Alabama’s Dominance Over LSU Similar to the 2021 Matchup
The Alabama Crimson Tide dominated the LSU Tigers 106-66. This was Alabama's biggest margin of victory inside Coleman Coliseum in an SEC game since 2005 against Auburn. The Crimson Tide made a total of 20 three-pointers. This performance is reminiscent of Alabama's performance against LSU in 2021 at Baton Rouge.
Alabama shot 53.5% from 3-point range against LSU in 2021, making 23 three-pointers, 14 three-pointers, and scoring 60 points in the first half. The Tide won 105-75 over the Tigers.
Two years later, Alabama once again destroys LSU. Despite the fact that the statistics were lower than in the previous battle, the margin and total points were substantially bigger. The Tide scored 59 points in the first half, went 37% from three, and once again tied its record for most threes in a half with 14. The difference between this game and the one in 2021 was that this one had fans in the stands, was played in Coleman, and featured new players.
Head coach Nate Oates was asked if it was just a coincidence that his team shot so effectively against LSU similar to two years ago. “It’s different players, different staff just a coincidence.”
Brandon Miller led the team in 3-point shooting with seven makes. Jahvon Quinerly, who played in that 2021 game, hit four 3-pointers. Mark Sears, Rylan Griffen, and Noah Gurley each hit two 3-pointers, while Dom Welch, Adam Cottrell, and Jared Bradley each hit one of the game's 20 total 3-pointers. Bradley had the game's best play, a buzzer-beating half-court shot at the end of the first half that gave Alabama its 14th 3-pointer.
“We got some shooters, we value shooting,” said Nate Oats on his team’s shooting. “We try to keep recruiting the best shooters we can in the country. We shot 54%, but not a lot of teams shoot 54% in a span of 3 or 4 games. We keep taking them. If you’re open, you shoot it here.”
Alabama was winning games and vying for the SEC championship in 2021. They went on to win the regular season as well as the conference tournament. The Tide is back on that same path, trying to replicate their success from the 2020-2021 season. Following the win and Tennessee's loss to Kentucky, Alabama is now the lone leader in the SEC standings. On Tuesday, Jan. 17, the Tide will travel to Nashville to face Vanderbilt.