Testing ground

Good morning! Who’s ready for a night of great games?

1. Bama learned something about itself on Monday

No. 2 Alabama passed its first of many non-conference schedule tests on Monday night. But it wasn’t a score that’ll earn them top marks in the class.

A 72-64 win over McNeese showed some improvements from Friday’s win over Arkansas State. The Tide (3-0) were slightly more efficient on offense because of improved perimeter shooting (11-of-34 beyond the arc) and OK rebounding (they grabbed 30% of their misses). But they had too many turnovers (15) and went long stretches without hitting a field goal in the second half.

In fact, if Grant Nelson (22 points, 8 boards) doesn’t deliver with timely offensive rebounds and made foul shots, this had potential for OT. This was him most of the night:

"We've played two really good mid-major teams. They tested us on both games, and I think it's gonna be great for us moving forward,” Tide coach Nate Oats said afterward. “Our upside's high. We also learned that if we don't play with a competitive edge we're not that special."

Credit to McNeese (1-2) and especially junior guard Sincere Parker, who went for 19 points on a variety of 3-pointers and mid-range jumpers. He kept the Cowboys in the game, but their lack of overall size doomed them down the stretch.

As for Alabama’s upcoming schedule, check this out. It’s brutal for them, awesome for fans:

• Friday at Purdue

• Nov. 20 vs. Illinois

• Nov. 26 vs. Houston

• Nov. 27 vs. Rutgers

• Nov. 30 vs. Notre Dame

• Dec. 4 at North Carolina

• Dec. 14 vs. Creighton

That’s five teams in KenPom’s Top 25, and two more (Rutgers and Notre Dame) in the top 75. That’s an insane stretch of games, and one that could leave the Tide not far off from where they were last year in mid-December (6-5, but in the top 10 of KenPom).

But hey, that’s what the non-conference schedule is for, right? Prepare for what’s coming in the second-half of the season.

“They expose us on multiple levels that we can now work on before getting to league play,” Oats said, via AL.com. “That’s been my philosophy ever since I’ve got here. Schedule a really tough non-league schedule so that you configure out all the issues you possibly can.”

Can’t wait to watch how Bama navigates it.

2. Todd Golden speaks after Florida’s win + more results

Florida beat Grambling, 86-62, on Monday night. Not that there was a lot of interest in the game itself. Not with coach Todd Golden coaching amid a school investigation.

He received cheers during pre-game introductions, and was appreciative of the crowd’s reception.

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