Finding ways to win

[randy]

Nov 24, 2005: Alabama (2-1) @ Jackson St (4-0)

Tip off

It's those early turn over (4) problems again keeping us down
13:30, Down 6-8

Our advantage on the boards (6 off rebs) has kept us in the lead, as both teams shooting below 40% FG.
6:46, Up 19-15

JKST had a 10-2 run to take a 4 pt lead. We managed to claw our way back, with some good inside plays by C Sherman Price (11 pts)


Halftime, Up 39-33
Both teams with 7 turn overs each. We have a 10-0 advantage on 2nd chance pts.


Start of 2nd half

JKST shot the ball well at the start of the 2nd half. We tightened up our defense, on our way to a current 8-2 run.
13:52, Up 55-44

Another one of our big men has played well, C Landon Landram with 10 pts off the bench. But JKST still shooting at almost 50% FG to keep themselves close
7:27, Up 67-58

SF Bian Guinn scored 5 straight pts. We forced a couple of turn overs on JKST to give ourselves a more comfortable margin of 17 pts, with just over 3 mins remaining. We slowed down the game to hold on for the win.


Final Score: Alabama - 85, Jackson St - 70
We still need some more improvement on our half court defense. But we displayed very good scoring balance today.


Box Scores
[INDENT]Jenkins 19, 10, 2 (*)
Price 15, 5, 1, 2 blks
Guinn 14, 1, 0
Landram 10, 6, 1, 3 stls
Anderson 10, 2, 2
Bailey 8, 1, 4, 4 tos
Adams 7, 7, 3, 2 stls
Gaines 2, 4, 9, 4 tos
Watson 0, 3, 1
[/INDENT]
Stats Comparison
[INDENT]FG: 49-42%
REB: +8
TO: -2
Pts in paint: +12
2nd chance: +7
Fast break: +4
[/INDENT]

[randy]

Nov 28, 2005: Texas-Arlington (2-2) @ Alabama (3-1)

Tip off

Good start for C Sherman Price with 6 pts, 4 rebs. TXAR content with shooting from long range, with 7 of their 12 FG attempts from beyond the arc, making 2.
11:46, Up 19-10

Our big men continue to find holes on TXAR's 1-3-1 zone. We're shooting 63% FG.
7:53, Up 26-12

Sloppy ball handling on our part (7 turn overs) reduced our lead to 8. We recovered just before the end of the 1st half by getting pts from the inside again.


Halftime, Up 38-24
We scored 20 pts in the paint in the 1st half


Start of 2nd half

TXAR still having no answer to our inside plays
13:41, Up 44-28

We're winning most aspects of the game, except for the 11 team fouls called on us already in the 2nd half.
7:08, Up 52-40

TXAR had a chance to cut our lead to 10, but they missed 2 FTs. We then went on a 8-0 run to give ourselves an 18-pt lead, and finally put this game to rest.


Final Score: Texas-Arlington - 49, Alabama - 72
2nd consecutive game where we had 5 players scoring in double figures


Box Scores
[INDENT]Price 14, 11, 1
Jenkins 14, 5, 6, 5 stls, 5 tos (*)
Adams 12, 7, 0, 2 blks
Bailey 11, 3, 3, 3 tos
Guinn 10, 3, 1
Anderson 5, 2, 0, fouled out
Landram 4, 3, 4
Watson 2, 1, 1
Scott 0, 1, 0
Gaines 0, 0, 2
[/INDENT]
Stats Comparison
[INDENT]FG: 52-40%
REB: +18 (+8 off)
TO: -7 (TXAR: 21)
Pts in paint: +22
2nd chance: +5
Fast break: +4
[/INDENT]

[randy]

Dec 1, 2005: East Carolina (1-2) @ Alabama (4-1)

Tip off

We're showing good defense so far, with 2 blks and 4 stls already. We just need to improve on our 2-8 FG shooting
13:51, Up 9-5

ECAR already with 11 turn overs. After our sub-par shooting start, we made 8 of our next 11 FG attempts.
6:47, Up 26-11

SG Jimmy Anderson led our balanced attack with 11 pts. ECAR can't get goin on offense with their 25% FG shooting performance.


