No. 14 Alabama looks to shake off a seven-day layoff Monday when it takes on a dangerous Yale team in the final nonconference tuneup for both squads in Tuscaloosa, Ala.
The Crimson Tide (9-3) took a 21-point loss to No. 1 Arizona on Dec. 13, but have rebounded with consecutive wins in which they’ve averaged 98 points per game. They topped Kennesaw State 92-81 in their most recent game on Dec. 21, as Aiden Sherrell’s career-high 21 points on 8-of-10 shooting propelled coach Nate Oats to his 250th career win.
Labaron Philon Jr. (21.9 points) and Aden Holloway (16.7), the two leading scorers for Alabama this season, contributed 17 points apiece. Philon chipped in with six assists and four steals.
Despite the offensive production, Oats was not thrilled about his team getting outscored 53-38 after halftime.
“Defensive intensity, focus, attention to detail on the defensive end wasn’t there in the second half,” Oats said. “So we have to start playing better on that end of the floor.”
In particular, the veteran coach is paying close attention to defensive intensity and energy within the larger spectrum of team leadership.
“If we’re going to try to compete for championships, we need someone to lead us. … Who’s going to be the guy to get the energy back where it needs to be? Right now, we don’t have it,” Oats said. “We’ve got some really talented basketball players, but we don’t have a collective group of leaders who’ll make sure we stay locked in and engaged and intense like we need to be.”
The Crimson Tide have already played five top-12 teams this season – going 2-3 in those contests – but the Bulldogs could present a legitimate challenge in their own right.
Yale (11-1) became the first Division I team to reach 11 victories on Dec. 10, when it defeated Albany 93-82 in the Basketball Hall of Fame Classic. The Bulldogs have won eight straight games and have emerged as one of the top offensive teams in the country.
Yale ranks in the top 10 nationally in field-goal percentage (52.1), 3-point percentage (43.4) and free-throw percentage (79.6). Six players scored in double figures in the win over the Great Danes.
“(Albany) started with a lot of energy, and we were fortunate to play well enough offensively to win,” said Bulldogs coach James Jones.
Jordan Brathwaite and Casey Simmons scored 16 points apiece to pace Yale, while Samson Aletan chipped in 13 points and 10 rebounds for his first career double-double. Nick Townsend, who leads the team in scoring (16.9) and rebounding (7.6), was limited to 12 points and nine boards.
Still, Townsend is a huge reason why Yale is off to its best start in 80 years.
“Obviously the bigger programs might have more resources and all the stuff that comes with that, but I think from our standpoint, we don’t really focus on that or concern ourselves with that too much,” Townsend said. “I think you just try to control what you can. We do our best to prepare and show up each day for all of our games, including those (against ranked opponents, like Alabama).”
