After a long 10-day break, Alabama Basketball returned to action with a gritty 68-61 win over Creighton. Despite some rust and struggles from beyond the arc, the Crimson Tide showcased impressive defensive resilience and dominating play in the paint. For a team with championship aspirations, this victory brought key lessons that coach Nate Oats can build on as the season progresses.
Defensive Strengths
Oats was pleased with his team’s defense throughout most of the game, particularly noting their ability to contain Creighton’s offensive weapons. Alabama’s rim protection, led by Cliff Omoruyi, played a major role in shutting down Creighton’s 7’1″ big man, Ryan Kalkbrenner, who finished with 18 points and seven rebounds. Omoruyi’s defense on Kalkbrenner was highlighted by Creighton’s coach, Greg McDermott, as a game-changing element.
Moreover, Alabama outrebounded Creighton by a staggering 14 boards, with Grant Nelson leading the charge, collecting 10 rebounds. Freshman Aiden Sherrell also impressed, contributing seven rebounds in just 10 minutes of play. Oats praised Sherrell for his shooting potential despite a subpar three-point performance, emphasizing the importance of continued confidence from beyond the arc.
The Three-Point Struggles
The Crimson Tide’s three-point shooting woes continued, with Alabama hitting only 20% of its attempts from downtown. Mark Sears, who led Alabama with 27 points, managed a solid 4-of-7 from deep, but overall the Tide’s shooting remained anemic. Heading into the game, Alabama ranked 205th nationally in three-point shooting, converting less than 33% of their attempts. Oats acknowledged that this was an area of concern but also recognized that his team’s offensive efficiency, ranked sixth in the country, was impressive given the struggles from long range.
What’s Next for Alabama?
Despite the shooting issues, Alabama’s resilience and well-rounded play gave Oats a sense of optimism. “To be sixth in the country (in offensive efficiency) as poor as we’re shooting it right now is a tribute to the type of shots and other stuff we’re doing,” Oats said after the game. The win proved that Alabama’s defense, rebounding, and offensive execution in the paint could overcome rough shooting nights.
Next up for the Crimson Tide is a road test against North Dakota, where Oats will look for improvements in their shooting while building on their defensive successes. Alabama’s path to a potential national title remains on track, but only if the Tide can begin to unlock their full offensive potential.
