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Alabama Crimson Tide

Alabama Basketball: Let’s Try This Again, Tide Can Clinch With Win Over MSU

by Layne Gerbig February 26, 2021

#6 Alabama (18-6, 13-2) didn’t seize the moment on its first opportunity to clinch the SEC Regular Season title. We can talk all day about what went wrong during the game at Arkansas, but that’s neither here nor there at this point. It’s time to hit the reset button and try this again. This time the foe to beat is Mississippi State. Here stands Alabama in a prime opportunity to clinch its first regular season title since 2002. And I believe they can do it.

“Going into Mississippi State, we have got to do a lot better, play harder and come in more focused,” Alabama head coach Nate Oats said. “We can’t get out-toughed like I thought we did (Wednesday).”

The Bulldogs (13-11, 7-8) have won two in a row after a midseason slide. Mississippi State ended Ole Miss’ four-game winning streak on Feb. 20 and routed South Carolina 69-48 on Wednesday.

The Tide defeated the Bulldogs 81-73 on Jan. 23 in Tuscaloosa, Ala.

In its past four victories, Mississippi State held its opponents to an average of 54.8 points and a collective 32.9 percent shooting from the floor.

Mississippi State held South Carolina to 29 percent shooting and 19 percent from 3-point range. The Bulldogs outrebounded the Gamecocks 49-24, their largest rebounding margin against an SEC opponent since 2002.

The Bulldogs had 16 assists on 24 baskets after having 15 assists on 25 baskets against Ole Miss.

Alabama will need to buckle down, play tougher than the opponent and keep them away from the free throw line if they want to be successful and clinch the SEC title. They have a great opportunity to do that tomorrow evening.

My Prediction: Alabama 81 MSU 61

Layne Gerbig is the lead basketball analyst for Tide Talk Sports. He can be followed on Twitter via @LayneG_TTS.

Also Follow @TideTalkSports on Twitter for more Alabama Athletics news & updates. Also subscribe to our YouTube channel by clicking this link. And you can search for The Tide Talk Podcast on all major podcast providers.

February 26, 2021 0 comment

Alabama Men's Basketball

Alabama Basketball: Missed Opportunities Vs. Arkansas

by Layne Gerbig February 24, 2021

written by Layne Gerbig

The game is over, the effects of the loss on me have temporarily subsided, which means it’s a good time for me to break down this game before the effects reemerge. Please be advised before continuing: The sky is not falling. THIS TEAM IS STILL LEGIT. Minor setback, major learning potential. Alabama shot eight free throws Wednesday evening. You read that right, just eight free throws. Would you like to know how many free throws the Arkansas Razorbacks shot? 43. They shot 43 free throws. I’m never one to make excuses, but a 43-8 margin in free throw shooting is an absurd difference. Not to take away from the numerous mistakes and miscues that left the Tide without a prayer late, but officiating seemed to be an issue based on the game that I was watching.

Alabama (18-6, 13-2) would have clinched the regular season SEC title with a win. That was not in the cards tonight, unfortunately.

For a span of 8:53 in the second half, the only shot Alabama sunk was a two-point jumper sunk by John Petty. Arkansas’ 17-point run provided too much frustration. Petty was charged with a technical foul after appearing to argue a no-foul call with 6:55 left. The Razorbacks would build their lead to 16 less than two minutes later, forcing an Alabama timeout. Petty would be ejected after picking up another technical with 1:01 left.

Alabama ran hot and cold the whole game. The Crimson Tide missed their first nine 3-pointers, but would follow by making eight of their next 10, including the first basket of the second half, giving them their first lead since the opening five minutes of the game.

Jordan Bruner led Alabama with 14 points, 12 of which came in the first half. Petty finished with 12.

The loss snapped Alabama’s winning streak at three games and Arkansas’ win extended its SEC-winning streak to eight.

What’s Next:

Alabama will travel to Starkville to continue their road tour in the penultimate game of the regular season. That matchup will be Saturday, 2/27 at 5:00pm and will be broadcast on the SEC Network.

