Alabama vs. Penn: 3 key storylines for 2019-20 matchup

KNOXVILLE, TN - JANUARY 19: John Petty #23 of the Alabama Crimson Tide defended by Jordan Bone #0 of the Tennessee Volunteers during the first half of their game at Thompson-Boling Arena on January 19, 2019 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images) /

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PHILADELPHIA, PA – MARCH 11: Jackson Donahue #5 of the Pennsylvania Quakers yells on the bench during the first half of the Men’s Ivy League Championship Tournament at The Palestra on March 11, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Corey Perrine/Getty Images) /

Game features two very talented backcourts

The backcourt battle in this game is going to be spectacular and worth watching. Alabama has two great guards in Sophomore Kira Lewis Jr. and John Petty Jr. Yale has two guards of their own that are very dangerous in Senior Devon Goodman and Sophomore Bryce Washington.

I will give the slight backcourt advantage to the Crimson Tide because I feel like their backcourt duo is more talented, but, as I mentioned previously, Penn’s Devon Goodman is one of those great Penn Seniors that is ready for the tough test. Bryce Washington will be relied upon on more in this Penn offense this season, so he will also be a key player Alabama is going to have to deal with.

Alabama’s backcourt also has a height advantage that may play to their advantage on defense and for providing separation from Penn’s smaller guards when trying to get shots off. The mid-range game of Petty Lewis is pretty strong, while Yale’s Goodman often relies on his speed and strength to drive to the basket.

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The dissimilarity in styles between these two backcourts may result in one not being to fully shut the other down. This may result in the frontcourt being the deciding factor in who takes this Alabama vs. Penn game. Nonetheless, It’s going to be fun seeing how Bama’s backcourt contends with the confidence and fire Goodman will bring on Tuesday.

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