re: Tide Hoops | 31-6 (16-2)

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Dom Welch poised for increased role after making Alabama debut


Dom Welch made his long-awaited debut in Alabama’s last game against Mississippi State, playing 10 minutes after missing the first 12 games due to a calf injury.

Although on a minutes restriction, the graduate transfer was happy to be back on the court.

“It was most definitely a great experience out there getting back on the court with my brothers,” Welch said Monday. “I’ve been down here since June, working my tail off and just trying to fit in, learn the system and stuff, and just to finally get that experience out there under Coach Oats and my teammates, it felt real good.”

Welch chose to transfer to Alabama after four seasons at St. Bonaventure, where he finished with 1,198 points and ranked third for career 3-pointers (257) and 21st in rebounding (649), as well as 32nd in scoring. Before joining the Crimson Tide this offseason, he made 257 career threes (257-of-687) and owns a career average of 37.4 percent from beyond the arc.

He has yet to make a three in a regular-season game at Alabama, but Welch said watching from the bench provided insight into how he could fit into Nate Oats’ system once healthy.

“Just seeing where I can fit in at, how I can find my role on the team,” Welch said. “Pretty much just trying to help the young guys out in different spots defensively, offensively. Just taking pieces to try to add stuff to my game to translate and to help the team win as early as possible.”

Welch played 10 minutes in the 78-67 win over the Bulldogs last Wednesday. He attempted two 3-pointers, but did not score any points, and pulled down two rebounds in his Tide debut. With a week in between games, Welch is likely to see his involvement increase in Alabama’s first SEC home game against Ole Miss tonight, but he wants to ease into his first season at UA.

“Coming back from his injury, it’s been really difficult, but just trying to really find my role, not try to come in and do everything I can right away,” Welch said. “I’ve still gotta work my way back in. But pretty much find my way and do what I can do to help the team win in every way possible.”

Nimari Burnett is still sidelined by a wrist injury, but with the addition of Welch, the Crimson Tide is back up to five true guards to try to find minutes for at the start of league play. Ranked No. 7 in both national polls, Alabama is rolling at the moment, and a big reason for that is the attitude the team, especially its veterans, have had in regard to their playing time this season.

“I feel like that’s a really good key to our team is everybody really knows their role and knows what everybody can do best,” Welch said. “Everybody’s pretty much good with how everything is going right now because we have a lot of success going right now. Nobody’s having hard feelings about anything. Everybody’s good, but we’re all still working. We’re all pretty comfortable, but we just wanna keep working.”

Welch is starting to look like his old self again, and his inclusion in the rotation gives the Tide an experienced option on the court to go along with its returning players and young stars.

“It’s good to have Dom back in,” Oats said Monday. “I thought he’s played great in practice the last three days. I anticipate him getting more minutes than he did at Mississippi State. I think he’s getting better and better.”

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News: NCAA Transformation Committee’s final report recommends an expansion of championship tournaments to incorporate 25% of teams.

NCAA bball tournament would expand to ~90 teams. However, individual sport oversight committees will give final approval

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News: NCAA Transformation Committee’s final report recommends an expansion of championship tournaments to incorporate 25% of teams.

NCAA bball tournament would expand to ~90 teams. However, individual sport oversight committees will give final approval

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