Halftime, Up 40-22
Pts in the paint comparison in the 1st half is 20-0 to our advantage


Start of 2nd half

We coasted along in the 2nd half, with our lead never falling below 16. Our perimeter players have done a good job attacking the basket, instead of settling for outside shots.


Final Score: Eastern Carolina - 52, Alabama - 72
1st time this season we held our opponents to below 40% FG

Box Scores
[INDENT]Anderson 18, 5, 1 (*)
Jenkins 14, 7, 1, 2 stls, 3 tos
Price 9, 8, 0, 3 stls, 3 blks
Landram 9, 7, 5
Guinn 8, 3, 1
Gaines 5, 2, 3, 2 stls
Adams 4, 3, 2
Bailey 3, 1, 2, fouled out
Watson 2, 2, 2
Scott 0, 1, 0
Holt 0, 0, 0
Kendrick 0, 0, 0
[/INDENT]
Stats Comparison
[INDENT]FG: 44-30%
REB: +3
TO: -5
Pts in paint: +32 (34-2)
2nd chance: +8
Fast break: +13 (17-4)
[/INDENT]

[randy]

Dec 5, 2005: North Florida (4-2) @ Alabama (5-1)

Tip off

UNF shooting 6-8 FG. We need to step up our defense.
13:21, Down 6-15

We improved our defense, and started making some outside shots also. SG Jimmy Anderson with 8 pts
7:23, Tied at 21

Scoreline would had been better, if not for our 9 turn overs in the 1st half


Halftime, Up 32-29


Start of 2nd half

All of a sudden our offense went into full gear, scoring 24 pts in less than 8 minutes, fueled mostly by our fast break pts and 2nd chance opportunities.
12:34, Up 56-36

UNF making a little run, as we start throwing the ball once again (14 turn overs)
7:58, Up 57-42

A couple of 3PT shots by UNF cut our lead to just 8. However, we responded with 7 unanswered pts to hike our lead once again to 15, with just 2 minutes left. We just slowed down the pace in the end.


Final Score: North Florida - 51, Alabama - 66
Most of our offense came in spurts in the 2nd half, but it was enough because of our defense. We still need more work in keeping the ball. Excellent performance by SF Antonio Jenkins, who had 19 pts in the 2nd half


Box Scores
[INDENT]Jenkins 30, 10, 0, 5 stls, 13-19 FG (*)
Anderson 13, 0, 1, 4 tos
Price 10, 9, 1, 2 stls
Landram 5, 5, 3, 2 stls
Bailey 3, 1, 8
Gaines 3, 0, 1
Watson 2, 1, 1
Guinn 0, 5, 0, 3 tos
Adams 0, 3, 0
Scott 0, 0, 0
[/INDENT]
Stats Comparison
[INDENT]FG: 48-36%
REB: +2
TO: -5
Pts in paint: +14
2nd chance: -2
Fast break: +6
[/INDENT]

[randy]

Dec 8, 2005: Stetson (3-4) @ Alabama (6-1)

Tip off

3 of our 6 made FGs were 3PT shots. STET with 5 turn overs.
13:10, Up 15-7

Almost everything went right in the 1st half, as STET almost consumed all of their timeouts just to break our momentum. We're getting off rebounds (7), minimize turn overs (3), and even making our 3PT shots (5-8 3PT)


Halftime, Up 41-25
STET with zero 2nd chance, and zero fast break pts in the 1st half.


Start of 2nd half

Our lead was in the 20s most of the 2nd half, until the last minute of the game where our key players have been resting on the bench already. Our offense wasn't as productive as compared to the 1st half, but our defense made sure STET had no chance of staging a comeback.


Final Score: Stetson - 55, Alabama - 71
19 assists and just 6 turn overs would make any coach satisfied.


