The Alabama Crimson Tide are playing their best basketball in March, and they are looking better than ever.
The second-seeded Tide continued their winning ways against a tough 15-seed in Iona, winning 68-55 on Saturday.
Iona, coached by Rick Pitino, who has upset Alabama before in the Tournament before, came out strong against the Tide. The Gaels went on a 7-0 run before the half to bring them within one point at half-time. The two teams went back and forth trading blows for the beginning of the second half until Jahvon Quinerly began to take over the game.
A 9-0 run midway through the second half for the Tide built up a seven-point lead over the Gaels. Alabama eventually went on to win the game 68-55 by playing stiff defense and not allowing Iona to get anything going on the offensive side of the ball.
Herb Jones paved the way with 20 points to go along with six rebounds in the first-round win. Jones has been a leader for the Crimson Tide all year, and today was no different.
While Jones scored the most points for coach Nate Oats’ squad, Quinerly really stepped up when the Tide needed him the most. Quinerly seemed to score almost every time Iona tried to go on a run in the final five minutes of the game.
He managed to never let the Gaels get in a rhythm by driving to the basket, and his speed and quickness were too much for the opposition every time he drove in late in the game.
Other Tide players who made a big impact in the win were Jaden Shackelford and John Petty, who both scored in the double digits. The two both struggled from deep this game as they each shot 1-5 from beyond the arc. However, Petty’s seven rebounds led the team.
Alex Reese went 2-2 from deep, but couldn’t get any more buckets besides those two.
Next for the Tide will be a matchup against the winner of UCONN versus Maryland. If Bama can survive round two, they would be projected to face off against three-seed Texas in the Sweet 16.
One thing to keep in mind during Alabama’s run in this tournament is that the one-seed in their region is Michigan, who lost arguably their best player at the end of the season.
Alabama’s round of 32 game is set for Monday, March 22. The Tide will look to keep this magical season moving forward no matter the opponent.
Hayden Crigler is a contributing college football and college basketball writer for Yellowhammer News. You can contact him through email: hayden@new-yhn.local or on Twitter: @hayden_crigler.
