Big night for a team that needed one
It sure was fun making up a story about Alabama going out and just having fun. Sure, the post was just an old fan's imagination, but darn, it almost came true. The Crimson Tide rocketed to a 20-4 lead in the first 10 minutes of game and never looked back. It was a solid team effort. If you wore Crimson you played well. If the word Alabama was on the front of your jersey you shot the daylights. If you were from Illinois and the mighty Big 10, you got some explaining to do when you get home. It sure looked like the Tide was lose and having fun. I think that attitude let their athletic ability run wild.
The television announcers said that Illinois seemed a step slow and out of sorts. What they were was just overwhelmed by an Alabama team which wanted to give Anthony Grant a going away gift. When the Tide lead hit 30 points it was the highwater mark of the best game the Tide has played this season. It was the same offense they've used all season on steroids. When Jimmy Taylor made a spinning move and threw down a monster you knew it was going to be a great night. Old school style player Levi Randolph was unstoppable. He also threw down a running dunk that ESPN highlights written all over it. Those dreadlocks were flying behind him like superman's cape would do. He did it all. He hit three points, he dunked, and shot reverse layups, he made his free throws, and directed traffic. If you ever wanted to know Levi was named team Captain go back tomorrow and watch the re-run. Beside his brilliant offensive game, his lock down defense was just as good. Remember that line from Butch Cassidy and the Sundance kid looked at the opposition and ask "who are those guys". I bet that is exactly what the Illini thought when the first ten minutes were over. The crowd love the offense. The defense killed their Big 10 draw.
Rodney Cooper played yet another dead solid perfect game. His three point shooting and strong drives down the baseline were impressive. His rebounding is always impressive. He's the perfect sidekick for Levi. And then there was Retin Obasahan. Not bad for kid who was laughed at when he first came to Tuscaloosa. Three second half of this season has seen him become a great player. He is the best defensive guard I've ever seen. I'm sorry to say that Amp, but he sure is. He is also a great shot blocker. Every once in rare while you see someone who understands the bigger scheme of team defense. Simply amazing. He blocked shot, grabbing the lose ball, and driving the length of the floor was stunning. It wouldn't surprise me if he told the Illini, "I'll be back", for the second half. All in all, Tide fans should feel pretty good about the back court for next season. Obasahan, Tarrant, and Coleman will be back. How about the little man dropping in bombs from Northport? That is a glimpse of what is to come.
I hope all our potential recruits, including Dazon Ingram, tuned in and watched the game. Ingram would play the same position as Levi in all likelihood. The Tide returns some experience in the front court. Riley Norris made great jumps in his playing time. His shooting is excellent, and I'm telling you are looking at 40&% plus outside shooter. We know that Norris can shoot. But honestly, it was his rebounding and passing that impressed me. Twice last night he tipped lose balls to an open shooters who scored.
I have to admit that I've had my doubts about Jimmie Taylor. Last night he had a couple of dazzling moves to score, and he is a natural shot blocker. One very under valued part of his game is his ability to find the outside shooter. Same for Norris. Both is rugged inside, and won't shy away from anything.
In the post game interviews, Levi Randolph made it clear who they were playing the game for last night. That name is Anthony Grant. Regardless of how anyone feels about Grant you can't tell me that Grant didn't recruit some great players, and helped them develop. Maybe Grant didn't win as many games as the fans wanted. No doubt in my mind he has left an indelible mark regarding the intangibles we all like to talk about when your team wins.
Dazon Ingram has de-committed. If the new staff keeps Pettway he has left the door open to return. He has to like the new staff to seal the deal. At least one of the other recruits has made it known he has contacted the school wanting to know if he still has to come to Bama since he signed his letter of intent.
All in all it was a great night. Alabama fans sure needed something to lift the spirits. We saw a great performance from Randolph and Cooper. We saw the real potential of Obasaha, Norris, and Jimmie Taylor.
