Alabama men’s basketball (4-1) failed its initial test against a potential NCAA Tournament team, ultimately losing a neutral-site matchup to Ohio State (4-1), 92-81, in Raider Arena in Niceville, Florida. The No. 17 Tide lost for the first time this season, slumping from a slow shooting start and not having the defensive answers in the second half. UA had entered the Emerald Coast Classic as the fifth-ranked team nationally in KenPom’s Adjusted efficiency margin, the highest-rated group in the tourney. Its offense was averaging triple-digits, the most per game of any team in the country. But Ohio State countered with physicality, better shot-making and never really lost its grip on the pace. The Buckeyes tied its season-high with 10 3-pointers nearly midway through the final frame. It was the most from range UA had allowed this season. OSU joined Indiana State as the second team to make more than half…
Continue Reading: Alabama basketball loses 1st game of year to Ohio State as defense stumbles
