Tide needs to beat Mississippi State...
Alabama lost a critical game to Baylor by failing to play well the last two minutes. Change that to failing to play well in the last two minutes, again. It was the same song with a different verse. Add the Baylor loss to Georgia State, TAMU, and Tennessee. What would the Tide's record be if they had managed to play well the last few minutes? The reason I bring that up is that close losses can define who you are, or if you are special, you can learn from them and start to win. I'm not sure what Alabama will do down the road. One thing seems certain. If Alabama wants to go to the NCAAT they need to start winning the close games.
You win close games by having a closer. It doesn't have to be a Colin Sexton. It can be anyone who wants the ball when it matters most. Who is that for Alabama? Who is that on the guy you want to have the ball in his hands when the game is on the line? I think the most likely person is Kira Lews, Jr. John Petty might be that person in some games. I think if you want to draw a file it is Dazon Ingram. He's a matchup nightmare for a two guard when he takes it inside. Riley Norris is a big-time shooter. Alabama needs to find that man. When they do the Tide may overcome some late game problems.
The season is past the point of losing home games. The Tide needs to finish the regular season with no home losses starting with State. Key to the game? Can Alabama defend the three? Will they contest every outside shot? They don't need to be perfect but they need to make sure State doesn't have wide open shots. The Tide will extend their perimeter play. That puts pressure Hall inside. Alabama has the speed and length cause State some problems. The weather seemingly will not cut down on crowd size. Students need to turn out. Big crowds win games. The Tide has a great SOS, a good NET, and RPI. The ground is laid to make the NCAAT. Win all home games. Beat someone on the road and they are in. All the remaining games are 'must-win' types now.
Alabama by 4.
Alabama lost a critical game to Baylor by failing to play well the last two minutes. Change that to failing to play well in the last two minutes, again. It was the same song with a different verse. Add the Baylor loss to Georgia State, TAMU, and Tennessee. What would the Tide's record be if they had managed to play well the last few minutes? The reason I bring that up is that close losses can define who you are, or if you are special, you can learn from them and start to win. I'm not sure what Alabama will do down the road. One thing seems certain. If Alabama wants to go to the NCAAT they need to start winning the close games.
You win close games by having a closer. It doesn't have to be a Colin Sexton. It can be anyone who wants the ball when it matters most. Who is that for Alabama? Who is that on the guy you want to have the ball in his hands when the game is on the line? I think the most likely person is Kira Lews, Jr. John Petty might be that person in some games. I think if you want to draw a file it is Dazon Ingram. He's a matchup nightmare for a two guard when he takes it inside. Riley Norris is a big-time shooter. Alabama needs to find that man. When they do the Tide may overcome some late game problems.
The season is past the point of losing home games. The Tide needs to finish the regular season with no home losses starting with State. Key to the game? Can Alabama defend the three? Will they contest every outside shot? They don't need to be perfect but they need to make sure State doesn't have wide open shots. The Tide will extend their perimeter play. That puts pressure Hall inside. Alabama has the speed and length cause State some problems. The weather seemingly will not cut down on crowd size. Students need to turn out. Big crowds win games. The Tide has a great SOS, a good NET, and RPI. The ground is laid to make the NCAAT. Win all home games. Beat someone on the road and they are in. All the remaining games are 'must-win' types now.
Alabama by 4.
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