Finding ways to win

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NCAA

• #9 Minnesota def #16 Michigan St in the NCAA Finals, 79-57, to win their 1st ever national championship

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National Individual Awards

• Norton Award: Jr SG Joe Lewis

1st Team All-American

• Jr SG Joe Lewis

SWAC Individual Awards

• POY: Jr SG Joe Lewis
• DPOY: Jr SG Joe Lewis

SWAC 1st Team All-Conference

• Jr SG Joe Lewis
• Jr C Marcus Moore

SWAC 2nd Team All-Conference

• So SF Rashad Scott

I won my 1st National Coach of the Year, Conference Coach of the Year (5th time)

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If applicable: (National Rank, Conference Rank; NR = Not Ranked)


Points

1. SG Joe Lewis - 25.6 ppg (#2, #1)
2. SF Rashad Scott - 13.8 (NR, #6)
3. C Marcus Moore - 12.4 (NR, #9)
4. SG Drew Walker - 8.7
5. C Robbie Wise - 7.0
6. SF Thurman Clark - 4.3
7. PF Dominic Claxton - 3.3
8. PG Elton Forbes - 2.9
9. SG Chris Warhank - 2.3
10. PG David Meeks - 1.5
11. C Kyle Collins - 1.4
12. SF Anthony Payton - 1.0

Rebounds

1. C Marcus Moore - 8.3 rpg (#18, #1)
2. SG Joe Lewis - 6.2 (NR, #2)
3. C Robbie Wise - 5.4 (NR, #7)
4. PF Dominic Claxton - 4.7
5. SF Rashad Scott - 3.8
6. SG Drew Walker - 1.9
7. SF Thurman Clark - 1.4
8. PG David Meeks - 1.2
9. PG Elton Forbes - 1.1

Assists

1. SG Joe Lewis - 5.7 apg (#9, #1)
2. PG David Meeks - 2.2
3. PG Elton Forbes - 1.9
4. C Marcus Moore - 1.3
5. SF Rashad Scott - 1.3
6. PF Dominic Claxton - 1.2
7. C Robbie Wise - 1.1

Steals

1. SG Joe Lewis - 1.9 spg (#32, #1)
2. C Marcus Moore - 1.3 (#4)

Blocks

1. C Marcus Moore - 1.5 bpg (#12, #1)

3PM

1. SG Joe Lewis - 108 (#25, #2)
2. SG Drew Walker - 48
3. SF Rashad Scott - 14
4. PG Elton Forbes - 14
5. SF Thurman Clark - 12
6. SG Chris Warhank - 4
7. PG David Meeks - 3

Turnovers

1. SG Joe Lewis - 2.8 topg (#10)
2. C Marcus Moore - 1.3
3. SF Rashad Scott - 1.2

FG% (min 30 FGA)

1. C Marcus Moore - 58.5%
2. PF Dominic Claxton - 55.7
3. SF Rashad Scott - 52.8
4. C Robbie Wise - 52.2
5. PG Elton Forbes - 45.9
6. SG Drew Walker - 44.1
7. SG Joe Lewis - 44.0
8. SF Thurman Clark - 44.0
9. PG David Meeks - 35.9

FT% (min 20 FTA)

1. SG Joe Lewis - 85.4% (105 of 123)
2. SF Rashad Scott - 82.5
3. C Marcus Moore - 68.3
4. C Robbie Wise - 65.7

3PT% (min 10 3PTA)

1. SF Rashad Scott - 41.2% (14 of 34)
2. PG Elton Forbes - 40.0
3. SG Joe Lewis - 39.6
4. SG Drew Walker - 37.5
5. SF Thurman Clark - 30.8
6. PG David Meeks - 18.8

Minutes

1. SG Joe Lewis - 36.3 mpg (#3, #1)
2. SF Rashad Scott - 27.7 (NR, #9)
3. C Marcus Moore - 24.3
4. PF Dominic Claxton - 22.9
5. C Robbie Wise - 21.7
6. PG David Meeks - 15.7
7. SG Drew Walker - 15.3
8. SF Thurman Clark - 11.5
9. PG Elton Forbes - 10.4
10. C Kyle Collins - 8.8
11. SF Anthony Payton - 5.0
12. SG Chris Warhank - 4.8

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If applicable: (+/- from last season, National Rank, Conference Rank)


Team Stats (per game)

