Tag: bama hoops

Where Alabama ranks in ESPN’s Basketball Power Index ahead of matchup with Kentucky

According to ESPN’s BPI, Alabama continues to be viewed as one of the top teams in the country.

[autotag]Nate Oats[/autotag] and the Alabama men’s basketball team currently sit with a 12-2 overall record and a 2-0 record within the SEC.

Up next for the Tide is a matchup with SEC powerhouse Kentucky. Fortunately, Oats and the Tide will be in the friendly confines of Coleman Coliseum for the contests with the Wildcats.

Before the Tide tips things off with Kentucky on Saturday, let’s look at where Alabama ranks in the latest update of ESPN’s Basketball Power Index.

According to ESPN, the BPI is a “measure of team strength that is meant to be the best predictor of performance going forward. BPI represents how many points above or below average a team is. Strength of Record (SOR) is a measure of team accomplishment based on how difficult a team’s W-L record is to achieve. Game predictions account for opponent strength, pace of play, site, travel distance, day’s rest, and altitude, and are used to simulate the season 10,000 times to produce season projections. Numbers update daily.”

Here is a breakdown of where Alabama ranks in the BPI.

Alabama vs. Jackson State: Stream, injury report, broadcast info for Tuesday, Dec. 20

Live stream, injury report, and broadcast information for Alabama basketball’s final matchup in non-conference play against Mo Williams and Jackson State.

[autotag]Nate Oats[/autotag] and the Alabama men’s basketball team are coming off a tough neutral site loss to Gonzaga this past Saturday and will look to get back on track Tuesday night when they host Jackson State for the final non-conference matchup before SEC play begins next week.

If Alabama can win on Tuesday night, they will improve to 10-2 on the season and have one of the most impressive non-conference resumes in the country.

Jackson State has struggled this season with just a 1-10 start. The Tigers are coached by former Crimson Tide star point guard, Mo Williams.

Here is everything you need to know to catch all the action between Alabama and Jackson State.

FINAL: Brandon Miller leads Alabama past Memphis 91-88

Alabama takes down Memphis 91-88 to improve to 9-1 on the season.

In what was a back-and-forth contest between two polar opposite teams, [autotag]Nate Oats[/autotag] and the Alabama Crimson Tide were able to outlast Penny Hardaway and the Memphis Tigers, 91-88.

Alabama was led by freshman sensation Brandon Miller who poured in 24 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists. Memphis senior guard Kendric Davis led all scorers with 30.

After a defensive battle in the first half, the two squads caught fire in the second half with both teams dropping 55 points in the final 20 minutes.

Things won’t get any easier for the Tide as they will make the short trip to Birmingham on Saturday to take on No. 15 Gonzaga.

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes, and opinion. You can also follow Stacey Blackwood on Twitter @Blackwood89.

Let us know your thoughts, and comment on this story below. Join the conversation today.

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Alabama’s Brandon Miller among the top prospects in latest 2023 NBA Big Board

Brandon Miller is on his way to being a top-ten pick in next year’s NBA draft. Here is where he sits in a recent 2023 NBA Big Board release by 247Sports.

The Alabama men’s basketball team is one of the most fun teams to watch in recent memories and a lot of that has to do with the play of the sensational freshman forward Brandon Miller.

Miller has taken college basketball by storm early on in the season and is clearly one of the best players in the country.

Through the first seven games of the season, Miller is averaging 19.6 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 2 assists per game. The 6’9″ forward is shooting 40% from the field, 80% from the free throw line, and 48% from three.

Recently, 247Sports updated their 2023 NBA Big Board and the super-star for the Tide came in at No. 7.

247 would list scoring, defensive versatility, and shot-making as Miller’s key attributes.

Here is everything they had to say about Miller’s NBA prospects:

Brandon Miller has long been one of the most tantalizing prospects in this class. His size, athleticism, and skillset have been extremely enticing, but his motor and production didn’t always match the talent in high school.

However, Miller started piecing it together heading into his senior year and it is all taking form for him in Tuscaloosa.

He’s an advanced and dynamic scorer who can rebound and defend multiple positions while improving his outside jumper. Miller has been spectacular so far this season but is also the oldest freshman in this draft class.

There is no denying the impact that Miller has had on [autotag]Nate Oats[/autotag] and the Crimson Tide this season and it will be fun to see just how far the freshman can carry Alabama.

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Stay tuned to Roll Tide Wire for continuous coverage of Miller and the entire Alabama men’s basketball team. 

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes, and opinion. You can also follow Stacey Blackwood on Twitter @Blackwood89.

