Amari Allen Steps Up for Alabama in NCAA Tournament

0:00On March 20th, Alabama freshman Amari Allen has burst onto the college basketball scene this season with the Crimson Tide. The 6-foot-8 forward from Green Bay, Wisconsin, averages 11.7 points, and leaves the team with 7.1 rebounds per game. He also boasts a strong assist to turnover ratio better than 2-1, earning him solid starting minutes under coach Nate Oates as they head into. The 20-26 NCAA tournament. This week brought a big shift when Guard Aiden Holloway faced a rest on felony marijuana charges, leaving a void in the back court. That absence means more opportunities for Allen, who handles the ball well for his size. Coach Oates noted they can now slide Allen fully into the back court role without pulling him to the front. Allen himself says he's prepared to step up and fill the gap. Fans still buzz about his standout, 23-point game against Mississippi State on February 25th, where he hits 6-7, 3-pointers in a blowout win.

1:01That hot shooting from Deed Mayor's Wood Holloway brought, and it could prove key in March madness. With the tournament underway, Alabama leans on Allen's versatility to push deeper into the bracket and chase a strong run.