Box Scores
[INDENT]Anderson 21, 5, 1, 3 stls, 5-7 3PT (*)
Guinn 14, 4, 1
Jenkins 10, 4, 4, 2 stls
Gaines 8, 1, 1
Price 7, 5, 0, 4 blks
Adams 6, 5, 1
Bailey 3, 2, 6, 2 stls
Landram 2, 4, 4
Watson 0, 2, 1
Holt 0, 0, 0
[/INDENT]
Stats Comparison
[INDENT]FG: 44-38%
REB: Even
TO: -12
Pts in paint: +16
2nd chance: +8
Fast break: +19 (19-0)
[/INDENT]

[randy]

Dec 12, 2005: Alabama (7-1) @ Utah Valley (1-7)

Tip off

We have 6 off rebounds already.
13:29, Up 16-7

But despite our dominance on the glass, we couldn't prevent UVU from scoring at will both on the field (56% FG) and on the line (10-14 FT)


Halftime, Down 30-38
Our defense just breaking down in the 1st half; we need to reverse that in the 2nd half.


Start of 2nd half

We got down by 10 pts early i the 2nd half. We slowly climbed back to reduce our deficit to just 1 pt, but UVU able to answer with 6 straight pts.
13:48, Down 41-48

We're doing our job on defense, but our offense has been anemic lately, scoring only 1 FG for almost 8 minutes. Our 6 2nd half turn overs not helping us also.
7:49, Down 46-53

We were staring at an 11-pt deficit with just over 5 mins remaining. SF Antonio Jenkins and SG Jimmy Anderson hit back-to-back 3s, hoping to ignite our final push. After a turn over by UVU, Anderson scores another bucket. Deficit reduced to just 3 pts. UVU splits their charities. We went back to Anderson, and he connects again; 7 straight pts for Anderson. Anotehr split FT by UVU
3:42, Down 58-61

SF Antonio Jenkins called for the travel; our 15th turn over. That hurts. A miss by UVU. We got called for another traveling violation, this time on SG Jimmy Anderson. I have to call a timeout
2:56, Down 58-61

We force another miss on UVU. SG Jimmy Anderson trying to make up for his earlier mistake. Anderson goes strong to the hoop, and gets another basket.
2:21, Down 60-61

Turnover by UVU. Timeout.
2:03, Down 60-61

C Zac Adams gets the ball down low. Adams put up a shot, but he got blocked. A miss by UVU, but they an off rebound, and the put back is good. Timeout.
1:30, Down 60-63

This time we go to C Sherman Price. Price got fouled while attempting a shot. 2 FTs. Gets the 1st. Miss the 2nd. SF Antonio Jenkins with the offensive board. I only have 1 timeout left, and I elected nit to use it yet. We recycle our offense. But Jenkins throws away a bad pass. Another opportunity wasted!
1:05, Down 61-63

We go called for a foul. 2 FTs for UVU. They split again. UVU is 16-28 FT today. I called my last timeout
0:43, Down 61-64

No need to force a 3 if its not available, as we can go for a 2-for-1. SG Jimmy Anderson gets the ball. Anderson drives quickly, and he scores.
0:35, Down 63-64

Shot clock is off. We'll try to go for a steal. UVU passing the ball around. 17 secs left. I yelled to give up a foul now. We did. 2 FTs again for UVU. Makes the 1st. Makes the 2nd.
0:17, Down 63-66

We have no timeouts left. SG Jimmy Anderson gets the pass from beyond the arc. Anderson puts up a 3. It's good!
0:09, Tied at 66

The 3 at the buzzer by UVU rims out. We go to OT


Start of OT

Both teams having unproductive results on their 1st 2 possessions.
3:54, Tied at 66

We turn the ball over; our 18th of the game. A miss by UVU. We have another chance to draw 1st blood here in OT. SF Alonzo Jenkins missing a 3. Foul called on us. Another split FT by UVU
3:01, Down 66-67

Another missed 3 by Jenkins. And Jenkins fouls our of the game on the next play. UVU missed both FTs; they have missed 15 FTs in this game. I called my remaining timeout
2:33, Down 66-67

We want to go to SG Jimmy Anderson, but he is well-covered. C Zac Adams gets the ball, and Adams hits the baseline jumper. That is Adams 1st FG of the game (1-4 FG).
2:16, Up 68-67

