Alabama
Preview: Alabama Men’s Basketball at the 2022 Phil Knight Invitational
Feast Week is upon us and for Alabama males’s basketball, the competitors is about to be underway. On Thanksgiving Day, the No. 18 Crimson Tide will start play within the 2022 Phil Knight Invitational in Portland, Ore. in opposition to No. 12 Michigan State — at present one of many hottest groups within the nation.
The eight-team area for this yr’s PKI is loaded with expertise, beginning with the No. 1 group within the nation in North Carolina. The remainder of the sector are as follows: Alabama, Iowa State, Michigan State, Oregon, Portland, UConn and Villanova.
The Spartans mark the Crimson Tide’s first opponent of the event. Michigan State has had an unbelievable begin to the season, together with beating Kentucky in Lexington in addition to downing in addition to fellow PKI participant Villanova.
Throughout his press convention on Tuesday night, Alabama head coach Nate Oats laid out simply how a lot of a menace the Spartans pose to his Crimson Tide squad.
“We’re wanting ahead to enjoying Michigan State,” Oats mentioned. “They’re good. We have performed 4 first rate mid-major groups however this might be our first high-major group we play. They shot up within the rankings — and rightfully so — they need to be 4-0.
“They have some high quality wins below their belt, they’ve performed some robust groups, they are a typical Tom Izzo-coached group. I imply, they’re robust, they’re bodily, they’re gonna guard you — they don’t seem to be gonna beat themselves.”
An added ingredient to the sport is the matchup between Oats and Michigan State head coach and shut pal of Nick Saban, Tom Izzo. Throughout Oats’ time as head coach at Romulus Excessive within the Detroit space of Michigan, Izzo and Oats had grow to be acquainted on account of Oats ceaselessly volunteering for the Spartans’ summer time camps.
When Alabama athletic director Greg Byrne was fielding Oats as a possible new rent again in 2019, it was Izzo’s advice that helped him get the job. And now for the primary time, Oats and Izzo will get to face one another on the courtroom.
Oats mentioned that the expertise of heading right into a recreation to compete in opposition to Izzo is surreal.
“He is the man I’ve all the time regarded as much as,” Oats mentioned of Izzo. “I grew up in Wisconsin, I moved to the Detroit space to take a highschool job and actually a part of it was I used to be kinda proper there in the identical state. He was all the time nice to me once I labored the camps earlier than I took the Romulus job, after which once I took the Romulus job I used to be up there on a regular basis.
“I’ve all the time regarded as much as him. He was all the time nice to me as a highschool coach.”
Ought to the Crimson Tide prevail in opposition to the Spartans, it should face the winner between UConn and Oregon. Ought to it lose, it might face the loser between those self same two applications. Both means, it will likely be a troublesome two-game stretch for Alabama with potential to stretch to a really troublesome three video games.
Oats has all the time been a agency believer in scheduling robust video games early within the season to check a group’s mettle, and this yr is not any totally different. The Crimson Tide has a plethora of inauspicious challenges early, all scheduled to assist Oats and his assistants iron out the groups issues early.
Since arriving at Alabama in 2019, Oats and the Crimson Tide have participated in a regular-season event in every of his first three seasons. In 2019, Alabama went 2-2 within the Battle 4 Atlantis, bookending the event with wins over Furman and Southern Miss whereas shedding to North Carolina and Iowa State.
Within the 2020-21 season, the Crimson Tide traveled to Asheville, N.C. for a Maui Invitational that had shifted places because of the pandemic. Whereas Alabama misplaced its opening recreation to Stanford, it rallied and received its closing two video games over UNLV and Windfall to complete fifth out of the eight groups.
Final season, the Crimson Tide took half within the ESPN Occasions Invitational, which noticed Alabama repeat the very same path it took in 2020. The Crimson Tide opened the event by shedding 72-68 to Iona in a rematch of the earlier season’s NCAA Match opening spherical, the received its closing two video games in opposition to Drake and Miami.
This yr’s Phil Knight Invitational marks Oats’ fourth regular-season event in as many seasons with Alabama, and this yr presents a Crimson Tide group that’s arguably the very best roster that he is fielded since his arrival to Tuscaloosa.
