TIDE BEATS TWO TOP TWENTY TEAMS IN THE ADVOCARE...

        
Bama shows they are better than predicted...







    

OBASAHAN HITS THE WINNER

   Alabama knocked off another top 25 team in the Advocare Invitational while no one was looking. Seriously, the game was not televised, and live-streaming was the only way to see the game. That's a shame for the fans because Avery Johnson’s gallant little band of warriors beat #17 Notre Dame 74-73. With ten seconds on the game clock, Retin Obasahan took the ball and magically wove his way through heavy traffic to make a lay-up. It was quite a play. It was the second time this week that ‘Bama has beaten a top 25 team. Wichita State was victim number one, and the fighting Irish of Notre Dame were number two.  I wonder who is next? The Tide moved to 4-2. Significantly, Alabama has 2 quality wins and 2 “quality losses”. The Tide got thumped by Dayton and beaten by Xavier. In both games, the Tide hung around in the first half only to fall on its face in the second half.

HALE HAS 19 IN BIG WIN

        On Sunday afternoon, Alabama put together one of those gutsy performances we all love. It is amazing to this writer that Avery Johnson beat two ranked teams with the lineup he has. That’s not to be disrespectful to the players. They are playing to the utmost of their ability. They have become a team. And a team is better sometimes that five guys with more talent.

 

        One the good things coming out of Sunday’s game was a strong performance by 6-9 Michael Kessens. Kessens banged with the big boys inside to pull down 9 rebounds. The improvement of Michael is another key to the Tide’s future. Shannon Hale had another strong game. The Junior seems to be finding a groove. Hale is so versatile. He loves to shoot the long ball, but he’s not hesitant about going inside the in the paint. That inside-out game is something that a lot of players can’t do. His foot injury seems to be well. His stamina is obviously better, and he is taking on a leadership role. Leadership is big in basketball. When you start a freshman point guard who is learning his role, someone has to step up and lead the team. Give Hale credit for doing so.

 

       Retin Obasahan played his best game of the year. He did it in several ways. He scored 19 points, hit the winning basket, and played like the devil on defense. He is Alabama’s best player in my opinion. He has unlimited physical skill. He learned a lot from Anthony Grant about defense, and now is learning a lot more about what he should do on offense from Coach Johnson. Obasahan gave us some insight about Johnson's coaching as well. "In time outs, it seems that Coach knows exactly where the other players (opposition) are going to be."

 

       You might have noticed that Riley Norris got hurt and did not return to the floor after the injury. He got jabbed in the eye. He is fine now. Norris is a deadly shooter and has a lot of basketball floor sense. I love to watch his square up to shoot, but it is all around game that is most impressive. A lot of players can shoot. Not a lot of players can shoot and have a good floor game. Johnson uses him perfectly. Kudos to the coach and the team for a great weekend at the Advocare. The Tide didn’t win the tournament but they come home as the biggest winner in the eight team field.

Bama guts through to top 20 Witchita State in upset 64-60 ...


   

  Alabama just beat Witchita State, a top 20 team.  What a great win for first-year head coach Avery Johnson. How ironic is that? It was almost burlesque as the clock hit zero. The coach that Alabama wined, dined, and prayed would take the job as head basketball coach was on the other bench. At the end of that offensive series of events, it became apparent that he played Alabama. Hindsight is always 20-20 and for the Tide it proved to be a blessing in disguise. I have no idea of how many the team might win this season, but to me this one will be the most satisfying.

        I’m well aware Fred Van Fleet didn’t play. I’m sure the Shocker fans will use that as an excuse for the loss. Fair enough, but it isn’t the reason why Alabama beat WSU.  Hard play on the defensive end of the court delivered the victory. Johnson is supposed to be an offensive guru. He’s not bad at teaching defense either is he?  The final score was 64-60. Riley Norris knocked in two free throws to make it a two-possession game, and the Tide got its first signature win this season. It was also Norris who shadowed Doug Baker the last few minutes of the game, making him a non-factor.  The sophomore from little Albertville, Alabama also knocked in a big three-point basket in the last five minutes to help Bama take the lead.

        I’m happy for the team. This one was for loyal Alabama hoop fans all over the world. Be assured one thing, however, the team played hard for Avery Johnson and not against Greg Marshall. The Tide’s record are now 3-2. The Tide will play Notre Dame, who beat Big Ten Iowa. The winner of this game will win fifth place in the tournament.  I felt if ‘Bama could win one game in the Advocare it would have been a successful trip. Two wins will give the team something to do a little chest bumping. 

