stumbling tide needs to think about a few things...
how can tide turn things around?
Maybe some time off will help our basketball team. It can't hurt. Alabama jumped out to a quick 6-0 start. I suggested that a lot of that success was done with smoke and mirrors. Smoke and mirrors is always good coaching. Grant was able to cobble together an inside game based on Carl Engstrom. When Carl went down with his knee injury the Tide went down with him. Engstrom offered some stability to the position that Alabama has yet to replace. At the time not many of us really appreciated his role. Count me in that number as well. When Moussa Gueye came to Alabama, he came with some some lofty credentials. He hasn't shown much of that. He gets a few rebounds, and can block an occasional shot. He is not the inside answer so far.Nick Jacobs came in with a little baby hook and a lot of desire. Where has that gone:? Everytime Jacobs touches the ball down low he gets overplayed to his shooting side. He needs to develop a second offensive move.The coaching staff has been working on a drop step move. He might try to use it this season but it isn't his go to move. happen this season, however. For the present we are stuck with what we have.
The Alabama coaching staff has two problems they need to address. First, whatever is causing this attitude of not being able to finish off games has to end. I strongly believe that a lot that has to do with a short lineup and fatigue. That might explain some of the poor play late. But it doesn't explain all of it. The players are going to have to look within themselves to find out the rest. Secondly, the Tide must make a decision about how to play without a decent inside game. I also think that Grant is going to forced to give Dakota Slaughter some meaningfull minutes whether he is a walk on or not. The starters need rest. Slaughter can provide that in small stretches of time.
I suspect the Tide is going to end up playing Pollard as their big man. The Tide has been able to rebound with almost everyone they play. In order to do that they have given up some offense. Really, this is a team between a rock and a hard place. One of Alabama's best hopes for this season is to give Pollard a lot of minutes. If Bama is going to score more points they need Pollard to score in double figures every game.
They also need to get some consistency from Releford. You have to admire opposing coaches. They know the Tide has no inside game so they cut the head off the remainder of the offense. That is Releford. Bama might win some games without a strong inside game. Without Releford the Tide might not win a game. Teams have started cutting down on Releford's ability to penetrate by offering a lot of weak side help. So far Alabama has figured out a way to get the ball outside to Randolph, Cooper, and Lacey with enough consistency. I really like Cooper. He shoots the ball. He's fearless. Shooters need to shoot and shoot often. Lacey needs a little more of that. The idea of playing Cooper with his back to the basket is really a pretty good idea. He has the length and quickness to cause some problems inside for teams. He could also help Jacobs find a little more room.
The main thing is that the Tide is going to double down on defense or things are going to get nasty. Winning that way may not get you any style points but it can add up a few more wins. You can't win your way into an NCAA berth in the SEC preseason. You might lose your chance however. Alabama may have already down that. Let's hope not.
how can tide turn things around?
I suspect the Tide is going to end up playing Pollard as their big man. The Tide has been able to rebound with almost everyone they play. In order to do that they have given up some offense. Really, this is a team between a rock and a hard place. One of Alabama's best hopes for this season is to give Pollard a lot of minutes. If Bama is going to score more points they need Pollard to score in double figures every game.
They also need to get some consistency from Releford. You have to admire opposing coaches. They know the Tide has no inside game so they cut the head off the remainder of the offense. That is Releford. Bama might win some games without a strong inside game. Without Releford the Tide might not win a game. Teams have started cutting down on Releford's ability to penetrate by offering a lot of weak side help. So far Alabama has figured out a way to get the ball outside to Randolph, Cooper, and Lacey with enough consistency. I really like Cooper. He shoots the ball. He's fearless. Shooters need to shoot and shoot often. Lacey needs a little more of that. The idea of playing Cooper with his back to the basket is really a pretty good idea. He has the length and quickness to cause some problems inside for teams. He could also help Jacobs find a little more room. The main thing is that the Tide is going to double down on defense or things are going to get nasty. Winning that way may not get you any style points but it can add up a few more wins. You can't win your way into an NCAA berth in the SEC preseason. You might lose your chance however. Alabama may have already down that. Let's hope not.
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