BamaCentral Courtside: Alabama 82, Seton Hall 76

Theo Fernandez alongside Hunter DeCiver from Bama Central Courtside right here at Coleman Coliseum, Alabama. Just won its first power conference matchup of the season, 82-76 over Seton Hall. Fun game, clear, elevated competition compared to what the Tide had faced before. And once again, Hunter, rebounding is a storyline. Just walk us through what you saw in the glass to start things out. I thought in the first half it was excellent and I think Shaheen Holloway said something along the lines of like they were treating us like we were little boys. And then just kind of a flip switch and it kind of reflected on the scoreboard too. Alabama goes on a 16-0 run to end the half. They were great in the rebounding and defensive department during those final four minutes. And then it was kind of a theme last year where they struggled to start the second half or just later on in the game they didn't finish as well. And we kind of saw that tonight, especially on rebounding. Yeah, 21-12 in favor of the Pirates on the glass in the second half. It's really emblematic of some of Alabama's struggles. Like, it makes sense with this team, right? So I'm watching the game first half, getting ready to talk about the kind of halftime adjustments Alabama needs to make, and then you see that 16-0 run, you see the great spurts, and then you also see a team that just doesn't look like it has, I guess, leadership right now to put together a full 40 minutes. What do you need to see develop there from a young team that still doesn't look all that cohesive at times? Yeah, I mean, it's interesting, the whole leadership thing, because, I mean, I feel like Nate has applauded. Aiden for his leadership many times this year and this was only his second game so maybe that kind of plays a role. I mean maybe leadership and practice is great but when it's right here where we're standing it's totally different so I think that plays a role. I think kind of the same thing goes for Mari Allen. I mean this is kind of a big year for him like he withdrew from the draft and he had an amazing game tonight. But on top of playing well, you've got to show that you can lead. And we definitely have seen some moments there, but we can see more for sure. Look, Amari Allen is somebody that we're going to be grading so harshly this season, right? Because you didn't come back to be a first-round pick. You basically were a first-round pick a year ago if you stayed. You came back to be a lottery pick. And especially when you look at LeBaron Filon and the way that he comes back, has a great season, and still doesn't become a lottery pick. Like, it's going to be so harsh with Amari Allen. The margin for error is so low. Like, you go out and you have three rebounds in this game against Seton Hall. Nate Oates is going to call it out postgame. We are going to pick it apart after the game. And that is something that, you know, like Amari Allen, it's going to be. Yeah, you can go to the line, you know, shoot 12 free throws, but guess what? You missed a couple late in the game, and it almost reminded me of a different case about LeBaron Fowler missing a key free throw in a November matchup against Purdue, right? They heard that Alabama lost. This could have been a loss. This Crimson Tide team could have lost this game here on this court, and you've got to give the team credit for winning the game, right? Beating a Seton Hall team that frankly looks like they will compete in the Big East. That's right. So I guess to wrap it up, like all things considered, you took care of business, but it certainly wasn't perfect and it wasn't even all that great. That's where I'll leave things on this edition of Bama Central Courtside Analysis a little before I do on it. You're right, tied up, tied down for Alabama basketball. Usually, yes. Tied down, 8 p.m. tip-offs. This is just too late. We shouldn't be playing basketball this late, guys. This is being recorded at midnight. This is being recorded at midnight, and it speaks to how delusional we are right now. But thank you all for tuning in. This edition will be back with more coverage as the Crimson Tide season continues against Kennesaw State next week.