The three-pointer: Takeaways from Alabama’s matchup against McNeese

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Alabama basketball was tested again by another mid-major side with a coach familiar with Nate Oats’ style. The Crimson Tide felt the heat of a motivated McNeese team in its 72-64 victory on Monday. The Cowboys were down in the first half but came within striking distance as Alabama’s offense sputtered for most of the final period.

Here are three takeaways from Alabama’s win over McNeese

Alabama had just 48 hours to prepare for McNeese after the win over Arkansas State. Fortunately for Oats, he is more familiar with McNeese coach Will Wade than a few of the newer coaches in the SEC this season.

Oats told the Crimson Tide Sports Network before the game that ball movement would be key to countering McNeese’s defense. The Cowboys switched everything when Alabama moved the ball, and its defense was initially successful against Alabama’s bigger starting lineup that included Jarin Stevenson, Grant Nelson and Clifford Omouryi.

The Crimson Tide worked their way into the game after an early push from McNeese. Oats replaced his entire starting lineup with the exception of Mark Sears after the first media timeout. 6-foot-7 forward Mouhamed Dioubate was the Tide’s center for a short while in the first half as Oats let his smaller lineups navigate the Cowboys’ defense before Oats slowly rotated the Tide’s bigs back in.

The rotation had a positive effect in the first half as Alabama went on a 15-2 run in the middle part of the first half to create an ultimately insurmountable advantage for the Cowboys.

It wasn’t for the Cowboys’ lack of trying, though. Alabama couldn’t seem to maintain that rhythm offensively as ball movement slowed, shots stopped falling and the Tide’s offense stagnated.

Alabama continued to struggle to find a rhythm in the second half and didn’t have as many second-chance opportunities or as strong a presence on the glass. Both teams tied with 35 rebounds each, while McNeese grabbed 12 offensive rebounds compared to Alabama’s eight.

Alabama had to lean on its Final Four contributors to win Saturday.

In the second half, Alabama went a 4:09 stretch without scoring and over nine minutes without a field goal in the second half. Outside of Mark Sears, Grant Nelson and Latrell Wrightsell Jr. no players finished in double figures as a lid appeared to cover the rim for most of Monday’s contest.

Alabama shot just 43.5% from the field and 34.3% from 3 as a team Monday. The Tide managed to make more 3s with 11 Saturday compared to just six against Arkansas State. But the Crimson Tide has hardly been the elite shooting team of years past to start the new season.

Sears, Nelson and Wrightsell were the only three players with a triple outside of a lone Derrion Reid made 3. Sophomore Aden Holloway finished 0 of 5 from the field, while Jarin Stevenson had just four points and was 0 of 4 from deep.

Alabama also struggled from the free throw line for a third straight game. The Tide shot just 70.8% from the charity stripe, which helped keep McNeesee in the contest and hints at a troubling trend for Alabama moving forward.

Fortunately for Oats and Company, Alabama’s top three returning players managed to carry the load offensively. Wrightsell found his shot and finished with 15 points on five made 3s. Sears also had 15 points and added five assists and a steal defensively.

Among Alabama’s elite returners, Nelson shined brightest on both ends. The fifth-year forward received praise after the Crimson Tide’s win over Arkansas State, where he played well in 26 minutes — despite Oats saying before the game he would be on a minute limit — and helped Alabama survive a tough Red Wolves side. Nelson finished with 12 points and six rebounds.

Nelson didn’t take long on Monday to build on that performance. He was included in Alabama’s starting lineup and was the Tide’s standout player in the first half. He finished the opening period with 16 points, four rebounds and one assist.

Like the rest of Alabama’s lineup, Nelson struggled to score for most of the second half. But the North Dakota State transfer continued to set the tone for the Tide on both ends. He finished with 22 points, seven rebounds and three blocks.

After a 3-0 start, Alabama does not return to Coleman Coliseum until Dec. 14 when it faces Creighton. The Tide now begins a strong stretch of its non-conference schedule, beginning with a matchup on the road against No. 13 Purdue. The Tide will face the Boilermakers at 6pm CT Friday in West Lafayette, Indiana.