TIME HAS  COME FOR ALABAMA TO INVEST IN NEW BASKETBALL ARENA 

IF ALABAMA IS SERIOUS ABOUT ITS 

PROGRAM, LET'S BUILD SOMETHING LIKE A SNAKE PIT

EVEN OLE MISS AND AUBURN HAVE NEW ARENAS

     Seriously, if you are sincere about having a first rate sports program, a great coach isn't going to be enough for the Univesity of Alabama. We don't have the tradition of Duke and UCLA. Those two programs can get by with Cameron Indoor and Pauley Pavilion. Now is the time. Alabama has the money to build a new facility and quit wasting money putting new lipstick on a pig. You can add all the beautiful features, scoreboards, video boards, make it wi-fi friendly, have half time shows, and have the dance team wear thongs, and it won't help the Tide win a game. Wait, if we had the dance team sit on the visiting bench, it might help. 

TIME TO PUT UP OR SHUT UP ABOUT EXCELLENCE

   

Lipstick on a Pig

  Coleman reminds me of my 2001 Volvo S-80. It just hit the 300,000-mile mark. It is clean and shiny, and it looks pretty darn good. We call it the junk mobile. It serves a purpose but I'd not want to take it anywhere and not worry about a breakdown. If I had to drive this car over a 100 miles, I'd be concerned. You can only get so many miles regardless of the upkeep. It's the same thing as what The Univeristy of Alabama is doing with Coleman. They are just trying to get by. As long as we keep Coleman as our arena we will just get by. That doesn't mean we can't have some great seasons. But we will neve have an excellent program. Excellent programs invest whatever it takes to be better. As long as our University continues to delude itself that Coleman is a perfectly safe place to play basketball we will never reach the potential that Tide basketball fans want. I don't know exactly how much money our football program makes. It's a lot. I know the SEC network is paying us around 50 million dollars. Alabama could get a corporate sponsor to build a new arena, or, at least, defray the costs. I'm not sure how we'd feel playing in the Blue Cross Coleman Coliseum, but it would help us to become a top twenty school, I'd learn to live with it. 

LETS BE TRUTHFUL TO THE FANS

    It's just time to the University of Alabama to admit they are not interested in having a top program, or break ground on a new building to show they want to excel. I love Avery Johnson and he'll do fine. I want better than fine. I want a program that causes other teams to curse their fate knowing they are coming to Bama.

 

 I think UAB has a  better place for home court advantage than Bama. At least, they've moved the media to a different location. The media in the State of Alabama doesn't give a flip about Alabama basketball. Get those students down on the floor. For nasty old men like myself, I'd creep over to the student section and give those 


guys a historical perspective about what it means to act like a fool at home. 

ALABAMA BASKETBALL DESERVES MORE THAN BEING TREATED SECOND CLASS

   It's time for the University of Alabama to quit treating its basketball teams like second class citizens. As long as your stands are a half wedge away from the court you are losing some home court advantage. I am tired of hearing people and fans say the word Alabama means winning. That's a half truth. They mean football. We could mean basketball as well. Roll Tide.

OFFICIALS TOTALLY OUT OF CONTROL...

THOSE THREE OFFICIALS NEED TO BE BARRED FROM THE SEC FOREVER...

Jale Bell. A lot of this
horrible officiating started with
the hiring of this man...

     Okay, I have to admit I'm upset. More than upset, I'm stunned at the inept officiating we've seen all season long. Today was the poster child for banning officials. There were so many bad calls against Bama today you can't pick out any single whistle as the worst of all. I'm giving it my best shot, though. The call on Shannon Hale, who when he wasn't involved in the play, was laughable. Then, when it was halftime, the announcers brought the call to the attention of the officials who changed the foul to Anthony Edwards.  They can't do that. It is against the rules to do that. It wasn't reviewable unless it occurred in the last two minutes of the game. Beyond that, and the fact that Carolina shot almost fifty free throws it was a pretty good game. 

    Let me say this to the head of SEC officiating. Remember that nifty speech you gave in Birmingham and told everyone that the ultimate goal in officiating is to let the players decide the outcome of a game? So, given those lofty words, here is a suggestion Dr. Bell.  You need to fix the problem or resign. Even though your selection was unanimous among the then current coaches, it wasn't popular. Your approval index is just south of Congress. Seriously, do your job or resign. Fix this mess or be man enough to know you can't. And don't give SEC fans the line that the NCAA is in charge of all those things now. Each conference has an influence on what they want or need.

     I've watched basketball games in our league for seven decades. Under your tutelage applications for clown college have bottomed out. Now, they all want to be referees. Instead of having the officials walk out on the floor give them unicycles and some of those big red noses.  I'm talking the Ronald McDonald look. Yes, the Tide took the brunt of your calls today. Just as sad is the fact that Carolina walked off the floor thinking they had beaten Alabama.  We all know why they won. When Bama cut the lead to six late, the officials doubled down for Carolina like Donald Trump on an immigration. South Carolina might have won this game with fair officiating. We'll never know. Take nothing away from Carolina. They were aggressive. They played hard and wanted to repay the Tide for the last game the teams played. That's the way it happens some games. It doesn't mean we have to accept quietly the fact wit happened. 


    And one final word for Avery Johnson.  At some point in the second half, you should lobbied for technical foul to let your team know you aren't going to let the type of stuff continue. I admire Retin for saying enough is enough regarding the officials.


