As Alabama gears up for their rematch against Tennessee in Knoxville, there's a lot of chatter about the absence of Charles Bediako, which highlights Tennessee's strength in offensive rebounding. The Vols lead the nation in offensive rebounding percentage, grabbing an impressive 45% of their misses. In their last clash in Tuscaloosa, Tennessee pulled down 14 offensive boards, paving the way to a 79-73 victory, marking their fifth consecutive win in this rivalry.
However, Alabama's defeat wasn't solely due to their rebounding woes. The real issue was their cold shooting night, hitting just 6-of-26 from beyond the arc, coupled with a lack of offensive creativity outside of Labaron Philon.
That game was Bediako's first appearance for Alabama after a stint in the G-League, but what flew under the radar was the absence of two key players: Aden Holloway and Amari Allen. These two are not just the second and third top scorers for Alabama, but also rank second and third in assists. Their absence was a significant blow.
Fortunately for Alabama, both Holloway and Allen are set to play in Knoxville, though Philon's status is uncertain after missing the midweek game against Mississippi State.
The impact of Holloway and Allen on Alabama's offense is undeniable. According to CBB Analytics, Alabama boasts three of the top 15 offensive lineups in Quad 1 games, with Holloway and Allen featuring prominently in each.
These lineups rank No. 1, No. 4, and No. 13, showcasing their offensive prowess alongside sophomore center Aiden Sherrell, who has come into his own this season.
In the fourth-best lineup, senior Houston Mallette joins Holloway and Allen, while senior Latrell Wrightsell features in the 13th-ranked trio. Holloway and Allen, both elite three-point shooters with percentages of 43% and 39.8% respectively, will alleviate much of the playmaking pressure from Philon.
Last month, Alabama recorded just nine assists on 25 made baskets against Tennessee, significantly below their average. With Holloway and Allen back, Alabama's chances of overcoming Tennessee, even on the road, look much brighter, regardless of Philon's availability.