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Alabama, Iowa look to advance to tournament title game

Nov 19, 2006 - 4:15 PM No. 11 Alabama (2-0) at Iowa (2-0) 6:00 pm EST

ST. THOMAS, Virgin Islands (Ticker) - Alabama never thought paradise would be this bad.

The 11th-ranked Crimson Tide will take on Iowa on Sunday in the semifinals of the Paradise Jam Tournament.

Alabama senior forward Jermareo Davidson did not travel to the Caribbean with the team due to the death of his girlfriend last weekend in Atlanta. The loss affected the team emotionally and left them shorthanded on the court. Although they pulled out a win, the trip to islands was supposed to be far more enjoyable.

Davidson, who had 17 points and 10 rebounds in the Crimson Tide's 96-65 season-opening win over Jackson State last Friday, is expected to join the team for Saturday's contest against Iowa, but he will be a game-time decision.

Without its big inside presence, Alabama only held a 36-32 rebounding advantage against undersized Middle Tennessee State in the team's last contest on Friday. However, Richard Hendrix scored 16 points as the Crimson Tide opened up the preseason tournament with a 71-62 victory over Blue Raiders.

A Southeastern Conference All-Freshman selection last season, Hendrix was Alabama's main threat in the paint with Davidson out.

The Crimson Tide dressed just eight players for the contest. Along with Davidson's absence, Demetrius Jemison fouled out with four minutes remaining to leave Alabama even more shorthanded.

Iowa also advanced in the tournament on Friday with a 78-65 victory over Toledo. They were led by Kurt Looby, who is a native of Antigua and had relatives in attendance. Inspired by a return to the Caribbean, Looby scored 13 points and grabbed nine rebounds in just his second game for the Hawkeyes.

Freshman Tyler Smith scored 28 points off the bench to lead Iowa, which held a 51-30 rebounding edge.

It will be the first meeting between the schools and the winner will face Villanova or Xavier in Monday's championship game.