Outlook:

Alabama is still a fantastic squad. Things just didn’t go their way this evening. There is no reason to panic if you’re a member of the Crimson Tide faithful like myself. This is a possibly needed setback that will put the team back in a spot that allows them to reassess what’s working and not working. Better to lose now and fix the problems than lose late in March and have no season remaining.

Layne Gerbig is the lead basketball analyst for Tide Talk Sports. He can be followed on Twitter via @LayneG_TTS.

February 24, 2021 0 comment

Alabama Men's Basketball

Alabama Basketball: Arkansas Preview

by Layne Gerbig February 22, 2021

written by Layne Gerbig

Alabama has had an historic season so far. The 2020-2021 season will be remembered by Alabama fans for eternity, especially if they can make some noise in the NCAA tournament. They have a really good chance to accomplish this feat. They also have a good chance to add another quadrant one victory to their resume as they take on the Arkansas Razorbacks in Fayetteville on Wednesday 2/24 at 8:00pm.

This week’s AP Poll has the Crimson Tide at #6, their highest ranking this season, and their highest ranking since being 4th in the poll in December 2006.

Bama has leaned on solid three-point shooting and spectacular defensive play for much of the season, and they will need to continue competing at a high level in those regards, and all around, for the remainder of the season. A win at Arkansas would put the Tide in position to clinch a share in the regular season SEC title, needing two wins to clinch outright. While that would be fantastic, it’s not the only accomplishment this team has in mind.

Jaden Shackelford had an impressive performance against Vanderbilt Saturday, tallying 27 points in the 82-78 victory. He averages 14.5 points per game and is Alabama’s highest scorer through the season. Herbert Jones is our best rebounder, pulling down 5.7 per game.

Back on Jan. 16, Alabama demolished Arkansas, 90-59, behind 17 points and five three-pointers from senior guard John Petty Jr. However, since then the Razorbacks have figured it out.

Coach Eric Musselman’s team have won seven of their last eight and four in a row, including an overtime-road win over then-No. 10 Missouri.

Arkansas boasts the second-best scoring offense in the SEC at 82.5 points per game. Freshman guard Moses Moody has become a household name, averaging 16.2 points and 5.6 rebounds.

No. 8 Alabama at No. 24 Arkansas

Where: Bud Walton Arena

When: 8 p.m, CT, Wednesday

TV: ESPN2

Radio: Crimson Tide Sports Network

Online: ESPN.com

Alabama’s last game: The Crimson Tide survived a scare from Vanderbilt, 82-78, on Senior Day. Sophomore guard Jaden Shackelford dropped a season-high 27 points on 10-of-21 shooting. Guard Jahvon Quinerly and forward Alex Reese joined him in double-figures with 15 and 10 points a piece.

Arkansas’ last game: The Razorbacks’ game with Texas A&M was postponed on Saturday due to COVID-19 issues inside the Aggies’ program. Arkansas last played on Feb. 16 and defeated Florida, 75-64, thanks to four Razorbacks in double-figures.

The series: The 64th meeting. Arkansas leads the all-time series with a record of 34-29. Alabama has only won twice in Fayetteville over the last 16 years, dating back to Jan. 11, 2005. Before the Crimson Tide’s win in January, the Razorbacks had won six straight versus Alabama.

My Prediction: Alabama 84 Arkansas 75

Follow @LayneG_TTS and @TideTalkSports on Twitter for more Alabama Athletics news & updates. Also subscribe to our YouTube channel by clicking this link. And you can search for The Tide Talk Podcast on all major podcast providers.

February 22, 2021 0 comment

Alabama Men's Basketball

Alabama Basketball Sets School Record For Points, demolishes UGA

by Layne Gerbig February 13, 2021

written by Layne Gerbig

The Alabama Crimson Tide (17-5, 12-1) men’s basketball team pummelled the Georgia Bulldogs (12-8, 5-8) Saturday afternoon in front of God and everybody.

