HUNTSVILLE, Ala. - The AP preseason number two Alabama Crimson Tide cruised to a 96-88 win over the Memphis Tigers in the Tigers’ final preseason exhibition game.
"I think tonight we established who we are," said Memphis coach Penny Hardaway postgame.
The Tigers made the game close late, but the Tide flexed their offensive prowess.
"We definitely got exposed a little bit," said Alabama coach Nat Oats postgame. “I think they have a chance to be pretty good. I thought that they gave better effort than us."
Alabama started the game with a two offensive rebound possession, setting the tone early. Clifford Omoruyi hit two free throws to get the scoring started.
PJ Haggerty split a pair from the strip to get the Tigers on the board, before Mark Sears sank a three-pointer for the Tide.
At the first media timeout, Alabama led 5-4, outrebounding the Tigers 8-4 despite 4 early turnovers.
A pair of Alabama threes pushed the lead to 11-4, forcing coach Hardaway to burn a timeout. The rebounding deficit was a real issue early.
At the under-twelve, Bama led 18-8. Memphis could not buy a bucket against Alabama’s length.
Memphis earned their way into the bonus at the 10:26 mark of the half, but, at the under-eight, they were 5-14 from the free throw line, good for an abysmal 36%.
The Tigers full-court pressure continued to create opportunities, but the Tigers shooting woes kept the Alabama lead near double figures.
“The pressure was great, I give that an A," said coach Hardaway postgame. “We know we have that in our back pocket with the trap.”
At the under-four, Alabama led 35-25. Memphis rebounded more competitively, but every break seemed to go the way of the Tide.
Alabama came out of the under-four scoring 8 straight to open up an 18-point lead.
At the half, Alabama led 49-29. The Tide hit six threes to Memphis’ zero. The Tigers shot a putrid 28% from the field and 50% from the charity stripe.
Similar to the UNC game, PJ Haggerty got the scoring going for the Tigers in the second half.
The Tigers cut the Alabama lead to 57-43 thanks to a much more aggressive offensive.
Yet again, Alabama responded in a heartbeat, hitting back-to-back threes to push their advantage back to 20.
27 minutes into the contest, Colby Rogers knocked down Memphis’ first made three-pointer. Alabama had made ten.
At the twelve minute mark, the Tigers still trailed 69-50. Their offense opened the half looking much sharper than in the first half, but the Tide kept pace.
Dain Dainja helped propel the Tigers to within 14 with some low-post work.
A Dain Dainja and-one off of an Alabama turnover cut the deficit down to 10.
“I feel like we’re just as good as these teams, if not better," said Dainja postgame.
At the under-eight, Alabama had pushed their lead to 74-61. Memphis battled their way back within striking distance, but the Tigers came up empty on a couple of chances to further indent the lead.
In a microcosm of the game as a whole, Bama nailed a three-pointer after a great defensive possession from Memphis. Then, a Tiger turnover resulted in a layup for the Tide.
In the blink of an eye, the lead went from 11 to 16.
At the under-four, Memphis was still clinging to life, down 12 with Moussa Cisse set to shoot a pair of free throws.
The second half was a foul fest from the beginning. The NCAA record for fouls in a Division 1 game is 83. While that was out of reach, the second half gave it a run for its money. In total, there were 66 fouls in this exhibition, aided in part by the decision to not have foul-outs.
Somehow, the Tigers cut the lead to 8, but, yet again, Alabama responded with a trey ball.
PJ Haggerty was scoring at will in the second half, single-handedly solving the Tigers offensive woes.
If there was any doubt who the number one option was, it should be gone after this game.
With a minute to go, the Tigers had the ball down eight. Once again, PJ Haggery was fouled. He hit both to cut it to six.
The Tigers had a chance to cut the lead to four, but they were unable to hit a three-pointer.
When the horn sounded, Alabama won 96-88.
Memphis outscored Alabama by double-digits in the second half. They out-rebounded the Tide in the game as well.
The three point line proved to be the difference maker in this one. Alabama hit 12 to the Tigers' one make from behind the arc.
PJ Haggerty led the way for Memphis with an absurd stat line of 32 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists and 8 personal fouls.
It was ugly, but, Penny Hardaway's best teams historically thrive in chaos. Fouls, pressing, and games nearing three hours tend to favor the Tigers.
“They like to get up in you, force you to turn the ball over, play like that," said Alabama freshman Labaron Philon postgame.
The regular season begins Monday, November 4, against Missouri. The game will be on ESPN+ at 7 p.m.
