Outside of Mark Sears and Aaron Estrada, Offensive Production Lacking in Loss to Clemson
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — On Tuesday night, Alabama Basketball lost its first game at Coleman Coliseum in 636 days, dropping in the SEC/ACC Challenge to Clemson.
Through its first six games, the Crimson Tide was No. 1 in offensive efficiency according to KenPom. Alabama has been very reliant on its two guards, Mark Sears and Aaron Estrada. Sears and Estrada weren't the problem on Tuesday night. Sears scored 23 points, including 14 in the second half. Estrada added 16 more.
It was the rest of the Crimson Tide at fault. Grant Nelson struggled against the Tigers' physicality, finishing 4-for-15 from the field. The rest of the team shot just 6-for-22.
"We want more people to step up on offense," Sears said. "We're very deep. We're very capable of more guys stepping up."
"Grant ends up with 14 [points], but it took him 15 shots to get it — he's got to be more efficient for us," head coach Nate Oats said. "Rylan [Griffen's] a better player than what he showed. I need [Latrell Wrightsell Jr.] to get a little more aggressive. ... We do need to get some more production from some of the other guys. If we can get Sam [Walters] a little bit better on the defensive end, he can really shoot it on offense."
Sears, Estrada and Nelson will be the big contributors on offense this season, but it's going to take a more balanced, helpful effort from others to keep Alabama in games, especially if the struggles on defense continue throughout the season. In its three games against power-five competition, the Crimson Tide is allowing over 89 PPG.
Since Oats took over in 2019, Alabama has gone as far as its defense has taken it. If the Crimson Tide can't get a more consistent effort from its role players on offense and defense, it won't fulfill its potential in 2023-24.
"We gotta do a better job doing what we should be doing offensively to get some other guys involved for sure," Oats said. "And then some other guys gotta make some shots at some point, too."
