The Alabama Crimson Tide earned a No. 4 seed in March Madness but will have their hands full with a tough matchup against Hofstra. Unfortunately for the Crimson Tide, their second-leading scorer, Aden Holloway, was arrested for possession of marijuana. This puts his status for the game in doubt, and he will likely not be available for Alabama in the first weekend.
Aden Holloway to Miss Opening Round of March Madness
Holloway’s arrest couldn’t have come at a worse time for the Crimson Tide. He is a pivotal piece of the team, taken out right before the Big Dance. Holloway is facing charges of felony possession of marijuana and failure to affix a tax stamp, which in Alabama is also a felony charge.
Due to the timing of the arrest, he won’t be on the court against Hofstra barring an unforeseen change of events.
Holloway had his apartment searched by Alabama police, and they found 2.1 pounds of marijuana. This is just short of a drug trafficking charge in Alabama at 2.2 pounds, but regardless, Holloway won’t be playing.
Alabama coach Nate Oats said the team had to suspend Holloway while the University of Alabama Office of Student Conduct carries out its investigation.
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“We’re certainly disappointed in his behavior. But that being said, we still love him,” Oats said on Crimson Tide Sports Network’s “Hey Coach” radio show (per CBS Sports). “He’s still our guy. We’re helping him get the help that he needs, and we’re going to continue to help him whatever way we can.”
The absence of Holloway is going to sting. He is their most efficient three-point shooter and is No. 11 in the entire nation in 3-point percentage. He shoots an insane 43.8% from 3Â and is pivotal to Alabama’s high-powered offense. Luckily, Labaron Philon is one of the best guards in the country and can step up when he needs to.
Alabama is going to need big games from Philon and Latrell Wrightsell to make up for the loss of Holloway. If Alabama can make it out of the first weekend, there is maybe a chance they could get Holloway back.
But Hofstra isn’t going to go away easily, led by head coach Speedy Claxton. Claxton is a former NBA veteran and has built a dangerous program. The Pride are led by two guards, Preston Edmead and Cruz Davis. Davis and Edmead will have their eyes set on exploiting the absence of Holloway.
Even if Alabama gets past Hofstra, they could face Christian Anderson and Texas Tech. Anderson is no joke and can light up any team in the country. Texas Tech, at its best, is one of the best teams in the country, but like Alabama, it is missing a key piece in JT Toppin. This subregion is going to be wild with all teams, including Akron, who play Texas Tech in Round 1, having a chance, and Holloway’s absence leaves it even more wide open.
