Alabama’s Trevor Releford falls onto Missouri’s Laurence Bowers as they scramble for a loose ball.. (AP photo by L.G. Patterson)
Alabama basketball coach Anthony Grant revealed today leading scorer Trevor Releford is doubtful for Wednesday’s game at Mississippi State because of an ankle injury.
Releford suffered the injury in Monday’s practice. Releford, a 6-foot-0 junior guard, averages 16.3 points a game. Alabama (9-6, 2-0 SEC) and Mississippi State (7-7, 2-0) will tip off at 8 p.m., and CSS will carry the television broadcast.
“From my standpoint, I think it gives our younger guys an opportunity to step up and assume different roles,” Grant said. “It gives other guys opportunities to get on the floor and do the things that they came here to do. So whether or not he’s available, our full expectation is to go in there and play well.”
Releford missed a game earlier this year, as Alabama beat Lamar 75-47 on Nov. 27.
“I thought our guys responded well,” Grant said. “The thing I tell our guys, it’s always better to be prepared for an opportunity and not have one, than to have an opportunity and not be prepared. I think our guys prepared in practice, I think they are ready for the opportunity if the opportunity presents itself.”
Grant said if Releford can’t play, Trevor Lacey will play more point guard. Freshman Retin Obasohan will come off the bench, and starting guard Levi Randolph may get some time at point guard.
“I think we have a variety of guys that are capable of going in there and doing a good job for us,” Grant said.
Randolph said the team will be ready to fill in.
“We play different roles in practice, so I think that practice prepares us for having different people at different spots,” he said. “Playing those games early in the season without him has helped us and I think we will be okay.”
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