Vasha Hunt-USA TODAY Sports
'Angry Chuck' Continuing to Build on Postseason Success
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BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Open locker rooms in the postseason creates a whole different dynamic for covering a team than regular season media availabilities set up behind podiums with microphones and the bright lights of cameras recording every word.
The players feel more relaxed and in turn can be more of themselves. It creates opportunities for their personalities to shine. Over the past two weekends getting to spend more time with the Alabama players, by far the most soft spoken is the 7-foot center Charles Bediako. But his performance on the court this postseason has been anything but quiet.
In Alabama's 73-51 win over Maryland late Saturday night in the Round of 32, Bediako had his fifth double-double of the season with 10 points and 10 rebounds.
"He’s been a huge presence for us," Alabama senior Jahvon Quinerly said about Bediako. "I really think he made that jump this year from last year, and he’s been huge for us. I feel like he doesn’t get a ton of credit, but his teammates, we definitely let him know that he's a huge part of what we do.”
Despite his quiet demeanor off the court, Bediako has been given the nickname "Angry Chuck" by his teammates since his freshman season. Alabama head coach Nate Oats has started to see more of that emerging over the last few weeks.
"The whole 'Angry Chuck' deal is very true," Oats said. "He has a side of him that comes out when we need it to come out. Part of his offensive rebounding is him playing aggressive and hard."
Alabama's starting center has been cleaning up the glass, even on the offensive end. Half of his rebounds against the Terrapins were on the offensive glass. In just 15 minutes of playing time against Texas A&M- Corpus Christi in the Round of 64, Bediako had 8 rebounds with half of them being offensive.
It's helped lead to second-chance points for the Crimson Tide, which has been helpful when the 3-point shot hasn't been falling at a high rate. Offensive rebounding is a part of the game Bediako really enjoys.
"Just knowing you can get an offensive rebound and give your team a second chance to run an offense better— it’s just a great feeling," he said after the game. "Especially the home crowd, they cheer really loud as if you dunked the ball or something. Anything you can do to contribute to help the team, or give them as much extra possessions as possible. That’s kind of what we chase for."
The Crimson Tide had 16 second-chance points in the 22-point win over Maryland.
Bediako was third on the team in rebounds throughout the regular season behind Brandon Miller and Noah Clowney, averaging 5.6 rebounds per game. In the Crimson Tide's five postseason games so far, Bediako is averaging 8.4 rebounds per game.
The true sophomore has been a consistent starter in the Alabama lineup all season long, but was more of an understated player. His performance in the SEC Tournament was strong enough to earn honors on the all-tournament team, and he has carried over that performance into the Crimson Tide's two NCAA games so far and wants to keep it going as Alabama prepares for a Sweet 16 matchup with San Diego State.
"I think things are starting to be put in place for me at the right time," Bediako said after the Maryland win. "Postseason has been really good so far. I just want to keep it going— me and the rest of my guys.”
See also:
Everything Nate Oats, Alabama Basketball Said After Win over Maryland
Alabama Basketball Returns to its Roots, Suffocating Maryland With Defense
