TIDE BEATS THE BAYOU BENGALS IN 2.0...   

     After losing to Oklahoma last week, Tide fans were concerned. Would that loss be the start of a string of Alabama losses?  Instead, Alabama blasted the LSU Tigers 78-60. After taking a 36-30, the Crimson Tide opened it up in the second half to once again whip the Tigers. It wasn't the downtown daggers that beat LSU in game two. It was dominating the lane on both offense and defense. For the Tigers, it was understanding the Tide's defense would wear them down and keep the SEC's highest-scoring offense to only 60 points for the night was on the menu.

       In the first ten minutes of the second half, the Tide shut the Tigers down. I'm sure a few hearts skipped a beat when Herb Jones when Jones picked up his fourth foul. None of those hearts belonged to his teammates. Alabama started to build a lead that LSU couldn't overcome. Juwan Gary had 12 points and pulled down 7 rebounds. He was a big reason why the Tide beat the Tigers. Jones picked up 8 rebounds in only 16 minutes of play. The Tiger killer inside was Alex Reese. Reese had 13 points.  He also pulled down four boards in succession in the second half.  His play in the second half helped establish the Tide dominance inside. Reese had two blocked shots and a steal.

     Alabama's defense won the game. As predicted, LSU shut down the Tide's outside shooting and took their chances in the lane.  They lost their bet as Jaden Shackelford exposed the Tigers' inability to defend the lane. Shackleford was a highlight reel. Petty didn't have a big night from the outside, but his defense played a big part in the win. His 5 assists were big when 'Bama ran away in the second half. Alabama outscored the Tigers 52-26 in the lane. Keon Ellis had 10 points, 7 rebounds, 1 block, and 1 steal.  Ellis is going to make Alabama a better team.  His speed, length, and tenacity are right out of the Nate Oats hard-hat philosophy. 

     Alabama won the war of the boards 51-35. That rebounding led to 17 second-half points. LSU had only 4. After a poor performance on the inside against Oklahoma, the Tide roared back to dominate the interior. 24 of Bama's first-half points came from the inside. Here's something that Tide fans should remember. When Herb Jones went to the pine after his fourth foul, Alabama went on an 18-4 run. With Reese, Ellis, and Gary having big games, it bodes well for 'Bama. Shackleford's big game was enjoyable to watch. 

       Tides' biggest lead was 54-34. The only reason the final margin was less than that was walkons got some time on the floor. It wasn't a pleasant experience, and Oats was coaching them up when the game was over. Darius Miles was the recipient of the coaching. He was listening. I'm sure Oats has some analytics on late-game coaching. Jahvon Quinerly was back with 10 points. He made 2 three-pointers. His pass to Gary inside was spectacular. 

    Bama is now a one-seed per Lunardi, but let's not take it seriously. 

Penpom.com has listed Alabama as the 3rd best adjusted D.

     Alabama now moves on to Missouri on Saturday.