Alabama will travel to Knoxville on Saturday looking to avenge a 79-73 loss in Tuscaloosa earlier this season. Here are three keys to an Alabama win.
On Saturday night, the Alabama Crimson Tide will travel to Knoxville searching to do something they have not done in the last five head-to-head meetings against the Tennessee Volunteers, win.
Yes, the Crimson Tide will enter Saturday night's contest in Knoxville having lost five-straight to Tennessee dating back to the 2022-23 season, which includes a 79-73 home loss to the Volunteers earlier this season on Jan. 24.
As for this latest matchup, Alabama will come to Knoxville as winners of their last seven consecutive games, while Tennessee has won four of their last five. This game will also have key seeding implications for the upcoming SEC Tournament, as both teams currently own double byes, should it start today.
Following are three keys for the Crimson Tide to snap that losing streak to Tennessee on Saturday night.
Defense vs. Nate Ament
The performance of Tennessee freshman Nate Ament was one of the biggest storylines from the previous contest, as the star forward finished with a game-high 29 points and seven rebounds on 10-of-20 shooting from the field. Alabama will certainly have to come play better defensively against Ament in the rematch, as they cannot afford to let the freshman takeover the game similar to last time.
The play of Aiden Sherrell
Aiden Sherrell is a player for Alabama who has started to take the next step in recent games, recording two double-doubles over his last three contests. Sherrell did not have much of an impact in the prior matchup, fouling out with only six points and four rebounds in 22 minutes, and the play of the Alabama center will be key on the road against the very talented Tennessee frontcourt.
Welcome back Aden Holloway, Amari Allen
One of the biggest storylines from Alabama's loss to Tennessee in Tuscaloosa was the absence of two Crimson Tide starters due to injury, Aden Holloway and Amari Allen. Both will be welcome additions to Alabama's lineup Saturday night, and are sure to be needed for a Crimson Tide team whose prior 73-point total offensively against Tennessee was their lowest of the season.
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This article originally appeared on Roll Tide Wire: Alabama basketball keys to win rematch vs. Tennessee Volunteers
Category: General Sports
