Tide blows out Arkansas...

Total team effort gets the job done  83-58

Tide bench celebrates late

        It wasn't perfect. Oh heck, it was too. If you needed a script for senior night Hollywood couldn't done it any better. The final line read Alabama 83 - Arkansas 50, and we thought we came to Coleman to give Trevor Releford a special send off. Instead, Releford and his teammates gave Alabama fans about the best present they could receive after a long and miserable season. It wasn't enough to erase all the pain , but man it sure felt good didn't it? Good enough to give some restless fans some belief that next season might be a whole lot better. I think that my worries about recruiting have been alleviated by the duo of Hale and Taylor. Releford and Grant orchestrated a masterpiece in the senior's final home game of his illustrious career at the Capstone. The little big man will not be forgotten. He seems to embody everything you'd want in an Alabama athlete. He may not be named the MVP of the SEC but does anyone doubt his credentials? If he played on a national powerhouse team he'd be an All-American.  The way it is, he is the best player in America that no one knows about.

     Arkansas came to Tuscaloosa riding high on the hog on their way to the NCAA. They may still make it but they are probably pretty relieved that Alabama won't be there. Once again Anthony Grant got the better of Mike Anderson. This game was a good old Saturday afternoon BBQ and Arkansas came as the pig. A stunning win in terms of the lopsided nature of the outcome. How often is the score 83-58 that you can honestly write it just wasn't that close. Arkansas scored a whopping 52 points less than their last game. It seemed that all the frustrations of the year were erased in one tremendous 40 minute effort. What a coaching move?  Instead of slowing it down the Tide ran the Razorback's into the ground. Alabama short bench proved to be better than believed, and the Hog's depth had no answers for what they walked into. Instead of slow it was go and then go harder. The fast breaking Arkansas team on an eight game win streak did not score a single basket on their fearsome fast break. That seemed impossible. When Arkansas ran down the floor the Tide ran faster. When Arkansas wanted to fill passing lanes on the break they found a couple of Alabama players waiting for them.  

    

     Alabama has gotten better. What's caused that to happen? The consistent play of Releford causes other teams a lot of problems. He can slow it down or speed it up. As we know, he is a wizard inside. We score a lot of points in the paint due to Releford. Now that he can dish the ball to Hale and Taylor, the Tide is getting some easy looks. Randolph continues to play well. I'm not talking just his outside game. He has also found it much easier  to penetrate. Cooper continues to play good defense. His rebounding is outstanding for his slender frame. Even Obasahan has started to play better. He had a couple of Releford like layups against Arkansas.

      Mike Anderson said he didn't see this coming. Who did? I thought we would win but who thought it would be a hog slaughter? I haven't had this much fun at an Alabama game in two years. How well did we play? Even Grant broke into a big smile in the media room. So now it's on to Atlanta. LSU is next. This is a tough game for Bama because of Johnny O'Bryant.  He is the best big in the conference in my opinion. If Alabama can beat LSU, I feel good about our chances with Kentucky. Maybe the officiating will be a little more fair. I stress the little.   Could the Arkansas run be the start of a nice run in the SEC? After LSU and Kentucky see the Arkansas score each will think their bracket got a little harder. 

    

Arkansas Razorbacks

PLAYERS	POS	MIN	FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	OREB	DREB	REB	AST	TO	STL	BLK	PF	PTS
Fred Gulley III	G	0	0-3	0-0	0-0	0	1	1	2	0	2	0	1	0
Rashad Madden	G	0	5-10	5-9	4-4	1	1	2	1	7	1	0	3	19
Michael Qualls	G	0	1-7	0-4	1-4	3	3	6	2	1	0	0	3	3
Bobby Portis	F	0	4-9	1-2	8-10	1	4	5	2	1	0	2	3	17
Coty Clarke	F	0	3-6	2-3	0-0	0	4	4	1	1	1	1	3	8
Alandise Harris	F	0	1-5	0-1	5-5	0	2	2	0	1	0	1	3	7
Anthlon Bell	G	0	0-5	0-3	0-0	1	0	1	0	1	0	1	0	0
Moses Kingsley	C	0	0-0	0-0	1-2	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	1
Kikko Haydar	G	0	0-2	0-2	0-0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	3	0
Mardracus Wade	G	0	1-1	1-1	0-0	0	1	1	1	0	0	0	1	3
Jacorey Williams	F	0	0-0	0-0	0-0	0	1	1	0	2	0	0	0	0
Totals			15-48	9-25	19-25	6	17	23	9	15	5	5	20	58
31%				36%	76%

Alabama Crimson Tide

PLAYERS	POS	MIN	FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	OREB	DREB	REB	AST	TO	STL	BLK	PF	PTS
Trevor Releford	G	0	7-12	3-7	7-10	1	1	2	4	2	4	0	2	24
Rodney Cooper	G	0	2-6	0-0	0-0	2	5	7	1	0	0	0	3	4
Levi Randolph	G	0	4-11	1-4	2-2	0	3	3	2	2	2	0	1	11
Isiah Wilson	G	0	2-4	0-1	1-1	1	1	2	0	0	0	0	0	5
Jimmie Taylor	F	0	5-5	0-0	0-2	1	5	6	0	1	0	1	5	10
Dakota Slaughter	F	0	1-1	1-1	0-0	0	1	1	0	0	1	1	0	3
Algie Key	G	0	1-3	0-0	0-2	2	1	3	0	0	0	0	1	2
Retin Obasohan	G	0	2-3	0-0	1-1	1	5	6	1	3	0	0	2	5
Shannon Hale	F	0	5-8	1-3	7-7	1	2	3	1	2	1	0	3	18
Carl Engstrom	C	0	0-0	0-0	1-2	2	5	7	0	2	0	0	1	1
Totals			29-53	6-16	19-27	11	29	40	9	12	8	2	18	83
55%				38%	70%

Alabama - Arkansas is alway exciting...

Series tied at 23...

 

 

      From the minute that Arkansas joined the SEC they found a rival in basketball with Alabama. Since day one the series has been special. It is probably the most even series in the SEC today. In fact, even today the game looks like it will settle into a pick 'em type affair. From forty minutes of hell and Nolan Ryan to the unexpected hero such as Eric Washington these two teams have brought more excitement to the hardwood than you could have imagined. 

          The teams seems to be headed in opposite directions right now. The Razorbacks are on a late season run that probably will get them into the NCAA. Alabama has won only 12 games and can only get back into their locker room. There couldn't be two more diametricaly opposed coaches. Mike Anderson, who helped create the chaotic full court car wreck offense vs. Anthony Grant who is so cool and collected you wonder if he has a pulse sometimes. His ball control game has kept a basically untalented Alabama team in a lot of games this season. Will today be hog heaven or will the Tide rise for one last occasion for Trevor Releford?  The Vegas line on this game has gone back and forth, and if were still a betting man you couldn't get me to lay a dime on this one. Alabama is a different team at home. Despite what many Tide fans think the home team has shown a great deal of improvement over the last third of the season. The insertion of Hale and Taylor has paid off. Arkansas is big and mobile on the inside. Both teams are fast and quick.  Arkansas probably shoots the ball better than Alabama but they haven't shot the rock that well on the road. If the Tide can have another good home team shooting night they can win. 

