BAMA RUNS PAST AUBIE ...

ONE STEP FORWARD FOR BAMA...
Bama moves to 19-9 in wild season
best shot of the night wasn't by Alabama or Auburn...

      Don't get me wrong. I love it when Alabama wins a basketball game. Any win over Auburn is special. This one on the heels of what happened in Baton Rouge says a lot about the character and competitiveness of this young team. Watching the Tide win or lose is another matter. I swear, if God have given Moses another plauge to inflict on the Pharoh, it would have been making all Eygptions watch an Alabama-Auburn basketball game. Not only would the Isrealites been freed they'd been give first class accomodations on the best chariots available.

      Like game one between the two rivals the Crimson Tide sprinted out to a big lead only to see the Tigers come back and make it a game. The last three minutes of the first half saw the Tide explode on some break aways and nice inside baskets. The lead 23-16 at the half and didn't that sound familiar. Any similarities between game one and two were over after that. Trevor Releford went ballistic in the second half to bury the Tigers by a score of 61-43. The Tide's largest lead was 24. The only remaining question in half two was could the Tigers make it to 40 points? They did so but only when Bama was freely subsituting late.

RETIN OBASAHAN MAKES A STATEMENT...

       Retin has slowly been getting more minutes. He's earned them. The Tide actually played much better with Obasashan on the floor than Lacey last night. The Belgium Waffle is a great shooter, a tenacious defender, will take it inside like he's 6-8. Amazingly, the first time Grant met the young man  was on campus after he enrolled. Equally amazing was that first time Retin saw Tuscaloosa was two days before he enrolled. That shows you the trust Grant places in his assistant. I've only known two other coaches who did that. Billy Donovan has done it a couple of times, and John Wooden only recruited one player personally. His name was Bill Walton. Bama found a gem in Retin. You can bet that Retin will see his minutes continue to grow. Lacey is in a profound shooting slump. I'm not sure that Retin isn't a better shooter than Lacey but we haven't seen enoungh from #32 to make that true. The kid knows his fundamentals and is strong. His strenght shows on 50-50 loose balls.

      Last night is the perfect example about why this team is so frustrating to watch. Twice they looked like a great team, but sandwiched in between was horrible basketball. On the nights where our defense doesn't create cheap chances we lose. It is that simple.

Here are some things I took away from last nights game...

• The more Trevor Lacey plays the point the less efffective his outide shot becomes. That's a waste in my opinion.Because of his atypical shooting motion he will never get in a set and shot groove.
• Retin Obasahan has the tools to be a really good player. He needs more time on the floor. He's got fresh legs for one thing.
• Devonta Pollard is a bust. I hope this kid makes me look foolish but he's not a five star player.
• Moussa Gueye will continue to get dumb fouls it appears. But how about that little floater he shot to try to beat the shot clock? That didn't look  bad at all. Maybe if he could face the basket more often.
• Jacobs is getting there. I don't remember any one of his "trying one" shots all night. He also is getting much better on his drop step and using his body. I've love to see him at the power forward and not out of position.
• Trevor Releford doesn't take a backseat to our lineage of great points. He's an All-American type player who needs a post player.  Just an aside, TR told Kansas his sophomore year not to waste time on him. He wasn't going to Kansas. He's always been compared to is brother and he just wanted a new direction.

     I still think we can make the NCAA Tournament. Beat Georgia and either of our two remaining road games and we're very close. Win a game or two in the SEC and they will take us. I'd like to hang on to second place but that isn't mandatory.

THIS AND THAT...

• How bad was the no call on Lacey in Knoxville? Like I said, those things don't even up
• What if Cooper's tip had been good, or if Jacobs had those two easy baskets fall?
• Good to see the practice players on the floor. I still think we should be playing Slaughter.
• How nice was it to see Steele on the sidelines cheering like a mad man?  Leadership.
• Next year, with the Swede back we'll be just fine.
• How about the student from half court? Best shot of the night.

          

          
  

Chubb vows 2nd win tonight...

BIG WORDS FROM AU'S BIG MAN...
Alabama "soft" on the inside...

     According to a Montgomery based sports talk show, Rob Chubb, was quoted as saying they (AU) were going to beat Alabama tonight. I didn't hear it said but boy did my email light up. A couple of Bama fans told me that Chubb said Alabama was "soft" and couldn't the pressure in must score moments. Chubb, if he said that, might have a point. Auburn seems pretty relaxed on their way to an Aubie like season. Right now the Tigers stand just above Missisisspi State who is currently lying on the backs like a submissive dog.  does sound like something someone might say who would like to throw an opponent's game off for the night.

    The Alabama players I spoke with briefly said they were ready and playing Auburn helped get their minds off the LSU. If Chubb knows something we know he should share it with all of us. I can't wait for the suddenly soft Moussa Gueye and Nick Jacobs for hit the paint tonight. Okay, I've hoped before but after watching a practice I'm going out on a limb and say Pollard is going to show up. See you tonight. Tomorrow it's back to watching Jimmie Talylor who is not the least bit soft play in the State Tournament.

Bama faces archrival Auburn on Tuesday

Big game for the Tide
NCAA is still possible for the Bama...

