Thoughts on Alabama’s win over Arkansas

[Jordan Harper]

Take a deep breath. It’s over. Alabama holds on to beat Arkansas after committing 24 turnovers, shooting 24% from 3, shooting 7 less free throws, and getting outrebounded. Definitely one of Alabama’s worst game, but still beat a soon to be top 25 team who just beat Auburn.

I thought Alabama’s defense was solid forcing Arkansas to shoot 31% from the field and forcing 15 turnovers. Getting Notae in foul trouble early helped, but they really held him down when he played. Now Umede and Jaylin had great games, but they’re matchup nightmares for any team. I thought Keon Ellis played one of his better defensive games overall today.

Quinerly is borderline unplayable right now. I know a lot of his is mental, but he is his own worst enemy right now. Nothing good happens when he is in the game. The ball becomes stagnant and he offers nothing defensively. I am surprised Alabama won this game while overcoming his deficiencies. JD Davison is becoming Alabama’s best playmaker finally and hopefully he continues to grow. He’s athleticism and aggressiveness is just so tough to stop when he attacks, plus has the vision to find open shooters. In the end, Noah Gurley won that game for Alabama with his post play down the stretch. Alabama has missed that presence the pst few years and Gurley offers so much versatility. Really nice to see.

Alabama comes home to face Mississippi State at home on Wednesday at 6:00. This is a big game to go 3-0 before traveling to Rupp on Saturday and solidify their seeding which should be around a 5 right now. They have a great chance to win 6 of their final 8 games of the season going into postseason play.

 

[OatsMeal]

JD had a great second half. He has to keep being aggressive. He can usually get whatever he wants at the rim.

Alabama had to beat the refs today as well. Truly an awfully called game. We had a lot to overcome but got it done. That would have been an excruciating loss with the way it flowed and played out. Way to finish.

 

[BamaNavyCPO]

Take a deep breath. It’s over. Alabama holds on to beat Arkansas after committing 24 turnovers, shooting 24% from 3, shooting 7 less free throws, and getting outrebounded. Definitely one of Alabama’s worst game, but still beat a soon to be top 25 team who just beat Auburn.

I thought Alabama’s defense was solid forcing Arkansas to shoot 31% from the field and forcing 15 turnovers. Getting Notae in foul trouble early helped, but they really held him down when he played. Now Umede and Jaylin had great games, but they’re matchup nightmares for any team. I thought Keon Ellis played one of his better defensive games overall today.

Quinerly is borderline unplayable right now. I know a lot of his is mental, but he is his own worst enemy right now. Nothing good happens when he is in the game. The ball becomes stagnant and he offers nothing defensively. I am surprised Alabama won this game while overcoming his deficiencies. JD Davison is becoming Alabama’s best playmaker finally and hopefully he continues to grow. He’s athleticism and aggressiveness is just so tough to stop when he attacks, plus has the vision to find open shooters. In the end, Noah Gurley won that game for Alabama with his post play down the stretch. Alabama has missed that presence the pst few years and Gurley offers so much versatility. Really nice to see.

Alabama comes home to face Mississippi State at home on Wednesday at 6:00. This is a big game to go 3-0 before traveling to Rupp on Saturday and solidify their seeding which should be around a 5 right now. They have a great chance to win 6 of their final 8 games of the season going into postseason play.

You did not address JD's TOs. JQ can be "All-World" some games and then brain dead like today. JQ is physically present, but his mind is someplace else. That over-and-back is mind blowing for someone with his game experience. Gurly came to work today and Rojas was the force we needed down low.

 

[Sweetlou2.0]

We’ve got to ride or die with Q. It’s true JD has nice spurts offensively, but he more than makes up for that with his turnovers. Just brutal.

 

[pwestbro61]

We’ve got to ride or die with Q. It’s true JD has nice spurts offensively, but he more than makes up for that with his turnovers. Just brutal.

Team will give anyone ulcers. Can be maddening at times.

 

[cola68]

Take a deep breath. It’s over. Alabama holds on to beat Arkansas after committing 24 turnovers, shooting 24% from 3, shooting 7 less free throws, and getting outrebounded. Definitely one of Alabama’s worst game, but still beat a soon to be top 25 team who just beat Auburn.