The Match ups as I see them:

1. Of the recognized NCAA statistics Arkansas leads Bama in every one except points allowed. Bama needs to win at least 1/2 those other statistical battles.  

2. Keep the turnovers to 12 or less, but cause 12 or more.

3. Shoot 50% or so from the field

4. Make 7-10 three point baskets.

5. Find three scoring options

6. Slow, slow, and slower game pace

7. Try to break even on the defensive boards.

8. Keep Taylor out of foul trouble and get some good minutes from Carl 

9. 80% or better from the free throw line

10. And finally, get some noise from  the crowd

 

 

   If Bama wins they can open up in the SEC Tourament with Mississippi State. That might give Bama some momentum going into the second round against a team that hasn't played yet. Bama's nerves might already be steadied in that game. Alabama needs a big game from Hale,  Releford, and Randolph. Cooper is going to draw the hardest defensive assignment and will be overmatched size wise. If Alabama can play their 2/3 and 1-3-1 zone has well as they did in Lexington we have a chance. Arkansas can be red hot or ice cold. Let's hope for ice cold. Bama had the Razorbacks on the ropes until very late when the Tide's lack of depth slowed them down.  I think Bama can win this game. Arkansas has the better incentive to win, but that isn't necessarily bad.  

 Bama by 4.

Releford plays final home game...

He has played his way into Alabama hearts and history...

   

    Alabama fans need to take the time to come to Tuscaloosa this weekend and say thank you to Trevor Releford.  As a player he has been one of the best point guards to ever wear the Crimson and White. I've seen them all play all the way back to Coach Lambert. We have had so many great point guards it boggles the mind. I think Releford isn't second place to any of those great players. His ranking and place is a little more difficult to determine because of the teams he played on. In my own mind I try to imagine him playing with all the past great Alabama teams. I'm not sure any of those points would stand head and shoulders above him. People constantly say it is hard to compare different players from different generations. I can go back more than 5 decades, a half century, and compare them without any trouble. Would Releford have been another Conners, Whately, or Williams? Let me put it this way - those teams would have been just as successful with Releford at the point. I do believe as a general rule that players from every decade could play with any of the teams you choose to compare. Leon Douglas would be a beast today. Wendall Hudson would be a star. Ronald Steele would still be an SEC Player regardless of which team he played for. Reginald King or Douglas would have made this year's team into a winner. 

       That is where Releford falls among the Alabama greats in my opinion. That's because he is one of the greats. He isn't big, he isn't very fast, but he is a real basketball player. I think that's his edge over some of his predecessors. A lot of those guys were great athletes who could play basketball. Releford is not as physically as skilled as Williams. But he is a better player. Trevor may never be an NBA star but that isn't the measure of a college player. The games are different. They are all very impressive players. It may be fair to say that no single player has ever made as much difference to his team than Trevor Releford. If Releford played on a nationally prominent team he'd be an All-American. He wasn't that lucky, but that doesn't diminish his skills.

     Each season that Releford played his numbers in scoring have gone up. His outside shooting improved due to hours of practice. His ability to mingle among the redwoods is a natural gift. It also was a necessity because of his size. The little guard never quits, never takes a night off, and rarely let's you down. The sheer number of his minutes played is staggering in a game that never stops. You don't get to all get together every offensive trip down the floor to decide who will shoot. Even if you did that it would rarely happen anyway. Basketball is an ad hoc game. You develop plays as you go. Sure, there are plays. Only a few ever work. For every pick and roll or back screen that works a hundred don't. A coach can lay out a great game plan. But he can't really make a lot happen without a good triggerman. Trevor Releford is the best one I've ever seen. 

     If you love basketball, I mean really love the game, he is the most fundamentally sound offensive and defensive guard I've ever seen. He is the most intuitive player I've ever had the pleasure to watch.  Releford has what coaches like to call "court sense". He sees the floor in a different way from other players. He knows where his teammates are and also where they aren't so to speak. He's the type guard who will land a pass in your face if you aren't watching. Trevor is like a traffic cop on an Italian street. He's done all of his best work in one of the most chaotic periods of Alabama history. His supporting cast hasn't always been stellar. He hasn't complained. He just laces up his sneakers and goes  out and plays as hard as he can. Some players find a special place in your memory.  He has in mine. I'll always try to remember the time he played at Alabama as 'His Time'. It will be easy to remember him as a player and not pulled down by the kind of teams  he found around him.  He is without a doubt the little engine that could, and then did. He is what Alabama sports are all about.

Bama hangs tough until the end...

GASP!!! KENTUCKY SHOOTS 16 MORE FREE THROWS THAN ALABAMA

 

The bigs made the difference

    I just wanted to go ahead and complain about the officiating  to get it off my chest. A lot of Kentucky fans said Alabama got jobbed by the refs. And we really did. Once in my life I would like to see Kentucky have to stand on their play without preferential treatment from the refs. Now moving on...

  Grant coaches a gem...

There might be a lot of complaints about Anthony Grant's coaching. Last night doesn't fall into that category. I thought Grant and his staff did a masterful job with their zone defense, and continually challenging Kentucky by taking it inside. It almost worked. For 35 minutes the Tide outplayed Kentucky and the entirety of Rupp sat on the edge of their seats waiting for the other shoe to drop. Then Alabama's players forgot that Trevor Releford needed the ball. Two horrible shots by Obasahan and two from Rodney Cooper killed the Tide. All a coach can do is put his team in a position to win. A couple of guys went off script to ad lib a horrible ending I'm not sure Grant gets the blame for that. As long as I've watched this junior class play I am always astonished at the decisions that Cooper makes on offense. That's a shame because he played an absolute brilliant game on defense. He drew several charges and shut down the Wildcat offense from doing much damage on his side of the zone. He also rebounded well

Bama could have won...

     There is no doubt that Alabama could have won this game. Alabama's overall talent is no where near  what Kentucky can put on the floor. I bet Calipari would give an arm and a leg to have Releford running his offense. So here's a question we should all answer. Given the difference in the talent level which team got  better coaching and which coach got more out of his players?  Clearly on Tuesday night it was Anthony Grant. I tip my hat to the players for refusing to go away in front of a hostile crowd. The final difference came down to rebounding and officiating. We all knew we'd get beat in both instances. Still, the Tide could have won. If I was a Kentucky fan I'd consider booing Calipari as well. I've never seen such disorder in the Cat floor game.  Give Bama a lot, and I mean a lot, of credit for that. The Tide zone gave Kentucky all they could handle. That zone was as well coached and played as anything I've seen this season. 

