Through the first month of the season, Alabama has played one of the most difficult schedules in the country.
The Crimson Tide have played eight games, half against teams ranked in the top 15. Alabama (6-2), with two wins against those teams, also has played two foes that made the NCAA Tournament last season — Maryland and Clemson.
Before Alabama adds another marquee opponent to its schedule next week against No. 2 Arizona, the Crimson Tide will face UTSA (4-4) in a Sunday matinee in Tuscaloosa, Ala.
“Obviously, they play one of the fastest tempos in the country,” UTSA coach Austin Claunch said. “They have a ton of talent, and it starts from their point guard position, but they have a lot of guys that can score the ball. They’re just a really good team.”
Alabama’s offense runs through point guard Labaron Philon Jr., who enters Sunday’s matchup averaging 21.6 points and 5.4 assists per game. In a 90-84 win over Clemson on Wednesday in the ACC/SEC challenge, Philon scored a season-high 29 points on 9-for-17 shooting from the field.
Philon’s scoring came at a perfect time for the Crimson Tide, who continue to battle injuries to start the season. Aden Holloway missed Wednesday’s game against Clemson after aggravating a wrist injury. His status for Sunday is in question. Keitenn Bristow and Latrell Wrightsell Jr. also remained sidelined with injuries.
In the absence of those key players, Alabama displayed its elite depth. Amari Allen got the start for Holloway and recorded a double-double with 20 points and 11 rebounds. London Jemison chipped in with 13 points. Jalil Bethea, who was on a minutes restriction, played his first game of the season and finished with two points, three rebounds and two assists in just six minutes.
“We have a lot of firepower that didn’t play,” said Alabama coach Nate Oats. “But we still had enough in there to get the job done. Big win against a pretty good team. They gave us everything we can handle tonight — gotta give them a lot of credit.”
Aiden Sherrell didn’t do much scoring for Alabama against Clemson, but the sophomore forward had 10 rebounds and eight blocks.
“He’s really coming,” Oats said. “For a kid that only had seven blocks all of last year, to have five last game, eight this game. He’s doing what we need him to at the rim.”
Alabama has five non-conference games remaining before beginning Southeastern Conference play on Jan. 3 against Kentucky.
For UTSA, the game against Alabama will begin a stretch of three consecutive games against power competition. The Roadrunners, of the American Conference, also will play Colorado and No. 24 Southern California on the road.
“We want to challenge ourselves,” Claunch said. “We want to play some of the best programs and players and coaches in the country. … All of it is going to prepare us for conference play.”
–Field Level Media
