Bediako had one of his greatest games of the year on Friday afternoon as the top-seeded Crimson Tide defeated Mississippi State, the 9th-seeded team, 72-49.
On his 21st birthday, Bediako ended with 11 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 blocks in 24 minutes. And against whom was he acting? None other than Tolu Smith, a forward on the first team of the Saturday’s 69-68 overtime victory over Florida by the Bulldogs featured 28 points and 12 rebounds from Smith. Bediako remarked, “I just tried to stay out of foul trouble.” Avoid biting into false shots. Just maintain your solidity. And that was all of them. They support me.
Bediako has previously thrived against what is perhaps the best big man in the SEC. Smith shot just 1-for-7 from the field on December 28 in Starkville, finishing with just five points and six rebounds.
Bediako’s lucky charm for this Friday? At the team breakfast before the game, he was serenaded with “Happy Birthday” by his coaches and teammates.
“We have amazing guys,” Oats remarked. They sang to him and celebrated his birthday with a lavish party this morning. Five bricks for birthdays. I felt he did a really good job controlling the paint. He was the winner of every blue-collar point.
Guard Brandon Miller remarked, “I think we’re happy for him as a team.” “He became 21 years old. Though I won’t delve into that, I think my singing voice was the greatest in the group [smiles]. No, I believe that we’re all pleased for him.
Bediako spent a lot of time on the bench in earlier games this season because of foul trouble. He was benched for 16 more minutes on Friday, but for a different reason—his early-game impact practically put a stop to the game.
“It’s fantastic that he played well on his birthday,” Oats remarked. “The first four minutes of the second half, I kind of got on him.” I felt that he let Tolu go a little too far. He performed admirably, in my opinion, throughout the first half. Upon his return, he had some blocks, which effectively ended the game. I’m not sure how far they sliced it, maybe 14 if my memory serves me correctly. We then kind of brought some of those starters back into the mix. Charles possessed a few blocks. Made a few triples. Reopened it to twenty. Charles was showered with affection by the guys in the locker room when we handed him the hardhat on his birthday. Chuck, happy birthday.
Bediako was determined not to let that occur once more.
Our defense is anchored by him, according to forward Noah Gurley. “Having big Charles down there is helpful. I have nothing more to say. We adore him. He ought to have earned defensive player of the year, in our opinion. He is deeply ingrained in our defensive identity.
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