Alabama is once again poised to rewrite more history.
After tying the program record for most regular season wins, the Crimson Tide is looking to break that mark on Saturday afternoon. To do that, he’ll have to beat a Missouri that beat Tennessee by eight points less than 24 hours ago. As Alabama seeks its ticket to the SEC Championship Finals, a victory over the Tigers would mark the first time it has beaten Missouri twice in a season since 2016-17.
Here’s everything you need to know about the game.
How to watch
WHO: No. 2 Alabama (27-5) vs. Missouri (22-11)
When: Noon CT, Saturday March 11
Or: Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, Tennessee
Show: ESPN (play-by-play: Karl Ravech; analyst: Jimmy Dykes; sideline: Marty Smith)
Listen: Crimson Tide Sports Network (game by game: Chris Stewart; analyst: Bryan Passink; engineer Tom Stipe)
Alabama’s projected starters
Javon Quinerly: 6-foot-1, 175 pounds, senior
Stats: 7.8 ppg, 1.8 rpg, 3.7 apg, 39.2% FG, 34.3% 3pts
Mark Sear: 6-foot-1, 185 pounds, junior
Stats: 13.3 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 2.6 apg, 42.7% FG, 37.7% 3pt
Brandon Miller: 6-foot-9, 200 pounds, freshman
Stats: 19.6 ppg, 8.0 rpg, 1.8 apg, 45.3% FG, 40.4% 3pt
Noah Clowney: 6-foot-10, 210 pounds, freshman
Stats: 10.0 ppg, 8.2 rpg, 0.9 apg, 48.8% FG, 26.5% 3pt
Charles Bediako: 7 feet, 225 pounds, second year
Stats: 5.7 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 0.6 apg, 63.2% FG
Missouri’s planned starting lineup
NickHonor: 5-foot-10, 200 pounds, senior
Stats: 8.2 ppg, 1.6 rpg, 3.0 apg, 41.9% FG, 40.5% 3pt
D’Moi Hodge: 6-foot-4, 188 pounds, senior
Stats: 14.3 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 1.6 apg, 46.9% FG, 39.6% 3pts
From Andre Gholston: 6-foot-5, 215 pounds, senior
Stats: 10.5 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 1.8 apg, 43.4% FG, 33.7% 3pts
Mohammad Diarra: 6-foot-10, 215 pounds, junior
Stats: 3.6 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 0.6 apg, 45.3% FG, 30.8% 3pt
Kobe Brown: 6-foot-8, 250 pounds, senior
Stats: 16.2 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 2.5 apg, 55.8% FG, 45.5% 3pts
Gurley continues his grind
There’s something to be said for a player who continues to stay ready even when he doesn’t have time to play.
Noah Gurley has done that all season for Alabama, averaging 14.8 minutes per game, but in SEC play he’s only exceeded that average four times. Lately, the senior has seen his playing time shrink even further by playing 10 minutes or less in six of the last seven games.
Either way, Gurley remained committed to the team, just biding his time. On Friday, he was rewarded, scoring 11 points on 4-of-6 shooting in 21 minutes.
“We’ve talked about his leadership all year, I think you see it,” Oats said. “For a guy to have DNPs at the end of the year for a fifth-year senior who was a big contributor, started a lot of games last year, to come in and mentally prepare to leave.
“It’s a team that plays big. Cam Matthews is more traditional at four. We decided to go bigger with Gurley at four more often. He had good practices, he was ready to go. I think he embodies our team, to be honest with you. Amazing culture of guys who just care about their teammates. He continued to lead, never pouted. We needed him today.
While his contributions were needed, Gurley was 3-for-4 from behind the arc, which boosted the team’s 3-point shooting percentage to over 35%. He also had an effective field goal percentage of 92, which was second on the team behind Dom Welch who went 1 for 1 before suffering a tailbone injury.
“He just stuck with it, led the team as a leader, stayed in the gym, worked hard,” Oats said. “I mean, I was in the practice room two days ago. He walked in, sweaty, probably three, four hours after practice was over. I said, ‘What- you do ?’ “He was soaked. He said, ‘I just finished shooting practice.’ But he’s on top, and I’m really happy for him.
A rematch with Kobe Brown
Saturday’s rematch means a second meeting with Huntsville, Alabama native Kobe Brown.
The 6-foot-8 senior led Missouri all season averaging 16.2 points per game and 6.3 rebounds per game. Alabama didn’t get a chance to face Brown during the regular season because he was struggling with an ankle injury. Since returning to the floor, however, he has scored in double figures in all but three games, including a 24-point performance against Tennessee on Friday.
“I wasn’t there when he was recruited out of high school, so I take no responsibility for not recruiting him,” Oats said in January. “Maybe you can put that out there so he doesn’t come after me. I would love to have him in this team. You can tell how good he is.
“He shoots the 3-pointer well, he’s big and strong and when he gets to the rim he finishes. He’s really one of those game guys. There aren’t a lot of holes in his game. “
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