Men's Basketball Set to Face Kansas State
12/16/2011 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Alabama Basketball Preview - Alabama vs. Kansas State
Alabama (8-2) vs. Kansas State (6-1)
Crimson Tide Basketball Central
Basketball Home | Season Statistics | Roster | Media Guide | TideTV - Watch the games online! | SEC Basketball | NCAA BasketballDec. 16, 2011
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -
The University of Alabama men's basketball team travels to Kansas City, Mo., to face Kansas State in a neutral site contest at the Sprint Center Saturday evening. Tipoff is scheduled for 9 p.m. CST on ESPNU and via the radio affiliates of the Crimson Tide Sports Network.
The No. 23/21 Crimson Tide enter the game coming off a win over Detroit at home to improve to 8-2 on the season while Kansas State has enjoyed similar early season success with a 6-1 record on the season and the lone loss coming to West Virginia by an 85-80 margin in overtime.
"They're a very talented team and obviously I have a lot of respect for their coach," UA head coach Anthony Grant said of his former high school teammate and Kansas State head coach Frank Martin. "He and I have a long relationship and I've been really impressed watching them on film and think that he's done a great job with their team."
The Tide's defense remains one of the top in the nation, allowing just 55.3 points per game, the 11th best average in the nation. Only three UA opponents have reached the 60-point mark, while three opponents have failed to score 50 points. UA's last opponent, Detroit, scored 54 points while the Wildcats are averaging 76.4 points per game.
"I thought we played really well the first 17-18 minutes of the game against Detroit and were sporadic the rest of the game," Grant said. "We've got to be able to put together 40 minutes against the competition that we're going to be facing."
The game will also be a homecoming for UA point guard Trevor Releford. A Kansas City native, Releford attended high school at nearby Bishop Miege where he led the squad to the Kansas 5A state title in 2010. This season he's averaging 10.5 points and a team high 3.0 assists per game.
"It's just another game and an opportunity to compete against a great team in Kansas State and hopefully get a win to add to our resume," Releford said. "It's my hometown and its everyone's dream in college to play in your hometown at this level. It's a great opportunity for me and I can't wait to play."
Kansas State has four players averaging double digits with Thomas Gipson's 14.0 points and 8.1 rebounds leading the way. In Sunday's win over North Florida, he posted 23 points and 12 rebounds in 37 minutes. Rodney McGruder is second on the squad in scoring with 12.7 points per outing.
Saturday's game is the third between the two programs, with each school owning a victory in the series to tie it a 1-1. The Wildcats won in the last meeting, 87-74, in Mobile, Ala., on Dec. 19,2009.
Saturday's game is the first of two straight games against Big 12 competition, as the Tide return to Alabama to take on Oklahoma State in Birmingham on Dec. 21.