     Despite all the free-throw shooting, the soft play underneath by Taylor and Kessens, and crazy line-ups,  the Tide had a chance with 5 minutes to win. We were playing a group I never thought I'd see on the floor. All this tells me two things. First, Retin Obasahan is a man. Second, Alabama is going to be excellent in a couple of seasons. Give me five Obasahans and Norris type players and  I'd  go to war with anyone. Those guys are the personification of what Alabama players should be. And Coach you should have gotten a T in the midst of all that mess. I think the team might have appreciated it. In this league, the meek get eaten alive by officials. 

       The officiating is so bad it gives the fans the feeling that improprieties are taking place. The mere appearance of impropriety is enough to ruin a sport. Here's some stats 

10 Worst NCAA Men’s DI Basketball Referees, 2008-9 through 2012-13

Rank	Referee	Common Conferences	Home Foul Margin (per game)	Net Home Foul Margin (all five seasons)	Games
1	Antinio Petty	Atlantic Sun, SEC	-3.10	-942.6	304
2	Doug Shows	Big East, SEC	-2.99	-1157	387
3	Rick Hartzell	SEC, Sun Belt	-2.97	-1210	408
4	Bernard Clinton	A-10, ACC	-2.65	-772.4	292
5	John Gaffney	Big 10, Big East	-2.63	-972.3	369
6	Bo Boroski	Big 10, MAC	-2.62	-1034.8	395
7	Lamar Simpson	A-10, SEC	-2.61	-781.6	299
8	Terry Wymer	Big 10, MAC	-2.61	-976.7	374
9	Les Jones	ACC, Big East	-2.57	-1122	436
10	Tom O’Neill	Big 12, Mountain West	-2.57	-1121.3	436

       Bell splits time between the SEC and the Atlantic Sun Conference. The SEC has not yet become a part of the NCAA consortium of Officiating under J.D. Collins. I have written a letter to SEC office asking why they haven't joined the Consortium. If I receive a reply I will post it for our readers.

TIDE FACES SOUTH CAROLINA ON SATURDAY

Carolina is 18-2 and not ranked....

        I'm a big Frank Martin fan except when Alabama plays USC. The Gamecocks are 18-2. If you wonder whether or not Avery Johnson can return Alabama to being a feared program, I offer Frank Martin and the South Carolina Gamecocks as Exhibit #1. I love watching Carolina play. I still can't quite understand how they are so good. The Gamecocks don't look like an 18-2 team. They have some good players, but none is a franchise type player.  Their guards are tall by even NBA standards, and that causes some matchup problems. The interior game is solid but not great. They play ferocious defense. They never let up, and hang around due to that tenacity.  They win a lot of close games.  They are only ranked #27 in the country, and that is a joke. 

     Alabama dismantled the Gamecocks in Coleman Coliseum with excellent defense and red-hot shooting. The only other team that beat USC was Tennessee. That's ironic to me except for one thing. Both teams can beat almost anyone when they shoot the outside shot well. I'm hoping that the Tide can put together another similar effort this weekend, but not holding my breath. But, the Tide does match up pretty well with Carolina. Like Bama, the Gamecocks rely a lot on hustle and a tough hide. Unlike Bama, the Gamecocks win almost all their close games. I haven't seen a line yet. My guess would be Carolina by 7. Alabama can win this game by doing three things. 

1. They need to out rebound Carolina and cut down on giving 2nd shots

2. Bama needs to keep Michael Carrea from having his way on the offensive glass in particular

3. Keeping Thronewell under his average will be nice.

      The usual things matter just as much. Can 'Bama keep the turnovers down to around 10-12? Can Jimmie Taylor stay out of foul trouble? Can Donta Hall come in and give Bama some quality minutes? Will Micheal Kenssens turn it up and play like a power forward or just keep piddling around? 

      We'd love to think that Riley Norris can hit eight three-pointers. It will be super if Anthony Edwards catches fire and knocks down a few threes. We have to hope that Retin Obasahan continues to play like a man whose feet are on fire, and wouldn't it be nice to see Justine Coleman play a better game. In short, Bama needs to play a near-perfect game. The don't have to be perfect, but they can't throw the ball all over the place. They need to shoot somewhere over 45% and make 75% from the line. I'd feel much better about our chances if we can give up less than ten offensive rebounds. I know the Tide will play hard. Johnson will have a plan to win. A road win over Carolina would be one that might keep Bama in the post season hunt for a bid. It's a tall order. Alabama has the heart. They have the hustle. Playing the road is always difficult.

 I'd say Carolina by 12.

Carolina is  9 point favorite on Saturday morning.

      

TIDE FANS STAND TALL...

MOST BAMA FANS STAND TALL FOR AMERICAN VALUES...
Thank each of you so much for the message you spread ...

     

  Earlier one of our posters poised this question - Alabama is recruiting a Muslim, your thoughts? My answer is I sure hope he can shoot and rebound. My second thought was how sad someone has to take personal prejudice to a sports forum. I was so proud that almost everyone who replied to the question didn't take the bait. The last time I looked at the post I didn't see anyone who said we should not recruit him. Personally, I have several Muslim friends, one of whom saw his son give the ultimate sacrifice to the cause of freedom. 
      
