TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Following a dominant win over Indiana State, the Crimson Tide will look to improve to 3-0 tonight when they take on the South Alabama Jaguars at 7 pm.
Alabama comes into this game at 2-0 after a 102-80 win over the Sycamores, using a strong second half to pull away. Aaron Estrada, Grant Nelson, and Mark Sears all scored over 20 points in the win. Nelson and Sears was able to score most of those points in the second half, a half in which the team shot 56 percent from the field. The only big issue for Alabama offensively was the second half turnovers, in which they had seven. Only having 11 in a game is not bad, but seven in a half cannot happen.
In this game against South Alabama, the defense will have to be better than in the previous two games. Giving up 73 to Morehead State and 80 to Indiana State are certainly cause for concern, and this game could provide another test for that side of the court.
South Alabama is 1-1 on the year, and has not hit over 80 points in their two games. That does not mean they are talentless on offense. Transfers Judah Brown and Isiah Gaiter both average around 14 points-per-game, and their experience factor will definitely help the Jags in this one.
These two teams have some history recently, and this matchup will conclude a 2-for-1 series. While Alabama has won both times, it has never been easy for them. A sloppy 73-68 win in 2021 was highlighted by 18 points from Keon Ellis and Jaden Shackelford. That was followed by a 65-55 win in Mobile last season, where Brandon Miller’s 19 points helped secure the win in Mobile.
The Jaguars have used the transfer portal to build their team, and the previously mentioned tandem of Brown and Gaiter came to Mobile from Saint Mary’s and Auburn. It is something that Head Coach Richie Riley has done over his time there, and he has lead the program to four straight winning season.
For the Crimson Tide, this early season test might not seem like much on paper, but it is one they cannot fail. The Jags have kept it close over the past two years playing good defense, and the Tide will have to be up for the challenge.