The 115 point mark set a school record for points scored by the Tide in an SEC game. Herbert Jones scored 17 of his career-high 21 points in the first half Saturday and No. 11 Alabama routed Georgia 115-82 in Bama’s most prolific scoring effort in a Southeastern Conference game.

Alabama’s previous high in an SEC game was 113 points on Jan. 17, 1976, also against the Tigers

”It’s pretty crazy,” Oats said. ”Nobody shot more than nine times and we scored 115. It helps when you make 3s and you’ve got a lot of guys that can make 3s.”

True Freshman Josh Primo tallied 19 points in the game, all of which coming in the second half.

Jaden Shackelford scored 18 points for the Tide, who also got 16 from Jahvon Quinerly and 13 from John Petty Jr. Freshman reserve Darius Miles got into the act with a late dunk that roused both the bench and the fans.

”The past few games have been slow for us on the offensive end,” Shackelford said. ”It was good for us and it felt good to get back to how we’re used to playing.”

Joh Petty scored 13, Jahvon Quinerly added 16 from the bench.

What’s Next For Bama?

The Tide will travel to College Station on Ash Wednesday to take on Texas A&M. They will follow it with a home game vs. Vanderbilt on Saturday the 20th.

Follow @DeutscheBammer and @TideTalkSports on Twitter for more Alabama Athletics news & updates. Also subscribe to our YouTube channel by clicking this link. And you can search for The Tide Talk Podcast on all major podcast providers, including Spotify.

February 13, 2021 0 comment

Alabama Men's Basketball

Alabama Basketball: UGA Preview, Predictions

by Layne Gerbig February 13, 2021

written by Layne Gerbig

Tide fans, it’s that time again. Another Saturday of Alabama basketball is mere hours away from manifesting into existence. Today at 2:30pm CST the Tide men’s basketball team will be taking on Georgia.

After a setback against Missouri, which saw the Tide score 21 of the games final 26 points, #11 Alabama (16-5, 11-1) went into South Carolina looking to rebound and looking for a road win, and pulled it out in dramatic fashion.

“It would have been nice to open it up, but it’s nice to win a close one,” Alabama coach Nate Oats said. “I think we’re 3-3 in two-possession games and last year we were 4-11. We put a big point of emphasis in learning how to close. We did some dumb things late in the game, but we did enough to win it.”

John Petty Jr. had a bounce-back game with 20 points after totaling just 26 points in his previous three outings combined. It was his highest scoring game since a season-high 24-point effort at LSU on Jan. 19.

“Our record in February has always been pretty bad,” the senior guard said. “So as the leadership on this team, as a senior on this team, I’m not letting it go down that road this year. Whatever it takes to win I’m going to do it.”

They will look to continue winning in (hopefully) spectacular fashion against the Georgia Bulldogs (12-7,5-7), entering the contest as 13 point favorites.

Georgia is led in scoring by Sahvir Wheeler, a 5’10” guard averaging 13.5 PPG and 7.3 assists. The biggest threat in the post for the Tide is Toumani Camara, a 6’8″ forward who’s averaging 12.6 PPG and 7.3 rebounds per game. UGA is coming off of an eight point loss to #16 Tennessee Wednesday, a game in which they were down 44-26 at halftime.

Alabama will be without Juwan Gary (shoulder), Jordan Bruner (knee), and a 100% Herb Jones, who has still managed to contribute enough even while dealing with a back injury.

“Herb obviously is still not back to himself, but he gives us enough,” Oats said. “He’s tough. He brings leadership to us.”

My Prediction: Alabama 78 UGA 66

February 13, 2021 0 comment

Alabama Men's Basketball

Alabama Basketball: SoCar Preview

by Layne Gerbig February 9, 2021

written by Layne Gerbig

TUSCALOOSA, AL: #10 Alabama looks to rebound after a loss to #19 Missouri Saturday, as they take on the South Carolina Gamecocks Tuesday at 5:30 Central.