Grant's future at Alabama...

    I talked with a couple of people last night who are in the know regarding the future of Anthony Grant. The consensus is that Bill Battle has decided to give Grant one more season at least. A good record next season might lead to a longer contract. I don't think Battle will allow the Grant situation to go on for more than one more season. Or as one person told me "you might as well let the readers know what's happening." I'm curious if such a statement would quell the discontent surrounding Coach Grant. I've stated my case to you. I can also be a good Bama loyalist and support the coach for one more season if our AD deems that best. Can Grant get this program  turned around? Given the recruits and transfers next season could be a 20+ win season and a return to the NCAA. If either Colemane or Tarrant can give us some real production at the point we'll be fine. Jacobs has been given an opportunity to return. He isn't a world beater but he's not chopped liver. Taylor will be bigger, better, and stronger. Hale is going to be a beast before he leaves. I am exceptionally impressed with his hard play and leadership. He also be stronger. The experience he and Taylor are getting late this season forebodes well for next season. 

 

Compliments of Roll Tide.com

VISITORS: Alabama 12-18, 6-11
                          TOT-FG  3-PT         REBOUNDS
## Player Name            FG-FGA FG-FGA FT-FTA OF DE TOT PF  TP  A TO BLK S MIN
10 Taylor, Jimmie...... f  1-4    0-0    2-2    0  3  3   3   4  0  0  1  0  21
11 Hale, Shannon....... f  3-5    2-4    0-0    0  6  6   4   8  1  4  0  0  30
12 Releford, Trevor.... g  5-11   1-4    2-4    0  3  3   3  13  3  2  0  0  34
20 Randolph, Levi...... g  4-11   0-2    0-0    1  4  5   2   8  2  1  0  1  36
21 Cooper, Rodney...... g  0-7    0-3    2-2    1  0  1   2   2  1  0  0  0  35
00 Key, Algie..........    1-1    0-0    0-0    0  0  0   1   2  0  0  0  0   6
04 Engstrom, Carl......    1-1    0-0    0-0    2  2  4   2   2  0  0  0  0  19
32 Obasohan, Retin.....    4-10   0-0    1-3    0  1  1   2   9  0  0  0  1  19
   TEAM................                         2  2  4             1
   Totals..............   19-50   3-13   7-11   6 21 27  19  48  7  8  1  2 200

TOTAL FG% 1st Half: 11-26 42.3%   2nd Half:  8-24 33.3%   Game: 38.0%  DEADB
3-Pt. FG% 1st Half:  3-8  37.5%   2nd Half:  0-5   0.0%   Game: 23.1%   REBS
F Throw % 1st Half:  3-5  60.0%   2nd Half:  4-6  66.7%   Game: 63.6%    3


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
HOME TEAM: Kentucky 22-8, 12-5
                          TOT-FG  3-PT         REBOUNDS
## Player Name            FG-FGA FG-FGA FT-FTA OF DE TOT PF  TP  A TO BLK S MIN
15 Cauley-Stein, Willie f  1-2    0-0    1-2    1  4  5   2   3  0  2  2  1  27
30 Randle, Julius...... f  4-8    0-0    4-5    2  9 11   2  12  1  3  0  1  33
02 Harrison, Aaron..... g  2-8    1-6    2-2    3  3  6   1   7  3  1  2  1  34
03 Polson, Jarrod...... g  1-4    1-4    0-0    1  2  3   0   3  0  0  0  0  19
04 Hood, Jon........... g  1-3    1-3    0-0    0  0  0   0   3  0  1  0  0   6
01 Young, James........    1-11   1-10   6-7    0  5  5   1   9  1  0  0  1  27
05 Harrison, Andrew....    2-6    1-3    1-1    3  0  3   3   6  3  1  0  0  22
22 Poythress, Alex.....    0-3    0-2    3-4    0  1  1   1   3  0  3  1  0  18
44 Johnson, Dakari.....    4-4    0-0    1-3    3  2  5   1   9  1  0  2  0  14
   TEAM................                         2     2             1
   Totals..............   16-49   5-28  18-24  15 26 41  11  55  9 12  7  4 200

TOTAL FG% 1st Half:  6-25 24.0%   2nd Half: 10-24 41.7%   Game: 32.7%  DEADB
3-Pt. FG% 1st Half:  2-14 14.3%   2nd Half:  3-14 21.4%   Game: 17.9%   REBS
F Throw % 1st Half: 11-15 73.3%   2nd Half:  7-9  77.8%   Game: 75.0%    3


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Officials: Joe Lindsay, Keith Kimble, Doug Sirmons
Technical fouls: Alabama-None. Kentucky-None.
Attendance: 23504
Score by Periods                1st  2nd   Total
Alabama.......................   28   20  -   48
Kentucky......................   25   30  -   55

Points in the paint-UA 24,UK 22. Points off turnovers-UA 9,UK 14.
2nd chance points-UA 3,UK 18. Fast break points-UA 6,UK 4.
Bench points-UA 13,UK 27. Score tied-6 times. Lead changed-6 times.
Last FG-UA 2nd-05:11, UK 2nd-04:10.
Largest lead-UA by 5 2nd-19:36, UK by 9 2nd-12:47.