Michigan State definitely poses a giant problem for Alabama, in addition to whichever two groups the Crimson Tide faces afterwards. Whether or not Oats and Co. go 3-0 or 0-3, he is assured that there’s lots to be realized about his group over the course of the event.
“It will be our first actual take a look at in opposition to one other high-major group, so I wish to see if we will proceed to rebound like now we have,” Oats mentioned. “We’re clearly not going to proceed to rebound like now we have with the rebounding margin, however can we outrebound a group in Michigan State?
“So can we care for the ball, can we rebound it, can we be bodily with out fouling, can we deal with their physicality with out letting it get to our heads? These are among the massive questions that I’ve received.”
With out additional ado, here is a team-by-team breakdown of the individuals of the 2022 Phil Knight Invitational, adopted by the official bracket with a schedule and tipoff occasions/TV networks:
Workforce Breakdowns
(Groups organized by highest odds to win event, in line with FanDuel)
North Carolina
2021-22 Report: 29-10
Present KenPom Rating: No. 17
Odds to win: +230
Outlook: Let’s go forward and get this out of the way in which: the sky is the restrict for this North Carolina group. The Tarheels went to the nationwide title recreation final season and returns the vast majority of its key items — sufficient to warrant them being the preseason top-ranked group within the nation. UNC possesses arguably the very best backcourt within the nation in RJ Davis and Caleb Love, and the group’s main scorer in Armando Bacot returns within the frontcourt. Whereas North Carolina will possible miss massive man Brady Manek, Pete Nance is one other massive that may shoot from anyplace on the courtroom. Leaky Black can also be again, including to the Tarheels’ defensive prowess.
North Carolina is the heavy favourite to win the PKI, and with good cause. The sector of the event presents the Tarheels with their hardest competitors but this season, however make no mistake: there aren’t many groups that may hold with UNC this season.
Alabama
2021-22 Report: 19-14
Present KenPom Rating: No. 13
Odds to win: +420
Outlook: Whereas Alabama won’t have gotten the preseason recognition like North Carolina, the Crimson Tide has been sneaky good over its first 4 video games of the season. Whereas a 4-0 begin does not flip many heads on this yr’s PKI area, it is the style of the wins that is extra spectacular in Oats’ fourth season in Tuscaloosa.
Alabama introduced within the No. 3 recruiting class within the nation final yr, per SI All-American, headlined by freshman phenom ahead Brandon Miller. By way of the Crimson Tide’s first 4 video games, Miller is averaging 20.3 factors, 9.3 rebounds and a pair of.3 assists per recreation — simply shy of a double-double. Miller is not the one weapon for Alabama, although. Between guards Mark Sears and Nimari Burnett, forwards Noah Gurley and Rylan Griffen alongside middle Charles Bediako, Oats has one factor that he is been lacking most in his first three seasons: depth.
And with senior guard Jahvon Quinerly having returned sooner than anticipated from an ACL harm, look out for Alabama on this yr’s PKI.
Michigan State
2021-22 Report: 22-12
Scroll to Proceed
Present KenPom Rating: No. 22
Odds to win: +450
Outlook: Izzo returns 4 starters from final yr’s NCAA Match group, and it exhibits. The Spartans have began the season 3-1, together with wins over Kentucky on the street and in opposition to Villanova. Michigan State additionally gave Gonzaga a run for its cash in San Diego, shedding by the slimmest of margins: 64-63. The AP voters have seen the potential within the Spartans as effectively, rocketing them up from unranked to No. 12 within the newest ballot.
The backcourt of AJ Hoggard and Tyson Walker offers Izzo a top-five unit within the Large Ten. Joey Hauser shot 40-percent from 3-point territory final season, making him a deep menace. Final season, Michigan State’s long-range taking pictures ranked second of their convention final season, and that does not regarded to have modified in 2022. Whereas the Spartans would possibly rank under North Carolina and Alabama when it comes to betting odds, do not sleep on Sparty: they could simply win the entire thing.
