Teams

GU:
The Hoyas started the game very sloppily, with some turnovers and ill-advised shots. As the game wore on though, the team gained focus. The Hoyas played very well in the last four minutes of the game, which is when it counts, so that was encouraging. It would be nice if the Hoyas could start out looking sharp, and perhaps jump on teams early, like they did against Michigan.

Ala:
They had a good game plan coming in, and it almost worked. They tried to push the pace of the game, knowing that they couldn’t beat us at our own game. Poor foul shooting hurt them - this was most noticeable after Ewing fouled Mykal Riley shooting a 3 to give Alabama the lead, but Riley only converted on one of the three, and the Hoyas kept the lead.

Players

GU:
Another good performance by DaJuan Summers; he again led the team in scoring, this time with 18 points. He also made two important three pointers down the stretch, one with the Hoyas down with under four minutes to play, and had nine rebounds.

Ala:
Richard Hendrix did well inside, but Mykal Riley was the biggest threat for the Crimson Tide. He made his first four three-pointers in the second half, the fourth one giving Alabama the lead with four minutes left in the game. Fortunately for the Hoyas, he did not get another look until the Hoyas were already up eight, and he missed it anyway.

Coaches

Thompson did well in this game, for one reason in particular. He used his timeouts instead of waiting for the official timeouts. He did this twice, once at a critical point in the game. Riley had just made a 3 to retake the lead for Alabama with 3:52 left. Thompson elected to use a timeout to quiet the crowd, settle his team, and draw up a play. On the ensuing possession, the Hoyas got a three from Summers and didn’t trail for the rest of the game. Good TO management from Coach.

Referees

You know the refs do a good job when you don’t remember who they are. There were a few missed calls, as always, and perhaps a few fouls that weren’t called, but in general I’d rather have it that way than the other way around.

Fans

The “neutral” crowd at the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex became very pro-Alabama near the end of the game. Not unexpected, but it helps that the Hoyas were able to grit out a close one in such a hostile environment. It might serve them well come March.

Number of the Game

+16: Rebounding margin for the Hoyas in this game, their largest of the season. They also had 15 offensive rebounds, which was only 4 less than Alabama’s defensive total of 19.

Big East Sweep

In the second game of the double header at the BJCC, West Virginia routed Auburn 88-59. They started the game on a 28-6 run and never looked back. Despite having a new coach this year, it seems as though the Mountaineers will cause problems for the teams of the Big East.