How will Holloway’s Absence Affect The Crimson Tide?
Holloway, a 6-1 junior, has shown tremendous growth in year two with the Crimson Tide and is a major reason that they are one of the top offensive teams in the nation. Holloway averaged 16.1 points, 3.8 assists, and 2.6 rebounds in 28.4 minutes over 28 appearances. He also knocked down 2.6 threes and produced two double-doubles with shooting splits of 48.1/43.8/86.4. His numbers were pretty steady during SEC play with a little dropoff.
Alabama is an outstanding offensive team that plays fast and goes nine deep. The Crimson Tide, which ranks 10th in the nation in offensive efficiency, averages a nation-high 91.7 points a game. The Tide also leads the nation in 3-point attempts (35.3) and is second
(12.7) in makes while ranking 81st in 3-point percentage (35.8%). They also don’t turn the ball over much.
Defense is a problem for the Crimson Tide. The Tide is 291st in defensive efficiency nationally, allowing 83.5 points per game, which is the 10th-worst. They also don’t force many turnovers.
With the way Oats likes to play offensively — focusing on pace, space, and 3-point barrage — the Crimson Tide should be able to handle being out of Holloway on the offensive end. The Crimson Tide is 3-0 without Holloway, one of the team’s weakest defenders, this year after he sat out three of the first 10 games. Clemson was the Tide’s toughest opponent of the three games, and they picked up a 90-84 victory.
In the three games that Holloway sat out, the Crimson Tide outscored its opponents 93-67. However, Clemson was the Tide’s only power-6 opponent during this stretch, and they won that game 90-84. And Bama was much deeper earlier in the season.
