After the game, Alabama basketball coach, Avery Johnson complimented South Carolina. Avery said the Gamecocks played like a NCAA Tournament team. The television announcers observed the second-half felt like a NCAA Tournament game.
This season Alabama basketball had not played well enough to win such a tight, determinedly contested game. It could be argued it has been farther back than this season when the Crimson Tide was the tougher and more poised team down the stretch.
Do not be fooled by the Gamecocks’ record. They may not make the Big Dance but they are a good team.