It sure was fun making up a story about Alabama going out and just having fun. Sure, the post was just an old fan's imagination, but darn, it almost came true. The Crimson Tide rocketed to a 20-4 lead in the first 10 minutes of game and never looked back. It was a solid team effort. If you wore Crimson you played well. If the word Alabama was on the front of your jersey you shot the daylights. If you were from Illinois and the mighty Big 10, you got some explaining to do when you get home. It sure looked like the Tide was lose and having fun. I think that attitude let their athletic ability run wild.
The television announcers said that Illinois seemed a step slow and out of sorts. What they were was just overwhelmed by an Alabama team which wanted to give Anthony Grant a going away gift. When the Tide lead hit 30 points it was the highwater mark of the best game the Tide has played this season. It was the same offense they've used all season on steroids. When Jimmy Taylor made a spinning move and threw down a monster you knew it was going to be a great night. Old school style player Levi Randolph was unstoppable. He also threw down a running dunk that ESPN highlights written all over it. Those dreadlocks were flying behind him like superman's cape would do. He did it all. He hit three points, he dunked, and shot reverse layups, he made his free throws, and directed traffic. If you ever wanted to know Levi was named team Captain go back tomorrow and watch the re-run. Beside his brilliant offensive game, his lock down defense was just as good. Remember that line from Butch Cassidy and the Sundance kid looked at the opposition and ask "who are those guys". I bet that is exactly what the Illini thought when the first ten minutes were over. The crowd love the offense. The defense killed their Big 10 draw.
Rodney Cooper played yet another dead solid perfect game. His three point shooting and strong drives down the baseline were impressive. His rebounding is always impressive. He's the perfect sidekick for Levi. And then there was Retin Obasahan. Not bad for kid who was laughed at when he first came to Tuscaloosa. Three second half of this season has seen him become a great player. He is the best defensive guard I've ever seen. I'm sorry to say that Amp, but he sure is. He is also a great shot blocker. Every once in rare while you see someone who understands the bigger scheme of team defense. Simply amazing. He blocked shot, grabbing the lose ball, and driving the length of the floor was stunning. It wouldn't surprise me if he told the Illini, "I'll be back", for the second half. All in all, Tide fans should feel pretty good about the back court for next season. Obasahan, Tarrant, and Coleman will be back. How about the little man dropping in bombs from Northport? That is a glimpse of what is to come.
I hope all our potential recruits, including Dazon Ingram, tuned in and watched the game. Ingram would play the same position as Levi in all likelihood. The Tide returns some experience in the front court. Riley Norris made great jumps in his playing time. His shooting is excellent, and I'm telling you are looking at 40&% plus outside shooter. We know that Norris can shoot. But honestly, it was his rebounding and passing that impressed me. Twice last night he tipped lose balls to an open shooters who scored.
I have to admit that I've had my doubts about Jimmie Taylor. Last night he had a couple of dazzling moves to score, and he is a natural shot blocker. One very under valued part of his game is his ability to find the outside shooter. Same for Norris. Both is rugged inside, and won't shy away from anything.
In the post game interviews, Levi Randolph made it clear who they were playing the game for last night. That name is Anthony Grant. Regardless of how anyone feels about Grant you can't tell me that Grant didn't recruit some great players, and helped them develop. Maybe Grant didn't win as many games as the fans wanted. No doubt in my mind he has left an indelible mark regarding the intangibles we all like to talk about when your team wins.
Dazon Ingram has de-committed. If the new staff keeps Pettway he has left the door open to return. He has to like the new staff to seal the deal. At least one of the other recruits has made it known he has contacted the school wanting to know if he still has to come to Bama since he signed his letter of intent.
All in all it was a great night. Alabama fans sure needed something to lift the spirits. We saw a great performance from Randolph and Cooper. We saw the real potential of Obasaha, Norris, and Jimmie Taylor.
No comments:
Post a Comment