Avery Johnson explains how Alabama shut down Ole Miss in 2nd half

Fueled by a second half comeback, No. 10 Alabama defeated No. 7 Ole Miss 62-57.

It was really a tale of two halves, as the Tide committed 10 turnovers resulting in 14 Ole Miss points in the first half. The Rebels took the lead into halftime 38-24, but Alabama came marching back in the second half.

The Tide held Ole Miss to just 19 points in the second half, exactly half of its first half points. Yes, Alabama played well down the stretch, but let’s face it, it was a collapse by Ole Miss.

Following the game, Avery Johnson spoke to reporters and explained how the Tide slowed the Rebels down.

Alabama HC Avery Johnson on holding #OleMiss to 19 points in the second half:

"We just played some gritty, hard nosed man to man. Our fitness and our energy level was really good, defensively, in the second half."

— Nathanael Gabler (@nategabler) March 15, 2019

He was then asked whether his team was in desperation mode with respect to making the NCAA Tournament with Kentucky ahead Friday.

Bama coach Avery Johnson when asked about playing Kentucky again revealed nothing. Said he didn’t want to give out his strategy or lineups. Didn’t think his team was necessarily in desperation mode yet. Says team has some very good wins that people tend to forget. pic.twitter.com/H64Jt0QOMQ

— John Huang (@KYHuangs) March 15, 2019

Alabama plays Kentucky Friday night at 7:00 p.m. ET.

SDS Staff

Saturday Down South reports and comments on the news around the Southeastern Conference as well as larger college football topics.