      I'm not saying that Bama is going to make the NCAA. But we are by no means dead in the water. The fat lady may to testing her vocal cords, but she hasn't started singing yet. This has been the most bizarre season I can ever remember in the NCAA. As many has 8-10 teams are still possible number one seeds. No team has really separated themselves from the rest of the field. I think Bama needs to win 5 or 6 more games, and despite what all the Grant haters think (where were you guys a week ago?) that is possible. Our RPI is okay, and it might be better. Here's my prediction: We win at Ole Miss and win our last two home games plus one or two in the SEC, and we should get in. Tell me any other team other than Florida who is markedly better than Alabama. There are none. This season has a closely packed number of teams . Missouri might be at home. Ole Miss might be at home. On a neutral site? Even money. 

        Do you think it is possible for a couple of weeks for Tide fans to quit bashing Grant and support the team?  Let me tell you guys something. I know Mal Moore,  and I've know him for years. He is still a coach. He isn't even thinking about Grant leaving for 2 or 3 years. There are so many dumb basketball "fans" it is laughable. Why don't you just drift back over to football and quit bashing our players and coach. Take a two week Sabbatical from stupidity.  We have more important things to do than argue among ourselves. There really is no argument. Grant will be here for a long time. 

       The important stuff starts with Auburn. We owe those guys one. I sent Cam Newton an email asking him to come to Tuscaloosa with his megaphone and get those Aubies fired up again. I just don't think the Tiger can beat Bama at home. I told you guys they could win in Auburn and people didn't exactly laugh, but didn't believe it. Believe this - Alabama is going to beat Auburn tomorrow night like a cheap cut of steak. We will be 19-9 with one more home game and two tough road games.  Bama should beat Auburn and Georgia, they can beat Ole Miss, and any team can lose. There are going to be three teams in the NCAA without a doubt. Florida will be there. After that Alabama, Missouri, Kentucky, and Ole Miss will fight it out. If the NCAA takes four, and they could - we will be number 4. There are a lot of bubble teams who are going to lose games, and there will be some upsets in the SEC. Ole Miss has to play Bama and go to LSU. Missouri has Arkansas, Tennessee, and South Carolina. Kentucky is always going to be considered whether they deserve it or not.  The Wildcats have to go to State, they have Florida at home, at Georgia, and at Arkansas. Unscathed? Hardly. Look for at least two more losses. Ole Miss has TAM on the road. And then the SEC conference Tournament starts. There is a lot of ball to be played. More strange things will happen.

Grant restrains but his message was clear...

Tide tells what we already know...
Freedom of Speech - the SEC version

      Anthony Grant is one of the most restrained coaches I've ever known. In most ways that is a good thing. In one area I think its wrong, and it's time some coach in the SEC tells it like it is regarding SEC officiating. Grant almost did that in his post game comments. When asked about the inequity in the second half officiating he said, "I can't say that". He didn't mean I disagree with the the reporter's conclusion.  He literally meant he wasn't allowed to comment on the calls. For the record LSU shot 21 free throws in the second half and Alabama shot 3. That is 700 % more free throws for LSU. In a triple overtime when the margin was 3 points... well, you get the picture.

         One of my favorite stories about Coach Dale Brown involved the rob jobs that always occur in Kentucky. Dale once told an SEC official in Lextington to start the game by letting the Wildcats shoot 20 free throws before the game started. AND then call the game fairly. Whether my good friend actually did that remains open to speculation. It sure sounds like Dale Brown though. He won't deny the story. Whether it actually happened doesn't really matter. What happened to Alabama in the second half wasn't really a lot different than what happens in a lot of road games. This time it was just a little more obvious. How does one team get to shoot 18 more free throws in a half than the opponent?  The officials cheat. I write this article every couple of years. The ony thing difference in yesterday's game is that the bias usually becomes a little less obvious in meaningful games Big games get better officiating. Here's another truth - big name teams get more calls than lesser known teams.

      The SEC doesn't have its own officials. The men you see on Saturday referee all over the nation. Some have called four games earlier in the week and have logged in more frequent flier miles than they could ever use. That's no excuse. That officiating may cost Alabama, and probably will, a trip to the NCAA. If you get jobbed like that in Baton Rouge what chances do you think you have to win in Oxford or Florida? Short answer? None. Officiating in the SEC has become laughable.

      I believe it is time to change the cheating. You can call it whatever you choose to call it but the bottom line is that it is cheating, pure and simple. The SEC is in a unique postion to make some changes. There is so much money in the SEC that the conference could employ their own officials and make them subject to strick reviews to eliminate this type of officiating. No more of this allowing the coaches to have a say so in who officiates or who is available. Officials would get graded. If you don't grade out to an A you get fired. I'ved officiated a lot of games myself. It is hard not to get caught up the excitement of the crowd. That's what separates great officials, like Ted Valentine pictured above, from ex-major league players who referee for fun. Another thing that is long overdue is the complete absence in the SEC of females. If we want the best we don't need to make silly distinctions such as gender.

       The only way you really win road games is very easy to determine. You have to shoot better than the home team, and hope they shoot really poorly. I will say the three point shot has taken away a lot of the mystery calls. Make the lane three feet wider, and you have less contact. Eliminate scoring off offensive rebounds and that would help. That was John Wooden's biggest hope for college basketball. He thought if you got an offensive rebound you would have to take the ball out past the top of circle. But the biggest thing needed is for the NCAA to say enough is enough. They won't. Too much money is on the line. When you get right down to the nitty gritty would you rather have Kentucky in the NCAA or Alabama? Which team increases the viewers. It's like football only backwards. When a team like Alabama loses a game like the one at LSU I rarely get mad at the coaches or players. Speculation that had Grant taken out Gueye when he had four fouls is good for the office talk on Monday. Whether Gueye stayed in the game wouldn't have mattered. Oh, I know in a perfect world it might have mattered. What happens in the 50X94 foot box is not perfect. It'.s not like wrestling. But it's not too far removed however.

