Break Out Night for Lacey?

Lacey will be on the big stage tonight...
   

Bama teammates celebrate Lacey's game winner
against South Dakota State

      If you really love college basketball their are a few places that are special. Madison Square Garden is one of those at the top of the list. More than one player has gone into the Garden as good player, and played a great game and it turned around a college career. I wonder if Trevor Lacey might fit that profile. Lacey has had his ups and downs in his brief career at the Capstone. He has started this season of with some pretty good play. I wonder if he is ready to take that next step which would solidify him as a nationally prominent player. No better place for that to happen than at the Garden in front of a nation wide ESPN telecast. Bama is now a 2 point favorite in the game against Oregon State. That's down 1/2 point from earlier today. I've previously stated this is going to be a real test for Bama's lackluster inside game.

Ben Nelson is a good shooter
from the 2 guard...

     Tonight the Tide is going to need some frenetic defense, and even better shooting. The Tide also needs to break somewhere near even in rebounding. They need to allow as few second shot opportunities as possible. The Beaver's are not a great team. I honestly don't know how good we are or might end up being. A bad game tonight will not be a good sign for Bama. I do know that Alabma players will play harder than steel. The will play inside with a purpose. I've seen them practice for this tonight. Don't be surprised to see five players crash the glass if it appears that the Tide cannot stand toe to toe with the Beavers in the paint. Let's be clear - Alabama doesn't have to win the battle of the boards. They need to play as even as possible. Alabama needs to win the outside shooting war, and needs to shoot 50% or better.  The Tide might get away with a little lower percentage than that if they keep the turnovers down. Bama will win this game if they can hold their turnovers to ten or less. ESPN is probabably going to bill this as a fight between Starks and Lacey. They will be key. I'd predict the one who has a bad game will see his team lose.