Even after a defeat on the road to No. 18 Missouri at the weekend, the University of Alabama men’s basketball team is still at least three games above all others in the Southeast Conference ranking, with 10-1.
But how will Crimson Tide respond after his first league defeat?
Coach Nate Oats and company now travel to Columbia, SC to face the South Carolina Gamecocks on Tuesday night at 5:30 pm (CT) inside the Colonial Life Arena, which will air on the SEC Network.
Alabama’s loss to the Tigers should be used as a warning, as Crimson Tide now loses two of the last three, after winning 10 in a row.
For Gamecocks (5-7, 3-5 SEC), coach Frank Martin’s team is in a rut, as South Carolina has lost five of its last seven games, most recently one at home to the state of Mississippi by 75-59.
However, it upset Florida No. 22 on the road last Tuesday night.
South Carolina is run by junior guard AJ Lawson, who is the team leader in points (17.2) and steals (1.5). Two other Gamecocks also average double digits in points, striker Keyshawn Bryant (14.4) and guard Jermaine Couisnard (11.2).
What can bode well for Alabama is that the Gamecocks have the SEC’s second worst scoring defense, losing 75.5 points per game.
No. 10 Alabama in South Carolina
Where: Colonial Life Arena
When: 5:30 PM, CT, Tuesday
TV: SEC Network
Radio: Crimson Tide Sports Network
Connected: ESPN.com
Last time, Alabama: The Crimson Tide suffered its first loss at the conference of the year, leaving a road contest for No. 18 Missouri, 68-65. Alabama dropped to 22, with just over 13 minutes left, just to reduce the deficit to one with 1:11 to play. Guard Jaden Shackelford scored 15 points, the team’s best score, while guards Keon Ellis (12), Jahvon Quinerly (12) and John Petty Jr. (11) joined him in double digits.
Last time, South Carolina: The Gamecocks lost their fifth game in their last seven games, falling 75-59 to the state of Mississippi. South Carolina was unable to beat Bulldog guard DJ Stewart Jr.’s 29 points AJ Lawson and Keyshawn Bryant led the Gamecocks with 13 points each.
The series: This will be the 46th meeting between the two schools. Alabama has won seven of the last eight times since February 2, 2015. Crimson Tide has also won its last two games at Columbia. Overall, Alabama holds a 29-16 record against Gamecocks.
More about the last meeting: Guard Kira Lewis Jr. (25) and striker Javian Davis (20) combined for 45 points to propel the Crimson Tide beyond South Carolina, 90-86, on February 29, 2020. Shackelford added 18 points out of 6 of 13 shots, to go along with seven rebounds, two assists and two blocks.