Tide sweeps the Tigers ...

Randolph, Cooper, and Obasahan lead Tide...

Shannon Hale has wicked first half...

Bama controls the boards...

  

That's a wing span

  I love eating crow. Thank you Crimson Tide for serving up this Edgar Allen Poe specialty. Even better was the turkey, named Aubie, roasted on the spit fire for the entire Bama nation. Final score was 79-68,  but the implications of the win may be far larger than the score. In all the hoopla of Bruce Pearl, Anthony Grant just won his 9th win in 12 games against the Tigers. Talk will spring up about keeping Grant vs. replacing him. That's normal fantalk for the forums. I loved the win. I loved watching Grant get that technical foul, and watching his team rally round him. Levi Randolph even applauded. It is that kind of emotion that reassures fans, gets the notice of recruits, and let's officials holding those whistles that they are under a watchful eye. Coach, you made me proud. Seriously proud. You know what? It worked.

    No doubt it helps when Bama shoots 60% in the second half with Randolph hitting 6-7 from the floor. Bama killed the Tigers on the boards 40-26. The Tide hit 16-21 from the free throw line, and dished out 13 assists for the game. The Tide also blocked 4 Tiger shots. Cinmeon Bowers, the Auburn center had 14 points and 7 boards. That's sounds pretty good, but if you watched the game it was his out of control play in the second half that destroyed the Tigers overall. He forced shots, showboated, gave the crowed a Charles Atlas poise, and ruined any chance his team had to win. Tip of the hat to the Auburn guards who were better than advertised. Harrell is a classy player. Mason was amazing. The team of Randolph, Coleman, and Obashan held their own however. The trio harassed Tiger ball handlers all night, forcing bad passing, and never allowing any continuity by the Auburn offense.  It was a thing of beauty. When Auburn stepped up the pace, the Tide simply stepped it up even more. Auburn shot on 39% from the floor, but that was misleading. Harrell and Mason had big nights, and everyone else on the Tiger team was shooting air balls. I don't think I have ever seen a game where as many bad shots were taken by any team.

The Tide's balanced attack forced the Tigers to defend everyone and gave little chance for double teams or weak side defense. More tomorrow.