TIDE CAN'T HOLD IT TOGETHER IN SECOND HALF
There are times when you just have to scratch your head and say "what the heck." After playing a fine first half, the Crimson Tide took it to the outhouse for half number two. It was like shooting even-par on the front nine and all double bogies on the back. Particularly disappointing was our staff's inability to get Jimmie Taylor off the defensive perimeter. With Taylor switching screen out top, the Commodores got their big man back in the game, and could penetrate and dish outside to wide open shooters. We got schooled in the second half on both ends of the floor on Saturday.
As predicted, the Commodores shot a lot of free throws in the game. It was the number they shot in the first half that upset me. The Tide was horrible from the line, so, in the end, we beat ourselves when we had a chance to score some points. Instead, we missed so many free throws that Vandy started building its lead. The real problem was missing all those free throws at a time when the Tide suffered a complete meltdown of their offense. The bottom line was the Vandy stayed in the game by shooting 15 free throws in the first half. Alabama missed their chances in the second half and couldn't compete.
Stallings coached a marvelous second half. The Vandy spacing around the three-point line was a teaching clinic. We got schooled on defense in the second half. The Commodores changed their offense in the second half. The forced Jimmie Taylor to come outside the paint on high screens. Bama chose to switch rather than have the guard fight through the screen. Jones then drifted back into the lane and had a better second half. Credit to Jimmie Taylor is well deserved. He outplayed one of the best big men in the SEC. He even put in a right-handed shot. Free throws continue to be a dangerous adventure for the center. However, the second half was a different story.
The Tide played great defense in the first half, and it was a one bucket game. The second half Bama came flat and were frustrated that Vandy covered the shooters on the wings. Our point guards just dribbled around in frustration. Shannon Hale had a nice first half with 11 points, but became upset with questionable fouls in the second half and lost his focus. It's fine to have emotions, but it's something else to be emotional. I don't disagree with some of the fouls called on him were questionable. But, that is basketball. But you have to make free throws. College players should be able to make their free throws.
You miss free throws for a lot of reasons. The main reason is poor fundamentals. You can't make line drive attempts to be successful. (Retin) You don't make free throws shooting what I have always called global rotation. (Taylor) It's hard to make free throws when you release the ball too high above your shooting line. (Hale). All of those things can be fixed. Another reason that teams miss three throws is fatigue. And we can't discount the lack of confidence. In summary, you don't make shots thrown at the basket. You make free throws by the old theory of "soft and sweet". And you have to tell a player you can't make free throws until we repair some broken fundaments. I'm surprised that a team doesn't just run in someone off the bench and foul Taylor every time he touches the ball. He can't make enough to matter. My old buddy, Joe Dean, suggested he shoot them the old Rick Barry method. It couldn't hurt.
There were a few things to applaud. Hale played hard and seemed to be getting back into the game. Jimmy Taylor is getting better each game. Obasahan is playing so hard. Today when the Tide couldn't find a decent shot, he took the ball to the basket. Too much standing around on offense was due to Bama to solve the Vandy defense in the second half. Anthony Edwards dropped in four three-pointers late in the game. We need to run some set plays for Edwards and Riley.
I'm sure some lessons were learned or taught. It is going to take time. Early on we said the Tide would win a few they shouldn't have, and lose some they could have won. We lost a game to Vandy and Ole Miss that we could have won. Earlier in the year, we said that Bama would win a few they shouldn't have won, and lose a few they could have won. I'd say we are right on track. Next stop? You know.
There are times when you just have to scratch your head and say "what the heck." After playing a fine first half, the Crimson Tide took it to the outhouse for half number two. It was like shooting even-par on the front nine and all double bogies on the back. Particularly disappointing was our staff's inability to get Jimmie Taylor off the defensive perimeter. With Taylor switching screen out top, the Commodores got their big man back in the game, and could penetrate and dish outside to wide open shooters. We got schooled in the second half on both ends of the floor on Saturday. As predicted, the Commodores shot a lot of free throws in the game. It was the number they shot in the first half that upset me. The Tide was horrible from the line, so, in the end, we beat ourselves when we had a chance to score some points. Instead, we missed so many free throws that Vandy started building its lead. The real problem was missing all those free throws at a time when the Tide suffered a complete meltdown of their offense. The bottom line was the Vandy stayed in the game by shooting 15 free throws in the first half. Alabama missed their chances in the second half and couldn't compete.
Stallings coached a marvelous second half. The Vandy spacing around the three-point line was a teaching clinic. We got schooled on defense in the second half. The Commodores changed their offense in the second half. The forced Jimmie Taylor to come outside the paint on high screens. Bama chose to switch rather than have the guard fight through the screen. Jones then drifted back into the lane and had a better second half. Credit to Jimmie Taylor is well deserved. He outplayed one of the best big men in the SEC. He even put in a right-handed shot. Free throws continue to be a dangerous adventure for the center. However, the second half was a different story.
The Tide played great defense in the first half, and it was a one bucket game. The second half Bama came flat and were frustrated that Vandy covered the shooters on the wings. Our point guards just dribbled around in frustration. Shannon Hale had a nice first half with 11 points, but became upset with questionable fouls in the second half and lost his focus. It's fine to have emotions, but it's something else to be emotional. I don't disagree with some of the fouls called on him were questionable. But, that is basketball. But you have to make free throws. College players should be able to make their free throws.
You miss free throws for a lot of reasons. The main reason is poor fundamentals. You can't make line drive attempts to be successful. (Retin) You don't make free throws shooting what I have always called global rotation. (Taylor) It's hard to make free throws when you release the ball too high above your shooting line. (Hale). All of those things can be fixed. Another reason that teams miss three throws is fatigue. And we can't discount the lack of confidence. In summary, you don't make shots thrown at the basket. You make free throws by the old theory of "soft and sweet". And you have to tell a player you can't make free throws until we repair some broken fundaments. I'm surprised that a team doesn't just run in someone off the bench and foul Taylor every time he touches the ball. He can't make enough to matter. My old buddy, Joe Dean, suggested he shoot them the old Rick Barry method. It couldn't hurt.
There were a few things to applaud. Hale played hard and seemed to be getting back into the game. Jimmy Taylor is getting better each game. Obasahan is playing so hard. Today when the Tide couldn't find a decent shot, he took the ball to the basket. Too much standing around on offense was due to Bama to solve the Vandy defense in the second half. Anthony Edwards dropped in four three-pointers late in the game. We need to run some set plays for Edwards and Riley.
I'm sure some lessons were learned or taught. It is going to take time. Early on we said the Tide would win a few they shouldn't have, and lose some they could have won. We lost a game to Vandy and Ole Miss that we could have won. Earlier in the year, we said that Bama would win a few they shouldn't have won, and lose a few they could have won. I'd say we are right on track. Next stop? You know.
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