      Alabama shot only  41% from the floor but held the normally hot shooting Shockers to 31%.  Give credit to Alabama defenders who contest almost every shot. WSU loves the three. The made on 10-30 and virtually every shot had a hand in their face. Doug Baker, the best outside shooter on the Shocker team, made only 3-9 from behind the arc. The Tide did an excellent job of the jump-switch on the high screen and denied the Shocker open shot.

     The night belonged to Shannon Hale who had a big 20 points. Hale was 6-10 from the floor and knocked down 2-4 three-pointers.  His biggest two baskets game in the last four minutes when he drained a three, and later muscled his way to the basket to score a highly contest basket He was also 6-7 from the line. The Crimson andd White were red-hot from the line making 25-30. The game was well played with few turnovers. Each team hung on to the ball and didn’t waste many opportunities on the offensive end.

         Alabama looked much better when they couldn’t fast break or get a quick shot. The pulled the ball out to midcourt, ran their offense. The spacing was good with a lot of down screens and player movement. This was an incredible win for the new Tide. Dazon Ingram had five turnovers and looked like a freshman at times, but he looked good most of the night. Once again, Ingram was the Tide’s leading rebounder with eight. A successful night following a couple of tough second halves is always nice. This time, the Tide didn’t let the second half ruin the night. What a way to start the weekend.

                                     ,

Tide wilts in second half...

     TIDE PLAYED WELL FOR A HALF...    

     

       I really have no idea about the things to say about games like Alabama’s 64-45 loss to Xavier today. We held the Musketeers to only 64 points. They were ranked #23 going into the tilt. For the first half and part of the second it appeared the Tide might hang around. Shannon Hale hit a three-pointer deep from the corner as time expired in the first half. The score was 27-24 for Xavier. Bama cut the Xavier lead to 30-28 in the half number two. Then the Tide just fell apart. It wasn’t pretty. You know root canal feeling? That’s about as good as I can describe it.

      We’ve said before this is going to be a learning process for the Tide. The process also involves the fanbase. How long is this type play going to continue? You are all smart guys. Do the math. How many recruiting seasons will it take for Johnson to get better players into the system? New players need to be the type player that fits the system. Think NBA is style. That means the Tide is going to need a great point guard, a great two guard, a small forward who can shoot it outside, and some power inside to rebound to start the break. How many of those do we have right now?  We’ve got some talent but not great talent. I’m not going to sell our young players short, though. Half a season will tell us a lot.

     I’m still not clear how you can commit to a team, recruit for them, and then not sign your letter of intent. However, Terrance Ferguson says he is firmly committed. I’ve heard a myriad of reasons why he chose not to do so. None of the stories I have heard makes a lot of sense. He says he is coming. We’ll see. He is the type player the Tide needs. We need to keep in mind we lost some good players last season. How much better would this team be with Randolph, Cooper, and Tarrant. Better for sure, but would we be an NCAA team? Doubtful. I’m going to watch the process and understand it is going to take some real time.  We all need to be patient. Patience is not one of the Tide Nation’s stronger attributes. The Tide plays Witchita State who lost to Southern Cal 72-69. How ironic is that?

TIDE SHOOTS LIGHTS OUT IN WIN OVER RAGIN' CAJUNS

HOT SHOOTING WIN OVER Sun Belt OPPONENT...

   

 Alabama went into last night's contest a two-point underdog. The left a double-digit winner with no resemblance of the team who got shellacked by Dayton. Jack Nicklaus, the king of golf, once said that good putting covers up a multitude of sins. So does good shooting. That made 15-25 from downtown to help the Tide put a good Sun Belt team 105-93. When this season is over that is going to be a good win over a team that is likely to make the NCAA field. 

    For the night the Alabama hit 55% from the floor, 60% from the three-point line, and made 75% of their free throws. Those are all numbers that mean you should win a game. The only thing that Bama lacked was better rebounding. The Cajuns beat the Tide 40-30 on the boards. It's difficult to believe that Jimmie Taylor got zero rebounds, but he did record 3 blocked shots and at least a half-dozen pressures to cause misses. 
   
 

  I think Bama should be pretty happy with a win for the Cajuns. They are picked to win the Sun Belt Conference and have a legit first round NBA player in Shawn Long. They can shoot the lights out. They played a team that shot even better.  Hats off to the Tide from returning from the land of the walking dead. Whatever Avery Johnson did to prepare his team for Friday night's game worked. Let's hope he saved some for future games. I thought the biggest factor on the Tide's offense was shooting, of course. To get those shots, Johnson put his two point-guards on the floor at the same time. The result was 28 points and 13 assists from Coleman and Ingram. Ingram showed us why he was Mr. Basketball last season, and clearly was under ranked by the so-called experts. When you have a 6-5 point guard, who can handle the ball you've got a weapon. I like how Ingram can post low against smaller players. Ingram led the Tide with 7 rebounds for the night.

