By Chris DePew
TideFans.com Staff
Feb. 6, 2018
Alabama shot a paltry 14 percent from 3-point range as Mississippi State evened the season series in a 67-63 decision at Humphreys Coliseum.
What did we learn today?: Slow-paced teams with muscle inside can intimidate Bama into playing their way. MSU is one of the nation’s best shot-blocking teams and it added seven more to its total Tuesday. But the Bulldogs did much more than alter shots. They took the Crimson Tide out of its offensive flow altogether, as Bama froze into place in half-court sets, aimed too many entry passes at ankle level and settled for an unhealthy number of jump shots, most of which stubbornly declined to fall in. Alabama had no assists by halftime and only four by the end. There was no full-court press and little urgency to try scoring before the Bulldogs could set their defense. The effort was far better than in recent setbacks against Missouri and Ole Miss, particularly on defense, but effort alone isn’t enough without proper execution and strategy.
What were the biggest problems?: Similar to last week’s loss to Mizzou, Bama reached the final media timeout facing a manageable deficit but spent the final minutes taking panicked 3-pointers. Against State, the Tide trailed just 55-54 with 4:29 to play despite going 2-for-15 from behind the arc to that point. But instead of continuing to work the ball inside, the Tide shot seven more 3-point attempts and missed six of them as the Bulldogs salted the game away.
Hardly a game goes by where one or more Alabama starters completely disappear from the stat sheet and it was Dazon Ingram’s turn to enter witness protection in Starkville. Two quick fouls explain his absence in the first half, but a fresh start did nothing to revive him. Ingram had one rebound, one missed shot and four of the Tide’s 13 turnovers in 12 minutes. That’s unacceptable from a player with more than 60 games of experience on a team desperate for veteran leadership.
What was the best part of the game?: Braxton Key didn’t have the best shooting night, but he was one of the few players with the size and confidence to take it to the rim against the Bulldogs. He hit double figures for the third time in four games with 11 points and his six rebounds tied Donta Hall for team-high honors. Not blessed with the natural shooting ability of a Collin Sexton, Key has to work end-to-end for his scoring chances, and that is really clicking lately.
Who was the star?: Daniel Giddens made the most of his 15 minutes before fouling out, sinking four of his five field goals and all three foul shots to finish with 11 points. And while he was in the game, State found the tables turned as the Bulldogs spent too little time pounding the ball inside and too much taking (and missing) 3-pointers. Now his challenge is to overcome past letdowns and string together back-to-back good games.
What’s next?: Having run its losing streak against unranked teams to three games, Bama turns its attention instead to defending a three-game winning streak against Top 25 competition. No. 15 Tennessee invades Tuscaloosa on Saturday for a 5 p.m. tip on the SEC Network.
Follow Chris DePew on Twitter @TideFansChris