The Alabama men’s basketball team has faced a daunting non-conference schedule, which included games against five ranked opponents, where it went 2-3 in those contests.
The emergence of both guard Labaron Philon and forward Amari Allen have helped fuel the squad while the defense and rebounding has been shaky at times thus far.
This team ranks in the Top-10 in points per game, averaging 93.9 PPG, while also ranking No. 309 in opponents’ points per game, allowing 81.9 PPG.
Nate Oats said that his team’s defense needs to improve moving into SEC play, following the Kennesaw State game.
“Our defensive intensity, focus, and attention to detail weren’t there in the second half,” Oats said. “We’ve got to get significantly better on that end of the floor before SEC play starts.”
Rebounding has been the major issue in all of Alabama’s losses so far. The team was outrebounded in the Purdue, Arizona, and Gonzaga games by double digits and had no answers on the glass.
The lack of frontcourt depth so far has been a major factor in Alabama’s rebounding struggles. Outside of forwards Taylor Bol Bowen, Aidan Sherrell and Amari Allen, there have been no others who have stayed healthy or contributed enough for Oats to find a consistent rotation that solves these rebounding deficiencies.
Oats has said that he plans to play lineups based on rebounding efforts moving forward.
“That’s what we’re going to continue to focus on,” Oats said. “We’re going to make substitutions in the game largely based on rebounding.”
While Alabama’s defense has been mediocre at times, it hasn’t mattered in some games, because the team has scored over 100 points four times already this year. The team has only scored below 90 points three times, in its three losses.
The major spark in Alabama’s offense has been the emergence of guard Labaron Philon in Year 2. He is averaging 21.9 PPG and 5.6 assists per game for the Crimson Tide thus far. Philon has doubled his production from last year and has been named SEC Player of the Week already.
Philon was projected to be drafted in last year’s NBA draft but decided to return to the Crimson Tide for another season. During SEC media day, he said that a major reason for his return was to become a better leader and communicator for his squad, which seems to be holding true as Philon has become a much more vocal leader on and off the court.
“I’m trying to see if I can run a team at a young age, be more of a communicator and talk more with my teammates,” Philon said. “I’m making sure I do a good job of that, and Coach Oats gets on me about it a lot. I’m really just trying to develop in that role and get comfortable.”
While Philon has been carrying the load for Alabama this season, the emergence of freshman forward Amari Allen has also been huge for the squad.
Allen has netted 10.2 PPG and is the leading rebounder on the team, averaging seven a game. He has already been named SEC Co-Freshmen of the Week twice for his performances in non-conference play.
Allen, being a great athlete and rebounder at 6 feet, 8 inches tall has helped Alabama tremendously on the defensive side of the ball, a place where the team has struggled in big games this year.
Allen had drawn high praise from both his teammates and coaches to begin the year and seems to be living up to it.
“He’s fit right in, for sure,” Sherrell said. “Amari is a great playmaker, scorer, and defender. He’s been fitting in very well, and Coach Oats and the whole team have noticed that.”
Even with the breakout of players such as Philon and Allen, the Crimson Tide has still struggled to win big games, in large part because of the team’s health.
There are only four players on the roster who have played in all 12 non-conference contests. With key players missing in most games, it has been difficult for the squad to find consistency in the rotations this season.
This is something that must change in order for Alabama to reach its potential and end goal of a national championship.
Alabama will open up SEC play at home on Jan. 3 against a Kentucky squad that has looked shaky at times this year but is coming off its best win of the year over St. John’s.
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