       

Shannon Hale made 5 three pointers. The Tide had 5 players in double figures. Shot of the game had to be Edwards shot from the corner. It was off balance but still managed to beat the shot clock for three. The Tide had over 80 points with ten minutes left, and they seemed to ease up a bit in the final quarter of the game. If Louisiana-Lafayette made a run, the Tide had an answer and stormed back. What a difference a couple of days can make for a team. It's going to be a wild season, and Bama gave some notice to the rest of the SEC they won't go down quietly. I'd give the Player of the Game nod to Justin Coleman. But a couple of other Tide players were equally deserving. 
    

Second look at the Dayton game...

        I just finished watching our Dayton game a second time. I'm not exactly sure what our offensive philosophy is at this point. I think it looked more like a pickup game than any offense. That's not a terrible way to play if you have a couple of great ball-handling guards, some great shooters, and a strong inside game. I could see us setting a couple of back screens, trying to get the ball to a guard off a defensive rebound to start a break, and running some high screen offense. It looked like everyone tried to dribble penetrate to the basket. We often just took the first shot open and not necessarily what could have been a better shot.

      Most of knew this was going to be a tough season. Never in my wildest imagination did I think we'd play this bad. Coach Johnson simply couldn't make adjustments that made any difference. Why not? I think he simply doesn't have any difference maker players at this point. If we don't get T-Ferg we won't have that great player we need to jump start the program. So far he hasn't signed. I understand all the "family issues" regarding his ceremony. It seems more and more that he simply isn't going to sign with 'Bama. If he doesn't do it today, the next chance is April 13 of next year. It seems that if a signing were going to occur today we would have heard of some function. Everytime I mention this I get burned, but it seems a legitimate question.

      One key difference in coaching in the NBA and at the college level is talent. In the NBA, regardless of how bad you team might be, you still have talent. That's not so in college. When you look back at the stats, it tells a horror story. We had 20 turnovers, got outrebounded by 14, had only eight assists, and gave up 11 steals. If you need to be optimistic, then you could say we just shot the ball so poorly we couldn't win. We made only 5-20 from the three line and were only 9-17 from the line. That free throw shooting number may not drastically improve because running teams are rarely good free throw shooting teams. Fatigue is a factor there.

     Our defense was horrible. I've never seen a team give up so many easy baskets from wide open looks. I am not trying to be funny when I say we are lucky they didn't shoot better than 47% or they might have scored a 100. You want to know why Bama slowed it down so much last season? They just didn't have any truly great shooters.  It's ironic how much our last coach was ridiculed for low scoring games. Had the Tide tried the high scoring mode last season we wouldn't have won 10 games. 

     We better sit back and just "enjoy" the season. Wins are not going to come in bushels. Let's just hope that losses don't hit us like a plague of locusts. This team will get better. It might take half a season to really see any improvement. I believe Avery Johnson has what it takes to win. But the key is to find better players. One reason I am so concerned about T-Ferg was that his commitment amounts to a real break through. He still might sign. I'm keeping my fingers crossed. 

Tide is demolished in Dayton

Bama bust on first road trip

     

That was horrible on so many levels you can't find a place to start. How about just saying it was the worst basketball performance I've ever seen from an Alabama basketball team. I say that with no disrespect. It was only an observation. A team with lots of new players, playing under a new coach, with a  new system is going to give you a few of those nights. Honestly, the only thing you can say about the team was they played hard.

       I believe that great effort will bring better results in the future as the season progresses. it is pretty clear that we have a long way to go.  Much further than I believed. Time will tell about this present team but I do have faith in the long-term future of Tide hoops. One poster may have said it best when he speculated that the program has run into the ground since the departure of Wimp Sanderson. 

       This loss today was bad as anything you can witness. It shouldn't take it of the luster off our new  coach and hopefully new found fan enthusiasm. We simply do not have the offenive players to dribble penetrate at this time. It seems pretty clear that Coleman and Ingram need some real time on the floor to help establish some semblance of offensive play. However; one thing can be fixed and fixed quickly. The defensive effort today was just not there. Defense is the result of courage and guts. I saw neither on the defensive end.  We were picked 13th out of 14 teams in the SEC. I picked up 10th. 

      This team has only way to go. When you only score 48 points something is wrong. By the way, the best Dayton player barely played today.

