JumpOffPlus.com College Tour: What We Learned @AlabamaWBB – December 5, 2014

Karyla Middlebrook's unselfishness is a major reason that Alabama is off to a great start.  Courtney Gage / Alabama Athletics

Karyla Middlebrook’s unselfishness is a major reason that english correction service Alabama is off to a great start.Courtney Gage / Alabama Athletics

TUSCALOOSA, Alabama – It’s a new day inside of Foster Auditorium as the Crimson Tide advanced to 6-3 with a win on Tuesday evening. When we visited last year, they won their first game in the Kristy Curry Era but were just 1-3 at the time. A lot has changed for the emerging SEC program. We provide our takeaways from the leadership of the program to future recruiting and everything in between:

By: @BrandonClayPSB

 

You can read our in-game thoughts from Alabama versus USC-Upstate here: Alabama Game Blog – Dec. 2, 2014

1) The team that plays together, wins together.

 

Maybe the most telling stat from the night was that the home team managed to finish with 15 assists on 25 field goals made. The assist leader on essay in english the night was RS Fr. Point Guard Karyla Middlebrook. She finished with seven of them while only attempting a single field goal in 22 minutes. This type of team first production was apparent throughout the contest. Every time that Upstate made a run, the home team made a play to help stem the tide. On this night, Sr. Forward Briana Hutchen found a way to make a shot or grab a rebound en route to a career-high 21 point, 10 rebound performance.

2) No Daisha Simmons, no problem.

 

The transfer situation regarding former point guard Daisha Simmons was a big deal inside the basketball community during the off-season. Simmons eventually moved on and as was evident on Tuesday night, the Crimson Tide have as well.

Click here for the Full BrandonClayScouting.com College Tour Schedule

 

3) There are plenty of weapons education should not be compulsory argumentative essay at Kristy Curry’s disposal.

 

On a night where All-SEC caliber forward Ashley Williams wasn’t her normal self, Curry’s team showed both depth and poise. Both Hutchen and Middlebrook helped pace the way. Fr. Wing Hannah Cook proved herself to be a shot maker from the outside while Fr. Forward Nene Bolton was impactful inside and outside. Cook finished with nine points on the night including two smooth looking jump shots. Bolton had eight points and eight rebounds with two 3-pointers.

4) Keep an eye on Breanna Hayden’s return.

 

Hayden, a 5-foot-8 guard, will be eligible for the Crimson Tide’s December 14 game versus Mercer. She transferred from Baylor a year ago and looked good during her individual workout on Tuesday. Hayden should provide immediate assistance and minutes on the perimeter to a talented roster as essay on my true life experience the season makes it way into conference play.

Click here for What We Learned at Alabama in 2013

 

5) Teaching is fundamental.

 

With a roster littered with underclass players and players adjusting to new roles, Curry and her staff have placed an emphasis on teaching the game. When Hayden returns, seven of the projected top 10 in the rotation will be either freshman or sophomores. Only two of the nine players who saw action in Tuesday’s contest graduate at the season’s end. Look for this year’s team to build on each night while continuing to lay the foundation for not only this season but the 2015-16 campaign as well.

6) The talent keeps getting better in Tuscaloosa.

 

Curry and her go-to recruiters – Terry Nooner and Shereka Wright – made a commitment upon their arrival in the spring of 2013 to english essays o level retool the Alabama roster. Just 18 months later, their blueprint seems to be taking perfect shape. In addition to the talent mentioned above, the Crimson Tide will welcome two ProspectsNation.com ELITE 150 prospects next fall in C’Coriea Foy of Fayetteville, N.C., and Shaquera Wade of Huntsville, Ala. They also add two solid preps in Taylor Doan of Kearney, Mo., and Trista Magee of Ellisville, Miss., addressing needs at multiple positions in the process.

Click here for the CoachHemi.com Program Feature on Alabama

Brandon ClayBrandon Clay is the owner of the JumpOffPlus.com International Report, Peach State Basketball, Inc., and ProspectsNation.com. The JumpOffPlus.com is picked up by more than 200 colleges and universities nationwide. He serves as the Executive Camp Director for the Elite Basketball Academy Camps. Clay has been involved in the community since 2001. You can reach him at [email protected]