bama will learn how their inside game will hold up...
and can they win without one ?
First, the good news. Alabama almost broke into the top 25 this week. CBS Sports Line has the Tide at #15. Now for the bad. Alabama takes on the Cincinnati Bearcats this Saturday afternoon on the road. The Bearcats are now 6-0 and are the nation's # 1 rebounding team at almost 50 boards a game. By comparison the Crimson Tide is only pulling down 32.7 boards a game and is ranked 271st in the NCAA. That is a difference of 18 rebounds a game. I have never see such a big difference between two teams on the glass. Moussa Gueye, Carl Engstrom, Nick Jacobs, and Devonta Pollard will need to get low and play hard. Engstrom is coming off the best game of his career. His play against Charleston Southern was hopeful for the future. If Carl can continue to get a few points, pull down a few rebounds,and block a shot or two, the Tide will be a much better team.
Cincinnati has long been a great basketball power. They are a perennial NCAA bracket team. The team plays in the Big East. In the preseason poll the Bearcats were picked to finish 3rd or 4th in the voting among Big Est media. The Ohio team is now ranked 16th in the Associated Press Poll. Alabama was 26th in poll this week. The line has not be set as of today's blog but I'd expect the Bearcats to be an 8 point favorite. This is going to be a speed and quickness vs. size and power game. That isn't saying that Cincinnati has not speed or quickness. They do, its just not the center of the Bearcats game. I've seen them play three games on televsion and I'm impressed. If Bama wins this game I'm going to be very surprised. The inside power of the Bearcats may overwhelm Bama unless...
The Tide has the speed and quickness on defense to offset a lot of the bulk of the Bearcats. Whether it is enough remains to be seen. For the Tide to win it will take a game of few turnovers and great shooting. The Tide will have to create a lot of turnovers. I think Bama has the tools to beat Cincinnati. I just don't think the Tide will be able to get it done on the road. Home cooking will play a part. How big a part remains to be seen. If Alabama can pull this one off it will put Bama on track to have a great season. Bama will need Releford bright eyed and at full speed. That is likely. Steele's situation is day to day More on Friday.
and can they win without one ?
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| Engstrom in action against SC |
Cincinnati has long been a great basketball power. They are a perennial NCAA bracket team. The team plays in the Big East. In the preseason poll the Bearcats were picked to finish 3rd or 4th in the voting among Big Est media. The Ohio team is now ranked 16th in the Associated Press Poll. Alabama was 26th in poll this week. The line has not be set as of today's blog but I'd expect the Bearcats to be an 8 point favorite. This is going to be a speed and quickness vs. size and power game. That isn't saying that Cincinnati has not speed or quickness. They do, its just not the center of the Bearcats game. I've seen them play three games on televsion and I'm impressed. If Bama wins this game I'm going to be very surprised. The inside power of the Bearcats may overwhelm Bama unless... The Tide has the speed and quickness on defense to offset a lot of the bulk of the Bearcats. Whether it is enough remains to be seen. For the Tide to win it will take a game of few turnovers and great shooting. The Tide will have to create a lot of turnovers. I think Bama has the tools to beat Cincinnati. I just don't think the Tide will be able to get it done on the road. Home cooking will play a part. How big a part remains to be seen. If Alabama can pull this one off it will put Bama on track to have a great season. Bama will need Releford bright eyed and at full speed. That is likely. Steele's situation is day to day More on Friday.
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