      Here's how I think Grant should have handled the matter:

Question:  "Coach Grant would you care to comment about the fact that LSU shot 21 free throws in the second half to Alabama's 3?

Grant: "Well Paul, here's what I have to say. Since we don't have freedom of speech in this league my answer is going to cause me a one game suspension and cost me $10,000.00. Here's exactly what happened. We got cheated. The officials intentionally allowed LSU to shoot so many free throws their arms fell off. I told our players that you are going out to play a game today you have no chance to win if it's close in the second half. I think any objective review of the tape will show that LSU (or fill in the home team's name here) was allowed to push, shove, trip, slap, defame our mamas and were rewarded for it. If we touched an LSU player a foul was called. If we 'almost' touched an LSU player a foul was called. I have exactly 27 examples of biased and one sided officiating for the league to review. Notice I'm not holding my breath here.  So here is what we are going to do. Until we get written assurance from the SEC that our next game will be officiated fairly and by the rules of ethics followed,   we are going to take the floor, and just stand there. We will not move. The SEC is a crappy corporate run company of moneybaggers and whores to Television. Now who do I make my check out to for all this. I bet they would cash instead. As a final aside, I remember when fairness and truth were an American virtue."

 

Painful, but don't give up...

   

    You shouldn't lose games with a ten point lead and 3:30 left. No argument from anyone on that point. It would be easy to point to the faults that cost us this game. We could point fingers. I'm not going to do any of that. Even as the game slipped away from us, I couldn't help but think about what a great team we will be next year if we can just get a couple of decent inside players. I'm not talking about McDonald's All-Americans. I'm talking about a couple of junior college players like Chris Hines. Give me two junkyard dogs, and we can win the SEC. not That does mean I'm quite ready to give up on the NCAA, and it is going to be very interesting to see what this team does with Auburn. Will we come out pancake flat or Rocky Balboa mad? I'm betting Rocky.

       Life on the road in the SEC is hard. He's why - we shoot 19 free throws and they shoot 33. We didn't commit that many more fouls than LSU in reality. It's called  Home Cooking. It's one of the dirty little financial secrets of the SEC. Don't think for one minute that calls don't lean toward the home team to put fans in the seats. We get calls at home. Other teams get them on their This has been going on for years. It's about the money now more than the competition in today's SEC floor. Don't misunderstand. We benefit just like the other home teams. Seriously, wouldn't it be nice just to see games called fair and square? Do I think the SEC home office promotes this? Let me put it this way - I see no evidence of it slowing down. None of this takes one thing away from LSU. If Alabama had an actual inside game we would be 20 points better than LSU. Give Grant one Leon Douglas or Derrick McKey and the basketball world would be turned upside down again like when Wimp and CM were at Bama. We are so close you can feel it. We've got great guards and versatile players. We don't have an inside man who can consistently get it done. Let me put what I'm trying to say another way - If Grant can do what he is doing now what could he do with a bona fide inside player. How good would this team be with Green or even, dare I mention the name, Tony Mitchell?

        If you didn't think Trevor Releford was the best point guard in the SEC surely you are convinced by what you saw today. If you don't think that Lacey, Coop, and Randolph are big time, then you don't know hoops. Gosh, today hurt. But there are going to be a lot of great tomorrows. Believe it. Book it. Write it down. Hold me to what I say. Bet money with me. Two good, not even great, inside players and we win the SEC. I'm a true believer in Anthony Grant. No objectivity here today. Nope, I don't have the heart to say anything bad about a team that lost in triple overtime.

Jon Severe takes his final visit ...

Top 35 guard to visit Bama...
NYC Christ the King player to come South

     Alabama has secured an on campus visit from nationally prominent high school combo guard, Jon Severe. He is a 6-2 combo guard from famed Christ the King High School which is located in Queens. Having seen several games there over the years I can tell you basketball is taken very seriously. The Royals have a national prominence in high school hoops, and Severe carries on that proud tradition.

      Severe is a two time All-City Player. That's pretty impressive for a a kid from a city of of 14 million people. Severe has had offers from 23 Division 1 programs. It looks like Alabama, West Virginia, and Boston College. He will announce his final list after his return from Tuscaloosa. Whether Anthony Grant lands the impressive guard is yet to be seen but just to convince the the young man to come is an inroad to a new recruiting grounds. Severe is widely recognized as one of the top five players in NYC.

      It is  believed that Grant is recruiting Severe to take the place of Trevor Releford. Severe has made it clear from the start of his recruitment which began as an 8th grader that he wants to play somewhere he can make a difference. Severe is aware of the great history and tradition of Alabama point guards. He is also a rock solid defender.

       He has offers in hand from Purdue, West Virginia, Boston College, Rutgers, and Seton Hall. Severe was quoted as saying "I wanted to go down there (Al) to see what it's all about and what it would be like be that far away from home."  The NYC native also said he has family in Alabama. Severe said he thought he had a great chance to play early at Alabama because he is a good shooter and defender. He is listed as either a 4 or 3 star player. When I mentioned that to an assistant coach at CtheK he just laughed. "One of the top five players in NYC will be much better than that."   

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LSU is the biggest game of the year

Tide faces key game tomorrow
Improved LSU with Johnny O'Bryant awaits Tide
Steele and Randolph not at top speed ...

