The Starting Five: Providence

Five stats, facts and people you need to know before Alabama's game against the Friars.

Alabama vs. Providence
Tuscaloosa, AL, Coleman Coliseum
Tip Time: 7:00 pm CT

1. The Anthony Brock suspension. It was an unpleasant surprise on Tuesday night when word began making it around Coleman Coliseum that another Crimson Tide player would be unavailable, this time by suspension. As many people know by now, Anthony Brock has been suspended indefinitely for a violation of team rules and been told he can not participate in any basketball related activities. The loss of Brock now puts Alabama down to ten players, nine which have played so far this season. It also cuts down on the number of scoring options outside of 20 feet from the basket. The most disheartening part of Brock's suspension is the indefinite part. No one knows what he has done, and more importantly, with the Old Spice Classic next week and Purdue looming, Brock's presence or lack there of could be the difference for Alabama in some games.
2. Scoring off the bench. This season, it won't be a surprise to see Alabama's starting lineup fluctuate game to game, which means the scoring off of the bench this season could set a Crimson Tide record in that category. Through two games, Alabama has scored 75 points off of the bench, thus averaging 37.5 points from guys getting secondary minutes. With the Brock suspension, the starters have all been players who were at Alabama under Gottfried, means that...
3. Fresh faces making an impact. Anthony Grant's use of last year's recruiting class has been a huge difference so far this season. His rotation of Charvez Davis, Chris Hines, Tony Mitchell and Ben Eblen, Grant's first recruit, has allowed Alabama to succeed offensively so far this season. Davis hit 5 three's against Jackson State on Tuesday night, a good sign with Anthony Brock suspended. Tony Mitchell led the Tide with 23 points Tuesday plus two electric dunks. Hines has put up valuable minutes to give JaMychal Green and Justin Knox time to rest. Eblen has been a steady defender, ball handler, and gets the ball up the court quicker than any of the Tide guards, allowing more time for Alabama to run the offense. Eblen has also gone three games, one exhibition and two regular season, without a turnover, something that has definitely made Anthony Grant happy.
4. Providence a question mark. Under second year head coach Keno Davis, Providence graduated 67% of their scoring and rebounding from last year's team. Sharaud Curry is the leading returning scorer with 11.7 points per game and hit a team high 57 shots from beyond the arc last season. As for this year's team, the Friar's are being led in points by Marshon Brooks with 17 points per game and shooting 50% on the season. In the post, Sophomore Jamine Peterson is averaging 12 points and 11 rebounds so far. The returners are doing well carrying this team in some lackluster home games leading to this point, so how the Providence freshmen adapt to a road environment will be the biggest key for a Friar victory.
5. Pivotal game for Alabama on many fronts. Not only does the Crimson Tide need this win to move above .500 heading into a tough early season tournament next week, but the support and recognition of Alabama this season hinges on this game. For starters, defeating a Big East school, no matter where they may finish in conference, would be a feat to draw attention to the program. The Big East is currently 35-0 on the season, and Alabama would be known as "that team" to give the best conference in college basketball their first loss on the season. Also, support for this team would grow from its own fan base after most still don't recognize how good of a team Cornell will be this season. On top of all of this, Alabama would get the first win of a resume they could put forth to making any postseason tournament this season. The NCAAs may be a stretch, but for a team that has gone no where in two years, the NIT is a success.