamping down Wheeler and TyTy for majority of the game, but you know TyTy was going to break loose eventually. Bediako had his best game of his young career and played good defense on Oscar.

Everyone is taking about the 3/30 shooting and rightfully so, but you take majority of those shots because they’re OPEN. It’s not like we don’t have capable shooters, because we do. We returned 3 that were solid last year, they are just having down years. People want to say we “Live and Die by the 3” and that is not true. We have one of the highest 2 point FG efficiency offenses in the COUNTRY. We just shoot half our shots from the paint and half from 3. That’s not live and die by the 3. Oats system won an SEC title last year and got them a 2 seed. Find a different narrative. He won a conference title 3 years in a row at Buffalo, so he’s more than a glorified high school coach. Find a different narrative.

JQ, Shack, Keon and JD are who make our team go this year. When they struggle, we typically lose. They did last night badly. People want to harp on JD so much, because of his ranking and that’s not fair imo. We don’t beat Baylor, Houston or Gonzaga without him. He’s a freshman and deserves the right to have off games. Heck last night he could’ve had 7-8 assists because of great passes for open 3’s but nobody made one. He’s not a prolific scorer, so don’t look at him like that. He does make solid passes, but gets a tendency of being too passive and not aggressive enough. I think he will ultimately be fine in the stretch run. He just needs to get confidence back.

This team is fine. They just went through possibly the worst 3 game stretch in NCAA history and went 1-2. We all said that would be a win. Well it’s a win now let’s move on to the easier portion of the conference schedule. I’ll post a tournament update a little later.

 

[michael1965]

Well said Harper ,thanks for bringing sanity back to the forum!

 

[Pachyderms]

 

[theminer1]

Some people need to step away from the ledge. I saw more positivity after losing to UGA than losing to, in my opinion, the best team in the country right now last night. People want Oats home? Lol. Same people were riding his coattails last year during arguably the greatest basketball season in Alabama history. You can tell those who don’t know basketball or are suffering from Auburn jealousy by those who make those type of comments.

Now back to my thoughts on the game:

I thought it was the best defensive game Alabama has played all year. Kentucky is 5th in the country in adjusted offensive efficiency and Alabama made them look average. The guards did a good job clamping down Wheeler and TyTy for majority of the game, but you know TyTy was going to break loose eventually. Bediako had his best game of his young career and played good defense on Oscar.

Everyone is taking about the 3/30 shooting and rightfully so, but you take majority of those shots because they’re OPEN. It’s not like we don’t have capable shooters, because we do. We returned 3 that were solid last year, they are just having down years. People want to say we “Live and Die by the 3” and that is not true. We have one of the highest 2 point FG efficiency offenses in the COUNTRY. We just shoot half our shots from the paint and half from 3. That’s not live and die by the 3. Oats system won an SEC title last year and got them a 2 seed. Find a different narrative. He won a conference title 3 years in a row at Buffalo, so he’s more than a glorified high school coach. Find a different narrative.

JQ, Shack, Keon and JD are who make our team go this year. When they struggle, we typically lose. They did last night badly. People want to harp on JD so much, because of his ranking and that’s not fair imo. We don’t beat Baylor, Houston or Gonzaga without him. He’s a freshman and deserves the right to have off games. Heck last night he could’ve had 7-8 assists because of great passes for open 3’s but nobody made one. He’s not a prolific scorer, so don’t look at him like that. He does make solid passes, but gets a tendency of being too passive and not aggressive enough. I think he will ultimately be fine in the stretch run. He just needs to get confidence back.

This team is fine. They just went through possibly the worst 3 game stretch in NCAA history and went 1-2. We all said that would be a win. Well it’s a win now let’s move on to the easier portion of the conference schedule. I’ll post a tournament update a little later.

Absolute nonsense. You sound like a paid cheerleader for the team. I can agree with some of what you said but the majority is Rose colored glasses bullshit IMO.

 

[jtr4dad]

Absolute nonsense. You sound like a paid cheerleader for the team. I can agree with some of what you said but the majority is Rose colored glasses bullshit IMO.

