Make it or break it time for the Tide...
Here's the deal with Alabama and Avery Johnson. You can forget the record, the inconsistency, and the highlights of the season so far. The only thing that matters is what's left on the schedule. That starts with Georgia tonight. If Alabama wins, the dream of another NCAA Tournament lives on. If the Crimson and White lose, well, you might just see the end of their Tournament hopes. When you have home losses to Georgia State, TAMU, and Georgia you would have to do something extraordinary to make up some sorely lost ground.
There is absolutely nothing ordinary about this year's team. When they are good they are very good, and when they are bad they are horrible. The team struggles to finish games they were winning with five minutes left in the game. In all candor, the Tide just falls apart when the pressure gets hot. I'm not really sure why that happens. You would think that a 17-year-old point guard would be the weak link. He isn't. Lewis isn't perfect by any means but he's not Dazon Ingram. I hate to point out an individual player but Dazon seems to be a walking turnover at times. Hey, I love the guy. He is having a bad season handling the ball. He is a warrior in the paint, and he can shoot the three. In fact, he needs to shoot a lot more. What he doesn't need to do is play point guard.
Alabama suffers from a lack of quickness in their guard play. Lewis is quick, but not quicker than death, Dazon is powerful but not quick, and Junior not really quick, but he is better than 'Bama fans want to admit at times. The lack of quickness at the guard causes all sorts of problems on offense, and in a man defense.
John Petty and Tevin Mack must score more. When either gets hot from the field the Tide either wins or scares somebody to death. If they don't score, the Tide is going to have a tough time scoring. Both are playing better. Riley Norris is a tremendous help for Alabama. He is the best sixth man in the SEC in my opinion. He brings much needed senior leadership. He will be a key player down the stretch.
Clearly, Johnson needs to help this team to establish an identity. I've often thought that when you play ten in a rotation it might be difficult to find that identity. I'd go old school and would stick to eight players. Perhaps those eight could become more cohesive on offense. Defense is about preparation and toughness. Defense is a mental attitude. Unlike offense, a team can be consistent on defense every game. A player who can deny a basket three or four times a game is a difference maker. Herb Jones needs to be that man again. Limit his touches and Jones can be the player he was at the end of last season. This Alabama team plays a little soft at times. They beat State with only one three-point basket.
Georgia has talent and a good inside game. Hall needs to play hard. When he is involved the team plays betters. A double-double will help. Alabama better make their free throws. 70% should be the minimum goal. My pick: Alabama by 7.
From the Midcourt: Nothing wrong with Tide fans criticizing the program. Nothing wrong with seeing the world through Crimson colored glasses. Both sides make good points. One thing that seems to be true from both schools of thought - no one wants mediocrity.
Here's the deal with Alabama and Avery Johnson. You can forget the record, the inconsistency, and the highlights of the season so far. The only thing that matters is what's left on the schedule. That starts with Georgia tonight. If Alabama wins, the dream of another NCAA Tournament lives on. If the Crimson and White lose, well, you might just see the end of their Tournament hopes. When you have home losses to Georgia State, TAMU, and Georgia you would have to do something extraordinary to make up some sorely lost ground.
There is absolutely nothing ordinary about this year's team. When they are good they are very good, and when they are bad they are horrible. The team struggles to finish games they were winning with five minutes left in the game. In all candor, the Tide just falls apart when the pressure gets hot. I'm not really sure why that happens. You would think that a 17-year-old point guard would be the weak link. He isn't. Lewis isn't perfect by any means but he's not Dazon Ingram. I hate to point out an individual player but Dazon seems to be a walking turnover at times. Hey, I love the guy. He is having a bad season handling the ball. He is a warrior in the paint, and he can shoot the three. In fact, he needs to shoot a lot more. What he doesn't need to do is play point guard.
Alabama suffers from a lack of quickness in their guard play. Lewis is quick, but not quicker than death, Dazon is powerful but not quick, and Junior not really quick, but he is better than 'Bama fans want to admit at times. The lack of quickness at the guard causes all sorts of problems on offense, and in a man defense.
John Petty and Tevin Mack must score more. When either gets hot from the field the Tide either wins or scares somebody to death. If they don't score, the Tide is going to have a tough time scoring. Both are playing better. Riley Norris is a tremendous help for Alabama. He is the best sixth man in the SEC in my opinion. He brings much needed senior leadership. He will be a key player down the stretch.
Clearly, Johnson needs to help this team to establish an identity. I've often thought that when you play ten in a rotation it might be difficult to find that identity. I'd go old school and would stick to eight players. Perhaps those eight could become more cohesive on offense. Defense is about preparation and toughness. Defense is a mental attitude. Unlike offense, a team can be consistent on defense every game. A player who can deny a basket three or four times a game is a difference maker. Herb Jones needs to be that man again. Limit his touches and Jones can be the player he was at the end of last season. This Alabama team plays a little soft at times. They beat State with only one three-point basket.
Georgia has talent and a good inside game. Hall needs to play hard. When he is involved the team plays betters. A double-double will help. Alabama better make their free throws. 70% should be the minimum goal. My pick: Alabama by 7.
From the Midcourt: Nothing wrong with Tide fans criticizing the program. Nothing wrong with seeing the world through Crimson colored glasses. Both sides make good points. One thing that seems to be true from both schools of thought - no one wants mediocrity.
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