  The game went about as expected. I thought the Tide would win by 14, and the final score was 7xxxxx It was a very competitive, but not a game you thought the Tide might end up losing. Had the Tide made a decent number of their free throws, it was a 20+ win. What can you say about a game that looked like a pick game at you gym than a college game at times? It was sloppy, hard-fought, fun at times, and thankfully came to an end. It was a night when more important things put things in a better perspective. 
 

     None of that is to say that Alabama fans were not happy with some things they watched. Dazon Ingram made some spectacular plays showing everyone why he was Mr. Basketball last season. Retin Obasahan will make some level of All-SEC, although he'd rather be an academic All-American. The very athletic guard made some great baskets and his quick hands caused KSU a lot of problem. Edwards made a couple threes on a night when it was brick city for Bama.

      We told you the Yolan Jones was a spectacular player. He played a great game. I just wish it was against someone else. A one star player was brightest of all on Friday the 13th. Someone needs to put his hands in ice water to cool them off. One thing I didn't like was that Bama could never defend him. Most of his points were uncontested. It would be nice if one of the players stepped up to be a defensive star. 

Nothing is better than the tip-off of a new season. Tonight 'Bama hosts Kennesaw State in game one of the Avery Johnson era. I've never seen fans more excited about Hoops since I've watched Alabama basketball. The 'Bama fans are united in giving Johnson the support and time it will take rebuild Alabama Bama basketball. I'll always remember Anthony Johnson for his integrity and effort at Alabama. However; the decision to let him go and bring in our own Tasmanian Devil was necessary. And boy, is Avery Johnson just that. I have it on good source that the Energizer Bunny has relinquished his crown to Avery.  So let's give the staff and players our full lung capacity at every game. 

I think that Johnson will start Taylor, Hale, Coleman, Obasahann and Norris will all get starts but the Coach isn't announcing it until game time. Ingram, Kessens, and Edwards will get plenty of playing time.

1. The Pace of play: It' going to be the tortoise and the hare. And we not the tortoise.

2. The Style of play: Bama will take the first really good shot they have. That doesn't mean that our players are going to be "trying one" as Dan Jenkins so wonderfully put it in book.

3. There is going to be a lot of hard aggressive man to man play, and players will rotate in and out because of the offensive and defensive style of play

4. Bama is going to rebound like demons to start the fast break. 

5. There are going to be tons of turnovers by each team. Early season games account for that, but with tonight's game our players are still adjusting on offense. We'll make plenty of errors, but they'll make the at breakneck speed.

Bama by 14

TIDE'S OPENING GAME IS A GOOD ONE...

TIDE FACES KENNESAW STATE ...

Yonel Brown runs the floor for the Owls

 Anyone who believes that Alabama's opening game is going to be a walk over better re-think that position. I'm not saying that Kennesaw State is going to waltz in Coleman Coliseum and beat 'Bama. That's not likely. Kennesaw State is not a big name opponent. We can all remember teams that have come to Coleman in the early season and beat the Tide. When you have a new coach, new staff, and loads of players unfamiliar with each other, it might not be pretty. Don't be surprised if this turns into a pretty good game. Kennesaw State is not without some talent.

      The Owls have a great little point guard named Yonel Brown. He is a pre-season Atlantic Sun Conference. He was the Gwinnett Georgia Tip-Off Club Player of the Year after his junior and senior seasons in high school. You are going to enjoy watching him play. It might be the only time that Justin Coleman may actually be taller than his opponent in a man defense. Yonel is liberally listed at 5-9 by his school. If you are unfamiliar with the Atlantic Sun Conference here are the other members: Florida Gulf Coast, Jacksonville, Lipscomb, South Carolina Upstate, Stetson, New Jersey Institute of Technology, North Florida, and Kennesaw State.

JUST TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS IS KEY...   

   'Bama needs just to take care of their own business. One of the most remarkable things I've read regarding basketball was that John Wooden never scouted an opponent. All he did was concentrate on his team. I'm sure that Avery Johnson is doing just that. He needs to spend his time building cohesion in his program. Based on what happened in the first game it appears that Jimmie Taylor, Shannon Hale, Justine Coleman, and Retin Obasahan have earned starting position. That last position seems to be up for grabs, or perhaps a better way of looking at it is who needs to play in a particular match-up. i think an overlooked fact from the exhibition game was the 11 steals the Tide snared. The is extremely important for Avery Johnson's style of play. The team scored a lot of points with wide open play. I don't think the Tide ever took more than 17 or 18 seconds. 

ODDS AND ENDS...