     Call it what you will. LSU is the most important game the Tide will have this season if they want to make it to the NCAA. Sure, we have two more home games, and then Ole Miss and Florida on the road. The Tide's road to the NCAA is predicated on winning in Baton Rouge. Period. It's black and white. No shades of gray to be found. It is improbably the Crimson and White will find itself in the Big Dance without winning this game. There are possible scenarios which might exist which would allow it to happen but I can't think of any except winning the SEC Tournament. It is disappointing that the team is in that position. A little better handy work earlier in the season would have made this a game for a higher seed. It is what it is and Alabama will have to play their best game of the season to beat a vastly improved Tiger team. If you know Johnny Jones, and I have for years, you understand that he demands excellence and improvement. Case in point is JOB3. Alabama fought hard with LSU to get his signature. We wanted him and wanted him bad. Since it didn't work out we know have to contend with perhaps the most improved player in the SEC. The Tide beat LSU in Tuscaloosa but O'Bryant had some noteworthy numbers that night. He had 22 points and 11 rebounds. He did have 5 turnovers, but considering the number of touches he got down low in the rugged war inside that night it was understandable Here is what Anthony Grant's team understands. Beat JOB3 and you should win. Give him another 20 point night and you can will probably lose. 

       Alabama will focus on two things regarding the big man. 1. Can they limit his touches? 
2. Can Jacobs, Gueye, and the offside help slow him down once he gets the ball? The Tide will attempt to limit his touches by playing a 2/3 zone and packing around JOB3. When in a man the Tide will attempt to stop the ball reversal when he crosses the lane and posts up. That means that Alabama will have to be aggressive on the perimeter against Anthony Hickey and Andre Stringer. LSU has a second option of playing Malik Morgan and Charles Carmouche at the guard position to get some height in the line up for entry passes. Morgon was very successful in the first game between the two teams in getting the ball to the big man. O'Bryant is very mobile inside. That works to his advantage but he does put up some odd looking shots. It will imperative for Gueye to not commit silly fouls. Same for Jacobs. 

       The Tide is going to continue to dribble-drive to get to the line. They don't need to go 18-33 from the line in this game like we did in the first meeting Keep the turnovers to 10 or less, and shot 35% from the outside and we can win. This game is full of quick guards, and Anthony Hickey is the quickest of all. Ball security will be extremely important. Alabama will not beat LSU with a Mississippi State type game.  Jacobs sore back is about the same. Steele is limited,and Randolph is a little slow due to a late game injury against State. Steele is listed as day to day and Randolph will play. Pollard is due for some type of bigger game. I talked with several people in Tuscaloosa and they report that he is practicing well. Let' hope.

Bama hangs on to beat State...

It wasn't pretty...
South Carolina upsets Ole Miss
Cooper's big night was the difference

      When the Bulldogs climbed to within four points with five minutes to go it was Rodney Cooper who said enough is enough. The sophomore had 20 points 10 rebound, and it was huge 3 that put the Tide on a 15-4 run to finally put Mississippi State down. In one of the most lackluster games of the season Cooper provided the spark and energy to put the Tide over the top 64-56 to move the Tide to 10-3 in the SEC. That's second place. Carolina put down the Rebels 63-62 on a three point basket with 23 seconds left. Kentucky hung on to win, despite a desparate Vandy comeback late in Lexington to win, 74-70. Kentucky is 9-4 for third place. Ole Miss and Missouri are 8-5.  

      "It wasn't pretty," said Anthony Grant. Those three words have become a mantra for Bama's head man to open every press conference. "We play with such a close margin," said Grant," all of our games seem to come down to a basket or two."  That was an understament. The Tide is close to being 22-4 instead of 18-8. That's what he meant. When you live close to the edge you won't win them all. Alabama hasn't won all the close games, but they have won enough to start to gain national attention. USA Today's bracket expert, Patrick Stevens, believes the Tide is one of the last four teams in the field of 68. At least for today the Tide has gotten favorable mention. Stevens also  says that Kentucky and Ole Miss our out. That means that Florida, Alabama, and Missouri are in.

Things can change, but a win over LSU and Auburn will go a long way to keeping the Tide's hopes alive. I believe if Alabama beats LSU, Auburn, Ole Miss, and Georgia they will be a 10 seed. A loss to Florida won't be fatal. If my opinion is true then any games that Bama wins in the SEC Tournament will be for seed improvement. More on last night's game later today.

State has lost 10 in a row ...

Bama favored by 17 over State...
Missouri knocks of Florida 63-60

Missou gets huge win for tournament hopes.

     Missouri pulled off a huge upset. At least I think they did.  Anything that happens in College Basketball is no longer surprising this season. Missouri kept the red hot shooting Florida Gators to 40% from the floor and whipped the SEC's best team. I am never really surprised when a home team wins in the SEC. The Tigers have been been so hot and cold this season it is difficult to determine which team they really are. Last night did little to answer the question. Here's one thing it did tell us however, the road to the NCAA just got a lot tougher for Bama. in fact, I'm not sure that the Tide can now find a way to make the post season unless Ole Miss or Missouri starts to lose some games. Ole Miss has a schedule that makes that unlikely. Missouri has a the potential to beat anyone. 

