According to Jeff Goodman’s Saturday morning report, Alabama basketball will gain a depth boost from the return of an injured player just in time for their Saturday afternoon game against Auburn.
With a massive Saturday afternoon showdown looming against Auburn—the top two teams in the AP Poll—Alabama basketball is expected to receive reinforcements, according to Jeff Goodman’s early Saturday report.
A lower leg injury has kept Reid out of the last two games—and six of the past eight—totaling seven games missed this season, with Coach Nate Oats recently noting that he’ll remain sidelined until he can go through a practice or game without pain; once a 5-star recruit for the Crimson Tide averaging 7.2 points and 3.4 rebounds in roughly 17 minutes per game, Reid’s offense has faltered since January 11, scoring just two points in 24 combined minutes over his two recent appearances.
Reid’s offensive game is still developing, but his versatility on defense could be a valuable asset for the Crimson Tide. Along with Mo Dioubate and Jarin Stevenson, he ranks among Alabama’s most adaptable defenders, capable of effectively guarding both guards and forwards.
Chad Baker-Mazara’s length will be a challenging matchup, but Reid is among the Crimson Tide’s best options to handle him, providing another way to defend Auburn guard Tahaad Pettiford. Coach Oats favors using length against guards, and Reid’s return allows him more flexibility in mixing and matching defenders—Reid, Diobuate, and Stevenson could all see time guarding Pettiford throughout the game. However, Reid is not expected to play extensively; roughly 12 minutes, similar to his recent appearances, should be appropriate as he eases back from injury.
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