Alabama rolled into Chicago tonight to face Illinois and walked out victorious, winning by a score of 90-86.
This was an entertaining game from the opening tip. Illinois flexed its muscle in the paint early
and a hot start from Andrej Stojakovic to jump out to a seven point lead at 19-12, but Alabama kept battling. Keitenn Bristow saw his first action of the season and immediately provided some energy at both ends of the court. It’s easy to see why Nate Oats has raved about him so much, as he played a key role in keeping Alabama in the game. The dude just hustles.
Alabama managed to keep it close, but by the break seemingly everyone on the team had multiple fouls. The Tide had a clear speed advantage but predictably struggled with Illinois’ size. The physical difference between these two teams was palpable.
Amari Allen was the star of the first half for Alabama. He dropped in eight points and five rebounds, including 2-3 from three point range. Taylor Bol Bowen added eight as well, and Houston Mallette added six big points off the bench. Labaron Philon dominated the ball per usual but had a bit of a rough shooting half. Still, he was able to contribute five points as the Tide went into the half down one at 42-41.
Illinois came out of the locker room ice cold, but the officials were blowing the whistle any time an Alabama player breathed near an opponent. Still, the Tide kept pushing the pace and seemed to wear down the Illini a bit. Bristow, Philon, and Aden Holloway all contributed as the Tide opened ip a nine point lead with nine minutes to play. The Tide tried to make it 11 on a transition lob from Bol Bowen to Allen, but Amari missed the dunk which allowed Stojakovic to run out and bring Illinois back within six at the other end. That sequence was critical to prevent the Tide from getting some separation on the scoreboard.
Illinois was able to clamp down defensively on the next couple of possessions and Stojakovic stayed hot. He ended up going on a personal 7-0 run to bring Illinois back within two. That was broken by a corner three pointer from Latrell Wrightsell, Houston Mallette anticipated a cross-court pass for a steal and breakaway for an 72-64 lead with just under five minutes to play, causing Illini coach Brad Underwood to call timeout.
Whatever was said in that huddle seemed to be effective. On cue, Aden Holloway was whistled for a dubious foul coming out of the timeout, which sent senior guard Kylan Boswell to the line for two. It was Holloway’s fourth, joining a host of Alabama players in deep foul trouble. Aiden Sherrell was fouled at the other end and made one, then Ben Humrichous hit a three at the top of the key for Illinois, closing the deficit to four.
Philon took the game over down the stretch on offense similarly to the way he did at St. John’s. His three pointer from the top of the key gave Alabama a six point lead with just over a minute to play. Boswell was able to answer with three the hard way, but Labaron answered right back with a deuce to push it back out to five with 46 seconds left.
A Boswell layup brought the Illini back within three at 84-81 with 34 seconds left. Allen got trapped in the corner but smartly called timeout to save the critical possession. Illinois then sent him to the line, where he made one of two. Boswell was denied at the rim on the other end but Illini guard Keaton Wagler grabbed the board and was fouled. He made one of two to cut it to three, then Bristow made a pair to push it back out to five.
Humrichous knocked down another three to get within two with eight seconds to play. Philon was then sent to the line for two, with a chance to salt the game away. He missed the first but made the second for a three point lead. Houston Mallette oddly fouled Boswell as soon as the ball was inbounded, which seemed to be a mistake. The strategy to foul with a three point lead was sound, but he did it too quickly.
It worked out, as Boswell made only one of two. This time it was Mallette who got the inbound and subsequent chance at the stripe. He made both to seal the victory.
Nate Oats is testing his team with a brutal slate once again, and they’ve managed to win two of three against top tier competition. It’s odd that both wins came on the road and the loss at home, but these games will pay off in March.
Roll Tide.