Play-by-Play

Play-by-Play
Alabama vs Kentucky
03/04/14 9:00 pm at Rupp Arena - Lexington, KY

1st PERIOD Play-by-Play (Page 1)
HOME TEAM: Kentucky                             TIME   SCORE  MAR  VISITORS: Alabama
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                19:33              TURNOVR by Hale, Shannon
TURNOVR by Hood, Jon                            19:03
REBOUND (DEF) by Randle, Julius                 18:38              MISSED JUMPER by Taylor, Jimmie
GOOD! 3 PTR by Hood, Jon                        18:27   3-0   H 3
ASSIST by Harrison, Aaron                       18:27
REBOUND (DEF) by Harrison, Aaron                18:12              MISSED JUMPER by Randolph, Levi
MISSED JUMPER by Randle, Julius                 17:51              REBOUND (DEF) by Randolph, Levi
REBOUND (DEF) by Randle, Julius                 17:23              MISSED JUMPER by Cooper, Rodney
MISSED 3 PTR by Hood, Jon                       17:16              REBOUND (DEF) by Releford, Trevor
                                                17:09   3-2   H 1  GOOD! LAYUP by Releford, Trevor [FB/PNT]
MISSED 3 PTR by Hood, Jon                       16:45              REBOUND (DEF) by Taylor, Jimmie
                                                16:28   3-4   V 1  GOOD! LAYUP by Hale, Shannon [PNT]
GOOD! 3 PTR by Polson, Jarrod                   16:03   6-4   H 2
ASSIST by Randle, Julius                        16:03
REBOUND (DEF) by Randle, Julius                 15:45              MISSED JUMPER by Cooper, Rodney
TURNOVR by Randle, Julius                       15:38
FOUL by Randle, Julius (P1T1)                   15:38
                                                15:38              TIMEOUT media
SUB IN : Poythress, Alex                        15:38
SUB IN : Young, James                           15:38
SUB IN : Harrison, Andrew                       15:38
SUB OUT: Randle, Julius                         15:38
SUB OUT: Hood, Jon                              15:38
SUB OUT: Polson, Jarrod                         15:38
REBOUND (DEF) by Young, James                   15:02              MISSED 3 PTR by Releford, Trevor
MISSED JUMPER by Cauley-Stein, Willie           14:44
REBOUND (OFF) by Harrison, Andrew               14:44
MISSED 3 PTR by Young, James                    14:34              REBOUND (DEF) by Randolph, Levi
                                                14:17   6-6   T 1  GOOD! DUNK by Taylor, Jimmie [PNT]
MISSED JUMPER by Poythress, Alex                14:05              BLOCK by Taylor, Jimmie
                                                14:03              REBOUND (DEF) by Taylor, Jimmie
REBOUND (DEF) by Young, James                   13:40              MISSED 3 PTR by Hale, Shannon
                                                13:21              FOUL by Releford, Trevor (P1T1)
SUB IN : Johnson, Dakari                        13:21
SUB IN : Randle, Julius                         13:21
SUB OUT: Cauley-Stein, Willie                   13:21
SUB OUT: Poythress, Alex                        13:21
                                                13:11              FOUL by Hale, Shannon (P1T2)
GOOD! FT SHOT by Johnson, Dakari                13:08   7-6   H 1
MISSED FT SHOT by Johnson, Dakari               13:08              REBOUND (DEF) by Hale, Shannon
                                                12:59   7-8   V 1  GOOD! LAYUP by Releford, Trevor [PNT]
MISSED JUMPER by Randle, Julius                 12:48              REBOUND (DEF) by Hale, Shannon
                                                12:31   7-11  V 4  GOOD! 3 PTR by Releford, Trevor
                                                12:31              ASSIST by Randolph, Levi
TIMEOUT 30sec                                   12:24
                                                12:24              SUB IN : Engstrom, Carl
                                                12:24              SUB OUT: Taylor, Jimmie
MISSED 3 PTR by Harrison, Aaron                 12:12
REBOUND (OFF) by Johnson, Dakari                12:12
GOOD! FT SHOT by Harrison, Aaron                12:03   8-11  V 3  FOUL by Hale, Shannon (P2T3)
GOOD! FT SHOT by Harrison, Aaron                12:03   9-11  V 2
SUB IN : Polson, Jarrod                         12:03              SUB IN : Obasohan, Retin
SUB OUT: Harrison, Aaron                        12:03              SUB OUT: Hale, Shannon
BLOCK by Johnson, Dakari                        11:42              MISSED LAYUP by Obasohan, Retin
REBOUND (DEF) by Randle, Julius                 11:40
MISSED 3 PTR by Poythress, Alex                 11:32
REBOUND (OFF) by (TEAM)                         11:32
TIMEOUT media                                   11:29
SUB IN : Poythress, Alex                        11:29
SUB OUT: Young, James                           11:29
                                                11:24              FOUL by Engstrom, Carl (P1T4)
MISSED 3 PTR by Harrison, Andrew                11:00              REBOUND (DEF) by Engstrom, Carl
REBOUND (DEF) by Polson, Jarrod                 10:43              MISSED LAYUP by Randolph, Levi
TURNOVR by Poythress, Alex                      10:18
SUB IN : Young, James                           10:18
SUB OUT: Poythress, Alex                        10:18
                                                09:59   9-13  V 4  GOOD! LAYUP by Releford, Trevor [PNT]
MISSED JUMPER by Randle, Julius                 09:45
REBOUND (OFF) by Johnson, Dakari                09:45
GOOD! LAYUP by Johnson, Dakari [PNT]            09:42  11-13  V 2
REBOUND (DEF) by Randle, Julius                 09:19              MISSED 3 PTR by Releford, Trevor
MISSED JUMPER by Young, James                   09:12              REBOUND (DEF) by Randolph, Levi
FOUL by Johnson, Dakari (P1T2)                  08:59  11-14  V 3  GOOD! FT SHOT by Cooper, Rodney
                                                08:59  11-15  V 4  GOOD! FT SHOT by Cooper, Rodney
SUB IN : Harrison, Aaron                        08:59              SUB IN : Key, Algie
SUB IN : Cauley-Stein, Willie                   08:59              SUB IN : Taylor, Jimmie
SUB IN : Poythress, Alex                        08:59              SUB OUT: Releford, Trevor
SUB OUT: Johnson, Dakari                        08:59              SUB OUT: Engstrom, Carl
SUB OUT: Randle, Julius                         08:59
SUB OUT: Harrison, Andrew                       08:59
MISSED 3 PTR by Polson, Jarrod                  08:40
REBOUND (OFF) by Harrison, Aaron                08:40
GOOD! LAYUP by Harrison, Aaron [PNT]            08:37  13-15  V 2
REBOUND (DEF) by Harrison, Aaron                08:05              MISSED LAYUP by Obasohan, Retin
                                                07:40              FOUL by Cooper, Rodney (P1T5)
TIMEOUT media                                   07:40
GOOD! FT SHOT by Poythress, Alex                07:40  14-15  V 1
GOOD! FT SHOT by Poythress, Alex                07:40  15-15  T 2
SUB IN : Harrison, Andrew                       07:40              SUB IN : Releford, Trevor
SUB OUT: Polson, Jarrod                         07:40              SUB OUT: Randolph, Levi
                                                07:11  15-17  V 2  GOOD! JUMPER by Obasohan, Retin
MISSED JUMPER by Harrison, Aaron                06:52              REBOUND (DEF) by Taylor, Jimmie
SUB IN : Randle, Julius                         06:42              SUB IN : Randolph, Levi
SUB OUT: Cauley-Stein, Willie                   06:42              SUB IN : Hale, Shannon
                                                06:42              SUB OUT: Key, Algie
                                                06:42              SUB OUT: Cooper, Rodney
BLOCK by Poythress, Alex                        06:31              MISSED LAYUP by Obasohan, Retin
REBOUND (DEF) by Randle, Julius                 06:30
MISSED 3 PTR by Young, James                    06:25
REBOUND (OFF) by Randle, Julius                 06:25
MISSED FT SHOT by Randle, Julius                06:22              FOUL by Obasohan, Retin (P1T6)
REBOUND (OFF) by (DEADBALL)                     06:22
GOOD! FT SHOT by Randle, Julius                 06:22  16-17  V 1
FOUL by Harrison, Andrew (P1T3)                 06:18              MISSED FT SHOT by Obasohan, Retin
                                                06:18              REBOUND (OFF) by (DEADBALL)
                                                06:18  16-18  V 2  GOOD! FT SHOT by Obasohan, Retin
MISSED FT SHOT by Poythress, Alex               05:56              FOUL by Taylor, Jimmie (P1T7)
REBOUND (OFF) by (DEADBALL)                     05:56
GOOD! FT SHOT by Poythress, Alex                05:56  17-18  V 1
REBOUND (DEF) by Harrison, Aaron                05:38              MISSED 3 PTR by Hale, Shannon
SUB IN : Cauley-Stein, Willie                   05:29
SUB OUT: Poythress, Alex                        05:29
MISSED 3 PTR by Young, James                    05:14              REBOUND (DEF) by Releford, Trevor
                                                05:06  17-20  V 3  GOOD! LAYUP by Obasohan, Retin [FB/PNT]
                                                05:06              ASSIST by Hale, Shannon
FOUL by Harrison, Andrew (P2T4)                 05:06              MISSED FT SHOT by Obasohan, Retin
REBOUND (DEF) by Cauley-Stein, Willie           05:06
SUB IN : Polson, Jarrod                         05:06
SUB OUT: Harrison, Andrew                       05:06
GOOD! LAYUP by Randle, Julius [PNT]             04:49  19-20  V 1
GOOD! FT SHOT by Randle, Julius                 04:49  20-20  T 3  FOUL by Taylor, Jimmie (P2T8)
SUB IN : Poythress, Alex                        04:49              SUB IN : Engstrom, Carl
SUB OUT: Young, James                           04:49              SUB OUT: Taylor, Jimmie
REBOUND (DEF) by Poythress, Alex                04:21              MISSED LAYUP by Releford, Trevor
MISSED 3 PTR by Harrison, Aaron                 03:46              REBOUND (DEF) by Releford, Trevor
BLOCK by Harrison, Aaron                        03:40              MISSED 3 PTR by Randolph, Levi
REBOUND (DEF) by Polson, Jarrod                 03:38
                                                03:29              FOUL by Engstrom, Carl (P2T9)
TIMEOUT MEDIA                                   03:29
MISSED FT SHOT by Cauley-Stein, Willie          03:29
REBOUND (OFF) by (DEADBALL)                     03:29
GOOD! FT SHOT by Cauley-Stein, Willie           03:29  21-20  H 1
SUB IN : Hood, Jon                              03:29              SUB IN : Cooper, Rodney
SUB OUT: Harrison, Aaron                        03:29              SUB OUT: Obasohan, Retin
                                                03:04  21-23  V 2  GOOD! 3 PTR by Hale, Shannon
                                                03:04              ASSIST by Cooper, Rodney
TURNOVR by (TEAM)                               02:21
FOUL by Cauley-Stein, Willie (P1T5)             02:03
SUB IN : Young, James                           02:03
SUB IN : Johnson, Dakari                        02:03
SUB OUT: Hood, Jon                              02:03
SUB OUT: Cauley-Stein, Willie                   02:03
                                                01:57              TURNOVR by Releford, Trevor
GOOD! FT SHOT by Young, James                   01:52  22-23  V 1  FOUL by Releford, Trevor (P2T10)
GOOD! FT SHOT by Young, James                   01:52  23-23  T 4
                                                01:36  23-25  V 2  GOOD! LAYUP by Engstrom, Carl [PNT]
                                                01:36              ASSIST by Releford, Trevor
GOOD! LAYUP by Randle, Julius [PNT]             01:24  25-25  T 5
BLOCK by Johnson, Dakari                        00:58              MISSED JUMPER by Randolph, Levi
                                                00:56              REBOUND (OFF) by Randolph, Levi
                                                00:53  25-28  V 3  GOOD! 3 PTR by Hale, Shannon
                                                00:52              ASSIST by Randolph, Levi
                                                00:52              TIMEOUT 30sec
SUB IN : Harrison, Aaron                        00:52              SUB IN : Obasohan, Retin
SUB OUT: Young, James                           00:52              SUB IN : Key, Algie
                                                00:52              SUB OUT: Hale, Shannon
                                                00:52              SUB OUT: Releford, Trevor
MISSED 3 PTR by Poythress, Alex                 00:25
REBOUND (OFF) by Harrison, Aaron                00:25
MISSED 3 PTR by Polson, Jarrod                  00:01              REBOUND (DEF) by (TEAM)


