Postgame Analysis - URI at Alabama
The truth is, Rhody needed the win to have a winning record against big non-conference teams, which could have possibly put them in the top 25. They started the game like they did against Nevada and the result was just as devastating, as the Rams lost by 4 points to the Crimson Tide. Yes, there were some missed calls, but you are not going to win games on turnovers if you can't capitalize on them, only hitting 35% of field goals and going 7-23 behind the arc. The second half performance was better than the first, but overall, they looked sloppy. Alabama outrebounded them by nearly 20 times, which is an area where Rhode Island has always needed to improve on. Alabama was collectively able to find the basket down low, even without their star freshman Collin Sexton playing for a majority of the game. Their biggest issue (same against Nevada) was finding an answer to stop the drive, and it wasn't until the last 7 minutes of play in the second half that they started double teaming Alabama down low and rallying back. URI needs to start the game off stronger offensively and play with the same aggression they had against Seton Hall and Providence, if they plan on controlling the tempo of the game. Hopefully, with the return of E.C. in the near future, this matter will be put to rest.