Coach Ray has endured a season from Hell

     I do know that the Alabama coaching staff couldn't have been very happy about the Missou win. Florida will now have to put the pedal to metal in order to keep a number 1 seed. Yesterday, we said we thought Florida should win but you just couldn't count out Missouri playing at home. Tonight, the worst team in the SEC, Mississippi comes into Coleman Coliseum wobbling out of orbit. It's hard to think that State could have lost 10 games in a row. They have and are odds on favorite to make it 11. The Tide is as much as a 17 point favorite. Despite the rag-tag offense played by Bama they just might cover the spread. For the Crimson Tide it becomes a must win game. All of Alabama's remaining games are just win. It seems more likely, and I hate to admit it, that the Tide is headed to the NIT and probably will get to host two or three rounds if they win. That would still be a remarkable season for a team picked in the middle of the pack by the experts.

    According to sources within the program Steele will not dress tonight. I think Bama is attempting to give him all the rest possible. While Steele's injury has not be named by the University I think it is probably a stress fracture. He is listed game to game, and we will need him Saturday in Baton Rouge. You might recall that the first time State and Bama played it was Releford who was unable suit up. The Tide beat the Bulldogs on the road by 32 points. State was 2-0 in the SEC going into the game and has won only 1 other SEC game since then. Hard to believe that State chose to fire Rick Stansbury and all that has happened since that time. MSU now has an RPI of 232. The position that Alabama finds itself in is that regardless of wins it isn't going to help their own RPI. On the other hand, it is possible that the Florida/Alabama game could decide who is the champion of the SEC. But tonight's game won't help the Tide except give them win number 18 in their hopes of winning 20 regular season games.  Since the first game between the two old rivals State has suspended 2 starters and lost an infrequently used sub. The only thing the two schools have in common right now is that neither has enough players to scrimmage. For those who choose to criticise Coach Grant you might want to keep in mind Mississippi State as a poster child for what really bad can actually be. 
Bama by 14

Other games of note:

Ole Miss by 12 over SCarolina
Kentucky by 8 over Vandy
Auburn by 2 over TAM


back to Tiderinsider

     RECRUITING NEWS: DARIUS THOMPSON OF BLACKMON HIGH SCHOOL HAS WITHDRAWN HIS VERBAL FROM VANDY. ALABAMA, VIRGINIA AND NC STATE ARE ON HIS SHORT LIST. ALABAMA LOSES TREVOR RELEFORD AND THE 6-4 THOMPSON WOULD BE A GREAT PICKUP FOR THE TIDE... HE HAS ALREADY CONTACTED ALABAMA AND ASKED FOR A VISIT


BLACKMON IS IN MUPHREESBORO, TN.  HE IS A FOUR STAR POINT GUARD. 
      
     

Vegas says Bama will finish at 20-11

Odds makers say 3-3 finish likely
Vegas says Tide has a 32.9% to make the field...
Missouri host the Gators in a statement game...

     

       Whether we like them or not you just can't ignore the Las Vegas odds makers.  Over the years I've learned when it is all said and done they are pretty close to what is going to happen. Right or wrong, those odds makers say Bama has a 33% chance of making the Tournament if they 20-11.  When we lost Engstrom I didn't think we could win 20 games. I think this team has done about as well as possible given Engstrom's injury and Pollard's slow development.  We still haven't won 20 number yet, but I like our odds, and so does Vegas. What is interesting in looking at the Vegas numbers is what happens if Bama wins 21, 22, or 23.  The goombas put the odds of Bama making it at 75% of they beat everyone remaining on their schedule. The number is 50% if the Tide wins 21 or 22. I thought the number would be higher. Under different scenarios we have a better chance if Kentucky, Missouri, or Ole Miss takes a nose dive. What really upsets me is that Kentucky, without Noel and lost to Bama to head, is a big favorite over the Tide even if we have the better record.

       A couple of betting houses say the Tide is even money to dance,  if we hang on to second place. We really have a great schedule to finish. It gives us a chance to have three fairly easy wins at home and a chance to win something on the road. The road game we probably have the most chance is LSU. If we win that on Saturday then we have the Rebels. If you believe that anything is possible then we have Florida. What we can't do is slip up and let Georgia, Mississippi State, or hated Auburn beat us at home. Don't look for that to happen. If Alabama can finish in the top four we get a double bye in the SEC Tournament.

      Later on Tuesday night, Missouri and Florida play.  A Missouri win will be bad for Bama. A Florida win would help some. Missouri is currently 18-7 and would fall to 18-8. Bama is 17-8 and would move to 18-8 as well.  Ole Miss is now 19-6 and play South Carolina next. The Rebels have the easiest remaining schedule and it is difficult to see them losing more than one game for the balance of the season. They would be 25-6 and deserve a bid. If the Rebels lost to Alabama and LSU they would still finish at 23-8.

     Missouri has a chance to make their NCAA statement tonight. They play the Gators at in Columbia. I think it will be a good game, and don't be surprised if Missouri wins. I'd put my money on Florida but Missouri has a great home court advantage. Alabama will be a double digit favorite over hapless State. Talk about a fall from grace - I bet Stansbury doesn't look nearly so bad right now to a lot of State fans. Bama''s fight for the NCAA isn't over. If Bama could finish 5-1 and win a couple in the SEC the NCAA might still say no, but they'd have a lot of explaining to do

Frazier says no to Tide...

Chad Frazier of Gulf Coast Junior College has eliminated Alabama from his list. Citing the number of returning guards as one of his reasons.

Can Tide make the Tournament?

Despite better play we are a long-shot
December just won't go away....

