What did Bama do differently?

[Arazorbackguy1]

Seriously, those who watched, what's the difference?   (Don't say Thomas)

[Dr. Starcs]

Took better care of the ball. Played more physical. Slowed the game down.

[azhog10]

Their best big didn't poop his pants like ours did.

[COACHINTEXAS]

They attacked the rim on both ends and they were not intimidated!

[Boardon Hamsay]

They didn't darn the bed.

[ErieHog]

They're more physical on defense.    They're better at stopping the dribble penetration on defense.   They slowed the game down so that the amount of damage Kentucky's transition offense could do to them was smaller.

We're simply not as well equipped to play this Kentucky team, but are also better equipped than Kentucky is to beat Alabama like a drum.    Matchups and styles make games.

[hog golf]

Kentucky beats us time and time again because they can and do attack the rim. Tey are also not afraid of a fast paced game. We have to shoot 60 on threes to offset their 55 points in the paint

[code red]

Bama has beasts in the  paint.  Bama coaches defense.

[TeufelHog]

Do not know the stats, but I think it was rebounding.  They did really well in the paint on "both sides" of the court.  Amazing what fundamental "blocking out" can yield.

[ShadowHawg]

They made shots early.

[VivanLosCaniches!]

We match up terribly against KY.  They do what we do but they do it better.  Fox+Monk are two of the best transition players in the entire country.  Bama slowed the game down and made Ky beat them in the half court, which ultimately they did.  Fox had 28 that game anyways. 

Our best lineup was at the end Macon, Watkins, Barford, Hannahs, and Moses which is also our 5 best players.  But Bam neutralizes (or outplays) Moses and we have no defensive stopper for Fox or Monk.  We are constantly helping to stop the drive against those players leading to open looks for the role players.  When they hit those looks (which they do against us) they get confidence and play better.  Then KY is pretty much unbeatable.  Happened both games.  Officials are also whistle happy every time Fox has the ball. 

[VivanLosCaniches!]

Bama has beasts in the  paint.  Bama coaches defense.

How did that work out for them when they came to BWA?

[Rawker]

How did that work out for them when they came to BWA?

Agreed.  The last time we shamed a team like that, Corliss and Scotty roamed the court.  We punked the complete crap out of them like few visitors ever.

[Atlhogfan1]

Bama focused on rebounding and killed UK on the boards. 

[BDSCT51]

They're more physical on defense.    They're better at stopping the dribble penetration on defense.   They slowed the game down so that the amount of damage Kentucky's transition offense could do to them was smaller.

We're simply not as well equipped to play this Kentucky team, but are also better equipped than Kentucky is to beat Alabama like a drum.    Matchups and styles make games.

Absolutely spot on!

[Großer Kriegschwein]

Took better care of the ball. Played more physical. Slowed the game down.

Exactly. That's why we typically get run over by double digits.

[El Duderino]

Also lost?

[ronmahony]

Yup inside the paint. For some reason Kingsley was sleep walking the whole game and Thompson acted like he was hurt or something today. Did some good passes but just seemed to trot up and down the court.

[BrooklynRoss]

Alabama played a great game and they're going to be a handful next year. Classic example of Freshmen turning into Sophomores in the post season.

[LR_Matt]

Alabama played better than we did. Is that so hard to understand?

[Danny J]

They don't come out and try to run with UK. They grind it out.

[Swinesong1]

Nothing wrong with learning from another team how to play your opponent.  But, that doesn't mean you can do the things the other team did.  It sometimes is about matchups.  Bama is a lot more physical across the board than the Hogs.  But, let's not go around comparing scores and act like the other team had some magical formula that translates to our team.  And please quit using the "they slowed it down" narrative.  KY scored 79 against Bama and 82 against us.   Minimal difference!

[alohawg]

Do not know the stats, but I think it was rebounding.  They did really well in the paint on "both sides" of the court.  Amazing what fundamental "blocking out" can yield.

This is my biggest gripe, rebounding......and Thomas playing, at all. (Sorry OP)