Villanova
2021-22 Report: 30-8
Present KenPom Rating: No. 32
Odds to win: +650
Outlook: Villanova reached its third Remaining 4 in seven years final season and have been debatably one tough Justin Moore harm away from doubtlessly successful a nationwide title. Mix that with the retirement of head coach Jay Wright after 20 seasons with the Wildcats, and it was a tragic offseason for Villanova followers. Sadly for Villanova, the 2022-23 season hasn’t introduced a lot reduction below new head coach Kyle Neptune. Over their first 4 video games, the Wildcats have emerged with a 2-2 document. Whereas a slender 73-71 loss at Michigan State is considerably comprehensible, a 68-64 loss at house to Temple shouldn’t be.
That being mentioned, Villanova brings an honest little bit of expertise with it to the PKI, together with three returning starters alongside the most effective sixth males within the nation in guard Caleb Daniels. Whereas there is no timetable for the return of Moore, Eric Dixon and Brandon Slater make their returns and current posable threats. Ahead Cam Whitmore and guard Mark Armstrong are additionally two freshmen additions that may possible contribute closely for the Wildcats this season.
UConn
2021-22 Report: 23-10
Present KenPom Rating: No. 20
Odds to win: +650
Outlook: UConn may need began the season 5-0, however head coach Dan Hurley has had all of the adversity he may deal with. The Huskies entered the 2022-23 season with c-team captain Andre Jackson out with a fractured pinky, whereas Jordan Hawkins entered concussion protocol following the group’s season opener in opposition to Stonehill School. Mix that with 4 switch guards being added to the combo, and the start of the season may have been tough for Hurley and UConn.
The Huskies have not precisely had a troublesome slate of video games to begin the season. Nonetheless, that does not make them any much less potent. Junior ahead Adama Sanogo is averaging 21.4 factors and eight.0 rebounds per recreation whereas guard Tristen Newton, ahead Alex Karaban and sophomore guard Jordan Hawkins are all averaging double-digit factors. The event will present UConn with its first true assessments of the season, nevertheless it has the instruments to go away the PKI with its heads held excessive.
Oregon
2021-22 Report: 20-15
Present KenPom Rating: No. 38
Odds to win: +850
Outlook: The Geese have began the season 2-2, with all 4 video games being performed at house — not precisely the beginning that head coach Dana Altman and his group wished. For Oregon to have the ability to compete at a excessive stage this season, it will should dramatically enhance on the defensive finish — one thing that the Geese could not put collectively final yr. Will Richardson is the chief of the group this yr, and for good cause: the senior guard averaged 14.1 factors, 3.6 assists and three.9 rebounds final yr.
The most important query for Oregon continues to be its defensive rebounding. Final yr, the Geese ranked tenth within the Pac-12 in defensive rebounding charge and have proven enchancment over its first 4 video games, however not sufficient to warrant a full turnaround. Facilities Nate Bittle and Kel’el Ware will finally present reduction within the rebounding recreation, however solely time will inform if that might be a everlasting repair. One other issue might be ahead N’Faly Dante, a 6-foot-11 senior who may be fairly imposing when wholesome, however has handled a number of accidents over the previous few seasons.
Iowa State
2021-22 Report: 22-13
Present KenPom Rating: No. 53
Odds to win: +900
Outlook: The Cyclones may need began the season 3-0, however do not let that success idiot you: this group has its points. All three of Iowa State’s video games have been at house and in opposition to far inferior opponents: IUPUI, North Carolina A&T and Milwaukee. With Wick Brockington gone, the Cyclones have rather a lot to work by means of on each ends of the courtroom — significantly on offense. In 2021-22, Iowa State was one of many worst groups within the Large 12 in most offensive metrics. And now, the Cyclones have misplaced each of their high scorers from final season.
Head coach T. J. Otzelberger introduced in Jaren Holmes and Osun Osunniyi from St. Bonaventure within the offseason courtesy of the switch portal. Osunniyi is an instantaneous impression participant on protection and has been anchoring the Cyclones’ defensive frontcourt. Holmes is a bodily guard that may rating at just about any stage. Ahead Aljaz Kunc of Slovenia and Temple switch Jeremiah Williams may also possible be impactful within the PKI, however the remainder of Iowa State’s roster poses main query marks.
