By Chris DePew
TideFans.com Staff
Nov. 6, 2018
Where to watch: Southern (#342 KenPom Rating) at Alabama (#50) – Today 7 p.m. Central, Coleman Coliseum, SEC Network-Plus (online only)
Who to watch: Alex Reese. The sophomore from Pelham looked like a much more polished physical specimen in the exhibition blowout of Montevallo and played like it too. His 3-for-4 shooting behind the arc wasn’t surprising, but collecting six rebounds and three assists to go with his 11 points in just 21 minutes was an eye opener. Southern won’t present much more of a test than the Division II Falcons, so even a strong showing tonight won’t prove he’s a breakout player. But another solid all-around showing would build his confidence and present matchup headaches for the opposition with the Charleston Classic less than 10 days away.
Basketball is Back!
Thursday: Where does Alabama really stand entering a transition year?
Friday: Tide looks to thrive with old-school roster built from inside out
Monday: A closer look at the schedule and what’s in store for the SEC
TODAY: Preview and postgame wrapup from the season opener vs. Southern
What to watch for: How does Tevin Mack get used in his first official game in crimson? The Texas transfer averaged 14.8 points per game in his abbreviated sophomore season at Texas, higher than any returning Tide player. But the swing man not only didn’t start against Montevallo, he wasn’t even first or second off the bench. In 20 minutes of work he went just 2-for-8 from the floor. On a team perpetually desperate for consistent scoring, he should be able to seize the opportunity and get plenty of chances to shine. If something is amiss, either on the court or behind the scenes, the season outlook becomes considerably dimmer.
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