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

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

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