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Thoughts on Alabama’s Loss to UConn

Jordan Harper

Head Basketball Analyst
Staff
Dec 28, 2011
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This was a very very weird game. It started out being very physical and sloppy because of the physicality. Both teams were feeling each other out, and then UConn started making shots to pull ahead.

First the first 8 and a half minutes it was tied 10-10. From the 11:30 to the 7 minute mark in the first half Alabama was outscored 18-3. For the final 7 minutes of the half, Alabama outscored UConn 17-7.

Fast forward to the 2nd half, for the first 8 and a half minutes of the second half Alabama outscored UConn 22-17. However, from the 8:30 mark to 3 minutes left in the game Alabama was outscored 21-2. Then outscored UConn 13-9 for the final 3 minutes in garbage time.

For those 5 minute span in the first half and then in the second half, Alabama was outscored 39-5. The rest of the game? Alabama outscored UConn 62-43. I’d love to know the similarities of the lineups used in those two instances.

Basketball is a game of runs and those two runs won the game for UConn. Alabama didn’t help themselves turning the ball over 15 times in the first half. Give a lot of credit to Dan Hurley’s team because he knew what Nate Oats gameplan was and he beat him to it. Alabama only shot 16 threes because UConn was very physical with Alabama and forced them off their spots. Alabama matched the physicality for most of the game and it was impressive to see the freshman respond after the run in the first half, but just couldn’t pull away in the 2nd half.

Games like this happen, especially this early against a really good team. It doesn’t get any easier with Alabama facing UNC on Sunday in the 3rd place game. I really wanted Alabama to beat Mich St and then whatever happened after that happens. They didn’t go winless and fall on their face, but got a top tier win on their resume. Lets see if they can add an even bigger one on Sunday.
 
We knew we couldn’t turn the ball over that much if we expected to beat the UConn’s of the world. UConn had the recipe last night that we need to consistently have going forward:

1) Great defense
2) Shoot the ball well, especially at the FT line.
3) Limit turnovers.

Hopefully, we will do the above more consistently in our future games. Unfortunately, that is easier said than done, but this team certainly looks talented enough to pull it off.
 
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A lot of fans still don’t understand this isn’t football and games like this happen to every team in the country. They weren’t going to go undefeated or winning 30 games. UConn is on fire and a top 15 caliber experienced team that will be the biggest team we will play in terms of size. This team will rebound and be fine by conference play.
 
Having 20+ TOs doesn't help against a good team (any team for that matter), but it is a learning experience. It appears Oats couldn't find the right combo. They battled hard but appeared to tire and the constant whistles for ticky-tac fouls didn't help. This was one game in which Bama should have relied on the outside shot instead of driving the lane against giant Redwoods. They'll jump from the frying pan into the fire tomorrow against the #1 team that is coming off a loss. Lets see how they rebound.
RTR!!!!!
 
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This was a very very weird game. It started out being very physical and sloppy because of the physicality. Both teams were feeling each other out, and then UConn started making shots to pull ahead.

First the first 8 and a half minutes it was tied 10-10. From the 11:30 to the 7 minute mark in the first half Alabama was outscored 18-3. For the final 7 minutes of the half, Alabama outscored UConn 17-7.

Fast forward to the 2nd half, for the first 8 and a half minutes of the second half Alabama outscored UConn 22-17. However, from the 8:30 mark to 3 minutes left in the game Alabama was outscored 21-2. Then outscored UConn 13-9 for the final 3 minutes in garbage time.

For those 5 minute span in the first half and then in the second half, Alabama was outscored 39-5. The rest of the game? Alabama outscored UConn 62-43. I’d love to know the similarities of the lineups used in those two instances.

Basketball is a game of runs and those two runs won the game for UConn. Alabama didn’t help themselves turning the ball over 15 times in the first half. Give a lot of credit to Dan Hurley’s team because he knew what Nate Oats gameplan was and he beat him to it. Alabama only shot 16 threes because UConn was very physical with Alabama and forced them off their spots. Alabama matched the physicality for most of the game and it was impressive to see the freshman respond after the run in the first half, but just couldn’t pull away in the 2nd half.

Games like this happen, especially this early against a really good team. It doesn’t get any easier with Alabama facing UNC on Sunday in the 3rd place game. I really wanted Alabama to beat Mich St and then whatever happened after that happens. They didn’t go winless and fall on their face, but got a top tier win on their resume. Lets see if they can add an even bigger one on Sunday.
I don’t know. My take was Bama had more skill and athleticism but got pushed around most of the game and did not match UConn’s physicality.

In particular the Bama screens were just blown up almost all night with either the screener setting a weak screen and/or rolling early and the ball handlers consistently getting pushed wide around the screen. That was almost 100% related to UConn being physical on the perimeter.

The inside guys tried and gave good effort, but UConns two big guys are massive, nonetheless the difference was out top IMO.

The other thing that seemed consistent was the ball stopping on the swing rather than continuing to be moved to an open shot. It may not be fair but when I was paying attention it seemed Jaden Bradley was particularly bad. He almost always stopped the ball when it got to him and that usually resulted in letting the D reset and going late in the shot clock with predictable results.
 
No need to sugar coat this... we got spanked by a team that's much better than us right now. Their bigs dominated us and their guards and forwards were always playing great defense when we would have someone try and get into the lane. At the same time we almost never got someone a good 3 point look. They were all over us.

At times it felt like they were bullying us inside and the officials were letting UConn play full contact in the paint where we couldn't without it being an obvious foul. The moments where we closed the gap were when their big man was out of the game and for whatever reason their offense wasn't clicking.

If we don't turn it over so much this might have been a close game but even when the score was close it didn't really feel close. They were bigger and stronger and played as physical as we expected MSU to play us. We couldn't handle it at this point in the season. Miller also got to see what he'll see a lot more of at the next level. Someone about as big as him that's more than fast enough to stay with him all over the court.

It says a lot that we shot so few 3 point shots. UConn was just all over us every time we were in a half court set.

I hope we don't see any more teams with the length and size UConn has with the ability to light it up outside.
 
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Let’s be real, the Michigan State win was a fluke. We beat them without their best player and another depth player.

UConn game showed this team is no different than the last 3 years. Careless and stagnant offense.
One of those years we won two conference championships and went to the sweet 16. The other was disappointing but still won some huge games and went to the tournament. In fact, overall the last three years have seen more success than this program has seen in long long time.
 
One of those years we won two conference championships and went to the sweet 16. The other was disappointing but still won some huge games and went to the tournament. In fact, overall the last three years have seen more success than this program has seen in long long time.
Yeah I’m fine with the past 3 seasons. Takes time to build a program from the ground up and he’s sped that process up.
 
Unlike last years team, this team will improve dramatically as the season progresses.
l agree mainly because this team has a lot of new players that are learning to play together. Should improve as the season goes on.

l like this team.
 
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One of those years we won two conference championships and went to the sweet 16. The other was disappointing but still won some huge games and went to the tournament. In fact, overall the last three years have seen more success than this program has seen in long long time.
Agree, CNO is building
Let’s be real, the Michigan State win was a fluke. We beat them without their best player and another depth player.

UConn game showed this team is no different than the last 3 years. Careless and stagnant offense.
Eat some crow now Leaner
 
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