Tide's defense beat Kentucky...

   

Shackleford led a late comeback.

Alabama goes to 9-0 in the SEC by refusing to lose to Kentucky.  The Tide was lighting it up from behind the arc, but they played defense like the win depended on it because it did.  If Alabama hadn't played their best defensive game of the year, they would have lost. Plain and simple, the defense won a  key basketball game over blue-blood Kentucky. The final score was 70-59. A lot of focus will be cast on Jaden Shackleford and Herb Jones. Justifiably so in some ways. I thought Keon Ellis and Juwan Gary's defense gave the Tide a chance to win.  Giving away inches and pounds to Kentucky's big inside game, the pair won the paint war when it mattered most. Gary's numbers don't seem significant. He finished with 3 rebounds, a steal, and a block. That was the Gary game, however. Gary simply shut down Kentucky's inside game in the last five minutes of the game.  Keon Ellis shut down the Kentucky perimeter game when it appeared the Wildcats might beat the Tide.  

      Alabama was four-points with four minutes left in the game. It's hard to describe what happened. The Tide huddled around Oats and returned to the floor, fired up and ready to shut down Kentucky. Alabama outscored Calipari's team 18-5 down the stretch. It wasn't a thing of beauty, but it was a masterpiece nonetheless. Herb Jones and Jaden Shackleford kept drawing fouls and making free throws. Shackleford was a warrior. He continually challenged the Kentucky big men inside. He made a huge rebound and then made another on a defensive goaltending call. And he made free throws.  He was 10-10 for the night, and the big free throws were in the second half. Shackleford finished the night as the leading scorer for either team with 21 points. 

   

  Herb Jones played hurt.  It was painful to watch his struggle, but he didn't quit. With time winding down, he made a huge block to keep the Tide ahead. For the evening, Jones scored 13 points and was 9-10 from the line. Jones was so limited he almost couldn't jump. What he did was lead the team.  John Petty threw in some nasty defense.  Alex Reese was playing a good game until he was injured. It didn't appear to be serious, but he left the game.  Rojas was clearly sub-par from his illness. Bruner was out. Alabama literally played small ball after the Reese fall.  How'd that work out?  Alabama broke even with the 'Cats on the glass, but Alabama got the big boards when they needed them.

   Alabama's high powered offense took a backseat to their tough-nosed defense. With all the threes that Bama has dropped on teams this season, the Alabama defense has held their own. The best way to describe the Tide defense might be disruptive.  They cause turnovers, block shots, rebound the ball well. Herb Jones is the best defensive player I've ever seen wearing the Crimson and White. Jaden Shackleford is an assassin both from the outside and driving the late. He's also a thief on defense and rebounds much better than his height indicates. John Petty is solid, and his leadership is a key to 'Bama's season.  

   

Jones played while hurt.

 Kentucky set the pace of the game. The muddied up the game and did everything needed to win the game.  But Bama once again found a way to win. Basketball is a game of parity.  Good teams find ways to win. Jones, Petty, and Reese's senior leadership have been outstanding. Bruner has been a leader on the sideline. I think he'll be back in two weeks. I have been told that he is ahead of his schedule to return. The Crimson Tide can slit your throat with their shooting and pick your pocket with their hands when playing defense.

     Alabama is going to lose some.  It is not like football. Basketball is a tournament game. Nate Oats wants his team to play their best ball at tournament time. His team finds multiple ways to win games. Alabama will take one game at a time to hone their ability to win. Players will emerge to contribute.  The Tide pulled one out last night. I'm not surprised.