I thought Alabama’s defense was solid forcing Arkansas to shoot 31% from the field and forcing 15 turnovers. Getting Notae in foul trouble early helped, but they really held him down when he played. Now Umede and Jaylin had great games, but they’re matchup nightmares for any team. I thought Keon Ellis played one of his better defensive games overall today.

Quinerly is borderline unplayable right now. I know a lot of his is mental, but he is his own worst enemy right now. Nothing good happens when he is in the game. The ball becomes stagnant and he offers nothing defensively. I am surprised Alabama won this game while overcoming his deficiencies. JD Davison is becoming Alabama’s best playmaker finally and hopefully he continues to grow. He’s athleticism and aggressiveness is just so tough to stop when he attacks, plus has the vision to find open shooters. In the end, Noah Gurley won that game for Alabama with his post play down the stretch. Alabama has missed that presence the pst few years and Gurley offers so much versatility. Really nice to see.

Alabama comes home to face Mississippi State at home on Wednesday at 6:00. This is a big game to go 3-0 before traveling to Rupp on Saturday and solidify their seeding which should be around a 5 right now. They have a great chance to win 6 of their final 8 games of the season going into postseason play.

Light has come on for Davidson

Q is struggling

And you’re correct, Gurley was big hitting tow consecutive baskets in the paint .. huge shots.

Was this the first time Bama coaches have used the diamond and 1 or box and 1??

 

[Sweetlou2.0]

Team will give anyone ulcers. Can be maddening at times.

Sure. Can’t argue with that… I just feel like this board collectively has seriously forgotten the fact that being a projected 4/5 seed with 5 games left in the season has been a distant dream for the better part of three decades.

 

[D Isaiah T Billings-Clyde7]

Light has come on for Davidson

Q is struggling

And you’re correct, Gurley was big hitting tow consecutive baskets in the paint .. huge shots.

Was this the first time Bama coaches have used the diamond and 1 or box and 1??

Knew there was something I wanted to mention. I was proud to see oats switch up the defense today. I know it was simply to help slow down Notae but I was just glad to see us have something else in the arsenal

 

[BamaEng1906]

I must’ve been the only one to see all the turnovers JD had

 

[Jordan Harper]

I must’ve been the only one to see all the turnovers JD had

you weren’t. I’m well aware of them, but we lose without JD and the plays he did make offensively and defensively. JQ didn’t offer anything on either end

 

[Sweetlou2.0]

you weren’t. I’m well aware of them, but we lose without JD and the plays he did make offensively and defensively. JQ didn’t offer anything on either end

JQ played solid defense today. Played hard.

 

[BigET84]

We have about 3-4 more losses easy without JQ. Though not a huge stat line today he took Ark off the dribble late when we needed it.

 

[pwestbro61]

I must’ve been the only one to see all the turnovers JD had

You are not.

 

[TideFever]

A win is win I guess. We did so many things wrong but we kept after it and held on late. I'm glad we don't have to go to Ark this season. TBH I'd rather go to Rupp than Bud Walton. We'll get zero calls in our favor in either gym but if Ark gets hot we can't match up with them with most of our lineups. Oats even admitted after the game they did the strange zone because Bediako didn't match up with anyone they play.

When we got up by 13 or so we seemed to let up and get really sloppy with everything we did. We should have buried them. We get 60 points with 9:01 to play to go up 13 and finished the last 9 minutes with 8 points. 3 buckets and 2 free throws. Gurley had our last 4 points. That's a Bama drought. 8 points in the last 9 minutes. You don't win many games doing that.

Again though, we did finish with a W so maybe we learn from it.

Something of an odd stat from the game, we only got 17 free throws. As physical as the game was at times we should have gotten at least 25.

Miles needs to grow up and quickly. I think he can do a lot for this team and maybe even be that 6th man shooter we need but he had moment in the game that perfectly put on display why he doesn't play as much. He hits a three, great shot, good play... but he stands there like he's posing, acts like he just won the game and then loafs back on D. Oats looked like he might actually blow a valve out he was so pissed. Kid has to learn to make plays and quickly forget them so you get back on D.

 

[Jordan Harper]

A win is win I guess. We did so many things wrong but we kept after it and held on late. I'm glad we don't have to go to Ark this season. TBH I'd rather go to Rupp than Bud Walton. We'll get zero calls in our favor in either gym but if Ark gets hot we can't match up with them with most of our lineups. Oats even admitted after the game they did the strange zone because Bediako didn't match up with anyone they play.

