Fast and loose replacing slow and methodical at Bama
Alabama basketball coach Mark Gottfried promised his team would run, and he wasn't lying.
Through two games, it is quickly becoming evident that the landscape of the Crimson Tide is changing.
Slow and methodical is out. Fast and loose is in.
As Alabama (2-0) prepares for the next step in its metamorphosis - today's 6 p.m. game against Belmont (3-2) at Coleman Coliseum - the differences from the 2006-07 team are showing.
"We're really pushing it on the break," said forward Demetrius Jemison, who had five assists in the road win over Mercer (Ga.) University.
"That's something you can tell this year from last year. Anytime we get it out of the bucket or on a turnover, we're pushing it and trying to get as many layups as we can."
With senior point guard Ronald Steele sitting out the season to allow his surgically repaired knees to heal, Gottfried has attempted to replace his assist numbers by turning to, well, everybody.
"We have an unselfish team," said Gottfried, whose players could receive a serious test from the Bruins, which have beaten Cincinnati this season and have made two consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances.
Through two games, Alabama has averaged 87 points, which is seven more than it scored in the nonconference schedule last season. It has 44 assists through two games, compared to 33 after a 2-0 start last season.
Consider that the 26 assists the Crimson Tide dished out against Mercer are four more than it had in any game in 2006-07. Four players had at least five assists.
"Guys this year are not focusing on scoring, they're focused on winning," said guard Brandon Hollinger, who had six assists and no turnovers against the Bears.
"So we make the extra pass. If you have an open shot, but the next guy is more wide open, you give him the ball. That's how we do it."
Of course, it helps confidence-wise to know that All-SEC forward Richard Hendrix can fill up the basket any time he catches a pass. The 6-foot-9 junior from Athens is averaging 25 points and 18.6 rebounds, with a solid portion of his points coming on the break.
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