You’ll have to forgive me for being a little late with this recap, I couldn’t possibly write this yesterday with the level of anger that was flowing inside of me following the game last night. According to angermanagementresource.com, there are ten levels of anger. I read through the levels, and throughout this recap I’ll let you know where my anger level was at that time.
Alabama came in to Oxford, Mississippi last night looking to snap a two game losing streak after two one point losses to Auburn and
Alabama once again collapsed in the second half
Florida. It was the second game of the toughest three game stretch of the season for the Crimson Tide and they were sitting at 0-1 so far and looking for another signature SEC win to go along with their win over Mississippi State on January 23rd.
Alabama got off to a quick start taking a 40-20 first half lead and in my opinion; it was the best first half the Crimson Tide had put together all year and it came as a surprise to me the way they were playing. Mikhail Torrance was running the show better than he had ever before and the Tide were showing the kind of potential they had. At this point, my anger level was a 0, I was the happiest I had been all year watching Alabama basketball.
Alabama would come out of the locker room and push their lead to 23 points by scoring the first three points of the second half, and it would be the biggest lead the Tide would have. After that, Ole Miss went on a 9-0 run to pull within 14 points at 43-29. In that 9-0 run, Alabama was called for three fouls, missed two layups, and turned the ball over once. At this point, I was a bit peeved and the realization was coming to me that Alabama may actually lose this lead and suffer another second half collapse. My anger level was a 3 at this point.
With just over 9-minutes left in the game, Alabama was clinging to a 12 point lead and looked like a team just fighting for the final buzzer to sound and to get out of Oxford as quickly as possible. At the 6:12 mark when Terrico White made a layup, it gave Ole Miss their first lead of the game at 58-56. It was a 13-0 run for the Rebels and during that stretch; Alabama was called for 7 fouls, turned the ball over 2 times, and missed 3 layups.
This was the point of the game when my anger level rose immensely. Not only was Alabama playing sloppy basketball, but the refs were adding to it by blowing the whistle on the Crimson Tide for every little thing and wouldn’t even allow the Tide to have a shot at winning this game. I would say my anger level rose to a 6. Here is what level 6 is:
“You start thinking about getting away from some situation that is bothering you. You might fantasize about escaping somehow.”
This is exactly how I felt. I started saying things like I didn’t even like basketball, asking friends and family when pitchers and catchers report, and fantasizing about Alabama’s A-Day game for football on April 17th.
The final buzzer went off and Alabama left with a bitter 74-67 defeat on the road against Ole Miss. Watching the final part of the game my anger level rose to level 8. Level 8 is when you are angry and wanting to do something about it. I was ready to get in my car and drive to Oxford and meet the officials of the game face to face.
Now, I am not one to point the finger at officials every time my team loses, as a matter of fact, I hate to do it, but sometimes it has to be done. It definitely wasn’t all the officials’ fault that Alabama lost the game, evident by the turnovers and missed layups in the second half, but it was a reason the Crimson Tide fell apart. You could tell that they were getting frustrated by the officiating and it affected their play.
Alabama was called for 11 more fouls than Ole Miss and shot 13 less free throws. I don’t see how that can happen in a game. I guarantee you that Alabama did not foul Ole Miss 11 more times in that game. In the second half the Rebels were getting a whistle every time they went to the basket.
JaMychal Green led the way for the Tide with 18 points and 7 rebounds, Tony Mitchell had one of his better games with 16 point and 8 rebounds, while Mikhail Torrance had 12 point and 7 assists in the loss.
Chris Warren was the leading scorer for the game as he put in 21 points for the game, and Terrence Henry added 18 points for the Rebels.
Mississippi improved to 17-6 (5-4) on the year as they snapped a two game losing streak after losses to Arkansas and Kentucky. Up next for the Rebels is the basketball version of the Egg Bowl as they head to Starkville to face off with rival Mississippi State. After that they return home for a game with Vanderbilt.
Alabama fell to 13-10 (3-6) with their third consecutive loss, with this one being even bitterer than their three one point SEC losses. The Crimson Tide will look to put this one behind them and salvage their season as they look for an upset on Tuesday night in Lexington against Kentucky. After that, Alabama heads back to Tuscaloosa for their second meeting with Arkansas.
If Alabama was able to knock off the Rebels, they would have been right back in the thick of the race for the SEC West, but with the loss their Western Division chances are almost gone. Alabama is going to have to gear up down the stretch and stop collapsing in the second half of games if they even want to garner an NIT invite.
Alabama’s game with Kentucky will be at 8:00 PM CT on Tuesday night on ESPNU.
Top Performers:
Alabama:
- JaMychal Green: 18 points (4/8) 7 rebounds 1 block
- Tony Mitchell: 16 points (7/10) 8 rebounds 2 assists
- Mikhail Torrance: 12 points (5/13) 3 rebounds 7 assists
Mississippi
- Chris Warren: 21 points (6/11) 4 rebounds 3 assists
- Terrance Henry: 18 points (5/9) 8 rebounds 2 blocks
- Eniel Polynice: 10 points (3/9) 3 rebounds 3 assists
