ALABAMA HOOPS: Improving Tide ready for SEC

If the preconference season has shown anything, it’s going to be a wild, wild SEC West.

Alabama (10-4), picked to win the division in preseason polls, opens Southeastern Conference play today with a 12:30 p.m. matinee at Coleman Coliseum against LSU (12-2).

Crimson Tide coach Mark Gottfried has spent much of the first two months trying combinations and stressing defense. A group that started slowly is noticeably better in spots, the coach said.

“Where I’d want to be is 14-0 and ranked No. 1 in the country — and we ain’t there,” Gottfried said. “But I do think we’ve improved a lot. We’ve gotten better. Our chemistry is much
better.”

Alabama’s final two preconference games showed that progress. The Tide split games with ACC members, defeating Georgia Tech, 88-77, in Tuscaloosa and losing at undefeated Clemson, 66-59.

“Coming off two ACC games against two tough opponents, that gave us good experience, to get us ready for the SEC season,” forward Justin Knox said.

“That’s what you face every night in the SEC, those caliber teams,” senior point guard Ron Steele said. “It was a good opportunity for us to see what it’s like. For the young guys to see what it was like to play on the road was a great experience.”

LSU is 0-2 away from home this season, including a 30-point loss at Utah this week. First-year coach Trent Johnson said a home-heavy early schedule was necessary to get his team healthy and keep his players eligible. LSU returns an experienced squad. Six of their top seven are back, as well as Tasmin Mitchell, who missed last season with an injury.

“Every player on the floor has been through some wars in this league,” Gottfried said. “They’re athletic, long, got experience. They obviously have a new coach as well, but we know their players, and we think their players are very, very good.”

Among those returnees is sharpshooter Marcus Thornton, who leads LSU in scoring, averaging more than 18 points per game.

“Any time he gets a little space, it’s going up,” Steele said. “He has no conscience, which is what makes him dangerous. He’s a great shooter. It’s going to be a challenge for us to limit his opportunities.”

Alabama’s improvement in rebounding must continue, Gottfried said. Justin Knox, Yamene Coleman and freshman JaMychal Green have each shown flashes.

“They’re farther along than they were a month ago. It’s going to be a pretty collective effort for us all year,” the coach said. “For us, rebounding is a part of our defense. Obviously, if you defend someone and give them a second or third chance, it negates what you’ve been doing defensively. That’s been a point of emphasis for us. That’s why our defensive field goal percentage numbers have been lower, because we’ve rebounded the ball defensively very well.”

Alonzo Gee leads the Crimson Tide in scoring (14.5 ppg) and rebounding (7.4 rpg).

“Our guys are excited about the SEC starting,” Gottfried said. “I think our league’s wide open. I think you’ve got 12 teams that all feel like they’ve got a shot at winning their division … It’s not a top-heavy league, so going into it, it’s very wide open.”