Happy Thursday, everyone. Alabama basketball notched a huge win last night over Illinois. Nate Oats was pleased with the effort, and Keitenn Bristow was a big part of it.
“Keitenn’s made a huge difference.
I mean, he played less than 20 minutes. He’s still not in great shape. You can see, he had to ask for some breaks, but he gives us everything he’s got when he’s out there. But defensively, rebounding-wise, it was huge. I think he can make a difference. It’s nice to have him back and healthy. It’d be nice to keep our other bigs on the floor a little more. Aiden Sherell, he was in foul trouble. But I thought we found something that worked with him playing some small-ball five, was switching. Thought they got a little bit stagnant when we went to it, and we were able to rebound it pretty well. Only lose the glass by two with the size that they had out there with us playing four guards most of the second half, I didn’t think it was too bad.”
Keitenn was fun to watch last night. He looked tiny against Illinois, but he goes 6’10” and 205 lb. As Nate noted he is a high effort guy, but based on last night’s game he also seems to have a knack for reading where the ball will come off the rim. Some dudes just know how to get boards, and it would be lovely if he turns out to be one of those.
This four guard look is promising. Nothing stresses a defense more than an offense that can spread them out and shoot threes from all over the floor. Alabama’s pick and roll action has been deadly in this early season run, and a ton of wide open corner threes have come from it. Last night they knocked down 36% from outside the arc on high volume, which is exactly what they shot against Purdue. That’s probably about where this team will land on average, and that’s plenty good enough to win big games.
In football news, Parker Brailsford may have to sit out the paycheck game this weekend.
The Crimson Tide also has Joseph Ionata listed on the roster as a center. DeBoer was asked about the redshirt freshman, who has mostly worked on special teams this season.
“I think Joe’s very similar to many of our guys on our roster that just continue to work,” DeBoer said Wednesday.. “And you see the regulars out on the football field each and every Saturday, but there are definitely guys behind the scenes that are just grinding away in the weight room, on the field, just owning the day and the opportunity they get to go compete.
“And he’s one of them. He’s understanding the game better. From a football IQ, the center position is very important. He’s in a spot where you put him out there and you feel good about what’s going to happen when he’s snapped the football.”
Not sure what’s wrong with them and Kalen is only required to tell us before SEC games. But, the fact that it’s questionable sounds encouraging.
DeBoer noted yesterday that Alabama has a pretty good resume, but they are focused on the task at hand.
So long as Alabama beats Auburn in the Iron Bowl next week, the Crimson Tide will likely secure a playoff spot.
Before then, No. 10 Alabama will face Eastern Illinois on Saturday (1 p.m. CT, ESPN+/SEC Network+) at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
“We’ve got to do our job here the rest of the way and make sure we keep taking care of business,” DeBoer said. “We have a lot of things we are playing for on top of it. The main thing, though, is we keep improving. There are certainly areas we continue to address and stress. Obviously the turnover thing popped up this weekend. Something we have been very good at it. Definitely an example of an area we’ve got to continue to work.”
Kalen and Kadyn Proctor were asked about Proctor’s offensive play package on the radio show.
“It really comes back to the preparation,” Proctor said. “For me to be able to get these opportunities, it’s so crazy because I’m one of one out here running the ball, blocking, and catching the ball. I’m doing things that others haven’t, so I’m really just blessed to be in this position. But I feel like I take it really serious and that’s why I keep getting opportunities.”
“Coach has to keep having trust in me. Like ball security, I’ll watch ball security drills or coach (Ryan) Grubb tells me to watch the run drills and I’ll go watch that because it’s something I need to know. Because I know, God forbid I drop that ball one time, it’s over with. It’s over. So you get that one opportunity, you gotta seize it.”
Proctor has totaled just four total yards on his other three carries, but in short-yardage situations, all you need is a yard sometimes. He certainly has been a much needed boost at times, as Alabama‘s run-game has been disappointing this season.
The run game is still a hot topic.
Against the nation’s No. 4 run defense, the Crimson Tide averaged 3.7 adjusted yards per carry. Not including yards lost on sacks, Alabama tallied 108 rushing yards against the Sooners, who allow 82.2 rushing yards per game.
“I feel like we sustained blocks,” Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer said Wednesday. “I feel like our communication was better. I think there were some running lanes for us to run through.”
Daniel Hill especially took advantage. He took 15 carries for 60 yards (4.0 yards per carry) with his longest run going 28 yards. Hill also scored two touchdowns on a defense that had allowed only four rushing touchdowns all season.
Hill definitely looked better last game. Hopefully he keeps it going.
Last, DeBoer named Germie Bernard and Brailsford as the most consistent Tide players this season.
“I mean, that’s a lot of guys. I think Germie Bernard has just been really consistent from start to finish,” DeBoer said. “It’s as a receiver, and that’s what you see a lot of but, I felt like he raised his game as a blocker.
“There was some some run game things that he got involved with helped and create some explosives. We always focus so much up front. I mean, those guys are the ones that can help pop big plays. And his effort all-around and his leadership, I would say he’s probably the most consistent.”
Bernard has recorded at least 50 receiving yards in all but two games this season. He currently leads the Crimson Tide in receptions (48) yards (676) and touchdowns (six) and is ranked in the top 10 of the SEC in each of these stat categories.
That’s about it for now. Have a great day.
Roll Tide.