Thank you. Couldn’t have said it better myself. Harper is basically a mouthpiece for Oats.

 

[aggietider]

Some people need to step away from the ledge. I saw more positivity after losing to UGA than losing to, in my opinion, the best team in the country right now last night. People want Oats home? Lol. Same people were riding his coattails last year during arguably the greatest basketball season in Alabama history. You can tell those who don’t know basketball or are suffering from Auburn jealousy by those who make those type of comments.

Now back to my thoughts on the game:

I thought it was the best defensive game Alabama has played all year. Kentucky is 5th in the country in adjusted offensive efficiency and Alabama made them look average. The guards did a good job clamping down Wheeler and TyTy for majority of the game, but you know TyTy was going to break loose eventually. Bediako had his best game of his young career and played good defense on Oscar.

Everyone is taking about the 3/30 shooting and rightfully so, but you take majority of those shots because they’re OPEN. It’s not like we don’t have capable shooters, because we do. We returned 3 that were solid last year, they are just having down years. People want to say we “Live and Die by the 3” and that is not true. We have one of the highest 2 point FG efficiency offenses in the COUNTRY. We just shoot half our shots from the paint and half from 3. That’s not live and die by the 3. Oats system won an SEC title last year and got them a 2 seed. Find a different narrative. He won a conference title 3 years in a row at Buffalo, so he’s more than a glorified high school coach. Find a different narrative.

JQ, Shack, Keon and JD are who make our team go this year. When they struggle, we typically lose. They did last night badly. People want to harp on JD so much, because of his ranking and that’s not fair imo. We don’t beat Baylor, Houston or Gonzaga without him. He’s a freshman and deserves the right to have off games. Heck last night he could’ve had 7-8 assists because of great passes for open 3’s but nobody made one. He’s not a prolific scorer, so don’t look at him like that. He does make solid passes, but gets a tendency of being too passive and not aggressive enough. I think he will ultimately be fine in the stretch run. He just needs to get confidence back.

This team is fine. They just went through possibly the worst 3 game stretch in NCAA history and went 1-2. We all said that would be a win. Well it’s a win now let’s move on to the easier portion of the conference schedule. I’ll post a tournament update a little later.

If you’re 318th in the country from 3 and you shoot 30 a game, you are dying by the 3. Bottom line.

 

[Jordan Harper]

Absolute nonsense. You sound like a paid cheerleader for the team. I can agree with some of what you said but the majority is Rose colored glasses bullshit IMO.

I mean I do cheer for the team lol. I’ve been very critical of the team this year as well so your comment is nonsense

 

[Jordan Harper]

Thank you. Couldn’t have said it better myself. Harper is basically a mouthpiece for Oats.

Aw my feelings are broken. Say you’re sorry.

 

[jtr4dad]

Aw my feelings are broken. Say you’re sorry.

You still think we’ll finish 21-10 like you predicted 2 weeks ago?

 

[Jordan Harper]

You still think we’ll finish 21-10 like you predicted 2 weeks ago?

We dropped a game I thought we would win but I do think we finish with 19 or 20 wins.

 

[G.O.A.T-23]

We dropped a game I thought we would win but I do think we finish with 19 or 20 wins.

You shouldn't start drinking right after church...

 

[Codie B]

Saying we have good 3 pt shooters that are in a slump has become overplayed now. There were players, such as JQ, who WERE good shooters last year, but they aren’t anymore. This continued “they will come around and be good 3 pt shooters this year inevitably” has gotten old. We are too far into the season to realistically expect that. Could it happen? Sure. But we have not been a consistently good shooting team the entire year. Yes, we have had some good shooting games, which we won, but it has been farrrrrr from consistent. I am sorry, but the stats just don’t lie when they are ranked that low in 3 pt shooting %. Oats system has worked in getting these players plenty of open looks. An even 1/2 way decent shooting team would make enough of these shots to win more games. Our defense, while lacking in a number of games this year, was good last night. Holding UK to 66 pts should be a win for a team playing at home that plays in a system set up to score 80+ pts. Make more of those shots, and not only do we win, but that will open up the paint for guards cutting and our big men, even if they are not special. It changes the entire concept of our game. Changing systems 1/2 threw a year is just not realistic, plus our bigs are not talented enough to carry a larger load. Can CNO do some things better? Sure, who can’t. But the players have to do their part by being able to handle simple fundamentals, which start with shooting outside and at the free throw line better than your average blind man. I love Bama BB, but at this point in the season, this is just how I see it.
Oh, and the last thing I want to see for our BB program, presently, is for CNO to leave.

