The Alabama men’s basketball team wrapped up the preseason with a 96-88 victory over the Memphis Tigers on Monday night at Propst Arena in the Von Braun Center during the 2024 Rocket City Classic. This exciting exhibition game also supported a great cause, with all proceeds benefiting the Huntsville Hospital Foundation and their Caring House Children’s Grief Program. It was a strong showing for the Crimson Tide in front of an enthusiastic Huntsville crowd.
Standout performances from both teams
Mark Sears led Alabama, scoring 20 points, including three three-pointers on five attempts. The senior also added four assists and three steals to his stat line, demonstrating his leadership on the court. On the other hand, Memphis was powered by PJ Haggerty, who poured in an impressive 32 points, keeping the game competitive throughout.
Coach Nate Oats reflects on areas for improvement
Despite the win, Alabama head coach Nate Oats identified several areas for the team to work on before the regular season. “Our turnovers were too high, and we need to take better care of the ball,” Oats said, noting that Memphis dominated the offensive boards and scored 36 fastbreak points. He emphasized the importance of addressing defensive rebounding and transition defense moving forward.
Valuable playing time for younger players
One of the game’s highlights was the opportunity for Alabama’s younger players to gain valuable experience. Freshman Labaron Philon and first-year player Aden Holloway both saw significant minutes. Additionally, Derrion Reid, who had missed much of the offseason, played 24 minutes as he continues to get back into form. Clifford Omoruyi is still adjusting to the team’s fast-paced system, but Oats is confident in his development.
Looking ahead to the regular season
Coach Oats thanked Memphis for participating in the exhibition and the Huntsville crowd for their support. He acknowledged the team has areas to improve but was pleased with the effort overall. “I’m glad we got the win, but we have much to work on,” Oats said. With the regular season approaching, Alabama will use the lessons learned from this game to fine-tune its performance and prepare for the challenges ahead.
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