Tide faces key game tomorrow
Improved LSU with Johnny O'Bryant awaits Tide
Steele and Randolph not at top speed ...
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Call it what you will. LSU is the most important game the Tide will have this season if they want to make it to the NCAA. Sure, we have two more home games, and then Ole Miss and Florida on the road. The Tide's road to the NCAA is predicated on winning in Baton Rouge. Period. It's black and white. No shades of gray to be found. It is improbably the Crimson and White will find itself in the Big Dance without winning this game. There are possible scenarios which might exist which would allow it to happen but I can't think of any except winning the SEC Tournament. It is disappointing that the team is in that position. A little better handy work earlier in the season would have made this a game for a higher seed. It is what it is and Alabama will have to play their best game of the season to beat a vastly improved Tiger team. If you know Johnny Jones, and I have for years, you understand that he demands excellence and improvement. Case in point is JOB3. Alabama fought hard with LSU to get his signature. We wanted him and wanted him bad. Since it didn't work out we know have to contend with perhaps the most improved player in the SEC. The Tide beat LSU in Tuscaloosa but O'Bryant had some noteworthy numbers that night. He had 22 points and 11 rebounds. He did have 5 turnovers, but considering the number of touches he got down low in the rugged war inside that night it was understandable Here is what Anthony Grant's team understands. Beat JOB3 and you should win. Give him another 20 point night and you can will probably lose.
Alabama will focus on two things regarding the big man. 1. Can they limit his touches?
2. Can Jacobs, Gueye, and the offside help slow him down once he gets the ball? The Tide will attempt to limit his touches by playing a 2/3 zone and packing around JOB3. When in a man the Tide will attempt to stop the ball reversal when he crosses the lane and posts up. That means that Alabama will have to be aggressive on the perimeter against Anthony Hickey and Andre Stringer. LSU has a second option of playing Malik Morgan and Charles Carmouche at the guard position to get some height in the line up for entry passes. Morgon was very successful in the first game between the two teams in getting the ball to the big man. O'Bryant is very mobile inside. That works to his advantage but he does put up some odd looking shots. It will imperative for Gueye to not commit silly fouls. Same for Jacobs.
The Tide is going to continue to dribble-drive to get to the line. They don't need to go 18-33 from the line in this game like we did in the first meeting Keep the turnovers to 10 or less, and shot 35% from the outside and we can win. This game is full of quick guards, and Anthony Hickey is the quickest of all. Ball security will be extremely important. Alabama will not beat LSU with a Mississippi State type game. Jacobs sore back is about the same. Steele is limited,and Randolph is a little slow due to a late game injury against State. Steele is listed as day to day and Randolph will play. Pollard is due for some type of bigger game. I talked with several people in Tuscaloosa and they report that he is practicing well. Let' hope.
Improved LSU with Johnny O'Bryant awaits Tide
Steele and Randolph not at top speed ...
2. Can Jacobs, Gueye, and the offside help slow him down once he gets the ball? The Tide will attempt to limit his touches by playing a 2/3 zone and packing around JOB3. When in a man the Tide will attempt to stop the ball reversal when he crosses the lane and posts up. That means that Alabama will have to be aggressive on the perimeter against Anthony Hickey and Andre Stringer. LSU has a second option of playing Malik Morgan and Charles Carmouche at the guard position to get some height in the line up for entry passes. Morgon was very successful in the first game between the two teams in getting the ball to the big man. O'Bryant is very mobile inside. That works to his advantage but he does put up some odd looking shots. It will imperative for Gueye to not commit silly fouls. Same for Jacobs.
The Tide is going to continue to dribble-drive to get to the line. They don't need to go 18-33 from the line in this game like we did in the first meeting Keep the turnovers to 10 or less, and shot 35% from the outside and we can win. This game is full of quick guards, and Anthony Hickey is the quickest of all. Ball security will be extremely important. Alabama will not beat LSU with a Mississippi State type game. Jacobs sore back is about the same. Steele is limited,and Randolph is a little slow due to a late game injury against State. Steele is listed as day to day and Randolph will play. Pollard is due for some type of bigger game. I talked with several people in Tuscaloosa and they report that he is practicing well. Let' hope.
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