                                    Alabama 28, Kentucky 25

          1st period-only      InPaint Pts-T/O 2nd-Chc FastBrk BnchPts Ties  Leads
          Alabama                14       2       3       4       7      1     3
          Kentucky                8       2       7       0       8      4     2


2nd PERIOD Play-by-Play (Page 1)
HOME TEAM: Kentucky                             TIME   SCORE  MAR  VISITORS: Alabama
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SUB IN : Poythress, Alex                        20:00
SUB IN : Harrison, Andrew                       20:00
SUB OUT: Hood, Jon                              20:00
SUB OUT: Polson, Jarrod                         20:00
                                                19:36  25-30  V 5  GOOD! JUMPER by Releford, Trevor
GOOD! LAYUP by Harrison, Andrew [FB/PNT]        19:29  27-30  V 3
GOOD! FT SHOT by Harrison, Andrew               19:29  28-30  V 2  FOUL by Hale, Shannon (P3T1)
                                                19:28              TIMEOUT 30sec
                                                19:08  28-32  V 4  GOOD! JUMPER by Randolph, Levi
TURNOVR by Randle, Julius                       18:49
                                                18:34              TURNOVR by Hale, Shannon
STEAL by Cauley-Stein, Willie                   18:33
TURNOVR by Poythress, Alex                      18:19
SUB IN : Young, James                           18:19
SUB OUT: Poythress, Alex                        18:19
BLOCK by Cauley-Stein, Willie                   17:55              MISSED JUMPER by Taylor, Jimmie
REBOUND (DEF) by Randle, Julius                 17:53
GOOD! JUMPER by Randle, Julius [PNT]            17:44  30-32  V 2
                                                17:32              TURNOVR by Releford, Trevor
STEAL by Harrison, Aaron                        17:25
GOOD! DUNK by Randle, Julius [FB/PNT]           17:22  32-32  T 6
ASSIST by Harrison, Andrew                      17:22
SUB IN : Poythress, Alex                        17:02
SUB OUT: Randle, Julius                         17:02
                                                16:48              TURNOVR by (TEAM)
GOOD! 3 PTR by Harrison, Aaron                  16:38  35-32  H 3
ASSIST by Harrison, Andrew                      16:38
FOUL by Poythress, Alex (P1T1)                  16:24  35-33  H 2  GOOD! FT SHOT by Taylor, Jimmie
                                                16:24  35-34  H 1  GOOD! FT SHOT by Taylor, Jimmie
MISSED LAYUP by Harrison, Andrew                16:03              REBOUND (DEF) by Hale, Shannon
BLOCK by Harrison, Aaron                        15:55              MISSED LAYUP by Releford, Trevor
                                                15:54              REBOUND (OFF) by (TEAM)
                                                15:53              TIMEOUT media
SUB IN : Randle, Julius                         15:53
SUB OUT: Poythress, Alex                        15:53
REBOUND (DEF) by Cauley-Stein, Willie           15:33              MISSED LAYUP by Releford, Trevor
MISSED 3 PTR by Young, James                    15:24              REBOUND (DEF) by Hale, Shannon
BLOCK by Cauley-Stein, Willie                   14:57              MISSED LAYUP by Randolph, Levi
                                                14:56              REBOUND (OFF) by (TEAM)
SUB IN : Johnson, Dakari                        14:56
SUB OUT: Cauley-Stein, Willie                   14:56
                                                14:48              MISSED LAYUP by Taylor, Jimmie
                                                14:48              REBOUND (OFF) by Cooper, Rodney
REBOUND (DEF) by Randle, Julius                 14:45              MISSED LAYUP by Cooper, Rodney
GOOD! 3 PTR by Harrison, Andrew                 14:37  38-34  H 4
ASSIST by Johnson, Dakari                       14:37
REBOUND (DEF) by Young, James                   14:19              MISSED 3 PTR by Randolph, Levi
MISSED JUMPER by Randle, Julius                 13:58              REBOUND (DEF) by (TEAM)
                                                13:37              TURNOVR by Randolph, Levi
SUB IN : Polson, Jarrod                         13:37
SUB OUT: Harrison, Aaron                        13:37
GOOD! DUNK by Johnson, Dakari [PNT]             13:18  40-34  H 6
ASSIST by Harrison, Andrew                      13:18
                                                12:52              TURNOVR by Hale, Shannon
STEAL by Randle, Julius                         12:51
GOOD! FT SHOT by Young, James                   12:47  41-34  H 7  FOUL by Releford, Trevor (P3T2)
MISSED FT SHOT by Young, James                  12:47
REBOUND (OFF) by Johnson, Dakari                12:47
GOOD! DUNK by Johnson, Dakari [PNT]             12:47  43-34  H 9
                                                12:47              SUB IN : Obasohan, Retin
                                                12:47              SUB OUT: Releford, Trevor
                                                12:26  43-36  H 7  GOOD! JUMPER by Randolph, Levi
                                                12:20              TIMEOUT 30sec
SUB IN : Cauley-Stein, Willie                   12:20              SUB IN : Engstrom, Carl
SUB IN : Harrison, Aaron                        12:20              SUB OUT: Taylor, Jimmie
SUB OUT: Randle, Julius                         12:20
SUB OUT: Johnson, Dakari                        12:20
SUB OUT: Young, James                           12:20
MISSED 3 PTR by Harrison, Andrew                11:59
REBOUND (OFF) by Harrison, Andrew               11:59
TIMEOUT MEDIA                                   11:53
SUB IN : Randle, Julius                         11:53
SUB IN : Young, James                           11:53
SUB OUT: Harrison, Andrew                       11:53
MISSED 3 PTR by Polson, Jarrod                  11:22              REBOUND (DEF) by Obasohan, Retin
                                                10:49              MISSED JUMPER by Obasohan, Retin
                                                10:49              REBOUND (OFF) by Engstrom, Carl
REBOUND (DEF) by Cauley-Stein, Willie           10:49              MISSED 3 PTR by Cooper, Rodney
MISSED 3 PTR by Young, James                    10:49              REBOUND (DEF) by Randolph, Levi
STEAL by Young, James                           10:36              TURNOVR by Hale, Shannon
                                                10:36              FOUL by Randolph, Levi (P1T3)
SUB IN : Poythress, Alex                        10:36              SUB IN : Key, Algie
SUB OUT: Polson, Jarrod                         10:36              SUB OUT: Randolph, Levi