Let us know your thoughts, and comment on this story below. Join the conversation today.

Alabama basketball adds 4-star forward Mouhamed Dioubate to 2023 class

Alabama adds a talented four-star forward to its class of 2023 in New York native Mouhamed Dioubate.

[autotag]Nate Oats[/autotag] and his staff in Tuscaloosa just continue to light it up on the recruiting trail for the Crimson Tide.

On Sunday, talented four-star forward Mouhamed Dioubate announced his commitment to the Alabama Crimson Tide.

Dioubate, a native of Flushing, New York, chose the Crimson Tide over Maryland, Virginia Tech, and Wake Forest.

Dioubate joins a talented class of 2023 for the Tide that ranks 14th in the country according to the 247Sports Composite Team Rankings.

On why he chose the Tide Dioubate had the following to say: “I chose Alabama because it was the best decision for me and my family.”

Dioubate announced his commitment on Twitter on Sunday.

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Alabama basketball wraps up European tour with a 3-0 record

‘Bama hoops found plenty of success in its European tour.

[autotag]Nate Oats[/autotag] and the Alabama men’s basketball team wrapped up their European tour on Friday by defeating the No. 29 ranked team in the world in China, 89-77.

With the victory over China, Alabama finished its tour of France and Spain with a perfect 3-0 record and all wins coming by double digits.

The Crimson Tide dominated the Spain Select Team 108-64 to get things started last Monday. Alabama would follow up that win with another impressive performance against Lithuania’s B Men’s National Team 120-61.

Alabama had several members of the team stand out throughout the tour, but none quite as much as true freshman Brandon Miller who averaged 22 points per game.

Oats and company have to be pleased with the team’s performance over the past week and the experience is sure to help this team once the regular season gets underway in a couple of months.

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Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes, and opinion. You can also follow Stacey Blackwood on Twitter @Blackwood89.

Let us know your thoughts, and comment on this story below. Join the conversation today.

Alabama at Florida: How to watch, stream, listen

Alabama looks to remain unbeaten in SEC play in just its second true road game of the season.

Alabama men’s basketball is travelling to Gainesville today to take on the Florida Gators in its second game in conference play.

Last week, the Crimson Tide (10-3, 1-0) earned a home win over rival Tennessee to begin SEC play with a 1-0 record. But, Alabama is playing in just its second true road game, the first being an upset loss at Memphis.

Florida (9-3) hasn’t played a Power 5 opponent since Dec. 12 and is playing its first game since Dec. 22 after their conference opener against Ole Miss last week was postponed due to COVID-19.

Tipoff information, how to watch, stream and listen. 

Tipoff: Jan. 5 at 6:00 p.m. CST

Location: Gainesville, FL

Television:  ESPN2

Radio: Crimson Tide Sports Network / TuneIn app

Stay tuned to Roll Tide Wire for all the latest on the Crimson Tide!

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Layne Gerbig on Twitter @LayneG_29.

Alabama suffers steep drop in latest Ferris Mowers Coaches Poll

Nate Oats and the Crimson Tide fall well below the top-10 in the latest poll.

Alabama men’s basketball now sits at 9-3 on the season before heading into conference play. The three losses were all to teams that Crimson Tide fans likely overlooked when glancing at the schedule.

With the struggles of late on the hardwood, Alabama dropped to No. 19 in the latest Ferris Mowers Coaches Poll.

The Crimson Tide is fine, for now, but there are issues that need tending to if Nate Oats wants to build upon the foundation he has built in Tuscaloosa.

Last year’s Sweet 16 run was electric for the SEC team, but the bar is now set just as high for this 2021-22 season.

The full Ferris Mowers Coaches Poll

Rank Team Record Points Change
1 Baylor 11-0 800 (32) –
2 Duke 11-1 760 –
3 Purdue 11-1 712 –
4 Gonzaga 10-2 690 –
5 UCLA 8-1 666 -1
6 Kansas 9-1 647 +1
7 Arizona 11-1 561 -3
8 Iowa State 12-0 514 –
9 USC 12-0 506 –
10 Michigan State 10-2 476 –
11 Auburn 11-1 453 +1
12 Ohio State 8-2 410 +1
13 Seton Hall 9-2 378 +2
14 Houston 11-3 338 –
15 Tennessee 9-2 334 +4
16 LSU 12-0 295 –
17 Kentucky 9-2 279 +1
18 Texas 9-2 254 -1
19 Alabama 9-3 220 -8
20 Colorado State 10-0 199 +1
21 Providence 12-1 181 +2
22 Villanova 8-4 175 –
23 Wisconsin 9-2 135 +1
24 Xavier 11-2 127 -4
25 Texas Tech 9-2 78 –

Others Receiving Votes

West Virginia 36; Arkansas 36; Illinois 26; Connecticut 25; Oklahoma 20; Loyola-Chicago 19; Wake Forest 16; Minnesota 11; Michigan 9; San Francisco 8; Saint Mary’s 3; Florida 2; Indiana 1

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion. You can also follow AJ Spurr on Twitter @SpurrFM.

