Now that the biggest basketball game in the history of the state of Alabama is over, what are some takeaways from Auburn’s 94-85 victory over the Crimson Tide in Tuscaloosa this past Saturday? Are we left with more questions than answers?
Talegate writer Al Blanton explores these and other notions in our “10 Big Questions” segment:
10. What was Auburn’s key to victory on Saturday?
I thought Auburn’s ability to disrupt Alabama’s offense was a central reason for the Tigers’ victory on Saturday. There were stretches when the Crimson Tide’s offense looked discombobulated, lacked identity, and was forced into isolation basketball. Auburn’s length and sheer size made it difficult for Mark Sears to finish at the rim and hindered dribble penetration just enough to throw the Tide offense into a hurried quandary. Reducing it to a half-court game, Auburn limited Alabama’s ability to run and pile up fast-break points. To underscore Auburn’s defensive success, the Tigers held the top scoring team in the nation to only 33 points at intermission. The Tide shot 38.6 percent on the evening and were 5-for-26 from behind the arc.
9. Is Alabama still a #1 seed?
Yes. I fully expect Alabama to bounce back from the loss and cling tightly to a #1 seed. I believe the Crimson Tide will win at Missouri on Wednesday—and not because I don’t think Missouri is any good. Alabama will win for two principal reasons. First, the players know they need to bounce back from the Auburn loss and make a statement (two losses in a row for this squad seems overly dour at this point). Secondly, the Tide is playing outstanding on the road this year (is Alabama is more comfortable being the road warriors this year? Seems so. See wins at MSU, Kentucky, and Texas A&M for evidence of that fact).
8. Can Alabama beat Auburn in Auburn?
Yes. The key is shooting. Well, making.
It is highly doubtful that the Tigers will try to go up-and-down with the Tide in Auburn, so we know it is going to be another half-court game. If the Tide can find its footing offensively, knock down key shots, and finish at the rim, it has a chance to return the favor on Auburn’s home floor.
7. Besides Broome and Sears, who are the X-factors for each team moving forward?
I was impressed with the way Lebaron Philon played in a reserve role against Auburn, but I think the X-factor for Alabama is Grant Nelson. Even though he had a double-double (12 points, 12 boards) against Auburn, Nelson looked a bit unsure at times. Auburn bigness (Broome is 6’10, 240, Cardwell is 6’11, 255) provided a matchup problem for Nelson, so if the big man from North Dakota can find ways to stretch the Auburn defense (he was 0-for-1 from 3-point range), and make those bulky defenders step out and work, he’ll be more effective in Game 2.
For Auburn, the X-factor is Chaney Johnson. What a great game he had on Saturday, posting a total of 14 points, playing elite defense, and even knocking down a couple of treys in the process. Johnson’s size and length create problems for opposing offenses, and if he can continue the same level of play in March, Auburn will be awfully hard to handle.
6. What was best thing you read after the game?
Former Alabama running back Kerry Goode, who has been battling ALS for several years, penned a remarkable post on social media, lamenting Alabama fans’ lack of class—something Bear Bryant envisioned as a hallmark of the Crimson Tide athletic program. Here’s an excerpt:
“At the risk of sounding like an old man who just got his checkerboard game kicked over; I have two takeaways from the Alabama vs Auburn basketball game. Neither has anything to do with the team’s performance.
I know emotions run high when playing rival schools, but this game had that and much more. What I didn’t see, however, was class and respect among the student section and a few fans in general. Chanting “F*ck Auburn” and throwing things on the court is simply classless.
It has been said that “Class never tries to build itself up by tearing others down. Class is already up and need not strive to look better by making others look worse.”
If you haven’t read it already, it’s worth a look.
5. What does Alabama and Auburn need to do to get better?
Alabama needs an answer when Sears isn’t functioning at a high level and the team isn’t shooting well. Sears was 4-for-17 from the floor the other night and ended up with 18 points, but I don’t think he impacted the game the way Broome impacted it on the opposing end. Alabama had eight total assists, and Sears had two of them. Not to be too critical one of the top players in the history of Alabama basketball, but he needs add “assist monster” to his repertoire.
4. What stats stood out to you?
Auburn hit 12 three-pointers to Alabama’s five. Forasmuch credit as I want to give the Auburn defense, the ability to knock down the three—and Alabama’s inability—was a key factor. Both teams also left points on the table from the free throw line. Alabama was 26-for-35 (74 percent) from the charity stripe, while Auburn was 22-for-32 (69 percent).
3. Is Auburn a basketball school now? Is Alabama?
No. Even though Auburn got excited about basketball a little earlier than usual this season, Auburn is still a football school – meaning football is still the most important sport on campus. And while Alabama has had hoops success as well, it would take repeated national titles and several years of gridiron doldrums for basketball to eclipse football in Tuscaloosa.
2. Does Alabama have reason to be concerned?
Yes and no. Though it’s easier said than done, the formula for beating Alabama is the slow-down game. Make them run half court sets, defend the three, limit fast break points. The flip side is this: Alabama didn’t play particularly well—didn’t shoot the ball well at all—and was down five with :32 left on the clock. Shoot it well and the Tide probably wins. It’s that simple.
That said, Auburn looked to be the more confident team on Saturday. Auburn seemed to the the bully on the block: Broome’s swagger was palpable, and the mocking “Crane Kick” on Alabama’s home floor after the game were symbols of said chutzpah.
1. What can be said about the state of Alabama in the overall college basketball cosmos?
There’s never been a more exciting time to be an Auburn or Alabama basketball fan. Both teams have the potential to make a Final Four run and hoist a national championship trophy at the end of the season. Both schools have great—and I mean great—coaches. Sure, they take different approaches to the game, but the proof is in the pudding and I think a little cross-state competition provides lighter fluid for both coaches.
Auburn may have won Round 1, but don’t anticipate the Tide—a great basketball team in its own right—to take things lying down. TG
