11 takeaways from Alabama basketball’s 25-point exhibition win over Furman

GREENVILLE, SC — Alabama basketball won its first — and last — preseason road trip before opening the season against North Dakota on Monday, Nov. 3.

The Crimson Tide left Timmons Arena with a 96-71 win against Furman, showing marked improvements from its first exhibition outing against Florida State, which it won 109-105.

Here are 11 key takeaways and observations after Alabama‘s trip to South Carolina.

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What did Noah Williamson look like in Alabama basketball debut?

Making his Alabama debut after missing the FSU exhibition with a minor knee injury, the Bucknell center transfer played some valuable minutes. Despite scoring just four points on two layups, he set screens well throughout the game, fed Davion Hannah for the Crimson Tide’s first dunk of the year and added three boards in the second half.

Who emerged as Tide’s best shooter against Furman?

With two makes on four attempts, Houston Mallette went 50% from deep. The team cooled down from beyond the arc in the second half, making just one attempt, but junior guard Aden Holloway went 4-for-6 in the first period before finishing 4-for-9.

How did Latrell Wrightsell Jr. do in comeback?

Before a scary spill that saw him have to get his right hand wrapped and iced by Alabama’s trainer, Wrightsell looked back to his old self. Wrightsell finished 3-for-7 for 12 points, scoring five from the one-line, with two assists and a steal. Although he didn’t get a board, coach Nate Oats said he was happy with his defensive improvement since his hiatus from the court.

Were there consistent sub groups? What did Oats try?

The most consistent subs for Holloway at the two-guard and London Jemison at the four-spot were Amari Allen for Holloway and Taylor Bol Bowen for Jemison. The FSU transfer forward Bol Bowen also checked in at the five sometimes while Jemison was at the four. Another look included Noah Williamson at the five, subbing in for starter Aiden Sherrell, with Bol Bowen at the four.

Alabama basketball turnovers better, but not by much

The Crimson Tide didn’t hit double-digit turnovers in the first period like it did against FSU, but nine still kept things close as Alabama didn’t extend a 10-plus lead until about nine minutes to halftime remained.

UA finished with 15 total.

Freshman Amari Allen shines on the glass

Emerging as Alabama’s lead rebounder, the forward shined with four offensive boards and five defensive boards. Oats said after the game that Allen didn’t play “particularly well” in an intersquad scrimmage on Wednesday, but was informed by players that Allen had spent “quite a bit” of time in the gym in the aftermath. On Sunday, it paid off.

Houston Mallette overcomes hecklers

A Furman fan had fun heckling Houston Mallette when he stepped to the charity stripe coming out of halftime, slinging comments like “You can’t make threes” and “You stink” at the graduate. Mallette was unrattled, going 3-for-3 to extend a 51-36 lead early in the second period — and by that point, Mallette had, in fact, made a pair of treys.

How many double-digit scorers did Alabama have?

The lead scorer Holloway was joined in double-digits by Labaron Philon, Allen and Wrightsell, who scored 18, 16, 11 and 12, respectively.

Crimson Tide has creators down the roster

Of 13 players getting minutes, seven contributed assists. Alabama was led by five assists from Labaron Philon and four by Holloway.

Return of the dunk

After a dunkless performance against Florida State, the Crimson Tide finished 2-for-2 on dunk attempts with makes by Davion Hannah and Sherrell.

Who took Hard Hat honors?

Following up Mallette’s hard hat-worthy performance against Florida State, Holloway was seen visiting with family after the game with the coveted white hard hat in hand.

Emilee Smarr covers Alabama basketball and Crimson Tide athletics for the Tuscaloosa News. She can be reached via email at esmarr@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: 11 takeaways from Alabama basketball’s 25-point win over Furman

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