Bama Game Thread: Davidson vs Alabama in Birmingham

[TideEngineer08]

What has to worry CNO is Jax State and Davidson are #161 and #118 defense in KenPom ratings and totally took us out of game plan and shut us down. The good news is Gonzaga and Memphis were #13 and #5 and our offense was fine. That points to maturity and leadership and coach has to mentally prepare them for the Davidson’s of the world and coach them up. The Davidson coach flat out said they are a hard team to play. Football struggled against Tenn and Auburn and pulled it out, Saban is a master at the mental game. Vols are #2 In defense, the game will test Oats’ ability to adjust. I just wish the sports gods would at least ONE time let us get through a season without shitting the bed against teams we highly favored. I think I’d rather be 10-3 with close losses to Gonzaga, Houston and Memphis.

It is damn near impossible in basketball.

Like it or not, we are not an elite team this season. We are close... but not there yet. Only the elite of the elite go through seasons without suffering these kinds of loses. And even those teams don't always win the title.

The wins over Gonzaga and Houston will give us a lot more mileage than the losses to Iona and Davidson will take a way. It will especially help us if they as well as Memphis do well in their leagues. Although I have no hope that Memphis does. That was truly a bad loss, to a bad team, who just caught fire against us. But Iona and Davidson may well challenge for their league titles. That will help.

What we've got to do now is get our defensive game back. It's the one thing we can truly control. Like I said earlier, the shots are going to fall or not fall. But our defensive game should always be there. Hopefully Rojas can help us in rebounding, because that is simply not getting better in season. Guys don't magically get stronger over night. Although a lot of rebounding is effort based.

And I've given up on free throw shooting. If Oats truly doesn't emphasize that, well, look it ultimately cost us the game tonight. Maybe we win in OT, maybe we don't. It cost us Iona as well.

 

[rolltide_21]

I don’t know what you consider a bad loss, but we were 10 point favorites essentially playing a home game…

None of the losses are quad 3/4 (right now). I expect all three to wind up in the tourney. In the past would be sitting at 6-4 with losses to Jax St and prob another quad 4 team we should’ve beaten.

 

[BAMAVILLE]

Yes the game tonight is considered a Quad 1 matchup. Even with the loss it still goes to the strength of our schedule.

 

[rolltide_21]

Right now they aren’t top 25. Their record is but they lost to 2 unranked teams and darn near lost to a quad 4 at home.

Eeyores exist in basketball threads too I see.

Top 10? No. But not a top 25? That’s ridiculous. We’re a good/solid team than can play up to elite teams but also could lose to Florida the next outing.

 

[rolltide_21]

It is damn near impossible in basketball.

Like it or not, we are not an elite team this season. We are close... but not there yet. Only the elite of the elite go through seasons without suffering these kinds of loses. And even those teams don't always win the title.

The wins over Gonzaga and Houston will give us a lot more mileage than the losses to Iona and Davidson will take a way. It will especially help us if they as well as Memphis do well in their leagues. Although I have no hope that Memphis does. That was truly a bad loss, to a bad team, who just caught fire against us. But Iona and Davidson may well challenge for their league titles. That will help.

What we've got to do now is get our defensive game back. It's the one thing we can truly control. Like I said earlier, the shots are going to fall or not fall. But our defensive game should always be there. Hopefully Rojas can help us in rebounding, because that is simply not getting better in season. Guys don't magically get stronger over night. Although a lot of rebounding is effort based.

And I've given up on free throw shooting. If Oats truly doesn't emphasize that, well, look it ultimately cost us the game tonight. Maybe we win in OT, maybe we don't. It cost us Iona as well.

Good post. In basketball, offense comes and goes but your defense has to be there every night.

 

[AUDub]

Yes the game tonight is considered a Quad 1 matchup. Even with the loss it still goes to the strength of our schedule.

