LAS VEGAS – I believe that Coach Nate Oats’ Crimson Tide will be the best team that Houston has played thus far, And Alabama will be the best team they play all year.

The Tide appears to have the deepest offensive threat in the country. All ten of their rotation players are capable of hurting you on offense. They have a TON of length, having started three 6’11″+ players for most of the season. But Oats recently removed Jarin Stevenson and added true freshman Labaron Philon to the starting lineup to give them an additional guard who pushes the ball on offense and makes creative plays.

Mark Sears is Alabama’s point guard and the head of the snake. Sears is an All-American and a candidate for the National Player of the Year award. He had a rough outing in his last game vs Illinois, where he scored zero points. I expect Alabama to look to get him going early and often. They have great guard play and several big men who are super athletic and capable of scoring in the paint and shooting from beyond the arc.

Both teams could be in the Final Four, and Tuesday night’s game could come down to the final possession. There is a lot of NIL money on the line in the Players Era Tournament, and legends coach both teams. I would expect an intense game between two Goliaths in college basketball.

Alabama Offense

• There is not a better team in the nation at attacking the paint to score. If they get denied, they make the right pass to kick out for an open three-point attempt. They always make the extra pass to an open shooter.
• Alabama likes to RUN in offensive transition. They fill their lanes and look to attack quickly. The Coogs must identify who they are guarding and communicate in defensive transition. (This is something Coach Sampson makes a priority every year.)
• Blitzing the pick and roll scares me against Alabama. Their guys are excellent passers and are unselfish enough to make the “extra” pass to a wide-open shooter. If Houston guards don’t rotate fast enough, the shot will already be through the net.

Alabama Defense

• The Houston guards should look to attack the paint on offense. They could be better at defending the lane. They have likely worked on their pick-and-roll defense and help-side defense over the past few practices.
• Alabama switches on most screens and hand-offs. I would create as many mismatches as possible and try to get the ball in the paint.
• The Tide loves to take chances on jumping passing lanes for steals (especially Philon and Holloway). UH must take care of the ball and make crisp passes.

Alabama Personnel

*#1- Mark Sears – 6’1″ (Yeah Right…) – GR – Point Guard – (Ohio)

17ppg, 4rpg, 4apg, 35% 3FG%, 80% FT%

• “Head of the Snake”
• LEFTY;
• Small/All-American point guard;
• Can make the DEEP three-pointer;
• Excellent floater in the paint;
• Excellent play-maker; Creates offense for his teammates;
• Tough defender;
• Did not play well vs. Illinois, but he is the real deal. The Coogs can’t allow him to get hot;

*#0- Labaron Philon – 6’4″ – FR – Guard

12ppg, 4rpg, 4apg

• Had Houston on his final recruiting list; Committed to Auburn and Kansas before signing with Alabama;
• Super athletic guard; Fantastic at driving downhill to attack the basket;
• Fearless; Was ultra-aggressive against Purdue and Illinois;
• Good defender; Anticipates steals really well;

*#3- Latrell Wrightsell Jr. – 6’3″ – GR – Guard – (Cal State- Fullerton)

12ppg, 2.5rpg

• Outstanding combo guard;
• Solid three-point shooter;
• Loves to attack the paint to score; If stopped, he typically makes the right read;

*#4- Grant Nelson – 6’11” – GR – Forward – (North Dakota State)

12ppg, 7rpg

• Long/stretch forward; Three-level scorer;
• Solid three-point shooter; Good mid-range shooter;
• Very athletic; Great at using his length to attack the rim;
• Very patient player; Loves to use the pump fake to get his guy in the air. DON’T JUMP!!;
• Must find him in transition; He’s likely running to a corner to spot up;

*#11- Clifford Omoruyi – 6’11” – GR – Forward – (Rutgers)

10ppg, 8rpg, 2bpg

• Tall/athletic post player;
• Likes to mix it up in the paint;
• Great rebounder on both ends; Crazy long wing-span;
• Kind of raw at making moves on offense; Excellent at catching for dunks and scoring off of offensive rebounds; Solid in the pick and roll;

#15- Jarin Stevenson – 6’11” – SO – Forward

4ppg, 4rpg

• Tall/athletic forward;
• Solid at attacking the rim;

#2- Aden Holloway – 6’1″ – SO – Guard – (Auburn)

6ppg, 2rpg

• Three-point shooting guard;
• Deadly shooter from beyond the arc;
• Likes to shoot the three-pointer off the bounce (out of the pick and roll);
• Capable of driving to score, but would prefer to drive and pass;
• Gets lost on defense sometimes; “Ball watcher”

#35- Derrion Reid – 6’8″ – FR – Forward

7ppg, 4rpg

• Long/athletic forward;
• Solid in the paint;
• Capable three-point shooter; 3/7 this year from beyond the arc;

#10- Mouhamed Dioubate – 6’7″ – SO – Forward

5ppg, 4rpg

• LEFTY;
• Tall forward;
• Can make the open three-point shot; It’s ugly…but he can make it; 2/4 on season;
• (He’s the shooter in the first clip above)

#22- Aiden Sherrell – 6’10” – FR – Forward

2ppg, 4rpg

• Long/big body forward;
• Capable three-point shooter; Just get a hand in his face; 0-3 on the season;
• Better at scoring in the paint; Especially off of the pick and roll;

#8- Chris Youngblood – 6’4″ – GR – Guard- (South Florida/Kennesaw State)

• Has been injured and has not played yet this year;
• Not expected to play until December, but I would not count him out;

Keys to Victory

1. Must get a hand in their face and force a tough shot. Open shots will likely be buckets.
2. Get back quickly in transition defense. Houston must communicate at an extremely high level. Their post players are rim-running, and their guards are hitting the corners. The ball handler is pushing until he is stopped. No easy baskets in transition!
3. Force side-to-side shot attempts. When they get paint touches, and the defense collapses, they are the best team in the country at making you pay.
4. Limit them to ONE shot. If you allow them to get offensive rebounds, they make you pay with the dagger-three. UH must own the defensive glass and send all five guys to rebound.
5. Offense attack the paint. They are not great at keeping guards from driving. Drive until you are stopped, and then kick out for three. The Coogs need to get some fast break opportunities.
6. Toughest team wins. These are two of the best teams in the country. It could come down to who gets the last loose ball, offensive rebound, or takes a charge. Coach Sampson admits that Auburn was the tougher team earlier in the year. The Tide can’t be the tougher team on Tuesday evening.

 
Brad Towns contributed to this report.