MISSED 3 PTR by Harrison, Aaron                 10:13
REBOUND (OFF) by Cauley-Stein, Willie           10:13
                                                10:13              FOUL by Cooper, Rodney (P2T4)
MISSED 3 PTR by Young, James                    09:48
REBOUND (OFF) by Harrison, Aaron                09:48
GOOD! TIP-IN by Cauley-Stein, Willie [PNT]      09:48  45-36  H 9
ASSIST by Harrison, Aaron                       09:47
                                                09:42  45-38  H 7  GOOD! JUMPER by Obasohan, Retin [PNT]
                                                09:39              FOUL by Obasohan, Retin (P2T5)
SUB IN : Johnson, Dakari                        09:39
SUB OUT: Young, James                           09:39
                                                09:31              FOUL by Key, Algie (P1T6)
MISSED 3 PTR by Harrison, Aaron                 09:17
REBOUND (OFF) by Harrison, Andrew               09:17
TURNOVR by Randle, Julius                       09:05
                                                09:05              SUB IN : Releford, Trevor
                                                09:05              SUB OUT: Cooper, Rodney
REBOUND (DEF) by Johnson, Dakari                08:34              MISSED LAYUP by Obasohan, Retin
TURNOVR by Poythress, Alex                      08:24
SUB IN : Young, James                           08:24
SUB OUT: Poythress, Alex                        08:24
                                                07:57  45-40  H 5  GOOD! LAYUP by Key, Algie [PNT]
                                                07:57              ASSIST by Releford, Trevor
TURNOVR by Harrison, Aaron                      07:43              STEAL by Obasohan, Retin
                                                07:39  45-42  H 3  GOOD! LAYUP by Obasohan, Retin [FB/PNT]
TIMEOUT 30sec                                   07:30
                                                07:08              FOUL by Hale, Shannon (P4T7)
TIMEOUT media                                   07:08
GOOD! FT SHOT by Young, James                   07:08  46-42  H 4
GOOD! FT SHOT by Young, James                   07:08  47-42  H 5
GOOD! FT SHOT by Young, James                   07:08  48-42  H 6
SUB IN : Harrison, Andrew                       07:08              SUB IN : Randolph, Levi
SUB OUT: Johnson, Dakari                        07:08              SUB IN : Cooper, Rodney
                                                07:08              SUB OUT: Hale, Shannon
                                                07:08              SUB OUT: Key, Algie
FOUL by Harrison, Aaron (P1T2)                  07:01
                                                06:53  48-44  H 4  GOOD! LAYUP by Randolph, Levi [PNT]
                                                06:53              ASSIST by Releford, Trevor
TURNOVR by Cauley-Stein, Willie                 06:35
FOUL by Harrison, Andrew (P3T3)                 06:19              MISSED FT SHOT by Releford, Trevor
                                                06:19              REBOUND (OFF) by (DEADBALL)
                                                06:19  48-45  H 3  GOOD! FT SHOT by Releford, Trevor
TURNOVR by Harrison, Andrew                     06:10
                                                06:08              STEAL by Randolph, Levi
                                                05:47              MISSED LAYUP by Obasohan, Retin
                                                05:47              REBOUND (OFF) by Engstrom, Carl
REBOUND (DEF) by Cauley-Stein, Willie           05:43              MISSED 3 PTR by Cooper, Rodney
TURNOVR by Cauley-Stein, Willie                 05:35
FOUL by Cauley-Stein, Willie (P2T4)             05:35
SUB IN : Johnson, Dakari                        05:35              SUB IN : Taylor, Jimmie
SUB OUT: Cauley-Stein, Willie                   05:35              SUB OUT: Engstrom, Carl
FOUL by Randle, Julius (P2T5)                   05:20
SUB IN : Poythress, Alex                        05:20
SUB IN : Polson, Jarrod                         05:20
SUB OUT: Randle, Julius                         05:20
SUB OUT: Harrison, Andrew                       05:20
                                                05:11  48-47  H 1  GOOD! JUMPER by Randolph, Levi [PNT]
MISSED 3 PTR by Young, James                    04:56
REBOUND (OFF) by Polson, Jarrod                 04:56
GOOD! JUMPER by Johnson, Dakari [PNT]           04:35  50-47  H 3
ASSIST by Young, James                          04:35
MISSED FT SHOT by Johnson, Dakari               04:35              FOUL by Taylor, Jimmie (P3T8)
REBOUND (OFF) by (TEAM)                         04:35
SUB IN : Randle, Julius                         04:30              SUB IN : Engstrom, Carl
SUB OUT: Poythress, Alex                        04:30              SUB OUT: Taylor, Jimmie
GOOD! 3 PTR by Young, James                     04:10  53-47  H 6
ASSIST by Harrison, Aaron                       04:10
REBOUND (DEF) by Johnson, Dakari                03:46              MISSED JUMPER by Randolph, Levi
MISSED 3 PTR by Harrison, Aaron                 03:14
REBOUND (OFF) by Randle, Julius                 03:14
                                                03:12              FOUL by Randolph, Levi (P2T9)
TIMEOUT MEDIA                                   03:12
GOOD! FT SHOT by Randle, Julius                 03:12  54-47  H 7
GOOD! FT SHOT by Randle, Julius                 03:12  55-47  H 8
SUB IN : Harrison, Andrew                       03:12              SUB IN : Hale, Shannon
SUB IN : Cauley-Stein, Willie                   03:12              SUB OUT: Obasohan, Retin
SUB OUT: Johnson, Dakari                        03:12
SUB OUT: Polson, Jarrod                         03:12
FOUL by Young, James (P1T6)                     02:48              MISSED FT SHOT by Releford, Trevor
                                                02:48              REBOUND (OFF) by (DEADBALL)
                                                02:48  55-48  H 7  GOOD! FT SHOT by Releford, Trevor
MISSED JUMPER by Harrison, Andrew               02:14              REBOUND (DEF) by Hale, Shannon
REBOUND (DEF) by Young, James                   01:56              MISSED JUMPER by Cooper, Rodney
MISSED 3 PTR by Young, James                    01:27              REBOUND (DEF) by Hale, Shannon
REBOUND (DEF) by Randle, Julius                 01:10              MISSED 3 PTR by Cooper, Rodney
MISSED 3 PTR by Young, James                    00:37              REBOUND (DEF) by Engstrom, Carl
REBOUND (DEF) by Young, James                   00:28              MISSED 3 PTR by Releford, Trevor


