TIDE WINS A SWEET ONE AT STARKVILLE

 Avery Johnson and this year's Crimson Tide basketball team just won their first SEC road game. The Tide took a big lead, lost it, fought their way back to an overtime win over Mississippi State. The Hump is not an easy place to win. No road game in the SEC is easy. Retin Obasahan is the best guard in the league. A lot will be said about Retin's 25 points, but it was his defense on Malik Newman that beat the Bulldogs. Give Obasahan the nod for player of the game, but it took a lot of contributions from other Tiders to win this game. Justin Coleman, playing at less than full speed, and in the midst of a shooting slump, had a big night. Riley Norris hit some big baskets when the Tide needed them most.

        Arthur Edwards knocked down a couple of bombs, but it was his overall play that made him outstanding. Shannon Hale, bothered by an injury to his foot did not play. Michael Kessens injured his ankle late in the second half. Jimmie Taylor pulled down a team-leading six rebounds but got schooled by Ware down low. Could you imagine how good we could be with a better offensive center? I'm not knocking Jimmie for effort. Your talent level is what it is.

      Our record is now 12-9. We play Missouri this weekend. The Tigers just lost a nail biter to Ole Miss. My belief is by winning 17-18 games we go to the NIT. Should we win 20 we might get an NCAA bid, but that would put me way out on the end of a limb.