     I don't think anyone loves Alabama basketball more than my family. We agonize over every game, every missed free throw, and anytime a defensive player turns his back on the ball. For me, it's been a full life time of cheering for the second best basketball program in the SEC. I'm sure there is a basketball fan who has watched more games pulling for the Tide than me. If so, I'd like to meet him or her. We'd have a lot to talk about. Being an Alabama basketball fan is very frustrating. This year has been the most frustrating of all. As much as I'd love for us to make the NCAA it is going to be an uphill climb regardless of how we finish.  One saving grace is that this has been such a bizarre year in college basketball anything is possible. When we look back at the season and find ourselves on the outside looking in, we have to remember December. Three home losses will be responsible for our absence. The NCAA always says they look at the later half of the season and look for improvement. If that's the case we should be looked at very closely. But will we?  I do know from personal conversations within the SEC powers to be that selecting only 3 SEC teams will not be considered fair. We all have to remember that the Selection Committee does not select the best 64 teams. They have to job of trying who are the best teams after the conference representatives are chosen by the conferences. It isn't an easy job

Not the best 64 teams...

     That means that if a team with a losing record wins a conference tournament, and that is  method a conference chooses their representative, someone gets screwed. Alabama is on the "somebody who might be screwed list." In all fairness, the Tide played their way into that position. Still not all teams are created equal.  Kentucky would be picked over Alabama even if the Tide beat them when they were at full strength,and even if we have a better record. I think Alabama would be Kentucky 20 points if they played tomorrow. You think Tennessee gets some real credit for beating Kentucky? Not really. The perception is that the Vols beat KU when they lost Noel, but it might not hurt Kentucky that much because Noel was hurt. That's crazy but true. There are blue bloods in college basketball and Alabama isn't a member of the club. At least not yet. That's not to say that perhaps one day they will not be in that select group. It takes a national championship or two to get into that club.

A lot of season left and anything might happen...     

       There is a lot of season left. Some odd things might happen. Actually, some odd things will happen and most of them happen on Selection Sunday. Just for the sake of argument let's say the Tide wins 5 of their last 6 games. That puts the Tide at 22-9. That's not a bad record. It's not earth shattering either. It should be good enough to get in however, although the Committee will look at Alabama and leave them out.  The best way for Alabama to make it into the tournament is win 5 of 6 and beat Florida. I think the Tide can play Florida a pretty good game, but to beat them on the road isn't going to happen. Losing to Auburn hurt, but that will not be the determinative reason to not be chosen.

If Bama could make it to the SEC finals having 5 of their last 6 that should do the trick. It might also help us if Missouri was to fall apart. Same goes for Ole Miss but at least the Tide has a chance to beat them in Oxford. If Ole Miss gets the same type of home cooking from the refs as Georgia received  we couldn't beat the Rebels in Heaven with Jesus playing point guard. A travesty to Georgia. My belief is that Bama should try to finish second in the SEC, alone or tied with someone, and dare the NCAA not to take us. We are not a great team, but we have the type defense that could cause some major problems for someone in the NCAA. In talking with a couple of NCAA coaches I know they wouldn't like to play Alabama in an early round. They both said that the scary thing about Bama is not just the defense, but the fear of what might happen if the shots start to drop.

So will be able to make it ?

      Can we make it? Not likely if you believe we have to win 2 of 3 road games, and all our remaining home games just to have a chance. It's possible but not probable. All we can do is keep winning and hope. If we win 23 games in the regular season and a couple of more in the SEC that will be more wins than most teams will have on Selection Sunday   I hope our players understand that winning every game we should win in December is as important as in January. I think it is fair to say we lost 4 games in the PreSEC that we should have won. We'd 21-4 with 6 games left. We'd be wondering  if we would be a 3 or 4 seed. The reason I think the Tournament needs further expansion is that too many good teams get left out and far to many weak sisters from no name conferences get automatic bids. 

        Basketball is a great sport with odd beginnings in seasons which rarely have anything to do with their endings. Logically, it seem hard to imagine that Bama will make the field. I remember a couple of years ago when we beat Georgia two times in the last week of the season. One was a stunning comeback in the SEC Tournament. Alabama didn't make the field that year. Georgia did. That was the NCAA's idea of fair play. Still, I cannot help but to think that this particular team which has overcome so much will a find a way to cross one more bridge.



 

Tide wins 68-58 ...

Tide alone in 2nd place in SEC...
Red hot start propels Tide to win

     Alabama jumped to a 32-9 lead in the first half, and never looked back in a more than solid 10 point win over South Carolina. The Alabama win, couple with Tennessee beating Kentucky left Alabama alone in the second place in the SEC. The Tide knew that they could secure second place watching Tennessee blast Kentucky into oblivion earlier in the day 88-58. Bama came out focused and fully energized. For 15 minutes the Tide looked like a #1 team. Give credit to South Carolina for refusing to quit. The fought back with a late run in the first half, and played the Tide even in the second half. But by that time the matter was well decided.

     Alabama got 17 points from Trevor Lacey. Levi Randolph pulled down 9 rebounds, and Trevor Releford dished out 5 assists. Jacobs and Releford scored 10 each.  Although 68 isn't a ton of points, the Tide appeared close to breaking out of a scoring slump. I bet Grant would like to see his team score that number every remaining game and take his chances. Alabama moves to 17-8 and 9-3 in the conference. The Tide has Mississippi State at home this week before heading to Baton Rouge over the weekend. Those will be two huge game for a Tide trying to win 20 games this season. The the rematch with Auburn. Alabama would have one remaining home game with Georgia. But the Tide's 3 biggest games, and the one's which will probably decide whether the NCAA is reached will be in Baton Rouge, Oxford, and at Florida. By winning 5 of the last 6 I think the Tide will be a 10 or 11 seed in the NCAA. They might be invited with 21 wins and  1 or perhaps 2 more wins in the SEC. The team is playing better. If the point total could be close to 70 a game the Tide will be one tough team down toward the end.