1. Points: 79.1 (+0.8, #1, #1)
2. Rebounds: 34.6 (-1.1, #25, #1)
   
3. Assists: 16.7 (-0.4, #7, #1)
4. Steals: 8.1 (+2.2, #17, #1)
   
5. Blocks: 4.2 (+0.3, #9, #2)
   
6. Turnovers: 10.3 (+0.4, #1, #1)
   
7. FG%: 0.484 (-0.005, #3, #1)
8. 3PT%: 0.388 (+0.025, #38, #2)
9. FT%: 0.772 (+0.016, #29, #3)

Opp Team Stats (per game)

1. Opp Points: 56.3 (-0.5, #2, #1)
2. Opp Turnovers: 17.5 (+1.3, #13, #1)
   
3. Opp FG%: 0.380 (---, #3, #1)
4. Opp 3PT%: 0.343 (---, #154, #8)

Metrics (Offense)

1. OEff: 54.8 (+0.3, #4, #1)
2. OeFG%: 48.9 (-0.4, #3, #1)
3. OTO%: 12.8 (+0.4, #1, #1)
4. OR% 35.0 (+2.1, #2, #1)
5. OFTRate: 22.0 (-2.9, NR, #12)
6. Tempo: 69.3 (-0.3, NR, #6)

Metrics (Defense)

1. DEff: 39.0 (-0.5, #6, #1)
2. DeFG%: 38.6 (---, #3, #1)
3. DTO%: 23.0 (+1.6, #11, #1)
4. DR%: 74.9 (-3.5, NR, #2)
5. DFTRate: 28.5 (+3.4, NR, #3)

What we did well

1. Our slight improvement in 3PT and FT shooting was enough to catapult us to be the #1 scoring team in the country
2. But our success this season was attributed mainly on our defense. Our last year's defensive performance was already good, but we improved it further this season in terms of shot blocking and forcing more turn overs

Areas of improvement

1. Rebounding might continue to slide next season, with the departure of C Robbie Wise, unless PF Dominic Claxton steps up big time. We need to be more consistent on the defensive glass.

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Offense: 50 (+6)
Defense: 48 (+6)
Recruiting: 50 (+3)
Scouting: 31 (+1)
Development: 48 (+6)
Reputation: 34 (+9)

Record: 146-19 (0.885)

Coming back, for possibly my last season with Alabama St. One more year with SG Joe Lewis. Hope we can have another Final 4 run, and possibly win the national championship.

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Decided to accept offer from University of Alabama

• Team Prestige: 30
• NCAA Tournament Appearances: 25 (Sweet 16: 1)
• Conf Championships: 0
• Facilities: B-
• Academics: C+ (min SAT score: 900)

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Starting Lineup

• 1: Jr PG Kevin Bailey, 6-5, 2.0/4.0 (Martin, TN)
• 2: Jr SG Jimmy Anderson, 6-2, 2.5/4.5 (Anderson, SC)
• 3: Jr SF Alonzo Jenkins, 6-7, 4.5/5.0 (Grand Rapids, MN)
• 4: Sr C Zac Adams, 6-8, 3.5/3.5 (Memphis, TN)
• 5: Jr C Sherman Price, 6-9, 4.0/5.0 (Miami, FL)

Bench

• 2/3: Sr(R) Brian Guinn, 6-6, 3.0/3.5 (Tuscaloosa, AL)
• 4/5: So C Landon Landram, 6-9, 3.0/3.5 (Inez, KY)
• 1/2: Jr SG Kelvin Gaines, 6-4, 2.0/3.5 (Ola, AR)
• 3/4: Jr(R) PF Tony Watson, 6-6, 1.5/3.0 (Gulfport, MS)
• 3/4: Fr PF Jonathan Holt, 6-6, 1.0/2.0 (Stone Mountain, GA)
• 3/4: So SF Tarrell Scott, 6-8, 1.0/3.0 (Newnan, GA)

Walk-ons

• 1/2: Fr PG JB Kendrick, 6-3, 1.0/1.0 (Odenville, AL)
• 4/5: So PF Greedy Hayes, 6-8, 3.5/3.5 (Florence, AL)

Ineligible (transfer)

• Jr PG Aaron Irwin, 6-0, 3.0/4.0 (Ola, AR)
• Jr SG Nate Paul, 6-5, 4.0/4.5 (Artesia, NM)

Notes:

• We're thin on the guard rotation (we'll be deep next year once Irwin and Paul becomes eligible). We'll most likely be limited to a 5-man rotation on the 1/2/3 spots, with Guinn and Gaines coming off the bench.
• Similarly, Adams, Price, and Landram will rotate on the 4/5 spots
• We're putting most of our practice time on defense (half court and pressure). Not much on offense sets, so we'll play a great deal of offensive freedom this year.

