|
Steve Victory JOURNAL – Early season 2015-16
The opener to season #13 in the Victory tenure (Lucky 13?) is a tough one. Alabama goes up against #5 UConn in the Preseason ACT. The young Crimson Tide fares well, but not well enough to win. The Huskies move on 86-72.
Game two is even tougher, at least on paper. Alabama must travel to #2 Wisconsin. Yet this time, the young guns wearing crimson win it! ‘Bama upsets the Badgers on their home floor 87-77. The 3-pointers rain down from all over as the Tide hits 12-of-17. Craig King shows he’s ready to improve upon last year with 13 points and 9 boards. But he’s still got foul issues.
The non-conference slate proves an up-and-down affair as coach Victory expects. Some good wins – over Cincinnati 89-73, over Clemson 87-74, over decent South Florida and Troy State teams. Some tough losses – three in a row in one stretch to New Orleans, Detroit and NC State. All told ‘Bama takes a 7-7 record into its conference opener.
The top players so far: Mark Bell – double figures nearly every game and 24 points against both NCSU and Cincy. Jordie Barnes – a rebounder worthy of following in Brody Adams’ footsteps; Travis McQuay and Alex Henry – steady 10-15 point nights, with a few 20+ games for each. If these players can mature through the SEC slate, Alabama could be a threat in the SEC and a contender for an NCT slot (please!!). It’s a tall order for such a young team, though…
A familiar theme rears its ugly head in the final non-conference tune-up against South Florida. Hotshot PG Mark Bell tears a quad muscle and is lost for 2-3 months. That’s probably a season-ender for him. Good grief, and he was on pace to win SEC frosh of the year honors...
|