  Of major concern is the free throw shooting. Alabama made 18 free throws. They missed 15. Unless the Crimson can get that percentage up around 70 percent it will come back to bite them.The Tide was out-rebounded by 5. The Tide shot a decent 47% from the floor, and was only 32%  from behind the arc. The Tide was a great 6-14 in the first half.

     It seems almost that the second place team in a major conference would not receive an invitation in the Big Dance. But dealing with the NCAA is always dicey and rarely fair. For Alabama it remains "win baby win" to quote Al Davis. We control our own destiny.

Final observation: If you watched the Ole Miss/Georgia game you saw the worst example of officiating the SEC has to offer. A flagrant foul that didn't occur and then a foul on a 3 point shot that could best be described as imaginary. Then the final play in regulation where the Georgia player was body slammed. It's a shame that acting, such as Marshall Henderson puts on, is more important than actual play. Now, I know that an Ole Miss victory probably helps the Tide as far as the NCAA is concerned, but it is a crying shame that Georgia got cheated the way they did. Feel free to flame.
      

Bama gets Carolina at home

Bama can move to 17-8 with win
LSU destroys South Carolina

     I am sure a lot of you watched LSU play at South Carolina. Our household sure did. It would be a fair statement to say that LSU destroyed the 'Gamecocks. The the final score was 64-46 and as they say - it wasn't that close. Basketball is an odd game. The Gamecocks had beaten LSU in Baton Rouge earlier in the season. Now, all of us are licking our basketball chops for the USC game this Saturday at 3:00 PM at Coleman. Don't expect it to be that easy.

     Carolina has some real match-up problems inside with the size of the Tigers. Johhny O'Bryant's led the scoring parade with 30. LSU also started a 7-3 tuba player. The Tigers also have a point guard who could keep up with Bruce Ellington. Anthony Hickey did a great job on Ellington. Alabama will not match-up the same way as LSU did last night. Carolina didn't have the size inside to contend. They'll match up  better with Alabama in the paint. Bruce Ellington is a special type player. I'm not sure whether Alabama will put Releford or Lacey on him in man. We'll likely play a lot of 2-3 zone. Carolina shot less than 30% against LSU. Frank Martin is a heck of a good coach. Why he left  KState to go to Carolina was a stunner. He's recently stated he's coached JV teams better his current team. Don't hold back Frank, tell us how you really feel. Carolina is a truly bad basketball team. So was Mercer and to a lesser degree Tulane. Perhaps no sport is effected by physical match-ups more than basketball. Alabama lives life on the edge and cannot afford to look ahead. So what will Bama do?

      First and foremost they will need to shut down Bruce Ellington. That won't be easy. LSU limited his touches which was a sound plan. If we play a lot of man it will be much harder to do that. Second, Alabama needs to keep Moussa Gueye out of foul trouble. I'm sure that Coach Grant will tell the tall one that he doesn't have to block a lot of shots but just make
people shot over him. He'll also tell him not to set moving screens. I also sure that Gueye will attempt to block anything coming his way, and he'll move on screens even though those picks are less important in this game than some. Third, look for Bama to take it inside as often as they can to get to the foul line. I'm talking about a real concerted effort to take it to the hoops. If Bama is going anywhere in the remaining season they are need to shoot more free throws. Teams that press for long periods don't historically shoot a good percentage of free throws due to the build up of lactic acid in the legs. Now that Retin is playing more minutes it should help all the them with some rest. By the way, if Devonta is going to have a break out game this might be it. He'll never have a better match-up in his favor. Bama has a chance to win all their remaining games except for Florida. I'm an optimist but not an idiot. If Bama wins that game it would be the biggest upset in college basketball. If Bama could win the rest of their games except Florida it will set the stage for an invitation. It also will give the Tide a couple of bye games in the SEC. I don't know if that would actually be good because the Tide needs wins, and not open nights. Roll Tide and see you tomorrow.


     Bama should win this game but it might be closer than you think. Bama by 9














  
    

JUCO recruits

bama will look to the juco teams
grant looks for some early help... 





Chad Frazier if Gulf Coast College

     It's obvious that Alabama need some help inside.  I know they have been recruiting in junior colleges to find someone who can step in next. Juco players have a shorter learning curve than most high school kids, Keeping that in mind here are the first couple of kids we are recruiting. Alabama has been all over Chad Frazier. Frazier plays at Gulf Coast Junior College. He is a solid 6-4 200 pounds and can play the shooting and point guards. That versatilty has made him a hot commodity. Here is list of schools that have either offered him or expected to offer him in the near future. The list gets longer and longer as his season progresses. Gonzaga, Illinois, South Carolina, Alabama, Rhode Island, Texas A&M, TCU, West Virginia, UCF and Washington, Kansas, UConn, Virginia Tech, NC State, Baylor, Purdue, UCLA, and Marquette. It's pretty clear that he is a recruit of national importance. Grant needs to sign at least one point guard in the spring.

