Alabama Basketball Final Four Practice Notes: April 5, 2024

Notes from the Crimson Tide's final practice before the Final Four.

GLENDALE, Ariz. — The Final Four is now just a little over 24 hours away, with Alabama basketball completing its final preparations before playing in a national semifinal for the first time in school history.

On Friday afternoon, all 45 minutes of the Crimson Tide's practice from State Farm Stadium was open to both the fans and media for viewing. Here are some notes from the viewing period:

1. Lots and lots of shooting

As is the case with every single Alabama basketball practice, the team shot a whole lot of shots. The practice started with a drill we've seen in a few of these open practices with the team divided into competing teams that try to hit 10 threes before the other team, then they swap ends.

While shooting is always important in a new venue, it's especially important for the Final Four. The game is played at State Farm Stadium, which is the home of the Arizona Cardinals. It will most certainly be the largest venue any of these players have played against, with the capacity being over 75,000 fans.

The court is elevated, with immensely more space around the court than a normal college basketball gym. Sight lines and depth perception will be different, so getting as many shots up in the new venue as possible will be essential as Alabama will need a good shooting game against UConn.

2. Wrightsell looks like himself.

The health of Latrell Wrightsell has been one of the most followed storylines all week, and good news for Alabama fans, he practiced in full on Friday. Per Oats, he started practicing for the first time this week since he suffered a head injury against Grand Canyon back in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

CBS Sports' Jon Rothstein confirmed on Friday afternoon that Wrightsell will be available to play during Saturday night's game, and during Friday's locker room availability Wrightsell himself said he felt '100 percent.'

He looked 100 percent during Alabama's practice, knocking down shots as he normally does and fully participating in all drills.

3. Individual position work

After Alabama's initial shootaround, the practice shifted into a time of position work with the guards and the bigs.

The guards, of course, did more shooting, working with assistant coach Austin Claunch. Shooting off the catch, shooting off the dribble, shooting coming off screens. Any possible way you can take a shot in a game, the guards were doing it.

On the other end, the bigs worked with assistant coach Ryan Pannone on some smaller fundamental details. They worked on setting screens and rolling to the basket, worked on cutting and finishing at the rim, and worked on throwing, catching and finishing lobs.