Midseason Report Card: Grading No. 4 Alabama Halfway Through Conference Play
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The Alabama Crimson Tide is currently in the middle of an SEC championship run. A superstar player, incredible depth and an ability to play on both ends are all reasons the Crimson Tide is one of the teams capable of hanging a national championship banner at the end of the season.
And if that statement seems brash, just ask the oddsmakers in Las Vegas. Alabama currently has the second-best odds to lift the trophy on April 3.
Halfway through SEC play, the Crimson Tide is still unbeaten.
Some players have overachieved, others have underachieved. Here’s a look at my grades for the Crimson Tide thus far this season.
Coaching Staff: A+
It all begins with head coach Nate Oats and his staff. After an underwhelming 2021-22 season, Oats and his assistants wanted to return to the success from two years ago. Alabama lost three of its top four scorers from last season with Jaden Shackelford, Keon Ellis and JD Davison exiting to the NBA. So, the Crimson Tide brought in the No. 3 class in 2022 — a class that has now become the cornerstone of success this year. Alabama also brought in two high-profile transfers to bolster the roster.
It’s one thing to have a roster full of players that can play at a high-level — it’s another to keep them all engaged and producing. The Crimson Tide has a rotation of 11 on most nights — full of veterans and top recruits. It’s very difficult to manage minutes in that situation — and even harder to keep some players from losing confidence if they’re playing poorly and losing minutes. Oats and the rest of the staff have done a phenomenal job of keeping every player on the roster bought in regardless of personal success.
Lastly, Oats and Co. have had to deal with a situation that no other staff in the country has. Former player Darius Miles was charged with capital murder in the middle of the team’s season. Rather than let the situation have a detrimental effect on the team, Alabama has turned the situation for the better by getting closer as a team as it grieves for its former teammate and friend.
Oats is due for a hefty extension soon — and for good reason.
Mark Sears: A
Sears was one of two transfers into the Crimson Tide program this season — and he has been everything that was expected and more. The Ohio transfer from Muscle Shoals, Ala. is Alabama’s second leading scorer at 13.7 PPG. He has also improved on the defensive end, leading the team in steals per game (1.5 SPG).
Playing 30.6 minutes per game, Sears has earned the role of starting point guard in Tuscaloosa — and has become one of the best guards in the SEC.
Jaden Bradley: B
There was a lot of excitement about Bradley entering 2022-23 — but how would he fit in a loaded group of guards? The former McDonald’s All-American did just that, stepping up in a big way while Nimari Burnett was out with a wrist injury.
Bradley has started 13 games this season, averaging 8 points and 3.4 assists. He has scored in double figures in nine games this season. His play has dipped a little bit over the last four games, but he is still the hard-nosed, tough guard he has been all season.
Brandon Miller: A+
Miller may be the best player in the entire country. What else is there to say?
The five-star freshman has done everything and more for this Crimson Tide team, averaging 19.2 points and 8.1 rebounds per game — solidifying his name in contention for player of the year. He’s also shooting an unthinkable 44.7% from downtown.
Miller has scored 30+ three times and 20+ eight times this year.
When all is said and done, the future lottery pick may be the best player in Alabama program history.
Noah Clowney: A
If not for the 21 straight 3-point misses over the last six contests, his grade would be up there with Miller’s.
Clowney has been exactly what the Crimson Tide needed after last season’s woes — a physical, gritty big that excels at rebounding the basketball.
And after making two shots from deep against Vanderbilt on Tuesday, he may just have his shooting touch back as well.
Charles Bediako: B-
The Canadian center has started every game this season — with mixed results. On one hand, Bediako put Oscar Tshiebwe in a torture chamber. On the other hand, he has been very inconsistent.
Bediako is averaging just 5.4 points and 5.5 rebounds per game — and has less defensive rebounds than the 6-foot-1 Sears.
A lot of that has to do with foul trouble. Bediako has 75 personal fouls on the season — 20 more than anyone else on the team. Because of that, he’s playing just 20.1 minutes per game — half the game.
When at his best, he is still a dominant paint presence for Alabama.
Jahvon Quinerly: B
Nobody knew what to expect from Quinerly, who was coming off of an ACL tear in March. He returned way earlier than expected — and at first was very rusty.
Since Jan. 3, Quinerly has scored in double figures six times — and is still the flashy, quick, facilitating guard he’s always been.
He’s beginning to shoot the ball well from three as well — he just needs to keep the turnovers down.
Noah Gurley: B-
Gurley doesn’t play nearly as many minutes as he did last season — but he’s still making an impact. In just 16.9 minutes per game, Gurley is still averaging 5.9 points and 3.7 rebounds per game.
On top of that, he has become one of the biggest leaders on the team this season — an underrated quality.
Rylan Griffen: B
Griffen has perfectly fit into his role this season, giving the Crimson Tide valuable minutes off the bench.
A knock-down shooter and playmaker, Griffen may work his way into the starting lineup if he continues his strong play.
Nimari Burnett: B+
This grade would be much higher if Burnett didn’t miss nine games due to wrist surgery. His defensive performance against Houston’s Marcus Sasser helped Alabama to its biggest win of the season.
Mix that with an outstanding ability from deep? Burnett is the perfect two-guard for Oats’ system — and he very well may be back in the starting lineup next time out.
Dominick Welch: D
When Welch transferred to the Crimson Tide from St. Bonaventure prior to the season, many believed he would be a regular starter on the wing. After being sidelined for the first 12 games of the season, Welch has yet to find his role — and has been extremely poor at what he was supposed to bring to the team — 3-point shooting.
Shooting 14.3% from the field and 13.6% from deep, Welch’s 10.7 minutes per game may be even less soon if he can’t start making some shots.
Nick Pringle: A-
This grade seems high for a guy that plays just 7.5 minutes per game. But realistically, Pringle has been a big asset to Alabama all season. When his name is called upon, he delivers. Pringle gives effort on every possession and is a fun guy to watch with his athleticism.
On 22 shot attempts this season, Pringle has made 21 of them. That’s good enough for 95.5%.
On top of all of that, Pringle gives Crimson Tide fans what they want after every game — a short meme clip on Twitter.
Overall Team Grade: A
Alabama has most certainly overachieved expectations this season. However, the Crimson Tide has been exposed three times by UConn, Gonzaga and Oklahoma. If Alabama can cap off the season with an SEC championship and a deep run in March, this grade can easily be pushed to an A+.
See Also:
No. 4 Alabama Gets Back to Blue Collar Basketball in Thrashing of Vanderbilt