Alabama had a tough outing against Missouri (13-3, 6-3 SEC) in their last matchup. While they were down the entire game, and at one time down 22 points, they ended up cutting the deficit to a manageable margin late-game.

Missouri’s only points down the stretch came on four free throws. The Crimson Tide started scoring on nearly every possession and Herb Jones had two chances to give Alabama the lead in the final 20 seconds, but he missed a layup and had another try blocked by Mitchell Smith.

The Crimson Tide (15-5, 10-1 SEC) had one last chance to tie it, but Jaden Shackelford’s contested 3-pointer at the buzzer missed.

Jaden Shackelford and John Petty, Jr tallied 15 and 11, respectively. Petty went 50% on six three-point attempts, and pulled down six rebounds. Keon Ellis and Jahvon Quinerly came off the bench to score 12 each.

South Carolina (5-7, 3-5 SEC) is coming off of a 75-59 loss Saturday in Columbia against Mississippi State. The Gamecocks are 3-2 at home, but the Tide boasts a 4-2 record on the road.

South Carolina is led in scoring by AJ Lawson (17.3 PPG) and Keyshawn Bryant (14.4 PPG). They have had 6 different games either cancelled or postponed due to COVID-19 this season, indicating a mean streak of bad luck for the Gamecocks.

My Prediction: Alabama Wins 78-64

February 9, 2021 0 comment

Alabama Men's Basketball

Alabama Wins 10th Straight, Finishes UK Sweep

by Layne Gerbig January 26, 2021

written by Layne Gerbig

The Tide men’s basketball squad managed to increase their winning streak to 10 straight wins, and swept Kentucky in the series for the first time since 1988-89 in a 70-59 win in Tuscaloosa.

Alabama (14-3, 9-0) played a sloppy game, yet still managed to win the game by 11 points. Bama shot just 30% from three-point land, converting on 6 of 20. Pair that with only shooting 38% from the field overall, and you may wonder how this game was won. The answer is defense.

Alabama’s defense forced Kentucky (5-10, 4-4) to take tough, contested shots all night, never giving them anything easy. UK shot just 35%. Sarr and Mintz each led UK with 12 points a piece, while Boston, who appeared injured early in the first half, finished with 8.

Four of Bama’s five starters scored in double figures: Jones (13), Petty (10), Primo (10), and Shackelford (21). Herb Jones also snagged 9 boards and dished 8 assists.

Next up for Alabama men’s hoops:

The Tide will travel to Norman, OK Saturday to take on 24th-ranked Oklahoma at 11am CST. Broadcast information to be determined.

January 26, 2021 0 comment

Alabama Men's Basketball

Alabama Basketball blows out LSU, sets school & SEC record in 3-pointers made.

by Layne Gerbig January 19, 2021

written by Layne Gerbig

Wow. Those words are just about all I can muster after watching Alabama demolish LSU (10-3, 5-2) on the basketball court 105-75 in a manner that matched the demolition they inflicted on the football gridiron.

Alabama (12-3, 7-0) raced to an 11 point lead 3.5 minutes into the game, and never looked back. The Tide scored 60 points in the first half, hitting on 14 of 19 3-pointers. John Petty went 7-for-8 in the half, Josh Primo was 4-for-4 and Jahvon Quinerly was 3-for-4.

The second half didn’t get much better for the Tigers, getting outscored 45-43, even though for the final eight minutes of the game the Tide’s main contributors were on the bench.

Alabama set its own, and the SEC’s, record for most 3-pointers buried in a game, hitting 23. The previous mark was 22, which was set by Bama in 2020 against Auburn. The Tide shot 56 percent on all field goals, hitting 53.5% of threes. Alabama outrebounded LSU 43-40. Bama outscored LSU on fast break points 22-18.

John Petty led Bama in scoring with 24, followed by Josh Primo and Jahvon Quinerly with 22 each. Herb Jones added 13 while tossing 5 assists.

LSU’s Cam Thomas was the top-scorer for the Tigers, earning 21 points. It’s noteworthy that Trendon Watford only tallied 11.

