Wichita State unleashes late surge to thwart Alabama's upset bid
If Alabama falls a quality win shy of making the NCAA tournament this March, the Tide will surely think back to the game they let slip away at Wichita State on Tuesday night.
They had the 11th-ranked Shockers all but beaten only to cough up an 11-point lead in the final five minutes and lose 53-52.
Wichita State's 13-1 surge started when it went to a full-court press to speed up the tempo and disrupt Alabama's offensive rhythm. The Tide missed four shots and committed four turnovers during the final 5:20, scoring their only point on a Levi Randolph free throw with 33 seconds to play.
Alabama's defense had been smothering enough that it seemed possible 51 points might be enough, but Wichita State finally generated some offense against the long, athletic Tide. Driving layups by Fred VanVleet and Ron Baker and a pair of floaters from Rashard Kelly fueled the Shockers' rally, paving the way for a dramatic finish.
Wichita State still trailed by one when VanVleet attacked off the dribble, drew help defenders and fed Darius Carter with a pinpoint bounce pass for the go-ahead dunk. Alabama managed to get a shot at the buzzer, but sweet-shooting Rodney Cooper's stroke failed him at the worst possible time and his contested corner 3-pointer didn't draw iron.
The outcome of Tuesday's game could have significance in March.
For Alabama, this means beginning SEC play without a win of consequence unless it can beat UCLA in Tuscaloosa on Dec. 28. The Tide are 6-3 with a victory over Arizona State qualifying as their most notable win, hardly enough to make Coach Anthony Grant feel comfortable given the pressure on him to make the NCAA tournament.
For Wichita State, this could be a strength of schedule boost and a noteworthy win if Alabama plays to its potential the rest of the season. Playing in what's typically a one-bid league often leads to complaints about Wichita State's strength of schedule, but the Shockers have faced a credible non-league slate this season, beating Memphis, Seton Hall and now Alabama with only an overtime loss at Utah staining their 8-1 record.
What comeback wins against Detroit and Alabama have shown about Wichita State over the past week is that the Shockers still have the toughness, character and disposition of a champion even if their roster isn't quite as formidable as last year's unbeaten squad's was.
They miss Cleanthony Early's scoring, rebounding and activity at power forward. They need VanVleet to play more consistently down the stretch in close games. And they would be better if they could develop a bench that can ease some of the pressure on Baker, VanVleet and Tekele Cotton.
Nonetheless, the roster the Shockers do have was good enough to win Tuesday in Dick Vitale's first trip to Wichita.
Alabama will remember Tuesday's game as a total collapse. Wichita State will look back at Tuesday's game fondly at a gutsy rally.
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Jeff Eisenberg is the editor of The Dagger on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at daggerblog@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!
