In recent outings, Alabama basketball has found itself in a troubling trend—falling behind early and scrambling to recover. The Crimson Tide’s sluggish starts have put them in an uphill battle, forcing head coach Nate Oats and his team to make difficult mid-game adjustments. While Alabama has shown resilience, these slow beginnings have contributed to costly defeats, raising questions about their strategy and execution.
A Recurring Issue
In their last two contests, Alabama has stumbled out of the gate, quickly trailing by multiple possessions. Opponents have taken advantage of early defensive lapses, cold shooting spells, and turnovers, setting the tone before the Tide can establish any rhythm. While second-half adjustments have kept games competitive, the energy spent clawing back into contention has often left Alabama vulnerable down the stretch.
What’s Causing the Slow Starts?
Several factors have contributed to Alabama’s early struggles:
- Defensive Breakdowns – Alabama’s defensive intensity has been inconsistent in opening minutes, allowing opponents to find easy scoring opportunities before the Tide settles in.
- Shot Selection & Execution – The Tide’s perimeter-heavy offense can be streaky, and when shots don’t fall early, it puts extra pressure on the defense.
- Turnovers & Sloppy Play – Giving away possessions in the first few minutes has allowed opponents to build momentum and dictate the tempo.
- Lack of Urgency – Whether it’s a mental hurdle or a strategic misstep, Alabama has struggled to match the energy of opponents from the tip-off.
The Bigger Picture
For a team with NCAA Tournament aspirations, these slow starts are more than just minor setbacks—they’re warning signs. Against elite competition, falling into an early hole can be a death sentence, especially in high-stakes postseason games. Alabama must develop a sense of urgency from the opening tip, establishing a defensive identity and finding quality shots early to avoid playing from behind.
The Path Forward
Coach Oats and his staff will need to emphasize aggressive, disciplined play from the jump. That could mean tweaking starting lineups, implementing new defensive schemes, or placing a greater emphasis on transition offense to create easy baskets early. Whatever the approach, Alabama must address this issue before it becomes a defining weakness.
With conference play heating up, the Crimson Tide still has time to correct course. But if they can’t fix their early-game struggles, their season could be defined by frustrating “what if” scenarios rather than deep postseason success.
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