Tide has spirited week of practice

TUSCALOOSA | The University of Alabama basketball team is eager to get back to action Monday at home against Wofford — so much so that a spirited week of practice resulted in a little bloodshed.

Tide coach Mark Gottfried said that junior Brandon Hollinger took an inadvertent elbow from Richard Hendrix to the left eye socket on Tuesday — a blow that opened up two cuts that needed five stitches to close.

“He looks like he’s been in there with George Foreman,” Gottfried said during a press conference Friday.

“There wasn’t any bone damage, so he will be OK to play Monday. But it is an example of how the guys have been going after each other this week.”

Gottfried said that Hollinger got caught by Hendrix coming around a screen during drills, and immediately hit the floor as a small pool of blood started to form. Hollinger was examined thoroughly to rule out any further damage, and Gottfried has held him out of contact since the incident.

Hollinger required three stitches on his cheekbone below the eye socket, and two more on his eyebrow. Gottfried said they attempted to fit the 5-foot-11 guard with various face guards, but none could offer Hollinger the proper fit and comfort.

Gottfried said that much of what the Crimson Tide worked on this week was analysis of different players and different situations.

“We’re trying to figure our team out,” Gottfried said. “Our roles, our chemistry, who will come off the bench and so forth. We have two young point guards who sometimes don’t look all that ready, but you want to get them in there and play them. We have looked at our team a lot of different ways, but at some point you have to start settling in and get a good rotation with our team.

“You want to give everyone a chance, and in practice sometimes there isn’t a whole lot of separation. But at some point players have to get comfortable with what their role is. We are getting there, and are a lot farther along this week than last week. But we haven’t quite settled with it yet.”

Academic A-OK

Gottfried said the Tide’s final exam week is complete, and that no one on the roster is expected to incur academic-related eligibility issues.

In fact, this weekend’s primary concern for Gottfried and the Tide is watching injured guard Ronald Steele, starting forward Mykal Riley and reserve forward John Dill participate in graduation today.

“We are all very proud of those guys, and excited for them this weekend,” Gottfried said. “By the time everyone is done with tests, they will feel relieved and good and ready to get back to playing basketball.”

Up next

Alabama (5-3) takes on the 4-2 Wofford Terriers in the first round of the Findlay Toyota Las Vegas Classic at 7 p.m. Monday at Coleman Coliseum.

“They shoot the 3 really well, and last year their team set a school record for 3s,” Gottfried said. “When you watch them on tape, their best player [Shane Nichols] hasn’t played, but comes in the other night and takes 18 shots. They are a little different team than they were a week ago. They are a good basketball team, very capable.

“We schedule looking for teams that have players coming back and are good teams that will compete for their conference. And this is one of them.”

The Tide then plays Texas Pan American at 7 p.m. Wednesday before flying to Las Vegas for games Saturday and Sunday.

Reach David Wasson at david.wasson@tuscaloosanews.com or at 205-722-0229.