The greatest workforce in Alabama basketball historical past improved to 29-5 by defeating Texas A&M within the finals of the SEC Tournament on Sunday afternoon.
The Tide received 82-63, working away from the Aggies late. For the second time in three years Nate Oats and his squad pulled the double championship, profitable the common season and match crowns. TAMU fell to 25-9 on the season.
Now Bama waits for the choice present at 5 p.m. tonight to see their total seed and vacation spot.
The workforce is unquestionably in line for the primary total, and ought to be in Birmingham for the primary spherical, adopted by Louisville in spherical two.
RECAP
The Tide continued utilizing the beginning lineup that they used all through tue match: Jahvon Quinerly, Mark Sears, Charles Bediako, Noah Clowney, and Brandon Miller made up the quintet. Since Quinerly has changed Jaden Bradley initially of video games Bama hasn’t been tormented by the early sport gradual begins that had turn out to be the current norm.
After a poor capturing day yesterday, the Tide got here out sizzling in the present day. Sears, who has been particularly chilly, hit a three-point shot proper off for a fast 3-0 lead. Bediako got here to life the entire match and confirmed off his ability set by blocking a shot on one finish, working the court docket, and scoring on the opposite finish.
Quinerly did not make a single subject objective on Saturday however made his three-pointer on the 17:46 mark, and Q early scoring is all the time an ideal signal for the Tide.
Miller started the sport performing as extra of a subject normal than pure scorer: crisp passing and directing the ground. Then he hit a 3 level shot with 15:40 left, and the lead was out to 16-7. It regarded just like the begin to a pleasant run, however refball would quickly emerge.
Miller was known as for 2 expenses a few minutes a component, with one being doubtful at greatest, and got here out of the sport. Fortunately the Tide’s protection, anchored by Bediako down low, was relentless. That was helped by Rylan Griffen breaking out of his capturing stoop with a three-pointer, and Quinerly knocked down a few extra.
With 9:48 left the lead was 24-13 for the Tide.
Miller returned with 7:55 left within the half. Bediako saved making his presence identified on each ends of the court docket, enjoying some the perfect basketball of his Alabama profession this weekend. When Miller made two free throws with 4:10 left, Bama had a 33-17 lead with the Aggies going nearly 10 minutes and not using a subject objective. As is their norm, A&M did proceed to get to the foul line. Miller was known as for his third foul with 2:33 left and needed to sit for the remainder of the interval.
by halftime the had Tide shot 11-27 for 41%, with 6-18 for 33% from deep and 6-10 from the charity stripe. Bama had 21 rebounds, seven offensively, with 5 blocks, three steals, six assists, and 7 turnovers. Quinerly had 13 factors on 5-8 capturing whereas Miller had eight with six boards and two assists. The Aggies shot 6-29 for 21%, 1-4 from three level vary 10-12 from the road, and had 20 rebounds, 9 offensively with three steals, two assists, and eight turnovers.
Bama used the identical beginning lineup to start the second half. TAM scored first to drag inside 9, in a sport that it felt like they need to have been down no less than 20. Quinerly, Miller, Clowney, and Bediako made positive the Tide did not let the lead diminish any additional.
With 12:35 left the rating was 47-38 and Miller started heating up, scoring 11 factors in a six-minute stretch. Even technical fouls on Quinerly and Oats could not decelerate the Tide. When Miller took off from the foul line and hammered residence a defiant dunk the sport was over and Miller had sewn up the MVP award. Quinerly’s little brother, Jaden, even obtained within the scoring column making certainly one of two free throws for the final Tide level of the sport.
In the second half, the Tide shot 16-39 for 41%, 6-18 from three once more, and made 10-12 free throws. Overall Bama completed 27-66 for 41%, 12-36 for 33% from deep, and 16-22 for 73% from the stripe. The Tide had 50 rebounds, 21 of them offensive, 16 assists, seven blocks, six steals, and 12 turnovers.
Miller scored 23 regardless of capturing 5-20 from the sector, 4-14 from three level vary, and 9-10 from the free throw line. The tremendous star had one other double-double with 12 rebounds and added 4 assists and three steals, all whereas combating foul hassle and solely enjoying half-hour. Quinerly shot 8-14, 4-8 from deep, and scored 22 with three assists.
Bediako was a stalwart all weekend and had one other double-double with 12 factors, 13 rebounds, 5 blocks, and numerous pictures altered. The 7’0” Canadian even added a few assists and the Tide shared the ball unbelievably the entire match. Clowney was restricted to 19 minutes with foul hassle however had sufficient time to attain 9 factors, snatch 11 rebounds, and dish out three assists. Griffen obtained his contact again and had 9 factors in 20 minutes.
Miller was participant of the sport and Bediako took the laborious hat.
Texas A&M shot 13-35 for 37% within the second together with 4-11 for 36% from three and made 10-12 free throws. Overall the Aggies shot solely 30% on 19-64 from the ground and 5-15 from behind the arc. Buzz Ball depends on getting freebies, and A&M obtained to the road lots, the place they made 20-24 free throws (83%). A&M 37 rebounds, 17 offensively, solely six assists, two blocks, 5 steals, and 13 turnovers.
All-SEC guard Wade Taylor IV was held to 13 pints on 3-11 capturing, whereas Tyrece Bradford shot 4-16 for 12 factors and Dexter Dennis 4-12 for 14 factors. Those three had huge video games final week when the Aggies beat the Tide within the final (meaningless) common season sport.
TAKEAWAYS
After the sport Miller stated “ the mission is not done, we have a few more games left” and that “being home (he is from the Nashville area) was huge, I had my whole family here with me.” When requested about the potential of enjoying in Birmingham Miller stated that the Bama followers would undoubtedly present up there.
Bediako, Quinerly, and Miller have been all named to the All-Tournament workforce with Miller additionally being named the Most Valuable Player. The have been joined by Taylor IV, Ezra Manjon from Vanderbilt, and D’Moi Hodge of Missouri.
This was the Tide’s eighth SEC Tournament title, second most behind solely Kentucky (an precise Blue Blood, not a made-up one-year surprise). Oats has now received 9 straight video games within the metropolis of Nashville, three at Vanderbilt, and 6 within the SEC Tournament. The 29 wins the workforce has is probably the most in class historical past.
Miller has proven precisely what I felt this summer season once I noticed a workforce apply. After half-hour I texted the group and informed them that Brandon was the perfect participant to ever put on the Crimson uniform. I’ve been going to video games in Coleman — nee Memorial- Coliseum for over 50 years and have seen all of them however the Rocket Eight.
I stand by my proclamation. Miller is the perfect participant to ever put on a crimson jersey.
Quinerly battled again from a devastating damage and embraced his position and he now seems again to being March JQ. Bediako is blossoming in entrance of our eyes, Clowney is a probable first spherical choose, and the opposite items take turns shining.
This is a workforce constructed for a future, with powerful veteran guards, a famous person, and loads of depth and flexibility. As Oats as stated many instances the protection wins sport and the three-point shot simply decide by how a lot.
What an thrilling time to be an Alabama basketball fan!
Roll Tide
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