UVU answers back with a FG.
2:03, Down 68-69

C Sherman Price hits a jumper on top of the key. What a game this is!
1:43, Up 70-69

Foul called. This time, UVU sinks both charities.
1:29, Down 70-71

SG Jimmy Anderson finally gets the ball. He takes his 1st shot in OT, and he missed. Out of bounds in favor of UVU. UVU missed a hurried 3. Anderson with another chance. But the ball was stolen from him. We got called for another foul. UVU getting both FTs again; after going for 19-34 FTs, UVU made their last 4
0:31, Down 70-73

We missed a shot; we probably should have gone for a 3. No choice now but to foul, and shoot 3s on our subsequent possessions. UVU with 2 more FTs for the final score. Tough loss


Final Score: Alabama - 70, Utah Valley - 75
I can't even count how many opportunities were given to us to win this game. We shot 37% FG plus 19 turn overs; we're somehow "lucky" that we got this game to OT.


Box Scores
[INDENT]Anderson 23, 4, 3, 3 stls, 5 tos, 3-6 3PT
Jenkins 20, 8, 1, 4 tos, fouled out
Price 9, 8, 0, 5 blks
Adams 5, 8, 1
Landram 3, 3, 1
Guinn 3, 3, 0, 2 blks
Gaines 3, 1, 1
Bailey 2, 3, 7, 3 tos, fouled out
Watson 2, 1, 0
[/INDENT]
Stats Comparison
[INDENT]FG: 37-41%
REB: +1
TO: +3
Pts in paint: +6
2nd chance: -6
Fast break: -1
[/INDENT]

[randy]

Dec 15, 2005: Alabama (7-2) @ Evansville (6-2)

Tip off

We still have some hang over of our poor showing from our last game; 6 early team fouls and 6 turn overs
11:26, Down 13-16

We tried different combinations, searching for answers on our offensive woes. Nothing working, as we had a total of 13 turn overs, and 37% FG. To make matters worse, EVAN shot 8-14 3PT, even if we are putting up a tight m2m defense against their shooters.


Halftime, Down 24-40
We'll go favor inside in the 2nd half


Start of 2nd half

We played with more sense of urgency at the start of the 2nd half, even though we're still down by double digits
11:52, Down 37-48

Every time we bring the lead down to 10, EVAN hits a clutch shot. Until the last play where we got a steal and converted on transition.
4:59, Down 54-62

We had a chance to cut it down to 6 (or 5) but we turn ed the ball over. EVAN punished us with their 11th 3PT shot of the game, to bring their lead back up to 11.
4:07, Down 54-65

We climbed back up again. PG Kelvin Gaines just hit 2 FTs makes it a 6-0 run
2:14, Down 60-65

But EVAN's SG Matt Herring, who is on fire the whole game, just nailed his 7th triple of the game. Timeout
1:49, Down 60-68

SF Antonio Jenkins answers with a quick drive and scores. A turn over by EVAN. Chance to cut it to 4. Turn over by SG Jimmy Anderson; turn over #20 for us.
1:17, Down 62-68

EVAN gets another jumper. We turned it over again on our next play, virtually sealing our fate. Not a good week for us


Final Score: Alabama - 62, Evansville - 74
EVAN finished with 12-23 3PT. We're starting to feel the effects of having a thin bench, as we don't have much options on our rotation


Box Scores
[INDENT]Price 13, 5, 1, 3 blks
Jenkins 11, 6, 2, 2 stls, 3 tos
Gaines 10, 1, 2, 2 stls, 8 tos
Guinn 9, 4, 2
Anderson 8, 1, 1, 6 tos
Bailey 6, 1, 3, fouled out
Adams 3, 6, 2
Landram 2, 1, 0
Watson 0, 1, 0
[/INDENT]
Stats Comparison
[INDENT]FG: 47-51%
REB: +6
TO: +6
Pts in paint: +6
2nd chance: +3
Fast break: +1
[/INDENT]

[randy]

Dec 19, 2005: #11 Arizona (8-2) @ Alabama (7-3)

Tip off

Both teams shooting well on their medium-range jump shots.
10:10, Up 18-17

A momentary drought in offense on our part was all it took for ARIZ to create some separation.