     We've had several Muslim players in other sports here at the Capstone. We'll have many more as the Muslim population continues to grow.Remember the old story about Sam Cunningham doing more to integrate Alabama colleges than anything or anyone else could. Whether that's true or not I don't know. But I want to tell our posters how very proud I am to those who took the higher ground. It's hard to be open minded and have a big heart. Hatred is so easy. I will say this to all my Crimson brothers and sisters. The road to heaven isn't paved with hatred but is covered with love and understanding. I don't care if you are a Democrat, a Republican, or an Independent. Be whatever you want to be but don't spread your racial bigotry in the area of sports. And I might add anywhere else, but I know that is not possible. Haters have to hate. It's what they do. I know this is not a typical Crimson Hoops post. But the post to which I write about is not typical either. My faith requires me to answer. 

   When I told all of you guys that I was taking a coaching job, and you replied, I almost cried with your wishes of support. My beautiful wife, my anchor, said that it meant that the hundreds of posts I wrote meant something. I've paid for an expensive grammar program to help me with my shortcomings and my dyslexia. The program can help me with grammar. The dyslexia is here to stay. LOL. More than anything except my family, my faith, and my nation, I love Crimson Tide basketball. But all of those loves momentarily took a back seat to the response of my brothers in Crimson to that post which was nothing more than racism. You made me so proud to be a 'Bama fan. Some of us are misguided. Some of us understand.

      I have to admit that I am a bigot toward racial bigots. It is a weakness I fight daily to overcome. It is a hard to beat that feeling. But I try. I don't believe that Christ would support hatred toward any group or any race. Nor would the Buddha, who would tell us to find the Middle Way in such situation. And after long studies of Islam neither would the God of all Muslims support those feelings. By the way, the God of Abraham and God of Allah are the same God. Thank each and every one of you for making this a week of celebration and not of anger on my part. In love for our program, we will find unity. In unity, we will find success, and with the success, we can spread the message God wishes. Thank you for allowing me a departure from what I usually write. 

TIDE COMEBACK STUNS TENNESSEE

JOHNSON TO EDWARDS - I BROUGHT YOU HERE TO SHOOT THE BALL. "SHOOT THE BALL."

RILEY HAS 13 BOARDS
OBASAHAN RIPS 'VOLS DEFENSE 
HALE BREAKS SHOOTING SLUMP
 

   For over thirty minutes we looked like some junior varsity team with a losing record. When you get down thirteen points on your home floor it has been a miserable night. This wasn't like Kansas was playing in Coleman. Tennessee is a team that has a lot more questions than answer to their team. We didn't play defense, we couldn't drop a ball in the ocean standing on the beach, and the only thing missing were buzzards flying slow circles in the rafters of Coleman. 
 

   Then a complete reversal, the Tide ran off 14 straight points, and even when the Vols reclaimed a five point lead, the Tide found a little more energy to win 63-57. This was one ugly game for Bama until they their press dismantled the 'Volunteers. The Tiders, Retin Obasahan, Shanon Hale, and Riley Norris led the comeback. Obasahan looked like the Flash on steroids. He completely broke down the Vol Defense. Hale finally broke out of his shooting slump, and Riley, well, Riley pulled down thirteen rebounds and did all the gritty little dirty things a real baskeball player does to win. When the matter was at hand, Obasahan  caught Edwards on the line for a long distance basket. The Vols converged on Retin, and rather than force the issue,  he threw a pass to Edwards outside the arc. The senior dropped in a bomb. 


      The comeback was complete and the Tide stopped their losing streak. The Tide now stands at 11-8 and 2-5 in conference. Hopes of an NIT bid remain alive. I think the NCAA, as much as I'd like it to happen, is just to much a reach this season. Was isn't beyond the reach of this team is to help decide who goes dancing and who doesn't. Tip of the Hat to Donta Hall who showed Tide fans why he was recruited. Let's hope the big man goes from here to bigger and better things.

CAN TIDE GET OVER THE HUMP AGAINST TENNESSEEt

TIDE NEEDS A WIN AGAINST 'VOLS

TENNESSEE COMES TO TUSCALOOSA

   Alabama has lost two home games. Another home loss against a team they can beat will be a heavy blow for the season. You'd like to see this hard working team win some games. Surely, all this sweat will lead to a couple of nice wins before the season is over. Tennessee is one game the Tide cannot let slip away. If you have ever played on a team that loses a lot, it can be hard to break that cycle. The Crimson has now lost five of their last six games. The 'Vols are not a great team. They have played well and frankly have stunk the gym up on a few occasions. Like Alabama, the 'Vols are rebuilding. Under ex-Texas coach Rick Barnes, the 'Vols have made a significant monetary investment to bring them back to the glory years.

  I hate to use the overused cliche "make or break" a season, but this may be the case for Bama. Alabama fans have shown the good sense and loyalty on the Tide's road back to being a factor in SEC and NCAA basketball. A loss to Tennessee will virtually end any hope of the Tide making the NIT. Teams can get on a run and fool a lot of people, but I don't see the Tide getting a postseason bid.

   Under Grant, it seemed like we were always holding on.  We watched players leave the program like it was a bus stop. I think all that is over with Johnson. He is building a solid foundation for the future. Year three for Johnson will give us a more realistic view of where he can take this team.  I've seen a lot of games and have written hundreds of blogs about Alabama basketball. I'm tired of being average. It gets tiring to continue to pour your heart into average at a school where the average has never been acceptable. The other day I talked with a man wearing an Alabama tee shirt. He got around to telling me he didn't keep up our basketball program. He was a  football man. I told him he was a football fan but not an Alabama fan.  Alabama fans care about all their teams. He got pretty upset with me. 
Alabama fans demand a lot from our teams. We should all demand as much from ourselves. I've ridden this limp horse for ten years as a basketball fan. I am impressed with our loyal fans. I believe in the next three years we are going to rewarded for our loyalty. What do you think?

