Alabama basketball hopes to recover in South Carolina

TUSCALOOSA, Alabama – Alabama basketball and South Carolina share a common goal towards Tuesday night’s game inside the Colonial Life Arena.

Right now, both teams need a moral victory.

Both Crimson Tide and Gamecocks have been 1-2 in the last three games, each coming from a defeat last Saturday.

For Alabama, the loss went to Missouri, which rose 20 points with just over five minutes to go. Crimson Tide came back roaring with a 22-2 run to pull within a point, but the Tigers finally won with a 68-65 victory.

For Alabama coach Nate Oats, the first five minutes of the game were just as important to the team as the final five minutes.

“In the video, I usually do a thorough cleaning,” said Oats. “Practically what we did was show them the first five minutes of the game. If you look at the first five minutes to the first media timeout for that game in Missouri, then you look at that five minute stretch where we took a 20 point lead and reduced it from six to one to just over a minute to go – you cut 19 points in less than five minutes – the feeling of urgency in those five minutes was drastically different from the feeling of urgency in the first five minutes of the game.

“Not that we are going to fly over traps and do things like that in the first five minutes, but we have to play a little harder. That was our point. We need to start the games better. “

South Carolina is experiencing the same emotions. On Saturday afternoon, the Gamecocks were defeated at the hands of the State of Mississippi, 75-59. While South Carolina under coach Frank Martin is often a solid recovery team, the Bulldogs dominated the cup by a 46-31 margin, sending South Carolina home with a defeat in their own arena.

“It is disappointing that we cannot play two games in a row,” said Martin after Saturday’s game. “It’s a roller coaster now.”

South Carolina’s SEC record may be 3-5 compared to Alabama’s 10-1, but at first glance the multiple breaks the program had to take due to COVID-19 are not reflected. Gamecocks had to stop the game for almost a month, from December 5 to January 2, before taking another 10-day break at the start of the conference. While his record may not indicate any of his success, South Carolina was able to take down tough opponents like Florida and Texas A&M.

Oats is well aware not only of the resistance that Gamecocks exhibit, despite their track record, but also of the resistance that will be required of their own team on Tuesday night.

“This South Carolina game will test our stamina,” said Oats. “Coach Martin is obviously one of the best coaches in the country to make these guys play hard, play hard, be physical. They are one of the best offensive recovery teams each year in the country – they are in the top 10 again in the country. They are playing fast, so our transition D, our rebound will be tested – if you are not strong, they will get you off the ground.

“I know their record is not so good at the SEC – I think they are between 3 and 5 at the moment – but they have had more COVID breaks than anyone else in the league, so it is difficult to keep up. They’ve been practicing for a few weeks now, they haven’t stopped for a while, they are probably playing their best basketball because they can practice for a few weeks straight. “

With both teams coming out of tough defeats, both will fight to regain a sense of dignity after a bad period.

Alabama senior winger Herb Jones continues to struggle with a back injury that kept him out of training. Although Jones’ playing time was not very limited, the injury continued to create problems for Jones, who can often be seen using a back massage device on the side of the court.

Jones will remain a game time decision, but will likely play on Tuesday night. With him in the lineup, Crimson Tide will have a better opportunity to achieve his key to the game: limit Gamecocks in the game of rebounds. If Alabama manages to do that, then it must leave the arena on Tuesday night with a victory.

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