When we got up by 13 or so we seemed to let up and get really sloppy with everything we did. We should have buried them. We get 60 points with 9:01 to play to go up 13 and finished the last 9 minutes with 8 points. 3 buckets and 2 free throws. Gurley had our last 4 points. That's a Bama drought. 8 points in the last 9 minutes. You don't win many games doing that.

Again though, we did finish with a W so maybe we learn from it.

Something of an odd stat from the game, we only got 17 free throws. As physical as the game was at times we should have gotten at least 25.

Miles needs to grow up and quickly. I think he can do a lot for this team and maybe even be that 6th man shooter we need but he had moment in the game that perfectly put on display why he doesn't play as much. He hits a three, great shot, good play... but he stands there like he's posing, acts like he just won the game and then loafs back on D. Oats looked like he might actually blow a valve out he was so pissed. Kid has to learn to make plays and quickly forget them so you get back on D.

I don’t see Miles on the team next year so I’d rather see Holt get those minutes. Miles does offer length in defending and rebounding.

 

[Jordan Harper]

We have about 3-4 more losses easy without JQ. Though not a huge stat line today he took Ark off the dribble late when we needed it.

3-4 more losses without JD as well. We need JQ to get out of his funk. When Nate took out JD for JQ, Arkansas went on that run and our offense went cold. We need him bad so I hope he figures it out.

 

[D Isaiah T Billings-Clyde7]

Fact of the matter is the key to us having March success is JQ, JD, Keon, and Shack all playing their B+ or better game together for several games in a row. It hasn’t happened but a few times this year and you can probably guess which games.

Keon is pretty consistent with what he gives us on both ends.

Shack is also pretty consistent but does have some bad nights

JQ ranges from our best player to a complete liability depending on the night

JD is slowly but surely starting to have more frequent good outings

 

[BigET84]

3-4 more losses without JD as well. We need JQ to get out of his funk. When Nate took out JD for JQ, Arkansas went on that run and our offense went cold. We need him bad so I hope he figures it out.

Agreed. If JQ gets out of the funk and JD plays with more positive consistency lookout! We can see the talent is there in JD. He’s much better today than he was game one. Just need him to continue to improve and minimize mistakes.

 

[pwestbro61]

10 point lead with 6:52 left/ game should have been over instead of stress ball city again. Just constant with this bunch.

 

[pwestbro61]

Officiating was horrendous down the stretch/ Arkansas got away with murder.

 

[frazor]

3-4 more losses without JD as well. We need JQ to get out of his funk. When Nate took out JD for JQ, Arkansas went on that run and our offense went cold. We need him bad so I hope he figures it out.

Late in the game, after JD had back to back baskets I look up and see Q bringing the ball up the floor. I knew JD wasn't about to touch the ball that trip. With like 1:10 left Shack comes off a
screen and shoots a three at the top of the key with 20 seconds left on the shot clock. It appears at times that padding the statline is more important than making the right play. Two, if not three, of the most complete players on the court today played for Arkansas. Really happy with the victory and happier to be right on the threshold of their second straight NCAA tournament.

 

[blackdog052]

24 turnovers? Jeez!

 

[aggietider]

Light has come on for Davidson

Q is struggling

And you’re correct, Gurley was big hitting tow consecutive baskets in the paint .. huge shots.

Was this the first time Bama coaches have used the diamond and 1 or box and 1??

Also the first time I remember them throwing it to Gurley in the post. He looked comfortable there.

 

[D Isaiah T Billings-Clyde7]

Also the first time I remember them throwing it to Gurley in the post. He looked comfortable there.

He’s shown some flashes throughout the year but it’s definitely rare. Oats said today he’s struggled so much with foul trouble and also been called for several fouls when backing down so it’s not been something they could go to much based on game situation

 

[pwestbro61]

24 turnovers? Jeez!

And those are all Nate Oats fault. According to one esteemed poster.

 

[BAMACOASTIE]

I felt like once we got up by 13 the refs swallowed the whistles on our side of the court. Shack was getting destroyed every time he went to the basket with no whistle but as soon as a Bama defender breathed on an Arkansas player they called a foul. I'm also tired of the refs calling a charging foul every time a offensive play makes contact with a defensive player. If the defensive players feet are not set it's not charging. I hate blaming things on refs because I'm not so sure I could do any better but there have been many times this year when it seemed blatant. Roll tide guys. It was good to see our guys fight for the win today.