    

TIDE GIVES UP OFFENSIVE BOARD TO LOSE

TIDE COMES UP SHORT AGAIN....
Someone failed to block the shooter
Poor free throws hurt again




   

 Alabama is not a bad basketball team. It may very well be that Avery Johnson is getting all out of his talent he can. When a highly talented team such as LSU has to fight back to take a 72-70 win, you have to think you that Johnson is one heck of a coach. He is a great defensive coach. I know he wanted everyone to #buckleup for his offense, but it has been his defense that is winning games. The second thing you notice is that Alabama plays hard. They leave it on the floor. It breaks your heart to see kids with everything they have and still come up short. Like last season, the Tide is losing a lot of close games. The Tide ended that season with an 18-14 and 8-10 in the SEC. I'm looking at the remaining games, and it's difficult to find 18 wins. If anyone can do it, it will be Avery Johnson. One thing about this rendition of the Tide is they don't quit. Building for the future in basketball isn't about winning the first season. It's more about getting your players to build a foundation for the future. I have no doubt this is what Johnson is doing. 

      Tide needs some inside muscle and scoring. Jimmie Taylor can block shots. He can score a little, but he can't score enough to convince anyone he is going to beat you. Same with Michael Kessens. If you are a JUCO center, you can come to Alabama and play. If you are highly rated high school post player, you will play next season all you want. I don't knock Taylor. He is doing all he can do. Limited talent is what it is. I have to admit to being disappoint in MK. He still looks weak and is very unaggressive.  Neither of the two is precisely a rebounding monster. Taylor is disruptive inside. But he can't dominate the boards. Once again, Riley Norris was the Tide's leading rebounder. He had 10. Taylor and Kessens had a total of 3 each. Alabama won't and can't win with those numbers. 

     Retin Obasahan is doing all he can do. He has limits. LSU knew who the go-to guy was in the last minute on Saturday. The Tide needs to trust Norris or Edwards to do what they do best. That is shoot jump shots. I understand that Johnson wanted Retin to either score or go to the line. Alabama needs to find the necessary second alternative. To my way of thinking, it seems like we have two great outside shooters. I know that Coach Johnson is thinking about who that needs to.  Edwards seems cool and collected. Riley can get on a roll. Obasahan is also a good outside shooter. No fault in going with the collective wisdom of Bama's last two attempts. One thing that did concern me that Retin is not a great free throw shooter. He's around 66 percent. Given the same option, it might be acceptable to try Coleman on the floor at the same time.

       Tennessee comes to Coleman Coliseum on Tuesday night.  If Bama has any chances at a post season, we need to win the remaining home games. To to do that we need to rebound better. Kessens and Taylor need to have a talk with themselves about what they want to do with the rest of their careers. Better efforts from both would mean so much to the Tide.
   

       

Tide loses the free throw contest
Obasahan plays his heart out


 
     

Retin Obasahan was the man.
compl of RollTide.com

  Excuse me when I admit that basketball just isn't what it used to be?  At times, I hardly recognize the game I have followed for seven decades. Watching the never-ending free throw shooting exhibitions, just isn't basketball to me. I'm not trying to take anything away from Auburn. They won. They played hard. Last night had to be the worst officiating I've ever seen. It was horrible. The refs took the game out of the hands of the players. More often than not, basketball continues its long descent into whatever the NCAA wants it to be. When you can't touch a player with the ball, it isn't basketball. It would be like calling flag football real football. It's kind of like football. But it is not football. Basketball is not what it used to be.

      There is something inherently wrong whe68 free throws are attempted in a game. The number could have been higher if each team had made the first of one and one attempts. That means that almost two foul shots were shot per minute in the game. It also means that more than two fouls were called per minute.  There is something wrong when a touch is a foul. Just a touch, and I'm not talking about an obstruction. How can any game have any flow when the whistle blows twice a minute? One additional thing this new rule has done is allow much rougher play inside. For a short-handed lineup such as Alabama and Auburn, it can mean you lose before you even walk on the floor. Last night each team got the benefit from poor calls, or, even more, worse, the lack of calls. How can you call a foul for the defensive player touching an offensive player and then allow the offensive player to push off a defender?


      I thought there were three crucial plays in last nights game. First, was Jimmie Taylor getting a fifth foul 25 feet from the goal. Second, was the push off by Canty on Obasahan late. Canty hit a three when he should have been called for the push off. Third, was when Bowers clearly fouled a Bama shooter and then he literally shoves a Bama defender out of the way to get a rebound. Then the Bama player was called for the foul. That was just referee incompetence. I applaud Avery Johnson for not going ballistic at a key time of the game. I really wanted Avery to get a technical early in the second half when the officiating got out of hand. Perhaps, that might have given the officials a time to consider exactly what they were causing.


      Auburn played hard and won. I'm not taking anything away from the Tigers. Bruce Pearl did the best job of roster management. His substitution pattern killed the Tide. Fresh legs versus tired legs hurt. Nolan Richardson once said, "Fatigue makes cowards of us all." Johnson had his team ready. What Bama needs more than anything is on more go to man. Obasahan cannot do it all. He sure gave it a heck of an effort. If his work ethic spread to some other players, we might have a pretty good team. Watching Retin plays should inspire his teammates to step it up. I was proud of his effort. When Grant signed Obasahan people scoffed. They aren't doing that now.

