ONE MORE FOR NYC....

Bama and Maryland are similar...

Maryland has beaten Duke (twice) and UNC...

 

 

 

Therein lies the main difference between the two teams. Maryland has a 3-5 record against top 50 teams.  Alabama hasn't beaten a top 50 team. The Tide enters the game a 2 1/2 point favorite. I've haven't year a single basketball talking head who believes 'Bama will beat Maryland. Maybe its the halo effect that surrounds the ACC and anything basketball from that league. It's funny to watch Dick Vitale, Digger Phelps, and the rest of the motley crew on ESPN fall prostate to the ground when talking about the ACC. 

 

  

  In the Alabama bracket of the NIT the Tide was seed #1 and Maryland number #2. Both made it to tonight's game as expected, although Denver played the Terps to a much closer game than the 62-52 score indicates.  Alabama never waltzes past anyone. They beat Northeastern in a very uneven game of runs. They then put together a great game over Stanford. Anthony Grant called it the "best game we played both offensively and defensively this year." The Tide have had a few better games both offensively and defensively during the year but not that well in one game. I thought it was the best game we've played all year. The Tide will need that type game tonight. They cannot afford any scoring droughts or even lulls. They can't lose focus on defense as they have on occasion.

 

      I don't think there is any doubt Terps have more talent overall. But talent alone doesn't

always win. First, Bama is playing at home. Second, they are playing well. Don't think for one minute that Maryland is going to be effected by the home crowd. If Duke couldn't rattle the Terps I doubt we can. But big crowds are important to help your team as opposed to just unsetting the other team.  The old playground adage of "my dad can beat up your dad" comes into play tonight. Maryland has a distinct advantage as Center. Alex Len, the 7-1 sophomore was named honorable mention ALL ACC and to the 1st team All-ACC defensive team. Alabama will counter with Moussa Gueye and Nick  Jacobs. Gueye can help  the Tide defensively if he can avoid foul trouble. Jacobs can score.  If Alabama sticks to the game plan of late then Randolph, Lacey, Releford, and Obasahan are going to lower their heads and go where the big dogs play. Getting Len in foul trouble will be key for the Tide. If Len can dominate the post on defense we lose. It is as simple as that. Len is short of stamina at times and Alabama needs to run some and keep Len active on defense. If the Tide can't wear him out then wear him down some.

 

    Bama caught a break when the Terps lost Seth Allen to a broken hand suffered in practice on Sunday. He was the fourth leading scorer at 9.8 ppg, and was part to the scoring foursome that start for Maryland. The Terrapins play 10 men who all played more than 13.8 minutes a game.  They will have fresh legs compared to the numbers short Tide playing rotation. The recent explosion of Obasahan will help in the backcourt. Our three man inside rotation which includes Devonta Pollard will be hard pressed to match to stay fresh when the numbers of Terps keep rotation in and out. Pollard is coming off his best game of he season which included 8 big rebounds. He finally seems have gained some confidence and the playing experience has helped. 

 

      Bama has to shoot the ball well from the outside.  They have  to stay at least competitive on the glass. I have no doubt this is the best rebounding team we have faced all year. The Tide needs to shoot more free throws than Maryland, and if we keep the turnovers below 10 we can win. I'll be honest, if this game was played anywhere but in Tuscaloosa I'd be hard pressed to think Bama could win.

 

HOW WE CAN WIN:

 Shoot 40% from the arc and close to 50% overall

• keep the turnovers down to 10
• come close to even on the glass.
• get to the foul line. Levi and Retin can help us at the line
• Shoot 20 free throws
• Play slow and patient on offense
• play killer defense 94 feet all night.

Bama by 3.