Bama's chances: pretty good. He likes Grant and loves the defensive style that the Tide plays. He also thinks he could help the offense immediately. He is averaging 15 ppg. That's not a gaudy number but he can distribute the ball. 

Algie Key of Barton JC

     

Is Alabama looking overseas? Yes, they are and English is not the language...
How many Jucos would we sign? One guard, and two forwards...
 
Algie Key, 6-3 point at Barton JC was recently visited by Grant. He is from Georgia, and we took a run at him when he was in high school. Grades sent him to junior college route. He is averaging 20 ppg and 5 assists. He is a true point guard.




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A Rainy Night in Georgia for the Dogs...

bama moves into 2nd place in SEC
late game shots by lacey and cooper ...  

      Once again the Crimson Tide won a game by scoring less than 60 points. This time they knocked down only 52. They won by 7. When you beat anyone by the score of 52-45 it means you played some real defense. Alabama played some really great defense late in the game when a big Alabama lead turned into a 41-40 deficit.. The Tide had taken a 40-32 lead only to see Georgia fight back and take that  one point lead with 2:36 left in the game. That 41-40 score could go either way and this time it was the Crimson Tide who hit the key shots and made the key defensive plays.

     On the next offensive trip down the  floor Randolph found a wide open 3 point shot. He had been hesitant in the earlier part of the game to shoot the ball. Only one minute earlier in a media timeout  Grant had told each of his players not to pass up open looks. Randolph listened to his coaches advice and let it fly. Bottoms. The Tide took a 43-41 lead and never looked back. Randolph snared a big board of a Caldwell-Pope shot.  Randolph took the ball up the floor, and found Rodney Cooper who had a good look at a 3 pointer. He also drained one. Those two three point shots gave the team a total of 6 for the night. They tried 18 downtowners for  the game. When Bama needed big shots in the  worst way they made them.  That also goes for rebounds. Georgia won the boards 41-36, but when time was running out,  it was the Tide who pulled them down.   




BAMA MOVES INTO SECOND PLACE
     Alabama moves into a tie for 2nd in SEC with Kentucky. The Wildcats saw the gifted Nerlens Noel fall to the floor in agony when his knee hit the backboord standard. He will evaluated in Lexington, but the prognosis looked serious last night. Alabama is now 16-8 and 8-3 in the conference. The NCAA is not knocking down Alabama's door, but they have the address. Alabama goes to South Carolina this weekend. A Tide win increases chances of finishing the month 7-1. Alabama isn't likely to beat Florida on the road, but they have a decent chance  to win their remaining games, including Ole Miss. That will secure an invitation in the NCAA. I don't know if Bama is going make the field or not. They are giving it a great run though.

Georgia is no dog this season...

georgia has won five games in a row
how will bama defend kentavious caldwell-pope?

      Georgia didn't exactly start the season hotter than a pepper pot. The pot has been  heating up in the last five games though .Georgia has won each of them. In the old days of SEC basketball the Bulldogs were an afterthought. It was a place where you had a good chance of winning a road game. Georgia's slow start this season revived old memories. The last five games have changed things around though. A different talent level is apparent  at Georgia. At Georgia it all starts with Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. For the Tide to beat Georgia they will need to  keep him from having a career night. KCP is 6-5 and is quick, can jump out of the gym, and can also take it to the basket. The winning streak started after Georgia was humiliated by Florida. Since that time the Dawgs have bean TAM, Auburn, South Carolina, Tennessee, and TAM again. Bama beat TAM, lost to Auburn, and Tennessee. Three of those wins were road games including a nice 68-62 win in Knoxville. 

      KCP is one of the top five players in the league and will move on to the NBA as soon as possible. Right now he has to be content with shredding SEC defenses. He's been a very consistent player this season. He wears # 1 on his uniform because he thinks he is the best player in the SEC. He might be. He'll be the best  all - around player the Tide has faces this season. He has so many moves inside and outside it is just hard to slow him down. He's also one of the best defensive players in the SEC. Most analysts believe he will go out this season and be a mid first round pick. Look for Randolph and Cooper to get the bulk of the work against him. He is a quality player who is almost impossible to shut down. Alabama will try to slow him and hopefully not allow him to have a big night.  The matchup between Randolph and KCP may very well be the highlight of the game. Both are around 6-5 and both are splendid athletes. KCP is averaging 17.5 ppg, is shooting a solid 46% from the floor, 80% of his free shots and 39% from downtown. Those are great numbers. He also is the top rebounder with 6.3 per game.

      This game may resemble a demolition derby. The pace will be slow, the contact will be brutal, and score should be low. Both teams mirror each other in their offensive attack. Neither team has been explosive on the offensive end so far. Vegas had the over/under at 112. I was thinking maybe 109 so the bookies are expecting an offensive "explosion". Georgia is a 1.5 favorite to win. The Dawgs are on a roll. The Tide is a on a roll as well. For Bama, a win keeps their slim NCAA hopes alive. For the Dogs, a win would help an NIT bid. Alabama is 15-8. They are in third place in the SEC at 7-3. Georgia had a rough start but now stands at 12-11 and is 6-4 in the league. Bama has to finish in the top four of the league or they have no chance in getting an NCAA bid in my opinion. 

ESPNU at  8 CST.   

     Georgia is a slight favorite and should win the game. They have the best player on the floor and play tough defense, not unlike Bama. Even though the score was close with LSU the Tide outplayed them soundly. If Bama can make some three point baskets they will win the game.

Alpha