By Chris DePew
TideFans.com Staff
Dec. 15, 2016
Alabama shot well above 50 percent from the field and set a season high for points as the Crimson Tide methodically dispatched USC Upstate 78-61 at Coleman Coliseum.
What did we learn today?: Not much that we didn’t already know. A game like this came at a welcome time after tough losses at Texas and Oregon, but frankly Bama has proven as much as it can against inferior competition at home. The Spartans missed almost two out of every three shots, never challenged after the midway point of the first half and trailed by as many as 23 points late. Big wins are always welcome, but mismatches like these have little predictive power for how the Tide will fare in SEC play in the new year.
What was the best part of the game?: Seeing Alabama worry less about 3-pointers and concentrate on opportunities inside. The Tide had another tough night behind the arc (6-for-20), but more than half those attempts came after intermission with the game well in hand. Bama built its lead by dominating the lane and limiting the damage from Upstate’s 7-foot center, Michael Buchanan. The Tide outscored the Spartans 48-20 in the paint and won the rebounding battle 44-33. Of note, graduate transfer Bola Olaniyan broke through with 10 rebounds (and four points) before fouling out.
Who was the star?: Donta Hall got his second career start, and for the second game in a row he set a career scoring high, this time finishing with 15 points on 6-of-7 shooting to go with eight rebounds while helping put Buchanan in foul trouble that limited him to 18 minutes. Hall’s big night overshadowed a return to form by Braxton Key. The freshman forward had 10 points, nine rebounds and five assists.
What were the biggest concerns?: USC Upstate was just 10-for-33 from 3-point range but had lots of clear looks at the basket and could have been in the game with a little better shooting touch. Bama meanwhile still doesn’t have anyone remotely close to clutch from beyond the arc. Corban Collins went 2-for-3 from long range but doesn’t take many shots. Ar’Mond Davis was 2-for-5, but is a long ways from proving he’s over a season-long slump. Riley Norris (1-for-4) hasn’t found his lost 3-point touch from last season and Dazon Ingram (0-for-2) is better off trying to score on the dribble drive.
What’s next?: Alabama continues its unofficial campaign for the Palmetto State championship when it clashes with Clemson on Sunday at Birmingham’s Legacy Arena. Tipoff on ESPNU is at 3 p.m. Central.
Follow Chris DePew on Twitter @TideFansChris