 

[AirBoozehound]

The year is not going how many thought it would, but if we just make the dance I'd count it as a win at this point.
Very obvious who half your post is directed toward as well. The guy is a good poster who says some of the dumbest shit imaginable when he's drunk. It's clear to see when that is and most people call him out on it. That's why it's even funnier to see he's managed to trigger your balls off.

 

[Jordan Harper]

Saying we have good 3 pt shooters that are in a slump has become overplayed now. There were players, such as JQ, who WERE good shooters last year, but they aren’t anymore. This continued “they will come around and be good 3 pt shooters this year inevitably” has gotten old. We are too far into the season to realistically expect that. Could it happen? Sure. But we have not been a consistently good shooting team the entire year. Yes, we have had some good shooting games, which we won, but it has been farrrrrr from consistent. I am sorry, but the stats just don’t lie when they are ranked that low in 3 pt shooting %. Oats system has worked in getting these players plenty of open looks. An even 1/2 way decent shooting team would make enough of these shots to win more games. Our defense, while lacking in a number of games this year, was good last night. Holding UK to 66 pts should be a win for a team playing at home that plays in a system set up to score 80+ pts. Make more of those shots, and not only do we win, but that will open up the paint for guards cutting and our big men, even if they are not special. It changes the entire concept of our game. Changing systems 1/2 threw a year is just not realistic, plus our bigs are not talented enough to carry a larger load. Can CNO do some things better? Sure, who can’t. But the players have to do their part by being able to handle simple fundamentals, which start with shooting outside and at the free throw line better than your average blind man. I love Bama BB, but at this point in the season, this is just how I see it.

I’ve never said they’re in a slump. I’ve said they’re having a down year which is true. We don’t have anybody that can create for others like Herb did last year.

 

[CrmsnTusk4]

Some of you idiots need to stop hounding Harper or you'll run him off. He's really the only source we have with good info.

 

[Jordan Harper]

The year is not going how many thought it would, but if we just make the dance I'd count it as a win at this point.
Very obvious who half your post is directed toward as well. The guy is a good poster who says some of the dumbest shit imaginable when he's drunk. It's clear to see when that is and most people call him out on it. That's why it's even funnier to see he's managed to trigger your balls off.

Who are you referring to?

 

[Sweetlou2.0]

Dead on Harper. Great post.

 

[G.O.A.T-23]

Some of you idiots need to stop hounding Harper or you'll run him off. He's really the only source we have with good info.

I don't know Harp personally, but he seems like a grown man who understands that not everything he post is going to be agree with by everyone. I seriously doubt he is leaving because myself or some others don't think the same way about different topics. It's a message board, this is what we do...

 

[Codie B]

I’ve never said they’re in a slump. I’ve said they’re having a down year which is true. We don’t have anybody that can create for others like Herb did last year.

I wasn’t really referencing you Harper, but more of the overall theme that some have been saying for some time. I have tried to hold out hope that they would improve their shooting, but, even notwithstanding last night’s game, we have had this issue consistently for most of the season. It is what it is, but I am not down on Oats like some others.

 

[AirBoozehound]

Who are you referring to?

The poster who started two threads about firing Oats in a drunken stupor last night

 

[AEMotivates]

You shouldn't start drinking right after church...

Not laughing with you, laughing at you. Harper always gives his, honest takes. When he posts something you agree with he's a God... When he doesn't, he's an idiot. You guys are bipolar.

