Alabama plays hard and beats the Tigers...

     You have to learn to win close games in basketball. There are so many moving parts that anything unexpected will cause you to lose.  Nat Oats praised his team for "learning to win close games."  Everyone knew that Alabama would have to play a great game to remain undefeated in the SEC. I thought Alabama should win the game. Then, the NCAA gave Auburn a gift, and Pearl loved the drama of springing the Shariff Cooper surprise of Alabama. 

       Cooper is easily Auburn's best player. Alabama had no film to prepare for his entrance into NCAA basketball. Shariff scored 26 points, but he made some crucial turnovers when Alabama pumped up the defense volume. He also shot an airball when he could have taken it to the hoop for a layup. That killed the Tigers. Auburn's Shariff surprise appearance was acute but not fatal. Alabama sucked it up and went through some lead changes and ties, but when it mattered most the Alabama had the composure to make big plays. You have to hand it to Herb Jones, Jordan Bruner, and John Petty.  They never faltered. Alabama won the rivalry game because of senior leadership.  Bruner, Petty, and Jones all contributed to the outcome.

      Nat Oats had the Tide ready to play. It seems to me that he has settled on an eight-man rotation, and while more than that number might play, those players will get the prime time minutes. Keep in mind that Alabama won this game with Quinerly on the bench (well, not actually on the bench) and unavailable. It isn't likely the former Parade All-American will play against Kentucky. 

      Once again, the inside game proved difficult for Bama. This isn't going to change. A team with good shot blockers will hurt the Tide. The Tide essentially broke even on the boards and got some extra shots with hard-fought offensive rebounds. Rebounding is a group effort for Alabama. 

      Alabama made 75% of their free-throws, although, once again, they missed some key ones in the last two minutes. Welcome to Primo world. The other five-star freshman on the floor led Bama scores with 22, but it was nailing four triples in the opening minutes, which set the game's tempo. Bama rallied back after losing leads. They never quit. There wasn't a hint of "oh, no."

    Alabama takes on Kentucky tonight in Rupp Arena. Tip-off is 8PM. Kentucky is a slight favorite to win. KenPom believes Kentucky has a 53% chance of winning.