TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – If you believe the saying “old habits die hard”, that you must have not watched the game tonight. Alabama’s defense, which had been shaky in their previous two games, stepped up in a big way in the 56 point win over the Jaguars.
Alabama held South Alabama to 23 percent from the field, and just 17 percent from three. It was mostly done through forcing the Jags to take tough shots late in the shot clock, and a total team effort on the defensive end.
“That was a lot more of what were trying to get on the defensive end,” Head Coach Nate Oats said. “I thought our effort significantly improved,” he added.
The game started off tight, with South Alabama keeping up with the Crimson Tide on both ends of the floor. It was a 15-15 game with under 12 minutes left and then the floodgates opened. 15-15 turned into 38-17 after a 15-2 run by Alabama highlighted by a Grant Nelson dunk. Alabama continued their run into halftime, leading 47-23 at the break.
“I thought the ball was sticking too much early in the game, we weren’t moving it enough,” Oats stated, “Once we started to move the ball better, we were also able to get some stops and get out on transition better,” he added.
The second half was much of the same, if not better for the Crimson Tide. They shot 60 percent from the field, and 45 percent from three, while holding South Alabama to just 14 percent from the field. Alabama outscored the Jags 55-23 in the half, with 20 of them coming in the paint to take the game 102-46.
This was the third straight game scoring over 100 points for Alabama, the first time they have done that since the 1956-57 season. That year they hit the 100 point mark in their first four games, so there is a potential note to watch come Friday.
Alabama was able to take advantage of an overly aggressive South Alabama defense, which left a lot of lanes open in the middle for guys to drive into. Nick Pringle was one of the players who benefited the most, as he played his best game of the season. He finished with 12 points and was a perfect six-for-six from the field, with most of those shots being dunks in a wide open paint off a pick and roll.
“That was really surprising,” Pringle said, “I didn’t know what type of dunk I wanted to do…I had plenty of time to think.”
Grant Nelson had a different impact on this game that what most fans are used to. He was just 20 percent from the field, but had a team high six assists and three blocks. This is what makes him so dangerous for Alabama; even on an off night, he still has a big impact somewhere on the court.
Mark Sears lead Alabama in scoring with 17, but it was freshman Sam Walters who stole the show off the bench. He played 16 minutes, and was sharp in every single one. He finished with 16 points on a perfect four-for-four night, along with going three-for-three from deep.
“We know he can shoot…but we’ve been on him to guard better, I thought he did.” Oats said.
Coming into this game, the Alabama defense gave up 73 and 80 points in their previous two matchups, and the message from Oats was clear, play better defense or don’t play at all. Alabama answered the call against South Alabama, and then some. This game was about as good of a game as you could ask for considering Alabama was a 20 points favorite going in and the way South Alabama had challenged them in the past.
Alabama now sits at 3-0 to start this season, and will have to defend their home floor again come Friday when they take on the 1-2 Mercer Bears in Tuscaloosa. This is the first game of the Emerald Coast Classic, which continues into Thanksgiving weekend in Destin, Florida.