 

[OatsMeal]

@Harper41 agree with 90% of it. Good post. I personally don’t think we have enough shooters on this team. Keon is kind of the key in my opinion. He has to be more consistent. Gurley and JD not being effective shooters is a big letdown. One thing I wish about JD is that he would develop a floater. There have been so many times this year (and particularly last night) where he has a wide open 5 foot floater but he’s always looking for the lob to Bediako. His inexperience still shows. That’s ok, just hope he can stick around and develop.

At the end of the day, we expected to have Burnett and Primo coming into the year, and it’s taken a huge toll not having those true wing snipers. The team is still in a good spot. Still have a sweet 16 ceiling, and that would be a massive win heading into the next year with the class we just signed.

 

[Jordan Harper]

I don't know Harp personally, but he seems like a grown man who understands that not everything he post is going to be agree with by everyone. I seriously doubt he is leaving because myself or some others don't think the same way about different topics. It's a message board, this is what we do...

Yeah I’ve been doing this since the end of the Grant days. If what people said about me on this board affected me that much, I’d have been gone during the AJ days. I’ll keep posting my thoughts and recruiting updates until Rivals is gone

 

[G.O.A.T-23]

Not laughing with you, laughing at you. Harper always gives his, honest takes. When he posts something you agree with he's a God... When he doesn't, he's an idiot. You guys are bipolar.

Not laughing with you, laughing at you. First I would never think ANYONE here is a God because there is only one he most certainly doesn't post here. Secondly, I didn't call him an idiot either, it was a joke and some of you need to get your panties out of your ass. Stop being to sensitive...

 

[Jordan Harper]

@Harper41 agree with 90% of it. Good post. I personally don’t think we have enough shooters on this team. Keon is kind of the key in my opinion. He has to be more consistent. Gurley and JD not being effective shooters is a big letdown. One thing I wish about JD is that he would develop a floater. There have been so many times this year (and particularly last night) where he has a wide open 5 foot floater but he’s always looking for the lob to Bediako. His inexperience still shows. That’s ok, just hope he can stick around and develop.

At the end of the day, we expected to have Burnett and Primo coming into the year, and it’s taken a huge toll not having those true wing snipers. The team is still in a good spot. Still have a sweet 16 ceiling, and that would be a massive win heading into the next year with the class we just signed.

Based on how much we lost last year, I thought a top 10 preseason ranking was pretty high, but I could see why. Obviously JD and Bediako were ranked too high, but could see why they were ranked where they were as well. Talent wise this is a down year compared to last season, so if we can be a 6/7 seed in a down year that’s good. I like this incoming class a lot and I think 80% of the roster will be gone next year. Need a cleansing

 

[Codie B]

@Harper41 agree with 90% of it. Good post. I personally don’t think we have enough shooters on this team. Keon is kind of the key in my opinion. He has to be more consistent. Gurley and JD not being effective shooters is a big letdown. One thing I wish about JD is that he would develop a floater. There have been so many times this year (and particularly last night) where he has a wide open 5 foot floater but he’s always looking for the lob to Bediako. His inexperience still shows. That’s ok, just hope he can stick around and develop.

At the end of the day, we expected to have Burnett and Primo coming into the year, and it’s taken a huge toll not having those true wing snipers. The team is still in a good spot. Still have a sweet 16 ceiling, and that would be a massive win heading into the next year with the class we just signed.

Yep, Oats system is based on good shooters opening up the floor for cuts into the lane and our bigs. It works well when you have the shooters, and, originally, I think he felt we did. But, unfortunately, then:
- we unexpectedly lost Primo.
- we lost Burnett to injury.
- JQ, who looked like the best player in the SEC at the end of last season, just somehow forgot how to shoot.
- Ellis and Shack regressed from what most could have realistically expected.
- Gurley, somehow(?), also forgot how to shot like he had the year before.
- Alex T wasn’t able to contribute as a big who could shoot from the outside due to last season’s injury, or other reasons(?).
- we all knew JD’s biggest weakness coming in was his outside shooting, so even though I/we hoped for a little better, we should not be surprised, or have really expected him to be a really good outside shooter. If, at least, 1/2 these players would have measured up to realistic expectations as shooters, we wouldn’t have had to expect a lot from JD from the outside.

