The Starting Five: Florida State

Five stats, facts and people you need to know for when you briefly change the channel from the Iron Bowl to watch the Tide take on the Seminoles.

Alabama vs. Florida State

The Milk House, Orlando, FL

4pm CT

TV: ESPN2

1. JaMychal Green having the season he needs. At the beginning of the season, Alabama's success was built on the if of whether JaMychal Green could have an All-SEC type season. So far, Green has delivered for the Tide. Through the first four games, Green has played up to his potential under head coach Anthony Grant. Green has two double-doubles on the year and is averaging 18 points and 8 rebounds per game. His 19 points in the first half against Baylor was important considering the size of the Bears. The biggest accomplishment for JaMychal this year, though, has been his ability to stay out of foul trouble. Thursday night, Green didn't have a foul the entire first half. Green must continue to stay out of foul trouble today against a Florida State team looking to advance.
2. Tony Mitchell's status in the air. With about seven minutes left in the game, Tony Mitchell took an elbow to the bridge of the nose and ended up on the media sideline after stumbling away from the play, bleeding profusely. Mitchell would return to the bench with what is believed to be 20 stitches between his eyes and a bandage over the cut, but never returned to the game. After the game, Mitchell was fine, and coach Grant joked with him about wearing a mask over his face until he is completely healed. Despite that little quip from Grant, it is still unknown if Mitchell will play this afternoon against Florida State. Alabama needs all the depth they can get, so don't expect if Grant does all he can to get Mitchell on the floor today.
3. Turnovers staying at a minimum. After compiling 45 turnovers in two exhibition games, the Crimson Tide only have 41 turnovers through four games, averaging to just over ten per game. Anthony Brock and Tony Mitchell have not turned the ball over this season so far.
4. Seminoles have some height as well. The Crimson Tide have already faced some tall competition this season, and this afternoon will be no different. Florida State boasts two sophomore sensations in 6-11 Xavier Gibson and 7-1 Solomon Alabi. Both of these guys are a presence in the lane on the defensive end, but they lack something that both Baylor and Cornell didn't have: strength. The Bears and Big Red were both stocky down low, but Florida State is all height and no size. The Crimson Tide should be able to push Alabi and Gibson around down low and potentially get them into foul trouble. Alabama must also keep a hand in the face of FSU's Delividas Dulkys. The sophomore hit back-to-back threes against Iona last night in what was a very ugly game and Bama has traditionally struggled with perimeter defense, but that issue seems to be dwindling.
5. Crimson Tide's resume could get a real boost. With two straight wins over the Big East and Big XII, Alabama could get their third straight victory over a BCS/high major conference if they can take down Florida State of the ACC. The season may only be in November, but these early season tournaments are prime time to build a tournament resume for March. With a win, Alabama would then have a chance for a second win against the Big East or knocking out another conference in the Big Ten depending on the Marquette/Michigan result. For a team who hasn't tasted the post-season in any aspect the past two years, the Crimson Tide could be looking at a situation where an 8-8 conference season would mean a tournament trip by the end of this week.