Latrell Wrightsell Still “Day-to-Day”
Alabama is coming off a blowout loss to the Kentucky Wildcats, despite scoring 95 points on the road. The Crimson Tide remain a three-seed in Joe Lunardi's latest Bracketology on ESPN but could drop if they don't perform well during potentially the second toughest stretch of their season.
Alabama played games against Purdue, Arizona, and Creighton during the non-conference, and Alabama went 0-3 in those matchups. Alabama's second toughest three-game stretch is upcoming, with the Crimson Tide playing at Ole Miss, home against Tennessee, and at Florida before the regular season ends at home against Arkansas on March 9. The SEC regular season title is still up for grabs, and Alabama is tied for first place, but a tough three-game stretch could put a damper on their spirits.
Alabama will get Mohamed Wague back from a one-game suspension following an elbow he threw into the back of the head of a Florida player during Alabama's 98-95 overtime win over the Gators. Latrell Wrightsell did not play in that game, or in Saturday's loss to Kentucky, due to a head injury he suffered in practice leading up to Florida. Could he return for Alabama's game in Oxford?
He could, but it's still up in the air according to Oats. In Monday's media availability, Oats said, "Every day you've got to reevaluate and make sure he's not getting a headache. He's still not 100% going to play tomorrow. It would be nice to have him back sooner rather than later because you also don't want to rush him."
Oats also discussed the defensive development of Alabama's second-highest three-point shooter with more than 10 three-point shots attempted on the season: Sam Walters. "Sam Walters was a disaster on defense at the beginning of the year, to put it bluntly," Oats said. "He's come a long way. He's not a disaster anymore. I'm not gonna say he's Kawhi Leonard yet."
While Oats was complimentary of Walters's development on the defensive end, he said he was "disappointed" that a team he coached was "that poor" defensively.
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Gallery Credit: Simon Besnoy
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Gallery Credit: SEC Media Portal
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Gallery Credit: Simon Besnoy