Bama Game Thread: Postgame Thread - Bama over The Gaels - Sweet 16 Baby

[AUDub]

Now we get to hear about our match-up with BYU, and all of their short comings

Well, since you mentioned it lol.

I have a very different opinion of BYU than St. Mary’s

Again, go look at the game thread and read what I had to say about St. Mary’s on the first two pages. Even for me, terms like “they’ll fold” and “swat them aside” are unusually strong language.

I didn’t think they were too much of a threat to Alabama and I stand by that, because they simply couldn’t score at any level comparable to Alabama. By Bama standards that was a C+ performance and Bama kept them comfortably at arm’s length all game. Hell St. Mary’s didn’t hit a 3 until the under 8 of the second half. A 10 point lead might as well have been 30.

I think they were a mid major team with inflated defensive metrics because of two wins over Gonzaga and a non-con win over USC. Bama had more trouble with Robert Morris in the 15-2 matchup for a good reason, in my opinion.

Now BYU? Lot more battle tested, lot more talent. NBA pedigreed coach. Can score with anyone. They’re a bit of a “fiddler crab” because of their defensive metrics but can keep up with practically anyone on the strength of their scoring, which is really the more important side of the ball in March. You also don’t go 14-6 in the Big 12, or beat Wisconsin in the round of 32 out of nowhere.

BYU is also going to get a lot better in the future. They have a lot of very big money benefactors flinging cash at the program. Remember they basically bought the number 1 prospect, AJ Dybantsa, during this last recruiting cycle with a 5 million dollar NIL deal. They’re paying their coach 4.3 million a year. They are very much a power conference school and are acting like it. They’re in the nascent stages of being a major player nationwide in the future.

As for this game, I favor Bama in that matchup. Torvik sets the line at Bama minus 3-4 and I think that’s reasonable. But make no mistake about it, I expect it to be a fight with lots of scoring. I think Bama’s slight offensive edge and big defensive edge should be the difference.

 

[BamaMoon]

I just would like to point out the obvious. Cliff has been an absolute ANIMAL. At times during the season he has been much softer than we were lead to believe coming into Bama. He has impressed me for sure.

3 straight Sweet Sixteens... Nate Oats knows how to coach a team and get them playing their BEST basketball in March. We are blessed beyond measure to have him.

We still haven't peaked imo. RTR

I think the last statement is what I'm most excited about.

I'd grade our two games so far a C+ and a B-.

We haven't come close to playing our best game.

I think there's been an intentional aim to dominate the paint in both games so far. As a result, our 3 point shooting has been cool. That'll need to heat up going forward especially if we advance to the EE and beyond.

 

[AUDub]

What does that even mean? It would help if you'd leave out the cryptic stuff and just say what you mean.

Is it really that hard? It means the refs are going to give the golden boy the benefit of the whistle any time someone makes contact with him.

 

[BamaMoon]

Is it really that hard?

If I knew what it meant I wouldn't have asked.

You and your barner boys may communicate with cute expressions and that's fine, but it seems you are trying to ruffle some feathers.

And you are basically accusing me of being obtuse for not being able to interpret your expressions. Again, just say what you mean.

 

[AUDub]

If I knew what it meant I wouldn't have asked.

You and your barner boys may communicate with cute expressions and that's fine, but it seems you are trying to ruffle some feathers.

And you are basically accusing me of being obtuse for not being able to interpret your expressions. Again, just say what you mean.

At this point I’m surprised you didn’t ask me what I meant by “golden boy”

 

[BamaHoopsBoi]

At this point I’m surprised you didn’t ask me what I meant by “golden boy”

Catch me up to speed.

 

[AUDub]

Catch me up to speed.

In the context of Duke, Flagg.

 

[BamaMoon]

At this point I’m surprised you didn’t ask me what I meant by “golden boy”

You come in here on a Bama board and accuse us of being "obtuse" if we ask what something means. Seems you struggle to read the room OR remember where you are.

Did Cooper Flagg steal something from you other than a W???

 

[BamaHoopsBoi]

In the context of Duke, Flagg.

Much obliged

 

[jjv0004]

I just would like to point out the obvious. Cliff has been an absolute ANIMAL. At times during the season he has been much softer than we were lead to believe coming into Bama. He has impressed me for sure.

3 straight Sweet Sixteens... Nate Oats knows how to coach a team and get them playing their BEST basketball in March. We are blessed beyond measure to have him.

We still haven't peaked imo. RTR

We have clearly not peaked because Alabama has arguably the most talented roster in college basketball. I had very high expectations for this team and those are still in sight. I have been disappointed with these first few games. They will not get past BYU if the play does not get pretty significantly better. And Duke might beat them down like Florida did in the SEC tournament if they don't step it up.