When last season ended, it looked like we were going to have plenty of potentially good shooters (more than the year before), even after Primo left, but it just all disappeared at the same time. Amazing we have done as well as we have when you consider all this

 

[Jordan Harper]

Yep, Oats system is based on good shooters opening up the floor for cuts into the lane and our bigs. It works well when you have the shooters, and, originally, I think he felt we did. But, unfortunately, then:
- we unexpectedly lost Primo.
- we lost Burnett to injury.
- JQ, who looked like the best player in the SEC at the end of last season, just somehow forgot how to shoot.
- Ellis and Shack regressed from what most could have realistically expected.
- Gurley, somehow(?), also forgot how to shot like he had the year before.
- Alex T wasn’t able to contribute as a big who could shoot from the outside due to last season’s injury, or other reasons(?).
- we all knew JD’s biggest weakness coming in was his outside shooting, so even though I/we hoped for a little better, we should not be surprised, or have really expected him to be a really good outside shooter. If, at least, 1/2 these players would have measured up to realistic expectations as shooters, we wouldn’t have had to expect a lot from JD from the outside.

When last season ended, it looked like we were going to have plenty of potentially good shooters (more than the year before), even after Primo left, but it just all disappeared at the same time. Amazing we have done as well as we have when you consider all this

The reason we have done so well without the shooting is their ability to finish this season in the paint and FT shooting. Both of those coincide being aggressive, but if you don’t shoot the 3 well the defenses will start to sag a little to prevent the drive.

 

[OatsMeal]

Based on how much we lost last year, I thought a top 10 preseason ranking was pretty high, but I could see why. Obviously JD and Bediako were ranked too high, but could see why they were ranked where they were as well. Talent wise this is a down year compared to last season, so if we can be a 6/7 seed in a down year that’s good. I like this incoming class a lot and I think 80% of the roster will be gone next year. Need a cleansing

Totally agree - i see massive turnover. Hopefully we work the portal in a very effective way like auburn did this past year.

Do you think Bediako may transfer? Don’t get me wrong, I think he can be a great player, but I remember during his recruitment at one point you didn’t expect him in this class due to style or play/not being a fit. I think that rings true. We really need a stretch five who has the ability to shoot the 3 and stretch the floor. Last year we had that in Reese/Bruner. Hell sometimes Herb played the five. We were so multiple and it was awfully effective. Again, I think Bediako can be a great college player. But maybe just not in our system.

 

[OatsMeal]

Yep, Oats system is based on good shooters opening up the floor for cuts into the lane and our bigs. It works well when you have the shooters, and, originally, I think he felt we did. But, unfortunately, then:
- we unexpectedly lost Primo.
- we lost Burnett to injury.
- JQ, who looked like the best player in the SEC at the end of last season, just somehow forgot how to shoot.
- Ellis and Shack regressed from what most could have realistically expected.
- Gurley, somehow(?), also forgot how to shot like he had the year before.
- Alex T wasn’t able to contribute as a big who could shoot from the outside due to last season’s injury, or other reasons(?).
- we all knew JD’s biggest weakness coming in was his outside shooting, so even though I/we hoped for a little better, we should not be surprised, or have really expected him to be a really good outside shooter. If, at least, 1/2 these players would have measured up to realistic expectations as shooters, we wouldn’t have had to expect a lot from JD from the outside.

When last season ended, it looked like we were going to have plenty of potentially good shooters (more than the year before), even after Primo left, but it just all disappeared at the same time. Amazing we have done as well as we have when you consider all this

100% agree. However, to me, JD has such a pure looking stroke. I wish he would just rip it more often.

 

[Sweetlou2.0]

100% agree. However, to me, JD has such a pure looking stroke. I wish he would just rip it more often.