Halftime, Down 34-44
ARIZ has a lot of capable scorers, and we can't match them offensively. We have make stops in the 2nd half, and try to win with our defense.


Start of 2nd half

We got down by as many as 16 early in the 2nd half. I know ARIZ is good, but I told the team that our defense is capable of stopping them, if we put our minds into it. We started locking down on defense
13:16, Down 47-55

We cut it down to 4. But every time we get close, ARIZ hits a 3PT shot (8-15 3PT for the game). Both our players playing the 1 spot have fouled out, and walk on PG JB Kendrick is on the floor
8:32, Down 62-68

Down by just 2 pts. And then ARIZ hits another barrage of 3s.
4:48, Down 70-81

ARIZ still with a 9 pt lead with 2 mins left. ARIZ defended well against our 3PT shots in the end


Final Score: Arizona - 87, Alabama - 76
Good try in coming back, but we have no chance of winning against elite teams if we allow them to score 80+ pts.


Box Scores
[INDENT]Jenkins 23, 1, 4
Anderson 17, 2, 0
Guinn 12, 7, 0, 2 stls, 3 tos
Bailey 8, 2, 3, 4 tos, fouled out
Price 6, 13, 1, 4 blks
Adams 6, 7, 1
Landram 2, 3, 5
Gaines 2, 0, 2, fouled out
Watson 0, 1, 0
Kendrick 0, 0, 2
[/INDENT]
Stats Comparison
[INDENT]FG: 47-48%
REB: +9
TO: +4
Pts in paint: +6
2nd chance: +4
Fast break: -6
[/INDENT]

[randy]

Dec 22, 2005: Alabama (7-4) @ Alabama A&M (5-5)

Tip off

A losing streak has a way of sapping out the confidence of players. This is our chance to turn things around. But we have to start on defense, as ALAM is current shooting 75% FG
13:06, Tied at 17

We are being sucked in to another high scoring game, which we do not exactly prefer. We're also early in the penalty
8:00, Up 33-32

We came up with a sequence of good defensive plays in the end, something that we haven't done in a long while


Halftime, Up 48-42
ALAM with 11 turn overs in the 1st half.


Start of 2nd half

ALAM came out strong at the start of the 2nd half. Our fouls are beginning to cause problems once again.
13:47, Up 56-53

We built up an 8 pt lead. And then we missed at least 8 shots in a row, as ALAM climbs their way back.
8:35, Up 67-65

We played good defense in the last set of plays, not allowing a single FG for ALAM, although they scored 4 FTs. My starters are playing extended minutes today; we fell that this is a "must win" game for use, trying to break a 3-game losing skid
4:56, Up 73-69

ALAM still struggling to make shots, still with no made FGs in almost 7 mins
1:59, Up 79-70

Excellent defense in the last 8 mins! Why can't we do that consistently?


Final Score: Alabama - 85, Alabama A&M - 70


Box Scores
[INDENT]Jenkins 23, 3, 1, 2 stls, 5 tos, 3-6 3PT (*)
Anderson 16, 2, 2
Price 12, 10, 1, 3 blks
Guinn 9, 2, 2, 2 stls
Landram 9, 1, 0
Adams 7, 5, 1, 2 stls
Gaines 6, 1, 3
Bailey 3, 2, 4
Watson 0, 1, 1
[/INDENT]
Stats Comparison
[INDENT]FG: 53-40%
REB: -4
TO: -8
Pts in paint: +4
2nd chance: Even
Fast break: -4
[/INDENT]

[randy]

Preseason Predictions, Non-Conf W-L, RPI

1. #2 Georgia, 9-2, 11
2. #4 Arkansas, 11-3, 5
3. Kentucky, 5-6, 105
4. Alabama, 8-4, 88
5. #6 Florida, 10-4, 20
6. Auburn, 4-7, 249
7. LSU, 6-6, 138
8. Mississippi, 6-5, 112
9. Vanderbilt, 3-8, 212
10. Tennessee, 5-6, 150
11. South Carolina, 4-7, 144
12. Mississippi St, 6-6, 147