Alabama basketball introduced a new weapon to its arsenal Saturday against Creighton.
After sitting out for the season so far recovering from ankle surgery, Chris Youngblood made his debut in a Crimson Tide jersey. Better yet, a throwback edition.
The USF guard transfer played 16 minutes on a restriction as he eases back into action. He recorded five points, a rebound, an assist and two steals in the historic 83-75 victory against the Bluejays.
It only took a couple minutes for Youngblood to drill his first corner 3-pointer and send Coleman Coliseum into a frenzy. Although he didn’t drain a trey again for the rest of the game after his first-half shot, Alabama (8-2) got a taste of the electricity Youngblood will bring come conference play, which starts Jan. 4 against Oklahoma.
Alabama basketball vs Creighton recap: Crimson Tide shuts down Bluejays in milestone victory
BATTLE OF THE BIGS: Alabama basketball’s Clifford Omoruyi shows up in battle of the bigs against Creighton
Alabama coach Nate Oats said it was “good” to see Youngblood hit the shot, but he knows the Crimson Tide will eventually get the player who shot 41.6% from 3-point range with the Bulls last season.
“I think he’ll shoot better than he did tonight,” Oats said.
When asked about what it was like to finally see Youngblood off the bench and on the floor, freshman Labaron Philon turned up an excited grin.
“Chris is like a big brother to me and Derrion [Reid],” Philon said. “Getting him back and seeing him get his first bucket was amazing.”
Creighton coach Greg McDermott doubled down on what he said on Friday ahead of the game after seeing how Youngblood created space on offense and denied it on defense.
Bringing one of the lengthier and more athletic benches among college basketball programs this season, the Crimson Tide’s depth drowned out any chance of Creighton overcoming the 17-point deficit it’d mounted halfway through the first half.
“Then you add Chris to the mix,” McDermott said.
He knew Youngblood was “going to be a special player” after coaching against him during his freshman and sophomore seasons at Kennesaw State.
“Once he gets in the flow here, he’s going to add to this team a weapon that’s going to make them even better,” McDermott said.
Emilee Smarr covers Alabama basketball and Crimson Tide athletics for the Tuscaloosa News. She can be reached via email at esmarr@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Players, coaches react to Chris Youngblood’s Alabama basketball debut
