Alabama Basketball: 2021-22 keys for Crimson Tide to win at Auburn

Keep the Tigers off the Line

One thing Alabama has struggled with this season is keeping their opponents off the free-throw line. In six of Alabama’s seven losses this season, their opponent has shot at least 20 free throws, and they have given up as many as 38 free throw attempts in the same game from a Tide opponent.

When the Crimson Tide hosted Auburn three weeks ago, the Tigers took 22 free throws and made 14 of them. Had Alabama held the Tigers to less than 22 free throws, the game might have had a different outcome, but in the end, partly because of the fact that Auburn went to the line 22 times, and made 14 of their 22 free throws, Alabama lost by four, granted four of Auburn’s 22 free throws came with less than 20 seconds left, but the point remains.

The No. 1 team has shot at least 20 free throws in nine of their 21 games this season, and they won six of those nine games by double-digits. That being said, teams that have put Auburn on the line time, and time again, haven’t had a whole lot of success.

As a team, Auburn holds an average of 73.5% from the free-throw line, if you continue to give them the opportunity to get free points, they’re going to capitalize, and chances are you’re going to leave the arena the same way 20 of Auburn’s 21 opponents have this season, following a loss.

That being said, Alabama needs to play solid defense, and not get into foul trouble, because if you’re putting the Tigers on the line, and you have two or three players in foul trouble, it’s probably going to be a very long night.