They miss Wrightsell so much. He was a difference maker. That was a horrible break to lose him for the year.

 

[AUDub]

We have clearly not peaked because Alabama has arguably the most talented roster in college basketball. I had very high expectations for this team and those are still in sight. I have been disappointed with these first few games. They will not get past BYU if the play does not get pretty significantly better. And Duke might beat them down like Florida did in the SEC tournament if they don't step it up.

They miss Wrightsell so much. He was a difference maker. That was a horrible break to lose him for the year.

I still haven’t seen Alabama’s best basketball.

Even when you beat us in Auburn, and we played fairly well ourselves in that one, that was a far cry from what Bama is capable of if they truly get the ball rolling.

Just have to hope that switch flips now that we’re down to the last 16 and everyone left is really stinking good.

 

[BamaMike05]

eh. They sucked.

fact of the matter is the WCC is a conundrum. They’re a mid major conference with a single high major team in Gonzaga. Sometimes those teams beat Gonzaga. How do you properly bifurcate that?

again, not knocking Bama, but that was more akin to a 15-2 matchup than a 7-2. Bama was clearly way better from the jump. I let the fool’s gold of those wins over the Zags fool me lol.

They are a top 25 KenPom team but, ok sure.

 

[CB4]

I find it funny that many had St. Mary’s knocking us out in the Second Round, yet now suddenly they were an “overated seven seed” and it wasn’t a quality win over a quality opponent.

Jay Wright, the former Villanova head coach who took them to FOUR Final Fours and TWO National Titles, certainly had a vastly different opinion.

I think I’ll listen to him…..

 

[AUDub]

They are a top 25 KenPom team but, ok sure.

it’s important to keep in mind what KenPom, or Torvik or EvanMiya are. Useful tools but hardly infallible.

The game that had the most impact on their defensive metrics and lent to them the idea they were a defensive juggernaut was that game where USC only scored 36.

Their second most impactful game? Pepperdine lol.

sure the metrics try to adjust for competition but even they are often imperfect.

 

[BamaMoon]

We have clearly not peaked because Alabama has arguably the most talented roster in college basketball. I had very high expectations for this team and those are still in sight. I have been disappointed with these first few games. They will not get past BYU if the play does not get pretty significantly better. And Duke might beat them down like Florida did in the SEC tournament if they don't step it up.

They miss Wrightsell so much. He was a difference maker. That was a horrible break to lose him for the year.

I underestimated the impact of his loss. Not because I didn't believe he was an excellent shooter, but I overestimated how good I thought the rest of our 3 point shooters were. Losing Mallette was big here too.

But other long range shooters have had poor shooting percentages this year:

Stevenson - you take away the NC game last year and what has he ever done from 3?

Nelson - last year he seemed more confident from range.

Sears- while still a weapon his percentages have gone down too from last year.

Youngblood - he streaky; can't figure him out. Thought he'd produce more from distance.

If not for the addition of Holloway, we wouldn't be where we are today IMO.

Biggest surprise from distance is Mo D. He's surprisingly good.

I think to win the NC we've got to put together some better games from the 3 point line. Think we better start Friday against BYU.

 

[BamaMike05]

it’s important to keep in mind what KenPom, or Torvik or EvanMiya are. Useful tools but hardly infallible.

The game that had the most impact on their defensive metrics and lent to them the idea they were a defensive juggernaut was that game where USC only scored 36.

Their second most impactful game? Pepperdine lol.

sure the metrics try to adjust for competition but even they are often imperfect.

I know exactly what KenPom, Torvik, and EvanMiya are used for. However, I seem to remember a majority of Auburn fans up in arms when they weren't number 1 in KenPom. I understand how the metrics are built. To say it was like a 2v15 game is extremely laughable and disingenuous.

 

[CajunCrimson]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1904179907409653976

 

[AUDub]

I know exactly what KenPom, Torvik, and EvanMiya are used for. However, I seem to remember a majority of Auburn fans up in arms when they weren't number 1 in KenPom. I understand how the metrics are built. To say it was like a 2v15 game is extremely laughable and disingenuous.

if you take Gonzaga out of that conference it is more than likely a 1 bid league.

 

[Slowpoke Catracho]

KenPom also said the SEC was overrated.

 

[AUDub]

if you take Gonzaga out of that conference it is more than likely a 1 bid league.

don’t believe me?


The WCC is literally bracketed by one bid leagues, including 2 leagues ahead of them.