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NCAA Basketball: Biggest takeaways from 2019 Battle 4 Atlantis

By Tristan Freeman

PORTLAND, OREGON - NOVEMBER 12: Payton Pritchard #3 of the Oregon Ducks brings the ball up the court during the second half of the game at Moda Center on November 12, 2019 in Portland, Oregon. Oregon won the game 82-74. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OREGON - NOVEMBER 12: Payton Pritchard #3 of the Oregon Ducks brings the ball up the court during the second half of the game at Moda Center on November 12, 2019 in Portland, Oregon. Oregon won the game 82-74. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images) /
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PITTSBURGH, PA – MARCH 17: Dazon Ingram
PITTSBURGH, PA – MARCH 17: Dazon Ingram /

Southern Miss – Gabe Watson’s positive development

Considering the talent level of the other seven teams in the Battle 4 Atlantis, Southern Miss going 0-3 wasn’t much a surprise. They lost each game by 15+ points and just wasn’t competitive outside of the first half against Alabama. This is a program in a rebuilding phase under Jay Lardner and will hope to just be out the bottom of Conference USA.

On a brighter note, sophomore guard Gabe Watson has emerged into a solid scoring option. After scoring just 4.5 ppg in 14 mpg off the bench last year, the 6’2 guard has upped his average to over double digits. He had at least 10 points in all three games in the tournament, including 18 against Seton Hall and 19 versus Bama. With not much positive going on with the team this week, Watson can at least be pleased with his individual play.

Alabama – Officially a rebuilding year for Crimson Tide

Having losses to both Penn and Rhode Island coming into the Battle 4 Atlantis, it wasn’t surprising that Alabama found themselves battling Southern Miss in the 7th place consolation game. But the continuance of bad defense (giving up 103 to Iowa State) doesn’t seem to be improving at all. Now at 3-4 with their best win coming against Furman, Alabama’s NCAA Tournament hopes are in a tough place.

But maybe it should’ve been expected all along, especially since they’re playing without three likely rotation players this season. The Tide weren’t able to get Villanova transfer Jahvon Quinerly cleared and both James Rojas and Juwan Cary are out for the season due to injuries. This team just doesn’t have much size and outside of Kira Lewis lacks consistent offensive production. Head coach Nate Oats should never be underestimated but unless the defense improves, this squad won’t be dancing in March.

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