Full-Court Press: Takeaways from Alabama Basketball at Oklahoma

It needed to occur finally.

For the primary time since Dec. 17, Alabama basketball suffered a loss. It is third of the season got here in sudden blowout vogue, with Oklahoma crushing the No. 2 Crimson Tide by a remaining rating of 93-69 within the Lloyd Noble Middle.

There have been heaps that went fallacious for Alabama, so listed here are my ideas:

1. Complacency shone via.

Alabama soccer head coach Nick Saban talks about “rat poison,” on a regular basis regarding the soccer program, nevertheless it appears to have made its strategy to the hardwood as effectively. 

For 2 video games in a row now, Alabama has settled for being the hunted as a substitute of the hunter as video games start, with a scarcity of depth and urgency on either side of the ball. This possible is a direct results of shopping for into their very own hype from the nationwide media, listening to the people who mentioned they need to be ranked No. 1, and that they seem to be a foregone conclusion to make it to Houston for the Ultimate 4.

The fact is, none of that’s assured, and so they realized that on Saturday. Each head coach Nate Oats and freshman guard Rylan Griffen acknowledged the complacency after the sport as a problem that wanted to be corrected.

If Mississippi State was a warning, Oklahoma is a blaring alarm. Alabama continues to be probably the most proficient groups within the nation for sure, nevertheless it is not invincible. A well-prepared workforce who hits pictures is greater than able to beating, or on this case, dominating, Alabama if the Crimson Tide does not come able to play.

The query stays, how will Alabama reply?

Final time Alabama misplaced a recreation it rattled off 9 straight victories. Each time this workforce has confronted a tough problem this season, it has answered the decision. That is simply the subsequent hurdle that may check this workforce’s toughness.

2. Defensive struggles led to a different loss.

82. 100. 93.

These are the three scores from groups which have overwhelmed Alabama this season. UConn, Gonzaga and Oklahoma all executed at extraordinarily excessive ranges on the offensive finish, which left Alabama’s offense struggling to maintain up.

In opposition to Oklahoma particularly, the primary half was simply the worst defensive half Alabama had performed all season. Oklahoma was getting huge open threes from poor defensive rotations, gamers have been in dangerous positions to defend cutters, and general there was a whole lack of depth.

Moreover, Oklahoma made some tough pictures, which Alabama gamers visibly let get to their heads and it much more effected the hassle and depth on protection. 

Alabama has proven it has the capabilities to be not only a good, however an elite defensive workforce in faculty basketball. Even after the loss, the Crimson Tide ranks sixth nationally in defensive effectivity per KenPom, however nationwide rankings solely get you up to now in the event you do not come ready to execute.

3. Capturing woes proceed.

Alabama has now shot beneath 30 p.c from 3-point vary in 4 straight video games. The final recreation the Crimson Tide eclipsed the 30-percent mark was on Jan. 14 in opposition to LSU.

I touched on this a bit final week, however just a few gamers who’ve been constant shooters for Alabama are going via main slumps from past the arc on the identical time. 

Noah Clowney has missed his final 20 3-point makes an attempt. His final make got here in opposition to Arkansas on Jan. 11. Mark Sears has made simply 5 of his final 28 makes an attempt from downtown after starting the yr taking pictures roughly 42 p.c. 

Even Brandon Miller has been in a mini hunch the previous two video games, making simply two of his eight pictures from deep.

Alabama does not dwell and die by the 3-point shot, however its is a significant factor in its success. The workforce has shooters everywhere in the ground, Alabama simply wants them to shoot their means out of their slumps to assist the Crimson Tide get again right into a constant offensive rhythm.

4. A number of extra issues…

• After a loss like that, I would not be shocked if Oats determined to make some modified within the beginning lineup. The primary candidate for a beginning spot in my eyes can be Rylan Griffen. I’ve talked about him lots in the previous couple of editions of this collection, and with good cause. He was Alabama’s main scorer Saturday with 15, and has been considered one of Alabama’s most constant shooters as of late as effectively. He is definitely earned a much bigger function. 

• Regardless that the loss is dangerous on paper, it has no impact on Alabama’s chase for an SEC title. The Crimson Tide nonetheless sits on the high of the convention at 8-0 with the ultimate 10 convention video games left. 

• Alabama has a better week developing, with video games in opposition to 10-11 Vanderbilt and an LSU workforce with an abysmal 1-7 report in SEC play. These two video games are a very good probability for Alabama to get again on observe earlier than a tough three-game stretch of Florida, at Auburn and at Tennessee in mid-February.

See additionally:

Alabama Basketball “Again to Floor Zero” After Embarrassing Loss to Oklahoma

Nate Oats: “We have Misplaced Our Edge”

No. 2 Alabama Blown Out By Oklahoma in SEC / Large 12 Problem