Jon Johnson column: Alabama more in control than Auburn

AUBURN  -  In the most hostile of environments. Across enemy lines. Missing arguably its most talented player.

It was Alabama which kept its composure while home-team Auburn came unglued during the Tide’s 68-50 win at Auburn Arena on Tuesday night.

Though it looked like it might be Auburn’s night when center Rob Chubb unusually knocked down his first four shots in the opening minutes, it was Alabama which had secured an 11-point lead by halftime after Auburn began unraveling.

And it was over.

With emotions running high, as is normally the case when these two square off, the biggest dagger in the Tigers’ heart came right before the break when the Auburn bench was whistled for a technical after Chubb was called for a foul.

It marked the third technical of the first 20 minutes for Auburn – the other two coming when Kenny Gabriel and Chris Denson were called for hanging on the rim following dunks.

Alabama made the most of the six technical free throw tries, as Trevor Releford swished them all to give the Tide the important points.

After Releford connected on the last of his free shots with 18 ticks left in the first half, the Tide made Auburn pay even more on the final possession as JaMychal Green connected on a short jumper with two seconds left for a 35-24 halftime advantage.

Green raised his arms high as he exited the floor for intermission, amidst heckles from a riled up Auburn student section.

But little seemed to bother Green or anybody else on the Alabama basketball team on this night.

With standout forward Tony Mitchell sitting at home due to a suspension handed down by Alabama coach Anthony Grant on Monday, everybody else wearing crimson and white elevated their game to make things look rather easy on their rival’s home court.

It’s not really so much a surprise that Green stepped up. The senior, when on his game, is obviously a difference-maker in the paint. He even stepped outside to drain a 3-pointer during his game-high 19-point scoring night.

And it’s not so much of a surprise anymore when the talented sophomore guard Trevor Releford puts on a show. He scored 15 while directing the offense.

What was so impressive about Alabama’s victory was how the role players – the guys off the bench – played when their numbers were called.

Guard Charles Hankerson scored 14 points. Little-used center Carl Engstrom gave the Tide some big minutes early and scored four points on 2-of-3 shooting. Freshman Rodney Cooper played some terrific defense and added eight points to the scoring column.

It’s the contribution from those type players that helped Alabama stay on top and kept Auburn out of sync in its comeback try.

And Alabama shouldn’t take this win lightly.

Auburn, though just 13-11 overall now, 3-7 in conference play, is normally extremely difficult to beat on its home floor as witnessed by the Tigers’ 12-1 home mark going into the game.

But on this night, little went right for Auburn after the first 15 minutes or so.

The Tigers turned the ball over 20 times and hit just 12-of-26 free throw tries.

Alabama played sloppy at times, too, as witnessed by its 17 turnovers. Yet the Tide was able to stay poised and overcome the bulk of its mistakes while Auburn couldn’t.

Auburn got nine points from its reserves. Alabama got 28 points from their players off the bench.

Enough said.