Alabama, which had opened Southeastern Conference play with a
71-61 win over the Razorbacks in Tuscaloosa, have now fallen to 13-5
overall and 3-5 in SEC play. The Crimson Tide had opened this season
with high hopes. Bama won its first 10 games and was ranked number
one in the nation. After losing to the team considered the weakest in the
SEC, Alabama is now is in danger of not making the NCAA Tournament.
It doesn’t get easier for Bama. On Saturday the Tide will go to
Gainesville to take on a Florida team that was good enough to be ranked
first in the nation this week. The Gators will also be smarting from a 70-55
thrashing at the hands of Kentucky this week. Tipoff Saturday in
Gainesville will be at 1 p.m. EST (noon CST) with television coverage by
CBS.
Alabama’s problems Wednesday night were started by its lack of
offense. The Tide was down by 11-1 early in the game and had only 18
points at halftime. The Razorbacks had a 33-18 lead at intermission.
While Alabama’s offense picked up in the second half, the Tide’s
defense went into hibernation. Arkansas built as much as a 23-point lead,
in great part because the Razorbacks had many uncontested shots. A
furious Alabama comeback effort couldn’t get the Tide closer than nine
points down the stretch.
Erwin Dudley, who had only two points at halftime, finished with 29 to
lead the Tide. But the supporting cast didn’t give much support. No other
Tider was in double figures. Mo Williams scored only seven points before
fouling out. Dudley’s 29 was his career best. As usual, he didn’t get the
ball much, particularly in the first half. He made seven-of-nine field goals
and was a sparkling 15-of-16 on free throws.
Alabama hit only 33 per cent of its field goals, while the normally
poor-shooting Razorbacks hit for 48 per cent, including 56 per cent on
three-point shots (nine-for-16) against Bama.
Alabama Head Coach Mark Gottfried said, “I was proud of how hard
we played. I’m not pleased with how we played. The story of the game
was a lack of aggressiveness on offense early. And you have to give
Arkansas credit. They made a lot of shots they haven’t been making;
tough shots. The first half we weren’t working hard to get shots. The
second half was a whole different game. We scored 52 points in the
second half.”
The coach said, “It’s the stretch run, now. Our seniors have to step
up.”