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Editorial/Opinion, Men's Basketball, NCAA

Alabama Advances to Sweet Sixteen

Alabama Men's Basketball looks to keep rolling on their quest for a first national championship in school history
Posted by Landin Jackson  |  

Alabama Men’s Basketball

In the Round of 32, the Alabama Crimson Tide defeated the Maryland Terrapins 96-77 in blowout fashion Monday night at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana.

The win gave the Crimson Tide their first sweet sixteen berth since 2004

Alabama’s offense was sensational.

Senior John Petty Jr. scored 20 points on 7-of-15 shooting from the field and 4-of-9 shooting from three point range against Maryland while sophomore Jaden Shackelford also contributed 21 points on 6-of-11 shooting that included five made three pointers.

The duo started the second half on fire by making five consecutive three pointers. All of which contributed to the 19-4 run made by the Tide to begin the second half.

Alabama’s two backcourt players played with a potency and intenseness that makes them one of the best in the tournament.

They are frightening. The duo shoots efficiently, and plays at such a quick pace that makes them lethal in transition. They minimize turnovers and absolutely get after it.

Bench Production

However, I would be remiss if I did not highlight the production that the Alabama bench showcased Monday.

Rotational players Alex Reese (14), Joshua Primo (10), and Jahvon Quinerly (13) all scored in double digits.

Through the final ten minutes of the first half, it was these three that gave the Tide a cushion heading into halftime. With 9:31 remaining and the scored tied at 22, Reese hit a momentum shifting three that gave Alabama its first lead of the contest and served to be the shot that started a 11-2 run down the stretch.

This was the start of what was a barrage of three pointers. The Tide would finish the game with 16 made three-pointers shooting 49% from range.

Yes. Alabama attempts more three-point shots than any other team in the country, but it does it matter when they are hitting at the rate at which they are?

Herb Jones

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The craziest part of Alabama’s performance against the Terapins was that team leader and NBA Draft prospect Herbert Jones didn’t play to his usual standards yet the Tide still won by a dazzling 19 points.

Jones attempted only four shots on the night which was paired with three turnovers. He scored an underwhelming 6 points, and was really playing unlike himself.

But that is what makes this win so great for the Tide.

Despite not getting their usual production from one of their stars, they dominated the competition.

Crimson Tide fans should actually approach Jones’ off night with a slight sense of gratitude.

You would rather have one of your best players have a subpar night in a matchup where you win handily as opposed to a game that is highly contested.

The Naismith Defensive Player of the Year finalist will bounce back with a vengeance.

Jones knows that the stakes are high, and through his career at Alabama, he has never been one to shy away from the moment.

Jones will have a chance to redeem himself in the Sweet Sixteen Sunday as the Crimson Tide are set to play the 11th seeded UCLA Bruins at 7:15 ET on TBS.

Takeaway

This matchup proved to be a boisterous message to the rest of the field. Alabama plays with a war-like attitude that just keeps coming after you.

When they are hitting their shots and making you succumb to the pace that they want, this team is extremely dangerous.

They have the tools necessary to advance to the Final Four and beyond.

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