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Nov 13, 2005: (15) Alabama (0-0) vs (2) #4 Pittsburgh


Tip off

Not a good start offensively with 4 turn overs. Also our defense has to improve, allowing PITT 54% FG.
13:03, Down 10-16

Some signs of improvement on defense, but we need more if we want to turn around this game.
7:11, Down 17-26

PITT able to take advantage of our penalty situation. PITT's SF Jim Morin played the entire 1st half, burning us with 16 pts.


Halftime, Down 31-44
We'll try to go more inside on offense. But I told my players that everything has to start on the defensive end


Start of 2nd half

SF Brian Guinn and SF Alonzo Jenkins have carried our offense in the 2nd half, but we can't afford to just trade baskets with PITT
13:13, Down 44-57

SF Alonzo Jenkins racked up 7 straight pts to get us within 6. And then SG Kelvin Gaines hits a 3. After another miss by PITT, C Zac Adams scores an undergoal stab, to make it a 12-0 run
10:46, Down 56-57

Teams have stayed close, and traded baskets. We got into penalty again. SF Alonzo Jenkins, who has 4 fouls, hits his 4th 3PT shot to tie the game
8:10, Tied at 63

We had unproductive trips on our next 6 possessions, and PITT able to regain the lead mostly on FTs. I was forced to cal a timeout
4:40, Down 63-68

SF Alonzo Jenkins gets 1 back to get us within 3. We get a steal, and C Sherman Price scores inside. After another PITT miss, Jenkins punches another triple, as we finally take the lead. PITT commits their 18th turn over, and we scored another jumper on the other end. A 9-0 run. PITT forced to call a timeout
2:35, Up 72-68

2 more turn overs by PITT, but we couldn't take advantage.
1:02, Up 72-68

PITT's PG Shawn Daniels (14 pts) hits a big time 3. I called a time out
0:38, Up 72-71

We get the ball to SF Alonzo Jenkins, but he missed his shot. C Landon Landram with an offensive rebound, and the put back is good! Timeout PITT
0:30, Up 74-71

Jenkins blocks the shot of PITT's SF Alonzo Morin, who is scoreless in the 2nd half. We get the ball back. PITT forced to foul, and C Landon Landram sinking 2 FTs. Landram has been huge the last 30 sec. We should be able to hold on now.
0:14, Up 76-71


Final Score: Alabama - 76, Pittsburgh - 71
A big win against a quality opponent. After giving up 44 pts in the 1st half, our defense limited PITT to just 27 in the 2nd half. I am pleased on the effort by the players, who didn't give up after being down by as many as 17 in the 1st half.


Box Scores
[INDENT]Jenkins 29, 2, 2, 3 tos, 5-8 3PT (*)
Guinn 14, 4, 1
Adams 8, 8, 1, 2 stls
Landram 8, 4, 2
Anderson 6, 3, 2, 4 tos
Price 4, 7, 1
Gaines 3, 1, 3
Bailey 2, 3, 7
Watson 2, 0, 0
[/INDENT]
Stats Comparison
[INDENT]FG: 46-54%
REB: Even (+6 off)
TO: -9
Pts in paint: +6
2nd chance: +1
Fast break: +2
[/INDENT]

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Nov 15, 2005: (7) #15 Syracuse vs (15) Alabama (0-0)


Tip off

Another slow start, as we had trouble handling the ball
13:36, Down 8-13

We briefly took a 1-pt lead, but SYR able to put up an 8-0 run against our 2nd unit. We're shooting just 33% FG
6:57, Down 16-23

We had spurts of good defensive sequences, but our 8 turn overs can't get us put up a sustained momentum.


Halftime, Down 30-33
Too many SYR players capable of scoring; we can't possibly win an offensive game against them, so we have to outwork them on defense in the 2nd half


Start of 2nd half

We're shutting down SYR shooters, but they started driving more to the basket, which we are having difficulty to stop. Also, we're strating to rack up the fouls again.
13:22, Down 42-47

3 consecutive turn overs got us trailing by 9. We slowly climbed our way back, had a couple of chances to reduce the lead to 1 (or tie), but 2 more turn overs prevented us. Both teams in the penalty
7:57, Down 49-54

We're still in this game despite our 19 turn overs, down by 7 with about 3 mins left. But 2 more turn overs on our next 3 possessions might have wiped away any small window we have. SYR scored a lot of FTs in the dying minutes of the game.


