Three games in, Collin Sexton is already rising to the challenge at Alabama
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Alabama battles back to beat UT Arlington, extend perfect start
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Entering the season, Alabama head basketball coach Avery Johnson told freshman point guard Collin Sexton he didn’t need to score 30 or 40 points for the Crimson Tide to win games.
Technically, the head coach was still correct following Tuesday night’s 77-76 win over the University of Texas Arlington. Sexton had a career-high 29 points against the Mavericks, a shade below the 30 points Johnson mentioned earlier in the year. Although, every one of those points was needed to keep Alabama (4-0) undefeated to start the season.
“Coach, he put me in a great position to have the floor open and allow me to attack their point guard as well as their big, and if he came up drop it down,” Sexton said. “He just gave me the floor and told me to operate.”
Sexton was the Crimson Tide’s only double-digit scorer on the night and carried the team on offense several times throughout the game. After Alabama dug itself into a 12-point deficit late in the first half, it was the freshman who led the charge back.
Sexton scored seven of the Crimson Tide’s nine points during a 9-2 run to close out the half, as Alabama went into the break trailing 46-41. Over that span, and several other times throughout the game, Johnson gave his freshman the reigns and challenged him to take charge on the court.
“Just carry us, be yourself, don’t play on your heels,” Johnson said of his advice to Sexton. “If you see something take advantage of the defense. If you see a crack in the defense, attack. If you want to shoot your step-back 3, shoot it. We believe in him.”
While the halftime deficit marked the first time Alabama went into the break without a lead this season, the late run provided the Crimson Tide with the jolt it needed to come out strong in the second half.
Sexton responded then, too.
After cutting the deficit to three points with one of his two 3s on the night, Sexton hit two free throws to tie the game at 51 with 14:15 remaining. Late in the game, he was fouled while making a basket to give the Crimson Tide a 77-73 lead with 29 seconds remaining. While he missed the ensuing free throw, Sexton later atoned for his mistake on defense.
With Alabama leading 77-76 with 17 seconds remaining UTA opted for the final shot of the game, putting the ball in the hands of point guard Erick Neal for the potential game-winner. Sexton blanketed the senior, forcing him into a difficult shot at the buzzer that ended up short of the basket to seal the victory for the Crimson Tide.
“I was ready for the challenge,” Sexton said. “I felt like in practice we go over a lot of defensive plays. Coach calls it the alley. If you turn him more than about four or five times, that’s a good possession. I turned him a few times and I got him to shoot a tough shot.”
Since returning from a one-game suspension for a violation of NCAA rules to start the season, Sexton has set career highs in each of his first three college games, becoming the first Alabama freshman to record 20 or more points in three consecutive contests.
The former five-star recruit and No. 8 player in the 2017 class is averaging 25.3 points, 4.7 assists and 2 rebounds per game. He is also shooting 63.4 percent from the floor, including 46.7 percent from beyond the arc.
“Since I’m out there, I might as well do something while I’m out there,” Sexton said. “Every time I step on the court I have to give my all.”
Alabama’s next challenge comes on the big stage as the Crimson Tide travels to Brooklyn, N.Y. as part of the Barclays Center Classic. The Crimson Tide will take on BYU (3-1) on Friday at 1:30 p.m. CT before going up against No. 14 Minnesota at 4 p.m. on Saturday.
Alabama will most likely need a couple more big performances from Sexton if it hopes to make it through the trip with its perfect record still intact. If so, the freshman phenom is up for the challenge.
“I feel like when’s the light’s on I got to play,” Sexton said. “I’ve got to show up.”