The Alabama Crimson Tide basketball team fell to the Clemson Tigers 85-77 on Tuesday night, and ESPN's Jay Williams shared some thoughts regarding his read on their "home-court advantage."
ESPN’s Jay Williams during Alabama vs. Clemson, an 8:30pm CT Tuesday night tip: “What’s the point of playing at home if it’s not gonna have a home court advantage? Like, this doesn’t feel like a home-court advantage at all for Alabama. The place is not packed, the fans don’t seem… https://t.co/xBpKJC7gxv
— Mike Rodak (@mikerodak) November 29, 2023
"What's the point of playing at home if it's not gonna have a home court advantage?" Williams said. "Like, this doesn't feel like a home-court advantage at all for Alabama. The place is unpacked, and the fans don't seem engaged. It seems to be more like a tennis match."
The Crimson Tide lost by almost 10 points to Clemson, getting outscored 52-45 in the second half.
Of course, Williams' comments are catching much attention from fans and users online.
Yes. This Clemson loss is the fans’ fault for watching it at home on ESPN. I admit that I should’ve driven all the way to T-Town for an 8:30 tipoff on a Tuesday night. What’s wrong with me? If there had been a packed house, they wouldn’t have missed 30 3 pointers.
— Shutdown Man (@ShutdownMan) November 29, 2023
"Yes. This Clemson loss is the fans' fault for watching it at home on ESPN," one user wrote. "I admit that I should've driven all the way to T-Town for an 8:30 tipoff on a Tuesday night. What's wrong with me? If there had been a packed house, they wouldn't have missed 30 3 pointers."
He may have some valid points here. The game tipped off at 8:30 p.m. CT on a weeknight. The Crimson Tide also shot 11 of 35 from 3-point range. That's a 31.4% average compared with the Tigers' 52.4% average (11 of 21). The Crimson Tide also shot 23 of 67 from the floor (34.3%) compared with the Tigers' 53.3% (32 of 60).
Not gonna get a good crowd at 8:30 on a Tuesday night. Either build a new arena or spread student section out. I saw all those old folks by students just sitting down
— Mike 🐘 (@mike_purser) November 29, 2023
"Not gonna get a good crowd at 8:30 on a Tuesday night," another user wrote. "Either build a new arena or spread student section out. I saw all those old folks by students just sitting down."
8:30pm game on a school night. Cmon now! There was 15 minutes left in the second half at 10pm when I shut it down at home. This is terrible scheduling
— dukeofnorthport (@DukeOfNorthport) November 29, 2023
"8:30pm game on a school night," another wrote. "Cmon now! There was 15 minutes left in the second half at 10pm when I shut it down at home. This is terrible scheduling,"
Fans really did not like the start time.
The Crimson Tide are now 5-2; their next home game is Monday, Dec. 4, at 8 p.m. ET.