Tide whips Big Blue...
Avery Johnson has his signature win. There have been big wins, thrilling wins, and timely wins, but in beating Kentucky he has proved to the SEC that he can beat the biggest basketball bully in the Deep South. The final score was 77-75. Will this win be the game that propels 'Bama to bigger things this year? It certainly can be. Today, the Crimson Tide played with purpose and cohesion. When 'Bama could have lost their lead late they hung on. This might be a big step in the season.
Tevin Mack became the scorer Tide fans hoped he would become. He made six three-point baskets in the first half. Kentucky paid extra attention to him in the second half but did so at the cost of allowing other Tide players to have some easy baskets. Don'ta Hall controlled the lane. He altered several shots and caused the Wildcats to miss a lot of lay-ups in the second half.
Alabama won the rebound battle. This was key in winning the game. The Tide allowed only six offensive rebounds. The Alabama defense put more pressure on the Kentucky guards in the second half. If the Wildcats guards penetrated the perimeter they ran head lone into Hall.
Alabama had 17 turnovers, and you will expect the Tide coaching staff to address spacing before the LSU game. Poor spacing caused at least a half dozen of those turnovers. In all fairness, the Kentucky guards harrassed Lewis and Ingram into to 9 turnovers. But the pair also delivered the firepower in the second half to ensure the win. Alabama also hit 13-17 free throws. The first half saw Kentucky get a lot of favorable calls. Johnson complained about the free throw difference at the end of half one, and the Wildcats saw the Tide on the line more in the second half. Kentucky was 14-17.
The Tide was 46% from the floor and Kentucky was 43%. Alabama shot a sterling 43% from the arc thanks in large part to Mack's first-half explosion. John Petty played only 16 minutes. Mack started the game and has seemingly won the starting job.
Alabama won a big game. It can be a springboard for better things to come. Johnson's team has won five games in a row now. Since the collapse against Georgia State, the Tide has played consistently better basketball. Alabama has drawn an especially difficult opening SEC schedule. The Tide's win over the Wildcats will be loudly heard around the SEC.
Avery Johnson has his signature win. There have been big wins, thrilling wins, and timely wins, but in beating Kentucky he has proved to the SEC that he can beat the biggest basketball bully in the Deep South. The final score was 77-75. Will this win be the game that propels 'Bama to bigger things this year? It certainly can be. Today, the Crimson Tide played with purpose and cohesion. When 'Bama could have lost their lead late they hung on. This might be a big step in the season.
Tevin Mack became the scorer Tide fans hoped he would become. He made six three-point baskets in the first half. Kentucky paid extra attention to him in the second half but did so at the cost of allowing other Tide players to have some easy baskets. Don'ta Hall controlled the lane. He altered several shots and caused the Wildcats to miss a lot of lay-ups in the second half.
Alabama won the rebound battle. This was key in winning the game. The Tide allowed only six offensive rebounds. The Alabama defense put more pressure on the Kentucky guards in the second half. If the Wildcats guards penetrated the perimeter they ran head lone into Hall.
Alabama had 17 turnovers, and you will expect the Tide coaching staff to address spacing before the LSU game. Poor spacing caused at least a half dozen of those turnovers. In all fairness, the Kentucky guards harrassed Lewis and Ingram into to 9 turnovers. But the pair also delivered the firepower in the second half to ensure the win. Alabama also hit 13-17 free throws. The first half saw Kentucky get a lot of favorable calls. Johnson complained about the free throw difference at the end of half one, and the Wildcats saw the Tide on the line more in the second half. Kentucky was 14-17.
The Tide was 46% from the floor and Kentucky was 43%. Alabama shot a sterling 43% from the arc thanks in large part to Mack's first-half explosion. John Petty played only 16 minutes. Mack started the game and has seemingly won the starting job.
Alabama won a big game. It can be a springboard for better things to come. Johnson's team has won five games in a row now. Since the collapse against Georgia State, the Tide has played consistently better basketball. Alabama has drawn an especially difficult opening SEC schedule. The Tide's win over the Wildcats will be loudly heard around the SEC.
No comments:
Post a Comment