 

[Jordan Harper]

I felt like once we got up by 13 the refs swallowed the whistles on our side of the court. Shack was getting destroyed every time he went to the basket with no whistle but as soon as a Bama defender breathed on an Arkansas player they called a foul. I'm also tired of the refs calling a charging foul every time a offensive play makes contact with a defensive player. If the defensive players feet are not set it's not charging. I hate blaming things on refs because I'm not so sure I could do any better but there have been many times this year when it seemed blatant. Roll tide guys. It was good to see our guys fight for the win today.

I noticed after the JD charge we looked like we went into a shell offensively.

 

[aggietider]

I noticed after the JD charge we looked like we went into a shell offensively.

Which was borderline at best. The defender made a late move. If it isn’t 100% a charge, it’s a block or no call.

 

[csregor]

Take a deep breath. It’s over. Alabama holds on to beat Arkansas after committing 24 turnovers, shooting 24% from 3, shooting 7 less free throws, and getting outrebounded. Definitely one of Alabama’s worst game, but still beat a soon to be top 25 team who just beat Auburn.

I thought Alabama’s defense was solid forcing Arkansas to shoot 31% from the field and forcing 15 turnovers. Getting Notae in foul trouble early helped, but they really held him down when he played. Now Umede and Jaylin had great games, but they’re matchup nightmares for any team. I thought Keon Ellis played one of his better defensive games overall today.

Quinerly is borderline unplayable right now. I know a lot of his is mental, but he is his own worst enemy right now. Nothing good happens when he is in the game. The ball becomes stagnant and he offers nothing defensively. I am surprised Alabama won this game while overcoming his deficiencies. JD Davison is becoming Alabama’s best playmaker finally and hopefully he continues to grow. He’s athleticism and aggressiveness is just so tough to stop when he attacks, plus has the vision to find open shooters. In the end, Noah Gurley won that game for Alabama with his post play down the stretch. Alabama has missed that presence the pst few years and Gurley offers so much versatility. Really nice to see.

Alabama comes home to face Mississippi State at home on Wednesday at 6:00. This is a big game to go 3-0 before traveling to Rupp on Saturday and solidify their seeding which should be around a 5 right now. They have a great chance to win 6 of their final 8 games of the season going into postseason play.

"We was the best at times, we was the worst at times"

 

[BamaNavyCPO]

I must’ve been the only one to see all the turnovers JD had

x2
I saw the multiple TOs on my tv too.

 

[BamaNavyCPO]

Late in the game, after JD had back to back baskets I look up and see Q bringing the ball up the floor. I knew JD wasn't about to touch the ball that trip. With like 1:10 left Shack comes off a
screen and shoots a three at the top of the key with 20 seconds left on the shot clock. It appears at times that padding the statline is more important than making the right play. Two, if not three, of the most complete players on the court today played for Arkansas. Really happy with the victory and happier to be right on the threshold of their second straight NCAA tournament.

I believe a lot of us had "silent heart attacks" when Shack shot the ball so early in the shot-clock. In a tight game with time winding down, a running clock becomes your ally if you are leading.

 

[Bama Swoosh]

Fact of the matter is the key to us having March success is JQ, JD, Keon, and Shack all playing their B+ or better game together for several games in a row. It hasn’t happened but a few times this year and you can probably guess which games.

Keon is pretty consistent with what he gives us on both ends.

Shack is also pretty consistent but does have some bad nights

JQ ranges from our best player to a complete liability depending on the night

JD is slowly but surely starting to have more frequent good outings

Complete agreement DITBC7

I do think Keon has more to give. He needs to call for the ball more and along with Shack probably be our primary 3-point shooter, plus he's about a 90% FT shooter and needs to get to the hole a lot/get himself to the line. I hope we run more plays for him.

One of JD's turnovers was when Arky's Jaylin Williams slid under him as JD was mid-air, essentially undercutting him/flipping him onto his side. One of several HORRIBLE CALLS. It appears as long as you slide in and fall back forcefully the refs will call charge every time, so we should do it much more than we do.

 

[Sassy12]

That is one horrible set of officiating men. When I saw them before tipoff I knew it would be a rough day with the old whistle.