By Chris DePew
TideFans.com staff
Jan. 30, 2016
Where to watch: Alabama (11-8, 2-5 SEC) at South Carolina (18-2, 5-2) – 5 p.m. Central today, Colonial Life Arena, SEC Network
Who to watch: Riley Norris. He hasn’t come close to duplicating his out-of-nowhere 27-point performance against the Gamecocks that launched the Jan. 13 upset at Coleman Coliseum. Frankly his game suffers at times when he takes too many shots trying to recapture that magic. But when he sticks to his natural role of doing the dirty work on the low blocks, the sophomore small forward shines. He has 23 rebounds in the last two games, including 13 boards to go with three steals versus Tennessee. And while he may never lead another game in scoring, it feels safe to pencil him in for 6-10 points a game.
What to watch for: Possibly another reshuffled starting five. It already seems like a safe bet that Shannon Hale will get his third consecutive start after being virtually invisible off the bench in the first meeting. But freshman Donta Hall may also crack the starting lineup for the first time. He seemed to be the only passionate player in the first half against the Vols, and finished with six rebounds, three blocks and two steals (along with four points) before fouling out. Certainly coach Avery Johnson was more comfortable with him than season-long starter Jimmie Taylor, who remained firmly benched even after Hall’s fifth foul.
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