       Bama was dealt a harsh hand with four of their first five games were on the road. I believe that the schedule might favor Alabama from this point. I believe any team in the SEC can beat the Tide, but Bama can beat anyone League as well.  I look for some big wins and some surprising losses. This season mirrors last season in the number of close games Alabama lost. Three of the four SEC losses were nail-biters.  Those lost games could have been wins, and the Tide would be 4-1 in league play.

     I thought Alabama did a decent job on Canty. He is a great talent. I also thought Retin played him as well as possible. He hit a few shots I'd let him shoot all night long. Last night they went in. The inside guys did a horrible job on Bowers. That was the difference. Letting Bowers get 18 rebounds was just too much to overcome.  Riley and Edwards were nonfactors in the game.  I thought our guard play was exceptional  and kept us in the game.  Alabama did a lot of good things. I thought that the Wimp Sanderson coaching style was key in this game. Let Canty have his points and try to shut everyone else down. We didn't do that. Now the Tide faces perhaps the most improved team of late, and arguably the best player in the NCAA.

Alabama heads to Auburn

Tide needs to play its best game

Smart guard play is big tonight

    I've had a lot of fun trips to Auburn in the winter. Alabama has had much success against Auburn over the years playing at Auburn. I have to admit to being somewhat surprised that a lot of Las Vegas betting houses have the Tide a 2.5 favorite over the Tigers tonight. Let's take a wild guess that tonight might be the most hostile place the Tide will play this season. Like it or not, the Tiger win over Kentucky was impressive. Kentucky is not anywhere near being a great team the season. Still, how do you just ignore the fact that the Tigers beat the Cats. Kentucky beat Alabama so hard it made ears ring. We beat them in football; they beat Kentucky, and now we get to play them. I'm not saying that Alabama can't beat Auburn. I am saying this is going to be tough. 
 

      To beat the Tigers, the Tide must control the backboards. The Tide needs to make their free throws. I bet Avery Johnson has stressed those two areas since the minute the game with Vanderbilt was over. I'm sure the Crimson has spent a lot of time practicing free throws. I don't know that. Two schools of thought exist about the terrible free throw shooting. One school says you practice your way out of the problem or the second school says to ignore it and don't make the problem become a psychological issue. If you play golf, and your putting goes south you understand what I mean. Which method that Avery Johnson chooses is up to him. It's not like he has to tell his team what the problem was in Nashville. It was a problem that had been sneaking up on the Tide already.

     I've always thought the main way you beat a team on the road is to have great players. When you lack a lot of great players, the fundamentals become even more imperative. That starts with rebounding and defense. Those are two areas that a team can be fairly consistent in executing. You might get beaten on the boards, but a strong effort makes a huge difference.  The second area is to take good shots. The Tide also needs smart play from the point guards. By smart, I mean take care of the ball, and keep your team from standing around. It's not an easy thing to do with 10,000 fans screaming. It's an odd thing; some players let the noise distract them, and other feed off the frenzy. The top tier players can do that. That's why the home court advantage in the NBA is much less a factor than in college. In the NBA, all players are top tier. 

     The talent between the two teams is even in my opinion. Alabama has been 

more consistent than the Tigers overall. Auburn has explosive play from the guards. Alabama's forwards are better in my opinion. Does Alabama go big? Tough question to answer in this game. I think the need to rebound the ball makes it more likely than not Coach Johnson that the Tide will go big. But I can see the value in having an extra ball handler on the floor. Rebound, protect the ball and take good shots will maximize Tides chances. Pearl has had more time to get his players in the Tiger program. Johnson hasn't had that luxury. Beyond the things I've already said, we need some outside shots to fall. We need to keep Jimmie Taylor in the game. Canty is going to get his points. Let him. Just keep everyone else under control. Johnson is soon going to understand just what this rivalry is all about isn't he?



      

FREE THROW SHOOTING DOOMS THE TIDE IN NASHVILLE...

TIDE CAN'T HOLD IT TOGETHER IN SECOND HALF


    There are times when you just have to scratch your head and say "what the heck." After playing a fine first half, the Crimson Tide took it to the outhouse for half number two.  It was like shooting even-par on the front nine and all double bogies on the back.  Particularly disappointing was our staff's inability to get Jimmie Taylor off the defensive perimeter. With Taylor switching screen out top, the Commodores got their big man back in the game, and could penetrate and dish outside to wide open shooters. We got schooled in the second half on both ends of the floor on Saturday. 
   

      As predicted, the Commodores shot a lot of free throws in the game. It was the number they shot in the first half that upset me. The Tide was horrible from the line, so, in the end, we beat ourselves when we had a chance to score some points. Instead, we missed so many free throws that Vandy started building its lead. The real problem was missing all those free throws at a time when the Tide suffered a complete meltdown of their offense. The bottom line was the Vandy stayed in the game by shooting 15 free throws in the first half. Alabama missed their chances in the second half and couldn't compete.

       Stallings coached a marvelous second half. The Vandy spacing around the three-point line was a teaching clinic. We got schooled on defense in the second half. The Commodores changed their offense in the second half. The forced Jimmie Taylor to come outside the paint on high screens. Bama chose to switch rather than have the guard fight through the screen.  Jones then drifted back into the lane and had a better second half. Credit to Jimmie Taylor is well deserved. He outplayed one of the best big men in the SEC. He even put in a right-handed shot. Free throws continue to be a dangerous adventure for the center. However, the second half was a different story.

