Final Games Are Crucial to Returning Alabama Basketball to the Winning Column
TUSCALOOSA, Alabama: The Crimson Tide had a lead late in each of their previous five losses, but they were unable to convert it. Alabama basketball has now dropped three of its past five games. In his Friday press conference, Alabama head coach Nate Oats stated, “I think the guys are confident knowing we’re one of the best teams in the country for large parts of the game.” “We’ve got to show some grit, some fight, some competitiveness, particularly when it comes down to the last 8-12 minutes [of the game].”
Check out the Bellingham Herald’s article on college sports (283405533) for more information.
Alabama leads Clemson at home by seven points early in the second half. Early in the second quarter, the Crimson Tide lead by double figures against Purdue in Toronto. With less than ten minutes remaining in their previous two games, Alabama led by six points over Creighton and Arizona on the road
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“If you break down the numbers, it’s bad. We go from one of the best to one of the worst teams in the country.” Oats believes the team’s ability to play through fatigue is the key to fixing a lot of its problems when closing out games. Take a look at their numbers: “We’ve looked at our numbers, the first 28 minutes of the game, we’ve literally been one of the top 5-10 teams in the country.”
“These guys have to figure out ways to win games when they’re a little fatigued,” Oats stated. “We’ve got to be a little tougher when we’re fatigued and show some determination, some fight, some competitiveness, some winning characteristics when it comes time to win these games after we’ve built up a lead.”
Oats mentioned college basketball analytical websites like KenPom during his press conference, citing Alabama’s ranking in the top 10 nationally because those sites take into account a team’s efficiency on a possession-by-possession basis rather than just their win-loss record. Oats pointed out that Alabama’s failure to win games over the previous few weeks has resulted in them receiving zero votes in the polls. “We need to demonstrate to ourselves that we are capable of winning these close games, but I believe they have faith in our ability to be among the best teams.
Check out the Bellingham Herald’s article on college sports (283405533) for more information.
Tomorrow marks the Crimson Tide’s return to action against Eastern Kentucky, marking the first time Alabama has played against a team ranked in the AP top 10 since December 4. Coleman Coliseum will host tipoff at 3 p.m. CT, and SEC Network will broadcast the game.