I think it's close. Davidson is just a hair outside of the top 50 and this was (charitably) a neutral site game. They should climb but I think it's Quad 2 as things stand.

 

[Richtide]

None of the losses are quad 3/4 (right now). I expect all three to wind up in the tourney. In the past would be sitting at 6-4 with losses to Jax St and prob another quad 4 team we should’ve beaten.

True dat!

 

[Richtide]

Eeyores exist in basketball threads too I see.

Top 10? No. But not a top 25? That’s ridiculous. We’re a good/solid team than can play up to elite teams but also could lose to Florida the next outing.

Did you actually read the words in the post? It’s not being an Eeyore. Right now means RIGHT NOW.. 2 losses to unranked, beat JSU by 5. That is not a top 25 team. Our overall record makes us a top 25 team. I’m very high on this team, they need to find leadership, a defensive identity, and rebound better, only find 2/3 and they can still be a S16 team. I have faith in CNO. I wouldn’t in previous HCs.

 

[Richtide]

Good post. In basketball, offense comes and goes but your defense has to be there every night.

Thats what makes Houston so lethal

 

[AUDub]

Did you actually read the words in the post? It’s not being an Eeyore. Right now means RIGHT NOW.. 2 losses to unranked, beat JSU by 5. That is not a top 25 team. Our overall record makes us a top 25 team. I’m very high on this team, they need to find leadership, a defensive identity, and rebound better, only find 2/3 and they can still be a S16 team. I have faith in CNO. I wouldn’t in previous HCs.

Bama's going to be one of those teams that looks like they could go to the final four at times then play Mizzou close mid-week.

Just gotta get hot at the right time. Worked for us in 19 lol.

 

[JDCrimson]

I think they are tired imo. Our shooting percentages are way off since Gonzaga especially from 3. We are having to use our backcourt players too much in rebounding the basketball. Also driving the lane for offense takes a lot of energy too.

Imo an 8 rotation is not enough for the way Oats wants to play. He needs to get more bigs involved if for nothing more to spell the starters. Our 4s-5s need to be more active cleaning up the glass. Can't run fast break if your guards are having to provide rebound support.

 

[TexasBama]

I had to pick up sister in law at the airport and missed most of this. Davidson’s effective FG% was 64%. Not gonna beat anybody if you let them shoot like that.

 

[AlexD]

I think they are tired imo. Our shooting percentages are way off since Gonzaga especially from 3. We are having to use our backcourt players too much in rebounding the basketball. Also driving the lane for offense takes a lot of energy too.

Imo an 8 rotation is not enough for the way Oats wants to play. He needs to get more bigs involved if for nothing more to spell the starters. Our 4s-5s need to be more active cleaning up the glass. Can't run fast break if your guards are having to provide rebound support.

Agree to an extent. We got behind in the first due to total lack of effort, defense/maturity and Bediako getting totally worked by a smarter big. But I do agree in the second half of games the legs of a couple guys (not JQ as he does not show up till the end the last few games) are tired. But Gary is and has been asked to do the most so far on both ends with Ellis. Gurley has not fit in on either end but has a few moments due to playing so many mins.

I did think we would start playing more guys the last couple games to help going into SEC play but we really did not. I know Holt got in this game but that was little to none. I am not sure what the plan is. I mentioned it before I expected to see changes the last two games but did not see any which is concerning. Lets see if he makes the change to make JQ a scorer like last year where he fits better with JD the point that could maybe help. JD did not have a TO this game. Bediako has to be more of a rebounding force well everyone does and stop slapping the ball up grab the dang thing. We are close but close doesn't count. Being a Bama bball fan past history makes me nervous as last year was the anomaly not the norm.

Everyone seems to remember or think of Rojas better than me as I think he is slower than Gurley and not really an answer but guess we will see if he comes back. But also coming back from injury means he will be back even slower not to mention he can't shoot and very little inside game. Not sure why we have not given more time to other guys as I said above though the last two games just to test them out the way Gurley plays.