                                    Kentucky 55, Alabama 48

          2nd period-only      InPaint Pts-T/O 2nd-Chc FastBrk BnchPts Ties  Leads
          Alabama                10       7       0       2       6      0     0
          Kentucky               14      12      11       4      19      1     1


back to the forums

'BAMA FACES FIRED UP KENTUCKY TEAM...

And you think Grant has problems...

   

  I have been listening to sports talk radio out of Louisville the last couple of nights. Kentucky's record has fallen to 21-8 and if you listen to the Big Blue fans you'd think Calipari can't find his way to the water fountain. I've never heard a group of fans badmouth a coach like Kentucky fans have been doing lately. You'd  think he shaved their dogs or something. What he has done is to watch his team lose two game back to back. Well, he watched one game and part of another after getting tossed in the South Carolina game. Kentucky fans don't like to lose and don't expect to lose. They especially don't like losing to a team like South Carolina. 

      I think almost all of us expect Kentucky to win tomorrow (Tuesday) night. I'm a realist. We could win but that isn't likely. But Kentucky has a problem. Last year Calapari recruited the #1 player at his position in four of five spots. When you play that many freshmen sometimes bad things happen. I know he won a national championship with a crew a while back. That won't happen very often. It might not ever happen again. It certainly isn't going to happen with this bunch regardless of how much your talent their freshman bring to the floor. Don't get me wrong - there is something really wrong if Alabama beats Kentucky. I'm pulling for that to happen, of course. if  Kentucky loses to the Tide the world ends as Blue fans view it. For the Tide the game is a remarkable opportunity. How often can your team go on the road in front of over 20,000 will nothing to lose? The players can play hard, happy, and loose. The upside of this game is unlimited. There is no downside. I mean, when you are supposed to lose to Kentucky what do you have to lose? 

     This isn't one of those "any given Sunday" things either. There is NO way that Alabama could beat Kentucky on paper. Kentucky has been embarrassed and no gets to play at home. They will shoot a lot of foul shots. They always do, but this season they are ranked #2 in the country.  Part of the reason is that Calipari believes in taking the ball to the hoop. That's the first reason, and the second is that they are Kentucky

      Alabama got a respite from their tough schedule. Now they get to hit the road in snowy and icy weather to play the Wildcats. The Tide has one advantage in this game. The Kentucky point guards, who was the # 1 ranked point guard out of high school hasn't played up to expectations. His turnover to assist ratio is well below Cat standards. The Tide game is right before the Kentucky - Florida game. A lot of Kentucky fans said the Alabama game was like a warm up for the final season game. I doubt that. It would take Alabama's best game of the season. Somehow, Grant has to figure out a way to keep Kentucky off the free throw line, and at the same time keep Jimmy Taylor out of foul trouble. That's all order. Taylor is going to see some great talent up close and personal. I'm looking forward to see how he does. Can Randolph carry his good play on the road. What about Hale, who was just named Freshman of the Week by the SEC?  If Bama plays well and Kentucky has another bad game (like South Carolina) the Tide has a chance to win. My heart wants Bama to win. My head says Kentucky by 15.

 

CRIMSON HOOPS - ALABAMA MAKES IT RAIN

RANDOLPH, RELEFORD, AND TAYLOR SPARK WIN...