You can tell his shot will improve over time. Looks good… he’s just a freshman. I’m really hoping we can get another year out of him

 

[aggietider]

I’ve never said they’re in a slump. I’ve said they’re having a down year which is true. We don’t have anybody that can create for others like Herb did last year.

JQ can get others shots way better than Herb. The problem is JQ has no where to go bc nobody can make the shots and get the help out of the way.

 

[Jordan Harper]

Totally agree - i see massive turnover. Hopefully we work the portal in a very effective way like auburn did this past year.

Do you think Bediako may transfer? Don’t get me wrong, I think he can be a great player, but I remember during his recruitment at one point you didn’t expect him in this class due to style or play/not being a fit. I think that rings true. We really need a stretch five who has the ability to shoot the 3 and stretch the floor. Last year we had that in Reese/Bruner. Hell sometimes Herb played the five. We were so multiple and it was awfully effective. Again, I think Bediako can be a great college player. But maybe just not in our system.

I don’t see him transferring. I do see 3-4 guys transferring though

 

[Jordan Harper]

JQ can get others shots way better than Herb. The problem is JQ has no where to go bc nobody can make the shots and get the help out of the way.

JQ just doesn’t run the point really well. The ball sticks in his hands too much and forces it to often. Herb did have more shooters around him though. Herb just knew when to give it up

 

[Codie B]

JQ can get others shots way better than Herb. The problem is JQ has no where to go bc nobody can make the shots and get the help out of the way.

JQ’s own shooting issues have caused this too. At the end of last season, when JQ was shooting really well, it forced the defense to come out and play him. With his quickness, that created nightmares for the defense, because he would use that quickness to get into the lane for easy layups, draw fouls, and create open shoots for others, and those others were making a lot more of those shots, which further spread out the defense. This is why, by seasons end, we were as dangerous as almost any team in college BB, and why many analysts were saying before the NCAA tournament that we were the team that could give undefeated Gonzaga the most problems of any team in the tournament if we played them.

 

[mme25]

We dropped a game I thought we would win but I do think we finish with 19 or 20 wins.

Not a dogs chance in hell this group wins 20 unless we go on a roll in the NIT. Best news is you can make money on this group. Think they are 5-13 against the spread!

 

[aggietider]

JQ just doesn’t run the point really well. The ball sticks in his hands too much and forces it to often. Herb did have more shooters around him though. Herb just knew when to give it up

JQ is what he is. But he’s this teams chance to get good looks. And if he can’t get to the rim bc all the traffic standing down there, it’s tough. Herb wanted to give it up more than JQ but Herb wasn’t much of a finisher. The Pelicans have helped him figure that out some.

 

[anon_z8qxv7qt5719f]

I've resigned myself to being disappointed with this year's version and looking forward to next year. However, I'll keep watching and hoping because I'm a Bama fan. I always welcome surprises!

 

[D Isaiah T Billings-Clyde7]

You can tell many are of our fans were conditioned so many years that we needed to get to 20 wins to inch across to the right side of the bubble.

back then, we lost to every good team we played, so our resume sucked even with 20 wins. Not the case this year so it’s a different situation. 4-4 finish and we are comfortably in. Likely same with a 3-5 finish. I’ll be very nervous if we finish 2-6.


I don’t think anyone lacks frustration with this years team. We likely share most of the same frustrations. I think the divide between some fans and others is on the general direction of the program, which imo is stil extremely positive while some are ready to fire the coach… when we are sitting here in February needing to avoid implosion to make the tournament….

I just think many have lost sight in a hurry of where this program came from, and should be thankful that a frustrating season is likely ending with a trip to the tournament. Simply making the tournament was seemingly a mountain of a task 5 years ago, now you want to burn the program to the ground for not being a 2 seed

 

[Jordan Harper]

Not a dogs chance in hell this group wins 20 unless we go on a roll in the NIT. Best news is you can make money on this group. Think they are 5-13 against the spread!

So you’re saying they only win 2-3 more rest of the way? Got it.

 

[Jordan Harper]

This program hasn’t made back to back tournaments in quite some time but people want to jump off the ledge because they’ll likely end up as a 7 seed a year after being a 2.