For Alabama basketball enthusiasts who might be a bit behind on the 2024 - 25 college basketball season, the victory over Creighton holds significant value. This win not only showcased the team's capabilities but also provided a stepping stone for their future endeavors.

Unraveling the Triumph of Alabama Basketball over Creighton

Quality Win Against a Resilient Opponent

In the 2024 - 25 college basketball season, Alabama's win over Creighton was a remarkable feat. The Bluejays had suffered four losses already this season, yet their 7 - 4 record in Big East play indicates their potential. One of their December victories was a convincing 13 - point win over Kansas. This win against Creighton added to Alabama's growing reputation.Alabama had been idle for 10 days before this game and had not played in Tuscaloosa since November 11. The rust was evident, especially considering the limited access to Coleman Coliseum leading up to the match. Nate Oats, the coach, was complimentary of Creighton after the game, stating that although the game "wasn't the prettiest … our guys were resilient." He emphasized that it was a good win against a good team but that there was still a lot of room for improvement.

Defense and Rebounding: Key Factors in the Victory

Alabama dominated in the points in the paint category, even with Creighton having one of college basketball's big men, 7’1″ Ryan Kalkbrenner. He scored 18 points and grabbed seven rebounds. However, Cliff Omoruyi's defense on Kalkbrenner was highly praised by Creighton coach Greg McDermott. Omoruyi's rim protection gave Nate Oats a crucial advantage that the previous season's team lacked.The Tide also outrebounded Creighton by a significant margin of 14 boards. Grant Nelson led the way with 10 rebounds, while freshman Aiden Sherrell added seven rebounds in just 10 minutes of play. When Sherrell got the ball on the perimeter, the Bluejays often sagged on defense, allowing him to take five three - pointers, of which he made one. Oats encouraged the freshman to keep taking those shots, highlighting his potential.

Three - Point Shooting: An Area for Improvement

Alabama's three - point shooting continued to be a concern. The team was only 20% outside the arc, which would have been worse if not for Mark Sears' 4 - for - 7 performance. Going into the game, Alabama was tied at No. 205 among D1 teams in terms of three - point shooting, making less than 33%. Sears led the Tide in scoring with 27 points, but the team needs to work on improving their three - point accuracy.Overall, it was a good win for Alabama, but there is still a long way to go. As Nate Oats summarized, "To be sixth in the country (in offensive efficiency) as poor as we’re shooting it right now is a tribute to the type of shots and other stuff we’re doing."Next up for the Crimson Tide is a Wednesday night road game against North Dakota. This game will provide another opportunity for the team to showcase their progress and continue their journey towards achieving their full potential.