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College basketball analyst Jay Williams was critical of the home atmosphere seen for Alabama’s most recent matchup against Clemson. The former Duke star said the arena resembled a tennis match as onlookers not engaged in the action on the floor.
Now, it is still football season and Nick Saban’s bunch is competing for an SEC championship, but Williams was surprised by the environment in Coleman Coliseum on Tuesday.
Keep in mind that this is an Alabama program fresh off a 31-win season in which they advanced to the Sweet 16. Last year represented the Tide’s third straight NCAA Tournament appearance, and its second SEC regular season title in three years.
They also won the SEC conference tournament on the back of first-round pick Brandon Miller.
Alabama entered the matchup with Clemson ranked No. 23 in the nation. Part of the SEC-ACC Challenge, Nate Oats’ bunch was playing for both a win and conference pride.
You wouldn’t know it based on the Tuesday night turnout.
Williams, who was on the call, noted that lack of home-court advantage after the halftime break.
Jay Williams has some brutal words for Alabama basketball fans at halftime of their game against Clemson.
“The place is not packed, the fans don’t seem to be engaged, it seems to be more like a tennis match.” pic.twitter.com/5GO0JAakMZ
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) November 29, 2023
“What’s the point of playing at home if it’s not going to have a home-court advantage?” the analyst asked. “This doesn’t feel like a home-court advantage at all for Alabama. The place is not packed, the fans don’t seem to be engaged, it seems to be more like a tennis match.”
Many online agreed.
“He didn’t say anything wrong.”
“Most of them probably didn’t know they had a basketball team until three years ago.”
Clemson’s play had something to do with that, though the score was 33-32 at the break. That atmosphere only became more deflated in the second half as the Tigers overcame a seven-point deficit in the final 13 minutes to leave with an 85-77 victory.
The poor turnout likely had to do with the game getting a late start on a weeknight, tipping off at 8:40 PM local time. Still, Jay Williams clearly believed the arena would be rocking given Alabama’s chance to continue showcasing the program on a national stage.
Hey, at least there’s still football – no one rivals Bryant-Denny Stadium on a Saturday night. We’ll see if the home environment improves as the Tide rolls into conference play.