The obvious conclusion of the second consecutive road game at Alabama’s Southeastern Conference on Tuesday is that the Crimson Tide will try to recover from defeat … again.
Just over a week ago, Alabama lost to Oklahoma, 66-61, in Norman at the SEC-Big 12 Challenge. The Tide responded with a 78-60 victory over LSU. Then, last Saturday, Bama went to Columbia and was defeated by Missouri, 68-65. That was Alabama’s first loss in a SEC game this season.
Now Tide, 15-5 overall and 10-1 in conference games, heads to the other Columbia to face the South Carolina Gamecocks, 3-5 in SEC play. Tipoff Tuesday is at 5:30 pm CST with television coverage by the SEC Network.
Alabama has seven games left in its bid to retain the SEC lead until the end of the regular season. Six of those games are against teams that lost records at the conference. The exception is a trip to Arkansas on February 24, where the Razorbacks will seek to avenge Bama’s 90-59 victory at the Coleman Coliseum in mid-January.
For now, of course, the focus is on Gamecocks. This is the only regular season game between coach Nate Oats’ Alabama and coach Frank Martin’s South Carolina.
To say that South Carolina is on an amazing roller coaster is an understatement. Vanderbilt has just one win this year. Gamecocks are over. South Carolina followed this defeat with a trip to Florida and angered the Gators. Back home against the state of Mississippi, Gamecocks were eliminated by 75-59.
Oats said the scouts’ emphasis is on South Carolina’s game of victory over Florida, not defeat for the state of Mississippi.
“I watched both games,” said Oats. “I think the one in Florida shows more than they are capable of, what you’re going to have to do to beat them. I thought they looked a lot better against Florida. What did they do to beat Florida? They are a good team. “
He also pointed out that South Carolina had more breaks for COVID-19 problems than most teams. “I think it’s been hard for them to get a rhythm,” said Oats, “but that Florida game gives you an idea of what they are capable of and what I think they are.”
Alabama is led by Jaden Shackelford with 13.9 points per game, and Tide also has John Petty Jr. with 13.1 ppg (and 5.2 rebounds per game), Herbert Jones with 11.9 ppg and Jahvon Quinerly with 11.2 ppg in double figures. Jones is Tide’s best rebound with 6 points per game and Quinerly the best assistant with 2.9 points per game.
South Carolina is led in goals by AJ Lawson with 17.3 ppg), Justin Minaya’s rebound (6.7 per game) and Jermaine Couisnard in assists (3.8). Lawson is fourth in the SEC in scoring, including third in the league in conference games, where he averaged 18.5.
The Tide leads the all-time series against Gamecocks, 31-16, including having won the last five contests.