🏀 GAME THREAD 🏀 #25 Alabama vs. #20 Arkansas - Bama Wins Double-OT Thriller against Arkansas, 117-115

[RTB X Bot]

 

[BamaFan334]

I truly hate the logo on the shorts.

Ours or theirs? I love both.

 

[TerryP]

@TerryP did this game sort of remind you of those early 90’s games between Bama and Arky when Arky first entered the league? It did for me!

You and Tim been chatting?

 

[Justneedme81]

Thought I would join Bammerboy321 - Oats call a timeout and please play some defense. pathetic.

Welcome !

 

[Brandon Van de Graaff]

Let's talk defense for a minute. Yes, this team struggles on defense. I agree with others that Adams needs to go and Oats needs to find a more "proven" replacement. But, Oats also needs to find more guys that can play good defense... players that are physically built for it while also matching his system and find players that are willing (and even eager) to play good defense (Oats suggested in the fall that Hannah fit this mold for example). If you have to remind the same few players every 3 days how important it is and keep lighting fires under them, then you either have the wrong guys or you you're not preparing them properly. Oats has said many, many times in the past how much he values defense, and the fact that good defensive play only amplifies his offensive efficiency and output, it makes sense that it isn't just lip service. We also know that Oats can put a top defense on the floor, having done so in '21 and in '23 when UA had the #3 defense (Kenpom).

But, what we also know, is at this point in this season, much like last season, we are not going to see that type of high level play on the defensive end. For spurts, yes. But not consistently from tip to horn, game to game, week to week. They'll just have to overcome it other ways and see how far their other intangibles can carry them (last year, it was still pretty far).

Lastly, and this is really the reason for the post... while the defense isn't top 10 (it's actually 64th at the moment), it isn't complete trash either. It's bad by the standards that Oats wants it, and we want it, but at times they do step up. Last night in the 2nd half, they stepped up. IMO, they are not good enough on that end for a final 4 run... sweet 16 feels like the ceiling for this team and it will take stong play from the guards to even get them to that point, but Oats and his teams have found magic in March/April before so I won't write them off. I will say, I think some fans are being a bit too unrealistic about what they are wanting on the defensive end. And if you're basing the quality of the defense solely on total points given up, and I know some fans are, then you are on the wrong path and being unfair to the defense from the start.

 

[TerryP]

I will say, I think some fans are being a bit too unrealistic about what they are wanting on the defensive end. And if you're basing the quality of the defense solely on total points given up, and I know some fans are, then you are on the wrong path and being unfair to the defense from the start.

I had this conversation today. Almost identical, except. (I could make this about food, but I won't.)

I mentioned PPP two, maybe three days ago. And here is the analogy. This team is John Daly. You don't sacrifice the distance for staying in the short stuff.

As much as my basketball love hates saying this: shoot. Shoot. Shoot. And then, shoot.

While this team does jump off the screen with defense, they've got some backbone. I don't think they will while I also think they can 'run' anyone.

 

[TerryP]

With the way both teams were playing offense last night is there a defense that could have stopped the scoring?

 

[BamaFan334]

Let's talk defense for a minute. Yes, this team struggles on defense. I agree with others that Adams needs to go and Oats needs to find a more "proven" replacement. But, Oats also needs to find more guys that can play good defense... players that are physically built for it while also matching his system and find players that are willing (and even eager) to play good defense (Oats suggested in the fall that Hannah fit this mold for example). If you have to remind the same few players every 3 days how important it is and keep lighting fires under them, then you either have the wrong guys or you you're not preparing them properly. Oats has said many, many times in the past how much he values defense, and the fact that good defensive play only amplifies his offensive efficiency and output, it makes sense that it isn't just lip service. We also know that Oats can put a top defense on the floor, having done so in '21 and in '23 when UA had the #3 defense (Kenpom).

But, what we also know, is at this point in this season, much like last season, we are not going to see that type of high level play on the defensive end. For spurts, yes. But not consistently from tip to horn, game to game, week to week. They'll just have to overcome it other ways and see how far their other intangibles can carry them (last year, it was still pretty far).

Lastly, and this is really the reason for the post... while the defense isn't top 10 (it's actually 64th at the moment), it isn't complete trash either. It's bad by the standards that Oats wants it, and we want it, but at times they do step up. Last night in the 2nd half, they stepped up. IMO, they are not good enough on that end for a final 4 run... sweet 16 feels like the ceiling for this team and it will take stong play from the guards to even get them to that point, but Oats and his teams have found magic in March/April before so I won't write them off. I will say, I think some fans are being a bit too unrealistic about what they are wanting on the defensive end. And if you're basing the quality of the defense solely on total points given up, and I know some fans are, then you are on the wrong path and being unfair to the defense from the start.

Good luck finding a rim protector that can run tge floor like Oats wants to run. That's the issue.

Your more generous than I am because we get freaking killed by the good teams with our defense. We get help by playing the Ole Miss, Mississippi State, South Carolina's when it comes to the rankings and averages you disclosed. Florida, Gonzaga, Arizona, Purdue, and Vanderbilt put it on us and we needed to average 98 to win. You can teach defense. We have athletes, not a lot of baby giraffes running around. Bol Bowen for example is pathetic. He has the length and build to move and defend.

 

[Brandon Van de Graaff]

Good luck finding a rim protector that can run tge floor like Oats wants to run. That's the issue.

Your more generous than I am because we get freaking killed by the good teams with our defense. We get help by playing the Ole Miss, Mississippi State, South Carolina's when it comes to the rankings and averages you disclosed. Florida, Gonzaga, Arizona, Purdue, and Vanderbilt put it on us and we needed to average 98 to win. You can teach defense. We have athletes, not a lot of baby giraffes running around. Bol Bowen for example is pathetic. He has the length and build to move and defend.

So does everyone else, but if anything, Bama's average should be weighed pretty heavily with good offenses opposed to most all others since they have a top 3 SOS. Bowen is an example of what I touched on... getting players that fit and will play defense. The whole portal class was a whiff in that department. That's on Oats. And while I think Adams needs to go, it only made his job harder.

 

[BamaFan334]

So does everyone else, but if anything, Bama's average should be weighed pretty heavily with good offenses opposed to most all others since they have a top 3 SOS. Bowen is an example of what I touched on... getting players that fit and will play defense. The whole portal class was a whiff in that department. That's on Oats. And while I think Adams needs to go, it only made his job harder.

We played a tough ass schedule, no doubt. Not an excuse for me though. Understandable with one or two, but not all of them. Other teams have held them and beat them. I never woulda guessed Texas Tech and Kansas beat Arizona. Never woulda thought Carolina beats Duke. They found ways and we really never did and we're outclassed.