Portland
2021-22 Report: 19-15
Present KenPom Rating: No. 130
Odds to win: +19000
Outlook: A 4-2 begin to the season shouldn’t be a foul search for the Pilots and head coach Shantay Legans. Whereas Portland misplaced at Kent State and in opposition to Seattle U, the Pilots downed Lewis & Clark, Florida A&M, Portland State and Air Power — successful the 4 video games by a median of 21 factors, no much less. Legans arrived in Portland final season after teaching 4 seasons at Jap Washington, bringing three gamers with him together with Mike Meadows and Tyler Robertson. Each Meadows and Robertson averaged double-digit factors, with Robertson averaging 15.3 factors per recreation final season. The remaining three starters for the Pilots are forwards, all of which measure at 6-foot-8 or taller.
Whereas the percentages are stacked in opposition to Portland within the PKI, the Pilots definitely have a shot at being one of many higher groups within the West Coast Convention.
The Bracket
See Additionally:
Nate Oats: Jahvon Quinerly is “Able to Go”
Alabama Basketball Stays Regular in AP, Drops in Coaches Ballot
Brandon Miller Named SEC Freshman of The Week
Get your Crimson Tide hoops tickets from SI Tickets HERE.
Alabama
Alabama’s recent focus on defense pays off in blowout win over Kent State
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Nate Oats started his postgame press conference explaining why Alabama would have a much better winter break after its 81-54 win over Kent State. According to Oats, a happy holiday hinged on the Tide’s defensive performance against the Golden Flashes.
“Much better defensive effort so it’ll be a lot better Christmas break for us,” Oats said with a smile at the podium. “We did make a big point of emphasis on defense, especially after that debacle up in North Dakota with [Fighting Hawks guard Treysen Eaglestaff].”
It was far from a perfect offensive display for the Tide against Kent State. Alabama’s lingering turnover issues reared its ugly head for a second straight and the Tide continued shooting poorly from 3-point range.
However, after defensive letdowns nearly sprang an upset in Grand Forks, North Dakota, Alabama got back to the basics over the next few days at practice. The team worked on defensive fundamentals rather than solely focusing on film study.
That extra emphasis paid off as Alabama equaled its lowest points allowed in a game this season with 54. Tide forward Grant Nelson swatted a shot attempt by Kent State’s leading scorer VonCameron Davis in the opening few minutes, which helped set the tone the rest of the way.
“I think that [block] and just really everyone loading in the gaps, helping each other out,” Nelson said of Alabama’s defensive performance. “I thought that was huge. I think we kept them to six points in the first three media timeouts, that was huge for us. We emphasized that like I said and just a lot of credit to our guys for carrying it over on the court.”
While Alabama didn’t shoot the ball well, it made sure Kent State’s shooting was even more ineffective. Alabama communicated well on switches and contested shots from beyond the arc. It honed in on Davis, who averages 14.9 points per game but was limited to under 10 points for just the second time this season. Davis scored nine on an inefficient 4 of 15 from the field and had a minus-31 box plus-minus rating.
Coming into the game, Oats also felt like Kent State guard Jalen Sullinger (9.7 points per game) could be a dangerous weapon against Alabama’s defense with the potential to do the same thing Eaglestaff did for North Dakota. The Fighting Hawks guard scored a career-high 40 points, single-handedly pulling them back into the game late.
After missing the mark severely on guarding Eaglestaff, the Tide understood the assignment when it came to Sullinger and locked down the Kent State senior.
“He ended up shooting 1 of 14 and didn’t score in the second half,” Oats said. “So I think we did a little bit of a better job being locked in to a perimeter guy. We held them to a pretty good field goal percentage, they only shot 28%. Traditionally, this has been one of the hardest playing teams — I was in the MAC for six years and they get all of the O Boards. We gave up too many second-chance points but I thought for the most part our first-shot defense was good.”
Alabama continued to play effective post-defense in spite of the offensive rebounds. The Tide finished with six blocks as a team. Center Clifford Omoruyi won the Hard Hat Award for the most blue collar points and grabbed 12 rebounds while Nelson had 14. Off the bench, Derrion Reid had a pair of steals while Mouhamed Dioubate chipped in with two blocks.
Following the win, Alabama jumped from No. 57 to No. 42 in adjusted defensive efficiency, according to KenPom.com. As the Tide looks to build on its defensive momentum, better play on offense will have to follow. Alabama’s defense is much improved from last season when it was at its best, but it won’t be able to win games on defense alone when league play tips off on Jan. 4.
