Rhody MBB's Keys to Beating Alabama
Going into arguably Rhody MBB's hardest matchup remaining on their entire regular season schedule, they have a few keys to defeating Alabama on the road. On Wednesday, December 6, 2017, URI will go to war with Alabama at 8:00 pm and it will be televised on the SEC ESPN Network (also available on WatchESPN).
1. STOP COLLIN SEXTON
The primary way for the Rhode Island Rams to beat the Alabama Crimson Tide revolves around star Alabama freshman, Collin Sexton. Even if he is not scoring the ball well on any given night, Sexton still affects the game in so many ways. While it is easier said than done, the deep group of URI guards needs to keep Sexton out of the lane and off the stat sheet. No basketball is too far for Sexton to track down and he is a ballhawk so URI better secure every rebound with two hands and keep a tight dribble. There is a reason why Collin Sexton almost single-handedly beat #14 Minnesota, while playing 3 vs. 5.
2. Defend the three-point line well and control the glass, just like how UCF did.
UCF just went into Alabama's home arena on Sunday afternoon as 9.5-point underdogs and upset the Crimson Tide. The Knights pulled off the massive upset, thanks in large part to holding Avery Johnson's team to 23.1% shooting from beyond the arc and securing 37 total rebounds, which was good for nine more than the 28 total rebounds that Alabama grabbed. Even though UCF turned the ball over 20 times, they escaped with the 65-62 win because of their defense on the perimeter and their stellar rebounding.
3. Limit the number of free throws that Alabama attempts.
In extremely close victories at home vs. Louisiana Tech (77-74) and UT-Arlington (77-76), the Crimson Tide got to the free throw line 37 times and 24 times, respectively. Even in Alabama's aforementioned defeat at the hands of UCF, they kept the game close by getting to the free throw line 23 times. The Rams need to keep Alabama off the charity stripe as much as possible.
