Alabama Shrugs, Wins at No. 1

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. —  Kenny Walker had one of the best games of his career to make sure Alabama’s first No. 1 ranking wasn’t a fly-by-night deal.

So why wasn’t he smiling?

“The No. 1 ranking just makes it harder on us,” Walker said after scoring 24 points in the Crimson Tide’s 82-64 victory over Morehead State on Monday night. “We don’t feel like we’re No. 1.”

And the Crimson Tide didn’t play that way at times, hours after learning it was the nation’s top-ranked team.

Walker and Mo Williams saved Alabama (9-0) from a nerve-racking ending, at least. They combined for 45 points and helped Alabama rally after falling behind, 41-39, with 16 minutes 45 seconds remaining.

“We took a good shot from them,” Crimson Tide Coach Mark Gottfried said.

Williams had 21 points and seven assists as the Crimson Tide survived life at the top for at least one week. Walker had six blocks, and Emmett Thomas scored 12 points.

The Crimson Tide, which has won 25 consecutive home games, gets a week off before playing at Utah.

Before this season, Alabama had never been ranked higher than No. 3, and that lasted a mere two weeks 26 years ago.

“Every night we’ve got a big target on our back,” guard Antoine Pettway said. “Everybody’s going to try to knock us off now.”

Marquis Sykes and Ricky Minard each scored 17 points for Morehead State (4-4).

Alabama players seemed more excited about the chance to go home for a few days for Christmas than the No. 1 ranking.

“It’s not a big deal,” said Erwin Dudley, who had seven points and 12 rebounds. “We’ve still got to go out and play. It just makes the target bigger for us.”

The Crimson Tide shot 54.8% from the field in the second half and committed only seven turnovers.

Alabama struggled with its shooting in the first half, but still led, 37-30, against the undersized and overmatched Eagles.

“We’re not big enough or physical enough to where we can stand there and jump with these guys,” said Coach Kyle Macy, a former Kentucky player.

And Morehead State couldn’t keep up with the No. 1 team.

“I told the seniors today I’m proud of them,” Gottfried said. “They came to Alabama when our program was a long way from where it is now. They’ve laid the foundation for us.”