Tweak to free-throw shot leads to clutch outing at Kentucky for Grant Nelson

Alabama forward Grant Nelson struggled at the free-throw line in the Crimson Tide’s loss to Ole Miss, going 3-of-7 at the charity stripe in a 74-64 loss to the Rebels at home.

Nate Oats revealed after Alabama defeated Kentucky, 102-97, in Lexington on Saturday that the fifth-year senior spent a lot of extra time in the gym in between the Tide’s fourth and fifth league games. It proved beneficial, as Nelson went 9-of-10 at the line in the road win.

“He goes 3-of-7 at the free-throw line Tuesday night, and he got in the gym and worked,” Oats said. “We were able to make small corrections to his shot, give him some confidence by putting a bunch of work in. I think the last two days, he finished his individual workouts going 90-of-100 two days ago, 91-of-100 yesterday. Got some confidence, steps up and goes 9-of-10. 

“He shoots 90 percent in practice and goes 90 percent in the game when we needed him.”

Nelson recorded his fifth double-double of the season as he helped No. 4 Alabama bounce with a big road win at Rupp Arena. Nelson scored a Crimson Tide career-high 25 points against the Wildcats and pulled down a team-high 11 rebounds in 31 minutes of game action. His previous best was 24 points, which he had in the Sweet 16 versus North Carolina.

Nelson started off strong, scoring 12 of Alabama’s first 20 points and knocking down two threes early in the first half of play. But 19 of his points were either in the paint or at the line. He was aggressive, Oats said, which helped the Tide win an offensive back-and-forth.

“(He) got downhill, attacked them,” Oats said. “He stepped to the free throw line and made free throws, so he wasn’t afraid to attack them. We got him in the pocket a little bit. He was playing great. I thought he had a few too many turnovers in the second half. But even that didn’t make him passive. 

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“Even after he had the turnovers, he kind of split the double team, put the ball in front of him, made a play like a guard makes, got fouled, got the and-one. He’s good. We could use that out of him every game.”

Nelson would have likely played more had he not been in foul trouble. The same goes for Aden Holloway and Mo Dioubate, who fouled out with 2:29 left to play. After a monster first half with 19 points, all four fouls occurred over the final 20 minutes. But Nelson still contributed six points – four at the free-throw line – and seven rebounds in the second half.

“With the way him and Dioubate were both playing, we need to keep him out of foul trouble because they were both great at the four spot and they both can kind of flex down and play some five when we need to, too,” Oats said. “So both versatile.

“But super happy for Grant and his free throws. His two threes he had early, I mean, they were big, got him going. He missed a few I thought he should have drove. … We want him to have confidence shooting the three, and I think he’s been working really hard on his shot. 

“It’s great to see those two go in. And he’s still better getting downhill, attacking at the rim. So let’s keep him doing that. But he had a great game for us.”

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