Alabama MBB is fine, but here’s what needs attention

While there are definitely some issues present, it isn’t the end as we know it for Alabama’s 2021-22 season.

Alabama men’s basketball has experienced some exhilarating ups but has also been subject to some bad luck.

Nate Oats has led his team to victories over two of last season’s Final Four participants, yet the team has also suffered losses to Iona, Memphis and Davidson. Add the struggle against Jacksonville State to the mix and it results in some very nervous Crimson Tide hoops fans.

While there are definitely some issues present, it isn’t the end as we know it for Alabama’s 2021-22 season. Memory serves to remind me that last season the Tide went 5-4 out of conference before posting a 16-2 SEC record prior to the conference tournament.

At 8-3 heading into conference play, we should be grateful that we are where we are. It could be much worse.

The issues that are present, meanwhile, are issues that can be corrected over time.

Slumps are part of the game, and many of our shooters appear to be suffering through one simultaneously. It’s not unprecedented, but to get out of it will take minutes in the gym on their own time and focus on the court during the action.

Defensive play, on the other hand, is a more delicate issue that takes more time to repair.

“We didn’t do a very good job defensively,” Alabama head coach Nate Oats said following the 79-78 loss to Davidson. “We haven’t been great on defense here lately. We’ve got to get our defensive energy up, our attention to detail. Until we do that, we’re not going to be able to beat quality teams. Our offense wasn’t bad, but we really lost the game on the defensive end.

“Not exactly what you want going into Christmas break. I don’t know how many wake-up calls we’re going to need to pick up the defense, but we’re not going to win games in the SEC at a high level until we decide to guard much better than we did tonight.”

The Tide struggled to contain a Wildcats team that finished the night making 53% of its shots from the floor, including 50% (12 of 24) from beyond the arc.

Moving forward, defense is the catalyst that will either make or break this Alabama basketball team. With a long way to go, there’s really no reason to panic just yet.

Alabama hosts the Tennessee Vols at home on Wednesday at 8:00 p.m. CST.

Stay tuned to Roll Tide Wire for all the latest on the Crimson Tide!

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Layne Gerbig on Twitter @LayneG_29.

POST GAME REPORT: Alabama drops its third game of the season in 79-78 loss to Davidson

The Crimson Tide moves to 8-3 on the season.

If you’re an Alabama hoops fanatic, you’re not happy with the outcome of tonight’s game against Davidson in Birmingham.

In the end, it came down to a free throw that would’ve tied the game up at 79 with four seconds remaining in the game. Guard Jahvon Quinerly hit the first shot with ease. The second wouldn’t fall so easily.

Davidson would grab the board and eventually run out the clock when Alabama’s defenders failed to foul for nearly three seconds after the inbound.

And just like that, Alabama went from beating two of the nation’s top teams mere weeks ago to dropping two to opponents that it should’ve beaten.

It wasn’t a horrible night shooting for the Crimson Tide, with 44% of their shots from the field falling. Three-pointers continue to miss for Alabama. They shot at a 33% clip with 36 total attempts from behind the line.

The defense wasn’t great. The Tide allowed 53% shooting, including 50% from three.

Alabama hit six of eight free throws while Davidson didn’t miss on five attempts.

The Tide had a huge advantage on the boards, outrebounding the Wildcats 39-27, including 16 offensive boards.

Jaden Shackelford led all Alabama scorers with 20 points. He also added five rebounds to his stat line. Juwan Gary and Jahvon Quinerly tallied 15 and 13, respectively.

Luka Brajkovic led Davidson in scoring with 22 points. He also led the Wildcats in rebounding with seven.

Alabama needs to do some soul-searching as they prepare for the SEC conference opener on Dec. 29 against No. 19 Tennessee.

The Crimson Tide moves to 9-3 on the season while Davidson will go to 9-2.

Stay tuned to Roll Tide Wire for all the latest on the Crimson Tide!

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Layne Gerbig on Twitter @LayneG_29.