The Starting Five: Baylor

Five stats, facts or people you need to know before the Tide tips on Turkey Day against the Bears.

Alabama vs. Baylor

The Milk House, Orlando, FL

5:30 CT

TV: ESPN 2

1. Brock back on the squad. After serving a two-game suspension for a violation of team rules, Anthony Brock is now back in good standing in the eyes of coach Anthony Grant. There are two thoughts about Brock coming back at this time: either what Brock did was not too detrimental to the team, or Grant needs all the depth he can find for the games in Orlando this week. It is easy to believe it could be a little bit of both, but to believe Brock will not be needed against some tough competition in the Old Spice Classic is thinking this team is much better than they actually are.
2. Eblen, Mitchell take a seat in crunch time. Despite having great games against Jackson State, Ben Eblen and Tony Mitchell, Alabama's two freshmen, only posted 17 minutes between them in the game against Providence. Mitchell exploded for 23 points against the Tigers, and Eblen dished out three assists in his time on the floor. Against the Friars, however, Eblen had his first turnovers of the season, and Mitchell only managed four points in ten minutes on the floor. Most people can agree Mitchell can help this season, but as much as I like Eblen, the jury is still out on him. These next three games will give a good indication about their playing time this season from this point forward.
3. Torrance accepting the senior role. With Anthony Brock not in the game, Mikhail Torrance was the only senior on the floor with Alabama battling Providence for a victory last Friday. Torrance took over at the end of the game, tallying six of Alabama's final eight points, including a steal and 3-4 from the free throw line. The Tide finished the game against the Friars on a 10-2 run, and obviously Mikhail was the main man behind this finish. In his final season, Torrance is averaging 50% from the field in 30 minutes of play for an average of 18.3 points per game this season. No doubt if he keeps this up, he will find himself on the All-SEC roster come March.
4. LaceDarius Dunn could doom the Tide. The Baylor Bears are in the midst of rebuilding their program after the scandal that rocked college basketball when player Patrick Dennehy was murdered by teammate Carlton Dotson in 2003. The Bears are on the rise under head coach Soctt Drew, who has managed to increase Baylor's win total from four in 2005 -06 to 24 last season and a trip to New York for the NIT Final. The Bears lost to Penn State in that game, but are looking for their second NCAA bid in three years this year. The Bears have two centers who top off at seven feet tall and are led by junior guard LaceDarius Dunn. So far this season, Dunn has averaged 25 points per game and shot 46% from behind the three-point line. He will most likely be the assignment of Senario Hillman for the Tide this evening.
5. Old Spice Classic a great test for Bama. With teams such as Michigan, Florida State and Xavier in this tournament, as well as opening with a Baylor squad who should make noise in the Big XII this year, the Crimson Tide are going to learn a lot about their team in the next four days. With a win tonight, Alabama would more than likely face Florida State on Friday, a team who has already lost to Florida this week. Both Baylor and FSU have players of seven feet, something that gave the Tide trouble against Cornell in the first game of the year. Rebounding and defense will be the key tonight against the Bears for Alabama, and as always, around the perimeter is key.