“We struggled a little offensively, and we’re gonna have to figure some stuff out here before SEC play,” Oats said. “The turnovers have been really just way too many — 13 in the first half. We did the same thing two games in a row. We only had one the second half against North Dakota. We ended up with six in the second half here. So we’ve got to do a better job at turnovers. I don’t have an answer for the free throw problems, but the only way to fix that is get in the gym and work. The good thing for us is we don’t have any school for a few weeks here, so after they get back from Christmas break, we’ll be in the gym and putting some time in.”
Alabama will conclude non-conference play against Summit League side South Dakota State. The Tide and Jackrabbits will tip off at 2 p.m. CT Dec. 29 inside Coleman Coliseum. The game will be broadcast on SEC Network+.
Alabama
How cold did Alabama get last night? These cities had the lowest temperatures
Very cold temperatures greeted Alabamians on Sunday morning.
The National Weather Service said temperatures overnight bottomed out in the low 20s in parts of the state and even were at the freezing mark in south Alabama.
Here were the lowest temperatures between midnight and 6 a.m. Sunday from around Alabama from the National Weather Service:
* Alexander City: 30 degrees
* Anniston: 23 degrees
* Auburn: 28 degrees
* Birmingham: 24 degrees
* Decatur: 25 degrees
* Demopolis: 25 degrees
* Dothan: 30 degrees
* Evergreen: 28 degrees
* Eufaula: 28 degrees
* Gadsden: 21 degrees
* Haleyville: 22 degrees
* Huntsville: 26 degrees
* Mobile: 31 degrees
* Montgomery: 25 degrees
* Muscle Shoals: 24 degrees
* Ozark: 29 degrees
* Prattville: 25 degrees
* Sylacauga: 24 degrees
* Talladega: 22 degrees
* Troy: 26 degrees
* Tuscaloosa: 25 degrees
Temperatures today will be a few degrees higher than on Saturday. Highs will range from the low to mid-40s in south Alabama to the 50s in central Alabama, to the mid-50s in south Alabama (today’s forecast is at the top of this post).
Tonight will be chilly again, but not as cold as last night. Here are the forecast low temperatures from Sunday night into Monday morning:
Gradual warming is expected to continue this week, with the next chances for rain arriving on Wednesday, Christmas Day. The weather service isn’t expecting a lot of rain, and no severe weather is anticipated.
High temperatures on Christmas Day will be warmer, with 60s expected across a wide area and possibly some 70s near the coast. Here are the expected Christmas Day temperatures:
The warming trend looks to hold past Christmas. Here is the six- to 10-day temperature outlook, and it shows a high probability of above-average temperatures for Alabama through the end of December:
Alabama
Seth McLaughlin Brings Alabama's Tennessee Victory Cigar Tradition to the Ohio State Sideline
Seth McLaughlin wasn’t able to play against Tennessee on Saturday night.
But that didn’t mean he couldn’t celebrate his team’s dominating 42-17 win the way he used to when he suited up for the Alabama Crimson Tide as an undergraduate student.
The cigar he had with him was not random or a prop. It was part of a tradition he learned in Tuscaloosa.
— Chase Brown (@chaseabrown__) December 22, 2024
As the legend has it, in 1961 one of Bear Bryant’s trainers lit up a stogie following a Tide win which had ended a five-game slide to the Volunteers. This created a tradition maintained over the next two decades – which eventually spread to the opposite sideline.
The Volunteers have been participating in the victory cigar tradition since the early 1980s. It has spread from the sideline into the stands and tailgates. Earlier this season, the Volunteers beat the Crimson Tide in Knoxville, creating a plume of smoke above Neyland Stadium.
Tennessee students light up cigars after an SEC conference game between Tennessee and Alabama in Neyland Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024. © Brianna Paciorka/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
So it was appropriate that McLaughlin, now with the Buckeyes following his Rimington Award-winning season in Columbus found a way to pay homage to his first alma mater while celebrating with his second one.
Former Alabama center Seth McLaughlin is smoking a cigar on the Ohio State sideline as time expires and the Buckeyes beat Tennessee.
— Sidelines – Bama (@SSN_Alabama) December 22, 2024
Ohio State plays Oregon in the Rose Bowl on New Year’s Day.
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