The 23rd ranked Alabama Crimson Tide bounced back from Saturday’s loss to Tennessee by blowing out the Missouri Tigers 90-64 on Tuesday night. The Tide improved to 14-6 overall and 4-3 in the SEC while the Tigers fell to 14-7 and 4-4 in conference play.
Coach Nate Oats sent out his 13th different starting lineup of the season, Labaron Philon, Aden Holloway, Latrell Wrightsell were joined by the twin towers of Aiden Sherell and Charles Bediako. Holloway was back from his latest injury after missing the Tennessee game and Bediako is in his second game since rejoining the team after a 2.5 year detour to the G League. Tide superstar freshman Amari Allen missed his second straight game and Keiteen Bristow, Davion Hannah, and Collins Onyejiaka sll continued to be unavailable.
After making only six three pointers in Saturday’s loss, the Tide came out firing with Holloway and Sherrell both hitting from deep on the teams first two possessions for a 6-0 lead. Mizzu showed a little fight and took a 13-12 lead with 14:45 left in the half. When Philon hit a three pointer at the 11:30 mark to tie the game at 16-16, Bama was off and running. London Jemison rammed home a line drive three from the corner for a 19-16. Wrightsell hit two from deep and Jemison made another and the Tide lead 32-23 with 5:15 left on the clock. Philon and Bediako connected in a beautiful alley-oop, followed by two Philon makes from behind the arc, helping the Tide to a 42-29 halftime lead.
Bama shot 14-33 (42%),in the first half, including 9-23 for 39% from deep and made 5-6 at the free throw line. The Tide managed 21 rebounds, 11 assists, three steals and committed only four turnovers. Philon led the way with 11 points and five assists. Sherrell added eight points and Bediako contributed six points and four rebounds. Wrightsell showed signs of coming out of his funk-making 2-4 from three point range, but he was just getting started.
Missouri shot 12-31 for 39%, 2-9 for 22% from deep and a miserable 3-10 at the free throw line. The huge Tigers, with five players 6’10 or taller, including 7’5” Trent Burns, were held to 20 rebounds. The Tigers had five assists, two steals, and committed six turnovers. Shawn Phillips led the team with eight points and five rebounds.
Alabama used the same starting lineup in the second half. Sherrell and Bediako started the scoring by making two free throws each. When Wrightsell connected on his first of five second half three pointers the Tide led 49-37 with 17:24 left. Holloway and Bediako pulled of an alley-hoop of their own on the next possession. Starting at the 12:37 mark Wrightsell had a heat check, hitting four straight long range jumpers. By the time the run was over with 9:24 remaining Bama led 69-46. Most of the rest of the Tide’s points came from the free throw line other than another Philon to Bediako assist for a dunk, and a Houston Mallette three pointer. Oats emptied his bench with walk on’s Preston Murphy, Jr. and Jacob Martin seeing action. Murphy nailed two free throws to close out the scoring in the 90-64 Bama victory.
Bama shot 12-29 in the second half with 6-16 from three and made 18-20 free throws. Overall the Tide finished 28-62 for 42% including 15-39 for 38% from deep and a slick 23-26 for 89% at the charity stripe. Wrightsell’s long overdue big game was much needed. The Grad student made 7-10 from behind the arc for 21 points and added five rebounds, two assists, and two steals. Philon had 18 points, four rebounds, six assists, and two steals. Sherrell added 16 points, making 7-9 free throws, and somehow had only one rebound, but blocked two shots. Bediako seems to be rounding into form scoring 16 points with four rebounds. The big man made 6-6 free throws. Taylor Bol Bowen was extremely active and led the team with 10 rebounds while only scoring four points. Mallette won the hard hat with three points, eight rebounds, two assists, and a steal.
Mizzu shot 14-35 with 2-12 from deep in the second half. The Tigers struggled at the free throw line again with a 5-13 mark. Overall the visitors were 29-66 for 39%, 4-22 for 19% from deep for 19%, and a shocking 8-23 for 35% at the charity stripe. Missouri came alive on the boards and finished with 44 total rebounds with 15 offensively. The Tigers had 10 assists, two blocks, three steals, and 13 turnovers. TO Barrett led the team with 13 points, Mark Mitchell scored 11 points with five rebounds and four assists. Last year in CoMo, Mitchell burned the Tide for 35 points. Phillips finished with 10 points and 8 rebounds.
The Tide bounced back with a great performance. Defensively Bediako is making a difference with his presence in the paint. After the Oklahoma game Alabama was ranked 80th in KenPom defensively, after Bediako’s first game that number had improved to 69th, and after tonight’s victory it was down to 59th. Any offense Bediako adds is juts a bonus to the threat of him in the defensive paint. Bol Bowen’s switch has turned on the last several games, and his effort and results have been much better. Tonight’s game the ball movement and unselfish play was outstanding. Wrightsell having a break out game when Holloway struggled offensively was perfect timing. The biggest key for the Tide is getting, and keeping, everyone healthy.
Next up is a Sunday road trip to Gainesville,FL to take on the Gators. The game will be a nationally televised game on ABC at noon CT.
RollTide