What’s next for Alabama?

Alabama will return home to Tuscaloosa to take on the Mississippi State Bulldogs at 5:00pm CST on SEC Network.

January 19, 2021 0 comment

Alabama Men's Basketball

Alabama Men’s Basketball: LSU Preview, Prediction

by Layne Gerbig January 18, 2021

written by Layne Gerbig

Alabama has entered the AP Top 25. This is not a drill. The Crimson Tide basketball program is undefeated in conference play, and #18 in the country.

The Tide (11-3, 6-0) looks to remain undefeated in conference play and improve upon their 18th position against LSU (10-2, 5-1) in Baton Rouge Tuesday.

Alabama hasn’t had a start this impressive in SEC play since the 1987 season. You can imagine why Bama fans are rejoicing. However, they will need to remain consistent, and will need to do so without Yale grad transfer Jordan Bruner, who has proven to be a significant component to the Tide’s success. Alabama won its 7th consecutive game in a 90-59 rout of Arkansas Saturday evening, just four days after beating Kentucky 85-65 in Rupp.

“We talked about what type of character we would have after the big win at Kentucky,” coach Nate Oats said. “We knew Arkansas was going to bring everything they had. Our guys responded great.”

The 31-point margin of victory was the Crimson Tide’s largest in SEC play since defeating host Mississippi State 75-43 eight years ago.

John Petty Jr. led the team with 17 points and he became the school’s all-time leader in 3-pointers when he made his 264th.

“I am really happy for Petty,” Oats said. “He could’ve left after his junior year. He decided to come back. You like for guys who decide to come back for their senior year to do great things.”

Jaden Shackelford added 16 points and Herbert Jones, who was questionable because of a finger injury suffered against Kentucky, scored 13 points in 23 minutes.

“Our attention to detail on defense was great,” Oats said.

LSU’s defense was important in its fourth-straight victory — an 85-80 home win against South Carolina on Saturday.

“We know we can score the ball,” said Javonte Smart, who had 15 points as one of four Tigers in double figures. “We talk about defense. They were getting some buckets; some back-door looks. We just wanted to lock in when we were down. We just wanted to get back in that lead, and cut it and tie the game, and on to play defense.”

Cam Thomas scored 25 points, Trendon Watford added 23 and Darius Days scored 11.

Alabama will hope to keep a perfect slate in conference play, and will put it all on the line Tuesday at 8pm CST on ESPN2.

My Prediction: Alabama 84 LSU 78

January 18, 2021 0 comment

Alabama Men's Basketball

Alabama Basketball: Tide Topples Hogs

by Layne Gerbig January 16, 2021

written by Layne Gerbig

Alabama (11-3, 6-0) got a huge win in SEC play Saturday over Arkansas (10-4, 2-4) Saturday afternoon, winning in dominant fashion 90-59. The Tide jumped out to a 42-19 lead at halftime. Hitting on 7 of 21 3-pointers and converting 44 percent of field goals in the first half.

Overall, Alabama shot 48 percent from the field, including 15 3s. They converted 13-17 free throws, and committed 14 TOs. Bama outrebounded Arkansas 43-36. Alabama’s defense allowed just 59 points, allowing 33 percent on field goals.

John Petty led all Tide players with 17 points. He also set the school record for career 3 pointers at 265. Shackelford recorded 16, Herb Jones earned 13. Miles and Quinerly came off the bench to earn 8 and 7, respectively. Alabama was able to beat an SEC opponent by 30+ points for the first time in 16 years (17th-ranked Miss. State 98-49 on 1/18/05).

For Arkansas, Moody set a career scoring mark with 28 points. Jalen Tate was the only other Hog in double digits, tallying 10.

Next up for Alabama is a trip to Baton Rouge to take on LSU (9-2, 4-1).

Follow @DeutscheBammer and @TideTalkSports on Twitter for more Alabama Athletics news & updates. Also subscribe to our YouTube channel https://youtube.com/c/TideTV.

January 16, 2021 0 comment

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