TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – It would be hard to imagine a much better start to the season for Alabama.

 

Between another Brittany Davis masterclass, an unexpected performance from the freshman and a fully stocked rotation, Head Coach Kristy Curry got everything she could’ve hoped for as the Tide blew out Alabama A&M on Monday 98-51.

 

It was simply just another day in the office for the preseason First Team All-SEC guard. Davis put together another picturesque shooting performance against the Bulldogs, shooting 7-10 from deep en route to a 26-point game.

 

These kinds of games have become routine for her at this point, and something that opposing teams likely have in bold print at the top of the scouting report.

 

But even that wouldn’t stop her, according to true freshman Karly Weathers, who’s only gotten a sample of her veteran teammate.

 

“I think that [Brittany] just does what she does no matter what,” Weathers said.

 

“It frees everyone up because they have to key in on what she’s doing.”

 

It certainly freed up Ms. Tennessee basketball.

 

Weathers shined in her Crimson Tide debut, putting up 15 points while missing just a single shot from the field. She also had four steals against the Bulldogs.

 

Curry hinted prior to the season that Weathers could have a serious role on this team, and it would appear that role could grow even more after her performance.

 

“When you can make a shot, you really fit well into who we’re trying to be,” Curry said.

 

And while Alabama at times looked like the same team from last season, they also looked entirely different, especially when it came to the rotation.

 

Sure, the Crimson Tide still has their reliable trio of Davis, Megan Abrams and JaMya Mingo-Young.

 

Abrams put up 11 points in the win by aggressively attacking the rim, while Mingo-Young continues to be a “jack of all trades” for the Tide, recording six points, 10 rebounds and five assists on the night.

 

But they’ve managed to add something they didn’t have at all last year: depth.

 

When tournament time came around, Alabama played its starters for essentially the entire game. Even over the course of the year, four players averaged greater than 30 minutes a game.

 

But with just under five minutes to go in the first half, Curry had played every single player on her roster.

 

And while you might attribute that to the fact that the game wasn’t really close, it still points to how much deeper the Tide roster is this time around. When you have 11 players on your roster that started D1 basketball, it tends to feel that way.

 

Loyal McQueen showed the ability to run the offense coming off the bench, while Weathers had the best debut you could’ve asked for.

 

Even Sarah Ashlee Barker, who struggled with her shot in her Alabama debut, showed flashes late with two fastbreak buckets.

 

Even amidst all the positives, Curry won’t be cherishing this win for long.

 

“Now the challenge is to let it go at midnight and get ready to try and go get another road win.”

 

Injury Update

Aliyah Nye exited the game with 3:20 to go in the first quarter after going down following a three-pointer. Curry said that Nye could have returned, but was kept out as a precaution.

Up Next

Alabama travels to New Orleans to take on Tulane, their first of four consecutive games on the road. Tip is set for 6 p.m. CT on Nov. 10.

 

PHOTO CREDIT TO CRIMSON TIDE PHOTOS/UA ATHLETICS.

 

Follow Nicholas Pursley on Twitter @nicholaspursley for 24/7 coverage of Alabama Women’s Basketball.