Final Score: Syracuse - 70, Alabama - 62
You can't win too many games turning the ball over 21 times. Good experience the past 2 games, against high-caliber teams.


Box Scores
[INDENT]Jenkins 17, 6, 2, 2 blks, 4 tos
Anderson 13, 3, 1, 3 tos
Price 10, 5, 0
Watson 8, 4, 0
Adams 4, 7, 0
Guinn 4, 4, 0, 2 blks
Landram 3, 4, 1, 4 tos
Bailey 3, 2, 6, 4 tos
Gaines 0, 1, 1
[/INDENT]
Stats Comparison
[INDENT]FG: 46-44%
REB: +8
TO: +11
Pts in paint: -14
2nd chance: +4
Fast break: -8
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Nov 21, 2005: Alabama (1-1) @ Quinnipiac (0-2)


Tip off

Both teams shooting well. QUIN already with 5 turn overs.
13:51, Up 13-10

QUIN has had few opportunities to score because of their 7 turn overs, with only 11 FG attempts, but making 8 of them including 4 from beyond the arc.
7:10, Up 26-23

Good job defensively, forcing 14 turn overs on QUIN. SF Alonzo Jenkins is scoreless, but SG Jimmy Anderson stepping up with 12 pts, mostly from penetrations.


Halftime, Up 44-38
We'll just continue the brand of defense we're playing and force more turnovers, as we don't expect QUIN to sustain their 69% FG shooting.


Start of 2nd half

Same story in the 1st haf, as QUIN now with 20 turn overs; and on possessions that they don;t turn the ball over, QUIN usually makes their shot
13:54, Up 55-45

We're being called for too many fouls, and QUIN's FTs allowed them to keep close. QUIN with 23 turn overs, but they are still shooting at an amazing 69% FG.
7:13, Up 68-60

We're starting to miss our shots, and gave QUIN the chance to get back in this game. I called a timeout to stop their momentum. We'll have to take more higher-percentage shots
4:46, Tied at 68

We got an inside basket, but QUIN hitting 3 more FTs to take the lead.
3:12, Down 70-71

We finally got QUIN to the penalty also, and we connected on 2 FTs to retake the lead. Teams traded misses, including a close range shot by C Sherman Price which would have given us a 3pt advantage. QUIN trows the ball away for their 24th turn over. SG Jimmy Anderson drives, and scores! Anderson with 19 pts
2:00, Up 74-71

QUIN able to answer back with an inside play. SF Alonzo Jenkins drives, and scores. Jenkins with 10 pts, all in the 2nd half
1:33, Up 76-73

QUIN playing 5-out, most likely looking for a 3. But our defense not allowing open looks. With 3 secs on their shot clock, they forced a shot which we blocked. Good defense! SF Slonzo Jenkins with another inside incursion, and Jenkins scores once again. Timeout QUIN
0:47, Up 78-73

QUIN not giving up, as they hit a big 3, their 9th tripe of the game. Timeout.
0:27, Up 78-76

QUIN forced to foul. PG Kevin Bailey gets the 1st FT, but missed the 2nd. C Sherman Price with the offensive board. Price puts up a shot. Miss. Price with another rebound. 2nd serving is good this time. Timeout QUIN
0:18, Up 81-76

And QUIN hits another 3 to reduce our lead to 2. 0:08 still left. QUIN would likely give up another foul. But we were able to dribble the time away. Great game


Final Score: Alabama - 83, Quinnipiac - 79
Both teams dominating different aspects of the game. QUIN is +27 in 3PT shooting, which we offset with a +26 in fast break pts. QUIN shot much better than us, but we made it up with 19 2nd chance pts. Breaks in the end decided the game.


Box Scores
[INDENT]Anderson 19, 2, 4, 4 stls, 3 tos (*)
Jenkins 12, 4, 4, 4 stls
Price 11, 8, 2, 2 stls
Adams 11, 4, 0
Guinn 9, 4, 0
Landram 9, 3, 1
Bailey 7, 1, 4
Watson 3, 0, 1
Gaines 2, 1, 3
[/INDENT]
Stats Comparison
[INDENT]FG: 49-66%
REB: +5 (+11 off)
TO: -14 (QUIN: 24)
Pts in paint: +34
2nd chance: +17 (19-2)
Fast break: +26 (32-6)
[/INDENT]