 

[BamaMoon]

Whew...man. A lot of overreaction IMO. We got work to do? YEAH, but starting to question CNO???

 

[BamaMoon]

A few more thoughts: First, I disagree that JQ isn't the answer at PG. Right now, he is because JD is just too tentative and his ball handling in traffic is not nearly as good as JQ's.

Now, would it be better if JD was ready and could play PG? Yes! JQ is a deadly 3 point shooter and I think he needs to take more 3 point shots, but until JD becomes more of a threat (shooting and getting to the rim) JQ is our better option.

But our biggest issue right now is not offense...it's defensive intensity and rebounding effort. Some of this is "want to" and this is where CNO needs to light some butts up, but some of it is personnel, especially our bigs. They just aren't strong enough down low, with the exception of Gary.

 

[BAMAVILLE]

It's so weird that it takes these teams a minute to realize their offensive production thrives when they are first successful with defense. It was the same as last years team.

Our biggest blowouts came when we played lockdown defense. Hopefully this team will realize the same effort will help yield similar if not better results than last season. We do need someone to also be a junkyard dog, thinking Ellis is a good candidate, he started of well with that intensity at the beginning of the season, hopefully he can revert back to that.

Our frontcourt is the most talented we've had in a while BUT it seems like it's taking them a minute to get used to the system. Once Gurley, Bediako and French get up to speed we will see better production. Hopefully they will develop the consistency this team needs for success sooner than later.

The college basketball community takes this program and team seriously so they players just have to get used to the fact they are the hunted and just can't show up because they are Alabama (sounds familiar?) Once they dedicate themselves to playing hard every time out, they will be a tough matchup for anyone in the nation. They have to put in the effort though.

 

[AlexD]

Whew...man. A lot of overreaction IMO. We got work to do? YEAH, but starting to question CNO???

Not sure anyone is questioning him. Discussing what is happening yes also pointing out he is young and learning. Also realizing the point of this harder early schedule was to feel out the team and for him to see what he has to work with going into SEC play. Seems like you are having a harsher reaction to the discussions lol

You kind of defend and hurt JQ in your statement. If you watch sure he can handle in traffic but he also drives into trouble, disappears for half the game or more till the second. Not much help on D. That is why you force the hand of JD. JD has actually had less TOs than JQ the last 3 games and I think more assist. JQ shooting has not been anything close to as effective as last year playing the point. It just does not seem like the best fit for him.

But I think we all agree defense is where this teams has to get it started. It seems like 2-3 guys have it locked down for 25 seconds then one mistake easy basket or the teams have been making some hard shots. But if we can cut our those easy buckets game on. Again we are close to great but currently very good with spurts to great and the point of this schedule was to see what kind of team we have.

 

[bvandegraff]

If I remember last season, there was a big improvement in our defense that set up the run through the SEC and both tournaments. Herb Jones's defense was the spark for that - who will it be this year? The low post would be a good place to start - our bigs seem to be either out of position or getting pushed around a lot (more Slim Charles than Angry Chuck). I agree with earlier posts that getting Rojas back will help but that's a ways away.

The sky's not falling just yet. Having issues while still beating Gonzaga and Houston means a great season is still there for the taking.

 

[Rama Jama]

We have to learn our defensive switches. We won't beat anyone if we continue to give up layups and dunks like we've done the last 3 games. Oat's doesn't like to play zone, but maybe we can defend better out of zone. It frustrates me to no end that Davidson has beaten 4 out of 5 times. I realizethey are a solid mid major, but this team has the talent to beat both Gonzaga and Houston. I think offensively JQ and Shack are not playing well and defensively our bigs are simply not competing. We are not dictating the pace in the last 3 games and if we can't play at our pace,we are not a very good half court team.

 

[mlingerfelt31]

If you get to 12-6 there's no way you'll be seeded anything lower than a 5 seed.

We will not get 12-6