Alabama Basketball Responds to Loss With Another 40-Point Win
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Just 18 days ago, Nate Oats' team took the floor in Coleman Coliseum for the first time after suffering a 24-point loss to Oklahoma.
Alabama walked away that Tuesday night with a historic 57-point victory over Vanderbilt, and sent a reminder to the rest of college basketball that a loss wasn't going to derail this Crimson Tide team, but rather refocus it.
On Saturday, we saw it again.
Coleman Coliseum was loud and rowdy, and once again Alabama walked in trying to cover up and wash away the sting of a loss, this time one that came at the hands of No. 10 Tennessee in a brutally physical matchup on Rocky Top.
Unfortunately for Georgia, the top-ranked Crimson Tide had a similar response to a loss as the last time.
Alabama won by a final score of 108-59. A 49-point margin of victory.
"That was another game after a loss where I feel like our guys came ready to play," Oats said. "I'm hoping we don't have too many more of those, if any, [...] but I feel like our guys kept themselves mentally ready to go after we lost to Tennessee."
The Crimson Tide wasted no time making an emphatic statement as the game began. At the under-16 timeout, Alabama already held a double-digit lead. Brandon Miller had nine points, Mark Sears had nine points, and the entire Georgia team had eight points.
"We came out of the gate, our starting group got us off to a great start and pushed the lead out," Oats said.
"We bounced back. It was tough, the game didn't go our way Wednesday," Sears said. "We just locked in for practice the last two days and got after it, and the results showed."
For the game, the Crimson Tide was refocused in every way. Nineteen turnovers against Tennessee on Wednesday dropped down to just 11. Alabama made 16 of its 34 attempts from downtown, and outrebounded the Bulldogs by 20.
Alabama even scored an astounding 52 bench points against Georgia, compared to just 17 against the Volunteers.
"I think our guys have a way about them to make sure we come out with a little bit different resolve," Oats said. "Practices were good, film sessions were better. We've got a group that owns what they need to get better at."
Alabama has followed up all four losses this season with a win: a 2-point win over North Carolina, a 20-point win over Jackson State, a 57-point win over Vanderbilt, and now a 49-point win over Georgia.
Oats attributes his team's ability to respond to its communication.
"We talk pretty openly and regularly after losses," Oats said. "What was the issue, what do we have to get better at. They own it, they make sure that it doesn't pop up again as an issue and they've done a pretty good job of it."
With the end of the season rapidly approaching and the postseason play appearing on the horizon, Oats and Alabama fans alike hope the Crimson Tide won't have to answer another loss this season.
But if it does, good luck to whoever is next on the schedule.
See also:
Alabama Defeats Georgia 108-59 with the Best Shooting Night of the Season
No. 1 Alabama’s Success at Coleman Coliseum This Season Isn’t Ordinary
