The Alabama men's basketball team is off to a 2-0 start, and Preseason Wooden Award candidate Richard Hendrix is one of the main reasons.
The junior from Athens started the season with a 22-point, 23-rebound performance against Troy on Nov. 9 at home and followed it up with a 28-point, 14-rebound game at Mercer Tuesday night.
For his efforts against Troy, Hendrix was named the SEC Player of the Week.
Hendrix has shot 77 percent from the field (20-of-26) on the short season but has struggled from the free throw line, only making 50 percent of his foul shots.
He also recorded five blocked shots in the first two games.
Hendrix's presence on the blocks has been the primary offensive weapon, averaging 25 points per game, but his stellar play has opened up shots on the perimeter.
After shooting only 20 percent from beyond the arc against Troy, Alabama took advantage of open 3-point shots when Hendrix attracted double and triple teams from the Bears.
The Crimson Tide shot 44 percent from deep, led by Justin Tubbs' 3-of-6 performance. Mykal Riley also knocked down two key 3-point baskets, while Alonzo Gee nailed both of his long-range attempts.
Alabama will continue its run through talented non-conference opponents Monday when Belmont comes into Coleman Coliseum for a 6 p.m. tip-off. Belmont has been to two consecutive NCAA Tournaments, including a first-round loss to Georgetown last season.
Tide controlling the boards
With Hendrix pulling down 37 rebounds in the first two games, it's no surprise that the Tide is winning the rebound battle. Alabama is out-rebounding its opponents nearly 2-to-1.
In the first two games, the Tide pulled down 111 boards, compared to 67 by its opponents.
Tide players posted three double-digit rebounding performances against Troy. Hendrix's 23 was complemented by Gee's 12 and Demetrius Jemison's 10 boards.
Jemison had nine boards against Mercer before leaving with an ankle injury, while Gee had seven to go with Hendrix's 14.
Trio manning point guard position
After starting at point guard in the opener, Rico Pickett did not play against Mercer. Instead, sophomore Mikhail Torrance got the start with Brandon Hollinger playing as the backup.
Torrance, whose long wingspan makes it tough for opposing shooters, manned up on Mercer's standout guard James Florence. Florence torched No. 18 USC for 30 points in their opener, but Torrance helped stymie Florence to just 7-of-22 shooting from the field, including 1-of-10 from beyond the arc.
Shooting guards Tubbs and Senario Hillman, considered solid defenders, played significant minutes to help make it a rough night for Florence.
On the offensive side of the ball, Torrance chipped in nine points, but he and Hollinger each had six assists that helped Alabama maintain a double-digit lead for most of the night.
Alabama head coach Mark Gottfried said before the season that Torrance and Pickett would each play a significant amount at the point.
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