    The Tide played great defense in the first half, and it was a one bucket game. The second half Bama came flat and were frustrated that Vandy covered the shooters on the wings. Our point guards just dribbled around in frustration. Shannon Hale had a nice first half with 11 points, but became upset with questionable fouls in the second half and lost his focus. It's fine to have emotions, but it's something else to be emotional. I don't disagree with some of the fouls called on him were questionable. But, that is basketball.  But you have to make free throws. College players should be able to make their free throws.

      You miss free throws for a lot of reasons. The main reason is poor fundamentals. You can't make line drive attempts to be successful. (Retin) You don't make free throws shooting what I have always called global rotation. (Taylor) It's hard to make free throws when you release the ball too high above your shooting line. (Hale). All of those things can be fixed. Another reason that teams miss three throws is fatigue. And we can't discount the lack of confidence. In summary, you don't make shots thrown at the basket. You make free throws by the old theory of "soft and sweet". And you have to tell a player you can't make free throws until we repair some broken fundaments. I'm surprised that a team doesn't just run in someone off the bench and foul Taylor every time he touches the ball. He can't make enough to matter. My old buddy, Joe Dean, suggested he shoot them the old Rick Barry method. It couldn't hurt.

      There were a few things to applaud. Hale played hard and seemed to be getting back into the game. Jimmy Taylor is getting better each game. Obasahan is playing so hard. Today when the Tide couldn't find a decent shot, he took the ball to the basket. Too much standing around on offense was due to Bama to solve the Vandy defense in the second half. Anthony Edwards dropped in four three-pointers late in the game. We need to run some set plays for Edwards and Riley.

     I'm sure some lessons were learned or taught. It is going to take time. Early on we said the Tide would win a few they shouldn't have, and lose some they could have won. We lost a game to Vandy and Ole Miss that we could have won. Earlier in the year, we said that Bama would win a few they shouldn't have won, and lose a few they could have won. I'd say we are right on track. Next stop? You know.

Tide faces a very good Vandy team today

 

   After an enormous win over South Carolina, the Tide travels to Nashville to take on Vanderbilt. Expect Avery Johnson to go with his big lineup again. Road games are always tough. When you play the gilded lily, Vandy, of the SEC Conference, you don't have to worry about some home cooking from the officials. No, expect deep fat frying as Vandy heads to the free throw line like refugees in masses. Numbers over the decades will back up that statement. Can you expect fairness in Nashville? No. You won't get it. About the only thing that Johnson can do about that is to tell his players that fairness is highly overrated, and play as hard as you can. 

    Take my opinion as Bama's first problem and add to it a couple of other problems. Vandy is a good team. They have two sure-fire NBA draft choices in Damian Jones and Wade Baldwin. Add Luke Kornette to the mix and Bama has problems. Kornett has suddenly caught a case of greatness. He is 6-11 and loves to shot the three. In has last game he had over ten blocked shots. That is phenomenal. Even more phenomenal is that he isn't the  'Dores best shot blocker. That would be Damian Jones, the seven-foot post man, who spurned a potential first round selection to the NBA, to play his senior

year. Wade Baldwin may be the best point guard in the SEC. He is going to play in the league one day. He can shoot, dish, and drive to basketball. He has a total game, and might well be the 'Dores best backcourt defensive players.

     Look for Johnson to go big, and hope that Retin Obasahan can slow down Baldwin. Taylor, Kessens, and Hall are going to have to have another good game inside. Riley isn't likely to duplicate his last outing, but he needs to score to spread out the Commodore defense. The love to play zone. Bama needs for Obasahan to be very active on offense to penetrate and put a few fouls on Vandy big men. Attempting to get Jones into foul trouble is big for Bama in this game. 

     Turnovers continue to be a problem for Alabama. The Tide is trying to play an up-tempo game with limited numbers. That's hard to do. One final thing - Shannon Hale needs to play well.

Vandy by 8.

Bama heads to the worst place in the SEC

 My right arm for a win at Vanderbilt...

      My disgust for Vanderbilt runs deep and is still active even though I'm old enough to know better. Vandy is recognized as the best academic school in the South, and in our conference. They are also some of the most bigoted fans I've ever met or heard. One winter we headed north to Nashville. We were killing them. That's when the student section started a chant. 

     "That's all right, that's okay, you'll all work for us someday." 

      Even worse were the racial slurs directed at our players. I'll never forget that and will never forgive them either.  But I don't care. I hate Vandy worse than Auburn some ways. I cut AU slack because most of them are Alabama residents. They may be misguided, but they are our neighbors. I know, I know, but I have Tiger friends. Back to Vandy. I'm not talking about their players. I know several and all are great men. I even shared a stage with one player when a Nashville High School gave me an award. (which proves anything is possible) 

      I love watching the 'Dores get beat in basketball. I'll watch them play anyone in hopes they lose. Yes, even Auburn. Not that it makes any difference because AU can't win enough games to matter. The other reason I dislike Vandy is we just can't beat them ofter enough suit me. First, you rarely shoot free throws in that dinky little place they call a coliseum. Players sit below the floor and get a first class view of what kind of shoes everyone is wearing.  Also, the teams sit at the end of the floor down on the baseline. That's just wrong. Coaches can't communicate with the players. And the concession stands are second rate. I'd give the restrooms a passing score. It is the worst arena in the SEC. But, and this big, it is a tremendous homecourt advantage. 

