TIDE BEATS MISSOURI 88-74...
You have to be impressed with what Nat Oats is building in Alabama. The ex-Buffalo coach came to the Deep South to revive basketball. Oats believed he could bring his idea of what a basketball team could do using a unique offensive system. Oats thought he could come to the pre-eminent football program in the NCAA and could make basketball relevant again. It isn't like Alabama basketball hasn't been relevant in the past. At a school where football is king, it is easy to forget how good basketball had been at the University of Alabama. There are two schools of thought about being the basketball coach at Alabama. First, the Alabama brand can give a coach all the tools he needs to build a successful program. One of those tools is money. The other school of thought is that a basketball coach will languish in obscurity because of the football program. I think Tide hoop fans have seen both. To younger fans, Wimp Sanderson is the example of hoops excellence. For those of us who are older, Johnny Dee, C.M. Newton, and Mark Gottfried were all successful.
When Oats was hired I wrote that Tide fans should exercise some caution and lots of patience to determine exactly how successful he could be. Obviously, the man can coach. Making it to the NCAAT seemed impossible. If Alabama continues to play like they have in the last 10 games or so there grows the probability of getting a bid. He's done so with his offense. Being old school I am pleasantly surprised with the defense. Alabama's offense will wear a team down, but their defense will kill you. I'm sure that part of Oats's success is due to the SEC having never seen an offensive attack the Tide uses. I am curious to see how teams play the Tide the next time they play.
Alabama was just better than Missouri on Saturday. Missouri made 31 consecutive free throws which are an SEC record. It was stunning to watch the Tigers drain them. If you told me a team made 31 free throws I'd assume they won in a blowout. Alabama still beat them. Lost in the 31/31 was the fact that Alabama made 25 of 30. The game set a new standard for clown-like officiating. I'll say this - both teams found some benefit from the officials. Both teams have some legitimate complaints. Usually, the home team gets the calls. That wasn't the case for Alabama.
The Tide's outside shooting was the difference. Missouri got back in the game in the second half when Alabama's three-point shots didn't fall. Alabama was handicapped by Kira Lewis's foul trouble. Next week, the Tide travels to Vandy and then homes back to Coleman for a game with Kansas State.
You have to be impressed with what Nat Oats is building in Alabama. The ex-Buffalo coach came to the Deep South to revive basketball. Oats believed he could bring his idea of what a basketball team could do using a unique offensive system. Oats thought he could come to the pre-eminent football program in the NCAA and could make basketball relevant again. It isn't like Alabama basketball hasn't been relevant in the past. At a school where football is king, it is easy to forget how good basketball had been at the University of Alabama. There are two schools of thought about being the basketball coach at Alabama. First, the Alabama brand can give a coach all the tools he needs to build a successful program. One of those tools is money. The other school of thought is that a basketball coach will languish in obscurity because of the football program. I think Tide hoop fans have seen both. To younger fans, Wimp Sanderson is the example of hoops excellence. For those of us who are older, Johnny Dee, C.M. Newton, and Mark Gottfried were all successful.
When Oats was hired I wrote that Tide fans should exercise some caution and lots of patience to determine exactly how successful he could be. Obviously, the man can coach. Making it to the NCAAT seemed impossible. If Alabama continues to play like they have in the last 10 games or so there grows the probability of getting a bid. He's done so with his offense. Being old school I am pleasantly surprised with the defense. Alabama's offense will wear a team down, but their defense will kill you. I'm sure that part of Oats's success is due to the SEC having never seen an offensive attack the Tide uses. I am curious to see how teams play the Tide the next time they play.
Alabama was just better than Missouri on Saturday. Missouri made 31 consecutive free throws which are an SEC record. It was stunning to watch the Tigers drain them. If you told me a team made 31 free throws I'd assume they won in a blowout. Alabama still beat them. Lost in the 31/31 was the fact that Alabama made 25 of 30. The game set a new standard for clown-like officiating. I'll say this - both teams found some benefit from the officials. Both teams have some legitimate complaints. Usually, the home team gets the calls. That wasn't the case for Alabama.
The Tide's outside shooting was the difference. Missouri got back in the game in the second half when Alabama's three-point shots didn't fall. Alabama was handicapped by Kira Lewis's foul trouble. Next week, the Tide travels to Vandy and then homes back to Coleman for a game with Kansas State.
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