Elite 8 Pre-game Thread Bama vs Duke

[BamaMoon]

Problem is Stevenson has been bad this tourney so that’s easy points for Flagg and Stinson will get eaten alive on both ends. Thinking this will have to be big games from Reid who is struggling coming back and Mo and maybe Philon working him a bit then making him run back on d every time.

I would almost have the offense work to get Flagg one on one every time in the first to try and get him in foul trouble. Problem with attacking we have short guards so they may just run into stuff city with no foul calls.

Stevenson's length is his best defensive attribute. Flagg isn't lightning fast, so that'll help. I think it'll be a team effort with Stevenson getting his turn.

Mo is probably the best option because of his offensive abilities and rebounding. Reid is due to have a game. He's good enough on defense, but we could really use some offense from him too. And If Stevenson is ever going to contribute anything offensively, this might be the time, but I won't hold my breath. I know I sound like a broken record on him, but he's been such a disapointment this year.

I haven't considered Philon on Flagg. He'll give up 5 inches to him, but Philon will have a step on him. Best case scenario is we keep Flagg on the perimeter. Unless he is just smoking hot from distance, I'd take my chances with letting him shoot deep shots cause he's most dangerous driving into the lane scoring or dumping off to others for layups.

 

[AlexanderFan]

Question is: do you let Flagg get his, and try to stop the rest, or do you try to shut Flagg down and make the other four beat you?

Flagg gets worn out during games, make him work on the defensive end chasing and getting posted up by Mo. Lean on him.

 

[BamaMoon]

Question is: do you let Flagg get his, and try to stop the rest, or do you try to shut Flagg down and make the other four beat you?

Flagg gets worn out during games, make him work on the defensive end chasing and getting posted up by Mo. Lean on him.

Let him get his. Play him straight up. If he score 30 or more so be it. Just limited what the other guys do.

We have to show up offensively anyway.

 

[JDCrimson]

I would double team Flagg where possible and try to shut him down. I would let another player get his imo. I think this is the path to victory. Flagg can beat us by himself but I don't think another player in their team can do the same.

 

[NationalTitles18]

May the team wearing the most Crimson win.

 

[BamaMoon]

I would double team Flagg where possible and try to shut him down. I would let another player get his imo. I think this is the path to victory. Flagg can beat us by himself but I don't think another player in their team can do the same.

We'll see. I just think the other 7 or 8 in their playing rotation are just too good to do that.

As good as Flagg is, I don't think he can beat us without others having great games too.

 

[JDCrimson]

I understand. I just think its asking alot for all our players to have all star defensive performances on their guy this game. If we can hold Flagg to half his average I think puts a bunch more pressure on their other players and that in of itself may help our defense on the other 4 players.

We'll see. I just think the other 7 or 8 in their playing rotation are just too good to do that.

As good as Flagg is, I don't think he can beat us without others having great games too.

 

[AlistarWills]

My wife heard a comment that Duke players declared they had the best defense in the country or something. Nothing like some bulletin board motivation.

 

[JustNeedMe81]

I would double team Flagg where possible and try to shut him down. I would let another player get his imo. I think this is the path to victory. Flagg can beat us by himself but I don't think another player in their team can do the same.

This is not the path I would choose to go.

If you put all efforts into one players, you're leaving the other players on that team to get open looks and they are capable of executing . They did well when Flagg was out.

You want to win? This is what you do, Take away Flagg options. Focus on the team as a whole. Put pressure on everyone, Rotate our guys on Flagg and I think we'll be okay. I would rather Flagg score 40 points, but rest of the players struggle to help him as opposed to Flag 15 points and rest players stepped up. Gotta be careful and Alabama tend to overhelp on defense at times and they don't do great job of recovering.

 

[22Musso22]

I think we will have to win in the paint tonight, and I think we can win doing it.

 

[oskie]

Lots of good thoughts posted here on this thread re: how to handle this Duke team.

Here's what Coach Oats had to say about scouting Flagg.

Nate Oats reveals how Alabama is scouting Cooper Flagg ahead of Elite Eight

Alabama coach Nate Oats explained the process of scouting someone like Duke superstar Cooper Falgg ahead of the Elite Eight.

www.on3.com

 

[Joefus]

One advantage we should have is we are fresher. Arizona really pushed them so hopefully their legs will go in the second half

 

[CrimSonami]

Roll Tide!

 

[AlexanderFan]

My wife heard a comment that Duke players declared they had the best defense in the country or something. Nothing like some bulletin board motivation.

Kind of backed it up tonight.

This core group has never handled “physical” defenses well. Combine that with the shots not falling and it just wasn’t going to happen.