'Bama hits the road for the Tigers...
Two teams searching for some consistency play when Auburn hosts Alabama this Saturday. The Tigers have lost three of their last four games before exploding against Missouri. The score of that game was 92-58. Auburn made 16-41 behind the three-point line. Whatever demons the Tigers might have had in the three previous games seemed to be purged with that win. Avery Johnson hasn't been able to win a game in the Auburn arena in his short 'Bama career. The Tide is coming off a nail biter against Mississippi State. The Tide had an impressive first half and then had to fight to win. I think that might be par for the course regarding 'Bama.
Coach Johnson reported that he pumped in loud audio of the crowd noise that his Tiders will hear in Auburn. A unique idea. Let's hope it helps. Alabama is 13-7 and would be a ten-seed if the NCAAT was selected today. Auburn would be an eight-seed according to the numbers gurus. The Tigers are 14-6. Bama's NET is 43. Auburn's NET is currently 24. Both teams are fighting for some national recognition and some impetus for the remainder of the SEC season.
How does Alabama beat Auburn? It is going to take the best game that they can play, both offensively and defensively. Alabama needs to start well. I also think Auburn needs to have a bad day at the office. The Tigers need to help Alabama by missing a lot more from behind the arc than they make. A lot more.
Auburn is going to foul, and foul often. It is part of their game plan. Pearl believes that the officials cannot call every foul. But, the Tide will likely spend some additional time on the free throw line. That's good but usually ends up bad for the Tide. The Tide's free throw shooting woes will only embolden the Tigers to foul even more. That would be a solid game strategy for the Tigers. A good day from the line will go a long way in keeping the game close down the stretch.
The Tigers are a surprisingly strong rebounding team. They aren't big but are very athletic. They are very quick jumpers. It is important that the Tide dominate the boards. That is standard coach talk, but if Alabama can't dominate the boards they will lose. I'd like to see a ten board advantage with very few offensive boards in the mix. Wiley is not expected to return to the lineup for the Alabama game. We'll see. Hall needs to have a big day. A double-double, stay out of foul trouble and disrupt Tiger offense on the inside. Someone else needs to help out in the paint. Don't be surprised if 'Bama doesn't try too bigs inside. Smith and Reese could get some significant minutes.
Who guards Bryce Brown and Jared Harper. Frankly, I don't see anyone on the Tide roster who can shut Brown down. Slow him down would be nice. I wonder if Johnson would let Herb Jones give it a shot? Otherwise, I'd expect to see Dazon Ingram and Kira Lewis, Jr. split the chores. Harper can sting you as well. My bet is that Kira Lewis gets the nod. Alabama needs to slow this game down. If you can slow down the Tigers on offense and spend running your half-court offense it will help Alabama. If Alabama can execute the same manner as they did against Mississippi State they have a chance. As stated before, it will take the best game the Tide has played this season. It will take the game that beat Kentucky. Bama is going to get a lot of three point looks. Make them.
I'd be lying if I told you 'Bama will win this game. I don't think they will but they can. If Bama thinks they can win, they just might do it. Here's what I have learned in the past few years. The drive to Auburn is long. But it is always much longer going home. Roll Tide and whip the Aubies.
Two teams searching for some consistency play when Auburn hosts Alabama this Saturday. The Tigers have lost three of their last four games before exploding against Missouri. The score of that game was 92-58. Auburn made 16-41 behind the three-point line. Whatever demons the Tigers might have had in the three previous games seemed to be purged with that win. Avery Johnson hasn't been able to win a game in the Auburn arena in his short 'Bama career. The Tide is coming off a nail biter against Mississippi State. The Tide had an impressive first half and then had to fight to win. I think that might be par for the course regarding 'Bama.
Coach Johnson reported that he pumped in loud audio of the crowd noise that his Tiders will hear in Auburn. A unique idea. Let's hope it helps. Alabama is 13-7 and would be a ten-seed if the NCAAT was selected today. Auburn would be an eight-seed according to the numbers gurus. The Tigers are 14-6. Bama's NET is 43. Auburn's NET is currently 24. Both teams are fighting for some national recognition and some impetus for the remainder of the SEC season.
How does Alabama beat Auburn? It is going to take the best game that they can play, both offensively and defensively. Alabama needs to start well. I also think Auburn needs to have a bad day at the office. The Tigers need to help Alabama by missing a lot more from behind the arc than they make. A lot more.
Auburn is going to foul, and foul often. It is part of their game plan. Pearl believes that the officials cannot call every foul. But, the Tide will likely spend some additional time on the free throw line. That's good but usually ends up bad for the Tide. The Tide's free throw shooting woes will only embolden the Tigers to foul even more. That would be a solid game strategy for the Tigers. A good day from the line will go a long way in keeping the game close down the stretch.
The Tigers are a surprisingly strong rebounding team. They aren't big but are very athletic. They are very quick jumpers. It is important that the Tide dominate the boards. That is standard coach talk, but if Alabama can't dominate the boards they will lose. I'd like to see a ten board advantage with very few offensive boards in the mix. Wiley is not expected to return to the lineup for the Alabama game. We'll see. Hall needs to have a big day. A double-double, stay out of foul trouble and disrupt Tiger offense on the inside. Someone else needs to help out in the paint. Don't be surprised if 'Bama doesn't try too bigs inside. Smith and Reese could get some significant minutes.
Who guards Bryce Brown and Jared Harper. Frankly, I don't see anyone on the Tide roster who can shut Brown down. Slow him down would be nice. I wonder if Johnson would let Herb Jones give it a shot? Otherwise, I'd expect to see Dazon Ingram and Kira Lewis, Jr. split the chores. Harper can sting you as well. My bet is that Kira Lewis gets the nod. Alabama needs to slow this game down. If you can slow down the Tigers on offense and spend running your half-court offense it will help Alabama. If Alabama can execute the same manner as they did against Mississippi State they have a chance. As stated before, it will take the best game the Tide has played this season. It will take the game that beat Kentucky. Bama is going to get a lot of three point looks. Make them.
I'd be lying if I told you 'Bama will win this game. I don't think they will but they can. If Bama thinks they can win, they just might do it. Here's what I have learned in the past few years. The drive to Auburn is long. But it is always much longer going home. Roll Tide and whip the Aubies.
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