  

Releford walks off the after the big win

The Alabama Crimson Tide laced 'em up and went out and crushed the Auburn Tigers. Once again Alabama retains its position as the best team in the State of Alabama, even in a bad season.  Any time Alabama beats Auburn it's a good day, but. for a beleaguered Tide team with a losing record this one is especially sweet.  When you can beat you arch rival in horrible year it says a lot about your team.  It says a lot about your team when they  have been battered and beaten time and time again. This team hasn't quit, and they made it loud and clear they will not go out with a whimper. They want to go out with a bang. The final score was 'Bama 73 - AU 57. It wasn't that close. Behind strong offensive performances by Levi Randolph and Trevor Releford the Tide opened up  a double digit first half lead. A great deal of that lead  was due to Jimmy Taylor's shot blocking and altering in the first half. The freshman had 3 clean blocked shots in the first half and caused the Tigers avoid the middle. That took what should have been  a big advantage for the Tigers and switched it over to the Tide. It was Taylor's finest play of the year. 

     

Levi Randolph poured in a team high 23 points. The junior kept the Auburn Tigers off balance all night with a combination of long range bombs, and hard nosed drives to the basket.  Trevor Releford put on show to the crowd with some dazzling passes, key three point baskets, his usual array of moves around the basket. When Auburn made a brief run to cut the Tide's lead it was Releford who nailed a three ball from the corner to end the comeback. Retin Obasahan chipped in 13 points including a rare three pointer. But his best play was blocking an Auburn dunk. Carl Engstrom scored on a dunk in the second half and got an ovation from the fans. 

      It has been a hard year, but yesterday was just fun for Tide fans.  I don't think the win over Auburn will necessarily save Anthony Grant's job, but there is no doubt his team has started playing better basketball down the stretch. It's also unlikely that Alabama can escape the bottom four seed bracket in the SEC Tournament at this point. I wouldn't want to be the team who has to play the Tide if Alabama wins their first game.In a crazy conference race the Tide would face Ole Miss in the second round if the event was played today. That could change in a week.

     I doubt seriously that that Tide fans will give Grant much of a break after yesterday's win. One win or loss shouldn't be determinative  of Grant's future. It was nice to see a genuine smile on our Coaches face. One thing we can agree upon  is that exacting some revenge on the Tigers sure felt good didn't it?

Why did the Tide win?

1. Better offense from additional players and not just Releford

2. A stingy defense that played with intensity

3. The progression of Jimmy Taylor and Shannon Hale 

4.  Bama made 10 three point baskets.

What could have cost the Tide a win?

1. poor free throw shooting.

2. Poor rebounding again. Auburn got more offensive rebounds than defensive ones.That statistic kept the Tide from winning by 30; 

AUBURN IS A TWO POINT FAVORITE IN TUSCALOOSA

AUBURN IS MUCH IMPROVED...

Releford not at full speed  

   I wonder how long it has been since AU was favored over Bama when playing in Tuscaloosa? The program has suffered to the point that the worst basketball program in the SEC is favored over the Tide - at home. I would like to say how worse can it get? No way, it can get worse this season. To Alabama fans who follow the round ball the game  tomorrow is the big one. Just like football we have been beating the Tigers so long we have taken it for granted, no pun intended. Sure the Tigers have beaten us some. On the road is a tough place for anyone to win. All in all the Tide has dominated Auburn liked a whipped mule. Last season the worst college basketball team in the SEC beat Alabama. That loss cost us an NCAA bid in my opinion.  I'm not suggesting that an AU win in Tuscaloosa will have a long lasting impact. At least I don't think it will. Auburn is now 13-13 which is good for the Tigers. Last year they  had the worst basketball team in the SEC and some would say we've stolen that title.  

     I hope all Alabama fans understand the importance of the game.  The Tigers killed the Tide in Auburn. I thought it was the beginning of a string of games who really showed how bad we really are. The Tigers are indeed a better team this season and I'd boldly suggest that at 13-13 they are underachieving. I also think when you look at our record you can't really say we are underachieving. So what has happened to the Tide. Here's a few things I point to in my mind.

1. The loss of Lacey hurt us more than I thought. Not because Lacey is that good, but rather, Retin Obasahan who came on strongly at the end of last year, and was red hot early this year, has come to an abrupt end.

2.  Lackluster play by Cooper and Randolph in the scoring area has been  a real killer. Randolph. in particular, has been hard to understand. Randolph has played the roll of a scared rabbit most of the season.  Cooper couldn't drop a ball off the edge of barn and hit the ground. 

3.  I have continued to believe that the loss Gueye was huge. He wasn't great but at least  he was dependable. He also was a horse inside on defense. Engstrom has just not played well. Taylor is getting better. He is doing just fine on defense. I'm pleased with his progress. 

4.  The inability to rebound on the defensive end of the court is almost comical. I've come to view missed shots as 50/50 balls now. Here's something else I think we all overlook - our defense has giving up a lot of points, but the culprit is lack of rebounding. You give an opponent an extra 18-20 shots a game you are beaten.  The new touchy-fealy  rule hasn't helped. 

5.  The attrition rate is a clear indication of something severely wrong with the interpersonal relationships between players and coaches.  Why would all these kids seek another place to play? Maybe the coaches have nothing to do with all this coming and going. With transfers coming in and eligible starters leaving it has an effect on the chemistry of the team. 

    

That's my take on the situation. I want Alabama to win tomorrow but it would be like throwing a starving man a dog bone and expect him to have a full belly. The best thing that Alabama has going for them in the big rivalry is that no one gives a damn about basketball at Auburn. That's the long term effect. Short time it is just another loss in a bad season. I'm serious when I say tha Auburn players have less support when they are playing better than us when we are playing poorly. Apparently, Auburn basketball is not a part of the "family". Statistically these two teams look almost identical.  The have the best one/two punch in the SEC at the guards. Releford is better than either, but together I'd give the nod to AU because of Obashan's sabbatical.  Inside the Tigers have the size and the edge. However, the Tigers are not a strong rebounding team. The Tide has an advantage on the wings with Hale and Randolph.  It's not much of an advantage. The Tide's big advantage is Coleman Coliseum. A sell out is expected. I bet a large segment of Tiger fans who will drive down from Birmingham for their annual basketball trip.

     Am I surprised about the line? I thought it might be 4. The team usually plays well at home.  In my mind it all depends on the health of Releford and the offense of Hale. If Taylor can stay out of foul trouble it will  help. If Carl can do anything good on the boards it will help. Cooper needs to rebound big time. We need three players to score in double digits.  I'm picking Alabama to win by 5. Why? We've really played okay at home. We need a little better than okay tomorrow.  A win will remind high school kids who the big dog is in Alabama.

 

NOTE TO THE READER: THIS LINE HAS BEEN MOVING ALL OVER THE BOARD. THIS MORNING ALABAMA WAS A 5 POINT FAVORITE. THIS ARTICLE WAS WRITTEN LAST NIGHT.