       Of course, after the game you have to listen to country music. It's on every station except the ones that ask you to send their ministry money. To be blessed you can just lay you hand on the speaker, and shazam... yep, I hate Vandy and Nashville, Tennessee. Their nicest building is called the Batman building which give us an idea of their lives. Even their horses walk funny. The best thing in Tennessee is the YOU ARE NOW LEAVING TENNESSEE sign on the interstate. It's as good as a doctor telling you the medical test you just paid money for was negative, but he'll give you some Percocet for pain anyway.  

Tomorrow we can talk about the game. I had to get that off my chest about Vandy.

     
Norris explodes for 27 and ties a school record


   

  Several days ago one of the TiderInsider posters said that Riley Norris brought "nothing" to the Alabama Crimson Tide basketball team. Hey, I know the taste of crow myself. I said then, and I'll say it again - Riley Norris is a great player. He's not a franchise type player, but he can shoot better than any Alabama player we've had in our program for a long, long time. Last night Norris, the nothing player, was in the books for 27 points and 7 rebounds. He made 8 three-pointers from deep behind the arc. His teammates found him wide open, and Norris ripped it. The USC Gamecocks got rocked from the start by Norris and the Bama defense piled on.  Just as important, the Crimson outrebounded the 'Cocks by five. South Carolina made some inside baskets when the game was well in hand.  

      How good was the Tide defense? In the second half, it took Carolina almost ten minutes to score.  For the third time this season, the Crimson Tide took down a top-twenty teams. The Tide's RPI rose to 38th in the NCAA. After a 0-2 start in the SEC, it was a big win. Avery Johnson notched his first SEC win.  After the game, an effusive Johnson explained why he wanted to coach at Alabama.  As a Tide supporter, it sure made me feel good to hear the things he said.  He does all the small things needed to light a fire under the Tide's program had stalled. I'm sure a lot of fans came to celebrate the football championship. I'd bet that a lot more came to watch basketball. I'd also bet that most of them will return to see Johnson's team grow. It's going to be a fun ride. Not every night will be as good as last night. We may well have some nights along the way.  More likely than not, we'll see a couple of repeats of last night. Our talent level is good enough to win some games. I think this team is learning how to do that.  What Norris did last night was remarkable, but he will do it again. I'm looking at all the players we have right now, and each brings something different to the floor. Grant got some good players. Johnson seems able to coach them. What happened last night was without Ingram and a very minimal contribution from Hale. That's coaching. That was also some tremendous play. 

  
Kentucky shuts down the Tide Offense
Woeful rebounding has to improve
Obasahan and Norris play well

   

Retin played like a Lion

       It's not my intention in shooting a dead horse. We didn't play defense, we can't score, and we can't rebound.  Winning basketball has always been about three things. It's the same three things since James Naismith nails the first peach basket on the wall. It's all about shooting, it's about taking care of the ball, and it's about rebounding. 

      Alabama was forced to attempt poor shots because that's all the Kentucky defense allowed. The Cats contested ever shot that Bama tried.  Kentucky kept the Tide from running anything resembling an offense. Time after time the Tide was down to less than ten seconds before taking a shot. 

         On the positive side, the Tide committed only seven turnovers. I'm not sure that that the Tide improved in that area since the Mississippi game, or Tide players just couldn't find anyone to pass the ball to on offense. That kept the game from being totally embarrassing. Kentucky beat the Tide on boards. Kentucky pulled down 40 and the Tide a mere 23. The Alabama starting lineup managed only 11 rebounds. Unbelievable.  Despite all the problems the Crimson has on offense, they held Kentucky to 77 when it could have been worse.

     I am lucky to have been around a lot of great coaches in the SEC. I remember Dale Brown telling his team that rebounding is about two things. The first was proper fundamentals and the second is manhood. "Men will rebound when nothing else you are doing is going well." I wrote that down. 

Alabama has what I characterize four big men. None of them are proving they want to rebound. I think rebounding is about pride and effort, and courage. If Riley Norris were 6-10, he'd pull down 15 rebounds a game. Why? He has great fundamentals, especially under his basket, and he is a warrior. Donta Hall hasn't learned proper fundaments yet. He has the heart.  Jimmie Taylor and Shannon Hale have all the skills to be great rebounders. If you have to sit on the bench because of fouls, you can't rebound. If all you do is think about shooting three-pointers, you are not in a position to rebound. Until these four players man up and decide to compete the season is going to long and hard.

     You can fix the turnovers by explaining to your players about choosing good passes vs. questionable passes. I think that Johnson got that through to his players. Jimmie just doesn't seem able to hang on to the ball. He can learn to hang on to the ball. Or can sit and watch Donta Hall learn to hang on to the ball.  The most disappointing player under the boards is Michael Kessens. He has the tools, but he seems to have the attitude of a kitten and not a lion. I think Coach Johnson needs to sit him down and explain the laws of what being a 6-9 power forward is all about.  I'd take him in the coaches office and say words to the effect - 'Son, go in there, pick out a man on the other side and introduce yourself to him by knocking him down. Big men live in a land where only the strong play. Michael, be a man, or sit down and watch.'

     Let's be clear on one thing Kentucky is a good team. They are not a great team. They are going to lose some more games.  If I was a 'Bama big man I'd be embarrassed with the sissy type effort I saw today. I know that one day we will have better players, but you don't have to be better to put forth the effort to rebound. Honestly, it takes more effort when you are a better player. 

