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Alabama vs Louisiana Tech: 2021-22 college basketball game preview and TV schedule

By Cooper Watson

NASHVILLE, TN - MARCH 14: Head coach Nate Oats of the Alabama Crimson Tide speaks with Keon Ellis #14 on the bench during the first half of their championship game against the LSU Tigers in the SEC Men's Basketball Tournament at Bridgestone Arena on March 14, 2021 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN - MARCH 14: Head coach Nate Oats of the Alabama Crimson Tide speaks with Keon Ellis #14 on the bench during the first half of their championship game against the LSU Tigers in the SEC Men's Basketball Tournament at Bridgestone Arena on March 14, 2021 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images) /
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Nate Oats and his staff have been red hot on the recruiting trail in recent weeks—now the focus shifts back to the court for a dangerous opener against Louisiana Tech.

TV schedule: Tuesday, November 9, 9:00 ET, SEC Network

Arena: Coleman Coliseum – Tuscaloosa, AL

No. 14 Alabama is coming off of a Sweet Sixteen appearance as well as their first SEC regular-season title in 34 years. Oats deserves major credit for following that up with arguably the most difficult non-conference schedule in the country, featuring matchups with No. 1 Gonzaga, No. 12 Memphis, No. 15 Houston, and an MTE headlined No. 3 Kansas. The juggernauts will have to wait, though—Alabama can’t afford to look past this opener vs Louisiana Tech.

Louisiana Tech has won at least 20 games in five of Head Coach Eric Konkol’s first six seasons but has yet to actually make the NCAA Tournament. This year’s squad could be the one to get over the hump though, picked to finish second in Conference USA in the preseason poll and also projected to finish second by KenPom.

Returning all-league forwards Kenneth Lofton, Jr. (12.2 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 55.7% eFG) and Isaiah Crawford (11.8 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 55.8% eFG) are the players to watch offensively for the Bulldogs. Sophomore G Cobe Williams (8.6 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 2.7 apg) earned C-USA All-Defensive team honors last season—the anchor of a team that finished first in the league in defensive efficiency last season.

The Crimson Tide returns its top two scorers from last season in G Jaden Shackleford (14.0 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 49.3% eFG) and PG Jahvon Quinerly (12.9 ppg, 3.2 apg, 56.6% eFG), but the player to watch is five-star freshman J.D. Davison (32.4 ppg, 10.9 rpg, 4.7 apg at Calhoun HS). Davison is a freak athlete who is nearly impossible to stay in front of. To put it quite simply: He’s a playmaker. Davison will be the most electric freshman guard in the country on the offensive end this season.

Junior F Keon Ellis (5.5 ppg, 4.0 rpg) started the last five games of 2020-21 largely due to his defense, ranking first on the team and third in the SEC in defensive rating (83.8). A smaller starting lineup of Quinerly, Davison, Shackleford, the 6-6 Ellis, and the 6-8 Noah Gurley (15.4 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 56.7% eFG) is possible if not likely against a LA Tech team that doesn’t have a ton of height.

Oats’ style is recognizable for two main reasons—they want to play fast and shoot threes, ranking 11th in the country in tempo and 18th in three-point rate last season. What transformed the Tide into a legitimate national title contender last season was their defense, ranking third in the country in defensive efficiency. That said, Louisiana Tech is also a defensive-minded team – one that specializes in three-point defense, ranking 34th nationally in 2020-21.

Ranking all 358 programs for 2021-22. dark. Next

Alabama is favored for a reason, but LA Tech’s balanced offensive attack and three-point defense should be more than enough to keep it close. Bama’s frontcourt production from Furman transfer Noah Gurley and Top 40 freshman C Charles Bediako will dictate whether or not this is an upset watch or a statement opening win for Alabama’s 2021-22 campaign.

Prediction: Alabama 80, Louisiana Tech 69

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