The widespread consensus round this Alabama basketball program underneath head coach Nate Oats is that the group “lives and dies by the three.” Wednesday evening, that assumption took a little bit of a success.
The No. 13 Crimson Tide downed No. 24 Florida 98-93 in time beyond regulation on Wednesday and Alabama did it with out the long-range taking pictures benefit to which the group has turn out to be accustomed.
In reality, regardless of averaging 38% as a group from past the arc on the second-most makes an attempt within the nation this season, Alabama struggled from distance by any measure. After a disastrous 2-for-18 efficiency on three-pointers within the first half, Alabama’s shooters rallied, although the group nonetheless solely shot 25% from distance for the sport.
In distinction, Florida made yet one more 3-pointer on two fewer makes an attempt.
So how did the Tide maintain off a gifted Florida group that can virtually positively be dancing come March? They did virtually every little thing else proper.
From the free-throw line, Alabama shot 80% as a group and on the glass, the Tide grabbed 10 extra boards than a Gator squad generally known as an elite rebounding unit.
The gamers additionally by no means appeared to lose their cool regardless of taking part in a lot of the sport from behind and often dropping momentum simply as they’d practically pull even with the Gators.
Instead of lengthy shots, the gamers targeted Alabama’s different offensive emphasis: Shooting within the paint. And boy, did Alabama reside on the rim. Dunk after dunk stored the gang at Coleman Coliseum within the recreation, together with a monster slam from Grant Nelson, who led the Tide with 22 factors on the evening.
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