           It speaks well that the Tide managed to cut the 16 point Kentucky lead to 4 in the second half. I think the TV crew was correctly stating that the road game in Oxford, coupled with a short turnaround wore down the Tide. The inability to rebound is the ultimate killer in college basketball.  It requires the desire to rebound. I think all of our players have the ability to do what is required. They don't seem to have the will. It is time for Bama's big men to man up. You are embarrassing yourselves.  

TIDE has An enormous task Saturday  

Kentucky has the size

 Bama is only a 4 1/2  point underdog to big dog Kentucky.  I have to admit that number surprise me. I thought the number would be around 10. So does that means that the Tide is better than we think, or is Kentucky really as fragile as they look despite all those big time recruits? Can Bama beat Kentucky? Yes, if they do the following

1. Fill up Coleman to give Bama a real home court advantage. A loud crowd will help the Tide with the officials. 

2. Keep the turnovers down to 10.

3. Shoot 25 free throws and make 80%.

4. Keep Jimmie Taylor in the game. That means giving up some shots on the perimeter. That also means the Michael Kessens is going to have to play very well. He's getting there. 

5. Bama's point guards, Obasahan and Coleman, have two big jobs. First, slow down Tyler Ulis. Do not allow him to easily penetrate or take wide open three points hots

Kentuky by 12

CRIMSON HOOPS - Ole Miss wins, but

AVERY JOHNSON IS GETTING IT DONE

...Tide doesn't win but is getting better...

        We didn't win. One dry spell in the second half killed the Tide. That being said, Alabama played hard and had a chance. You don't win with 19 turnovers. You never win with that many floor errors. If Bama can keep turnovers down to 10, they'll win some ball games. Maybe not NCAA flavored games, but they'll be sniffing the NIT. The loss of Dazon Ingram, the illness of Shannon Hale, and just plain old sloppy play is hurting the Tide. All that, and still, the Tide was close at the end. If I were Kentucky, I'd stop thinking pit stop and start thinking land mine.  Alabama probably won't Kentucky, but I'm not discounting the Tide under Avery Johnson.  I bet in a couple of seasons we are going to be getting tons of national press about the sport that uses the round ball. 

         I'm not saying that losing is acceptable. But sometimes winning comes in small steps and not leaps and bounds. Johnson will get us to a better level.  Alabama's first five games are killers. Game won goes into the loss column, and now Bama stands at 9-4. That record could be 9-8 shortly. I'm betting the Tide wins a couple of the next four games. If Bama could get through those games and stand at 11-6, we'll make the NIT at least. The NIT would be an outstanding job well done for this team. Retin Obasahan, who has been the butt of so many jokes in the past, continues to shine.  He played better than Stephan Moody on Wednesday night. In the two games, his scoring was down he was still a defensive demon, and rebounded well. I've known he speaks four languages. I'm not sure which ones, but I'd go with shooting, defense, rebounding, and hustle if we are talking hoops. 

      What Johnson needs is for Hale to play better. He also needs Michael Kessens to catch fire and perform up to his potential. He has moments, but Johnson needs him to have long stretches of good play. Most importantly, the team needs to rebound much better and protect the ball. You can coach a team to reduce turnovers. The players have to make a commitment to rebound harder.

     

       'Bama didn't win. Their 8 point halftime lead was squandered with turnovers and giving up to many offensive rebounds. Both of those are killers for a basketball team. The Tide gave up 15 offensive rebounds. Add that to the 19 turnovers and it means Alabama gave Ole Miss 34 additional chances to score. 

         Tide enters SEC race this week  

 Tide ends 10-3 in Pre-SEC

        Alabama played a good game in the second half against a pretty gritty Norfolk team. The Spartans have played in the postseason the last four seasons. Time for some objectivity here. Alabama is not a great basketball team, but they are getting better. I don't see how Avery Johnson could have done any better with his team up to this point. The only thing surprising to me is that the scoring remains low. I think the Tides average shooting is the culprit. Lack of inside scoring is not nearly where we hoped it would be, but maybe it's all it is going to be. I'll give credit to Jimmie Taylor. He's getting better. I'll give a knock to Michael Kessens, who should be able to score more but has not done so. You can't dismiss Kessens rebounding has been excellent.

        The players have impressed me so far. Retin Obasahan may not make many all-conference teams but he should. Riley Norris is a good player. He brings all he can, and is a surprisingly good rebounder. Arthur Edwards isn't a great all-around floor man. The man can shoot. The man can shoot the three ball. He's isn't afraid to pull the trigger

      Those three have played well and have made significant contributions. The improvement of Justin Coleman has been fun to watch. The little guard has the game and seems to be finding the confidence to match. His shooting is up and down. It always was as a high school player. It will get better with playing time and better coaching. 

      I think the Tide has the toughest opening SEC schedule of any team in the league. It is entirely possible that Alabama will lose it's first five or six SEC games. That's not going to be fun to read, but the SEC office did the Tide no favors when they drafted the league schedule. The Tide needs to win another  12-14 games to get an NCAA game. No one wants to see that happen than me, but Johnson will get the Tide to the field next season. 

      And to all the misinthropss oin cyber-space, I count TR.NAZ as a win. I understand the NCAA does not. And please, if you don't like what I write, just don't read. My late father used to tell me, "their is only two letters of difference between class and ass". Pick the one you think you should be.