Nate Oats has a well-deserved reputation for coaching fast and quick shooting offenses, but it was his team’s defense to keep Alabama at the top of the SEC in February.
The Tide topped the country’s No. 1 spot on KenPom’s defensive efficiency rankings this week ahead of Saturday’s game against Georgia, the first of six remaining conference games as the program seeks to win its first regular-season conference title since 2002.
Although Alabama is 159th in Division I, averaging 69.6 points per game, the efficiency tells a more complete story. It measures points per 100 possessions, taking into account the more points scored in Alabama’s higher pace games, and adjusts it for the strength of the opponents.
Offensively, the Tide slipped to 36th place in the country after being in 13th place just three weeks ago.
“Our offensive numbers looking at KenPom have dropped slightly over the past six games,” Oats explained Friday. ” Part of it is that we were not healthy yet. When Herb Jones was healthy and we were able to create the benefits in the first six [SEC games], because he played with some push, I think we got to 10 or 11 in attacking efficiency.
“It simply came to our notice then. Our turnover has increased. Our shooting was not so good yet. Herb has not been able to provide that much help yet because he really got a bruise. That was a big part of it. ”
Alabama averaged 88 points per game over its first seven SEC games, which resulted in a 105-point barrage against LSU. The Tide then scored just 71 points over his next five games before hitting 81 points on Tuesday night.
“Offensively, I thought we were taking a step in the right direction,” Oats said.
Injuries have played a role as Jones has handled a low back injury over the past few games, while starting center Jordan Bruner has a knee injury. But Alabama has already played a mole with other offensive issues.
In the early season, it appears that the three-point shooting was resolved in January, but has been contradictory lately. Offensive rebounding was a major issue at one point, but Alabama surpassed its past two opponents on the attacking glass. On Tuesday’s game, however, there were 22 turnovers on the season.
“It’s become a bit of a problem,” Oats said. “It hasn’t been a while. As fast as we play, you have to live with some turnover, but 22 is ridiculous. We can not turn the ball. If we turn the ball around with [Georgia] in the transition we are going to lose the match. ”
Georgia, 12-7 overall and 5-7 in the SEC, enters Saturday’s 14:30 CT tip at Coleman Coliseum after winning three of his last four games. Alabama (16-5, 11-1 in SEC) beat the Bulldogs in overtime on the road in the schools’ only meet last season. Future no. 1 of the NBA draft pick Anthony Edwards was held on 14 points.
“I think they’ve improved a lot in a lot of areas from last year,” Oats said. “They are a better defensive team. They move the ball better. They play more than one team together. They have a very good plan. They are really well trained. Coach [Tom] Crean does a great job. ”
After Saturday, Alabama travels for a game on Wednesday night at Texas A&M. The competition is expected to continue, despite the fact that the Aggies have not played their last four scheduled matches due to the COVID-19 protocols.
“Our administrator said they talked to their administrators, and from now on they thought they would be back next week,” Oats said Friday. ‘We plan to play it. It will be two weeks on Tuesday. … I think their two weeks will be done there and we play Wednesday. That would guess me, or at least that’s what we heard from their administration. ”
Here’s a look ahead at Alabama’s upcoming schedule:
- Saturday 13 February against Georgia, 14:30 CT
- Wednesday 17 February at Texas A&M, 20:00 CT
- Saturday 20 February against Vanderbilt, 12 o’clock CT
- Wednesday 24 February in Arkansas, 20:00 CT
- Saturday, February 27 in Mississippi State, 7:30 p.m. CT
- Tuesday, March 2 against Auburn, 6:00 p.m. CT
- Friday, March 12: SEC Quarterfinals (Nashville)
- Saturday, March 13: SEC Tournament Semifinals (12:00 and 14:00 CT)
- Sunday, March 14: SEC Tournament Championship (12:00 CT); NCAA Tournament Selection Program (17:00 CT, CBS)
- Friday, March 19 and Saturday, March 20: NCAA Tournament First Round (Indianapolis)
Mike Rodak is a reporter for Alabama Media Group in Alabama. Follow him on Twitter @mikerodak.