         

Ingram showed a lot of talent

For Bama to run at the frenetic pace, it is necessary to rebound on the defensive end. Michael Kessens had a big night pulling down missed shots, and Jimmie Taylor did the same as well. The Tide is going to have to work on ball screen switches to not give up layups as they did in game one. You have to be impressed with Dazon Ingram in his first game.  His court sense and talent are evident. Arthur Edwards is perfect for the Johnson style of play. Riley Norris is just a good player, and he'd be a starter on most teams. He is not just a good shooter or a role player. His play compliments those around him. He's a good all all-rounder who is going to be a good one.

This is going to be a team that is exciting and fun to watch. They are not going to be world beaters, but I think they are certainly better than the 13th best team in the SEC. That's where our learned media voted. 

CRIMSON HOOPS UNDER AVERY JOHNSON BEGINS FRIDAY

              Alabama has an exhibition tomorrow night. If there are ten players, three officials, and a ball, it is game. Exhibition or not, a lot of impressions will be made. Trying to get information out of Avery Johnson’s staff isn’t easy. I have no idea who starts.  Seriously,  I’m not sure if Coach Johnson has made his mind up about starters. Jimmie Taylor is the only Tider named by the staff as a starter. There are a lot of new faces to sort out. I’d guess that Hale, Kessens, Retin, and Coleman would start. Still, don’t be surprised if Dazon Ingram works his way into the starting lineup for the exhibition game.

           

         Word out of Tuscaloosa is the Taylor has “significantly” improved on both ends of the Court. If that’s true, it is great news for the Tide. Alabama’s need for some scoring from the post is obvious. Defensively, Taylor was good, headed toward great, by the end of last season. Based on his play last year it is going hard to keep Riley Norris out of the starting lineup. Perhaps his role is to be a 6th man coming in off the bench. The value of a great 6th man cannot be forgotten. Norris is a great shooter who was thrown in the fire last year.  With the exception of Levi Randolph, Riley Norris has the best court sense on the team last season. The forward is a walking example of where good fundamental basketball habits can take a player.  I expect a large crowd to turn out for the game. Basketball fans and tailgaters will be there and will be loud. They will also be curious. 

TIDE BASKETBALL TURNING SOME HEADS IN RECRUITING

BAMA CLOSING TO ANOTHER HUGE COMMITTMENT?

BOLDEN IS TOP 15 PLAYER

 The national period for basketball recruits to sign is just around the corner. Tide fans should be proud of the efforts of Avery Johnson and his staff. They should also offer a pat on the back to T-Ferg, who is doing is best to get the five-star center, Marquis Bolden, to ink with the Tide. Two weeks ago I would have bet my last dollar it wouldn’t happen. After talking with several people who know Bolden, and seem to be in a position to know what’s going on with him, it seems possible that Bolden has put Bama on his consideration list.  At least one national recruiting guru, Jerry Meyers, who is the Director of Basketball Recruiting for 247Sports, picks Alabama as his final choice.

KEY IS A PLAYER AT HIGH AAU LEVELS

    I don’t think that should give Tide fans a sense of security. T-Ferg talks with MB frequently. Whether or not that means anything is hard to determine, but it doesn’t hurt. I think what that tells us is that Avery Johnson is using his basketball capital to convince young men he can help them get to the pros. After playing and coaching in the league for a couple of decades, it is probably true. Alabama is chasing Duke, Kentucky, and Kansas to get him in Tuscaloosa. That seems impossible doesn’t it? Well, that is what ‘Bama did with Terrance Ferguson. Then the Tide turned their sights toward Braxton Key. He was going to Vandy after he eliminated Duke, Kentucky, and Ohio State. Those are some schools who reside in high cotton. Key is likely to receive that 5th star soon.

       

T-FERG IS A SHOOTER

    So how is Bama doing this?  They are convincing you men to come to Tuscaloosa and be a part of something very special You take returning players (are good players by the way) and add Ferguson, Bolden, and Key to the mix and Tide fans can start to think about bigger and better teams. All three are top 100 players. Depending on which services you choose to believe they are all top 40 players. It would be fair to say that the Tide is a top 10 class. Add Bolden to the mix and it is a top 5. Some would argue that Bama would be a top 3. I don't know, and neither does anyone else. I will say it is a high class now, and could end up being better than great.


Jerry Meyer serves as a national scout and recruiting analyst for Rivals.com. He played at Lipscomb University where be became college basketball's all-time career assist leader. Meyer earned Mr. Basketball honors in the state of Tennessee as a high school junior and senior. He has served as an assistant coach at Vanderbilt and also co-authored the book, "Basketball Skills and Drills."