Alabama takes on UCLA ...
I know it's the time of the year to think about bone rattling tackles and winning three national titles in football. No doubt, those thoughts cross my mind frequently. When you are a misunderstood round ball man in an area where basketball ranks just behind fall football, spring football, and football recruiting, December 28th is a big day. That's the day when Alabama will take their crimson jerseys only the most famous basketball floor in the NCAA. Pauley Pavilion is not unlike Mecca for hoops fans. I guess I've attended 20 or so games in Westwood. The next time I'm going is to watch the Tide play. It won't be USC, Arizona, or Stanford. It won't be on some neutral floor for a Regional. It will be Alabama vs. UCLA. I'm going to ask my friend Steven Avram to go with me. He is an UCLA grad, friend of the program, friend of Bill Walton, and lover of all thing blue and gold. Here's how much of a UCLA fan he really is today - I gave him my Keith Wilkes UCLA warm up jacket. It now holds a prominent place is his doctor's office. There are only two basketball teams that get my attention. The Tide is # 1 in my heart. The Bruins are a close 2nd. UCLA is the historic gold standard for basketball in the modern era. They may not have the juice they once had. Still, a win over the Bruins would be mighty impressive to the rest of the NCAA. Not only that, but the Bruins come to Tuscaloosa in 2014 to finish out a home and home contract. That is impressive for Alabama. It will be nationally impressive. ESPN impressive. The necessity for an old man to stay alive for another year impressive.
Bama game was not well received...
When this game was announced it was to the dismay of many Bruin faithful. Some fans don't believe a win over Bama will help he Bruins make the NCAA field in March. Those could be logical thoughts. I disagree. Alabama is a good opponent but should UCLA lose the game it might really hurt according to a lot of LA sportswriters. For Bama, the opposite is true. UCLA might not be the team of old, but they are still a top 10 program. Alabama isn't in that rarefied air, at least not yet. Beating a team like UCLA on the road will be big. The Bruins have turned to Steve Alford to run the program. Some fans see him as the second coming and many more don't like Alford or the hire. Alford has his work cut out for him. After coaching at New Mexico and have mixed success, UCLA hired him. One of the first things that Alford did was sign his son, Bryce. This has caused some hard feelings among some of the UCLA players. Bryce Alford is not a star but is solid player in his own right. Alford has been controversial at every coaching stop he's made, and he was a prima donna at Indiana where he was an All-American. The man can coach though.
Bama will be solid road dog in the game. Can the Tide win? As long as you have Trevor Releford playing point guard you have a chance.
Bama game was not well received...
When this game was announced it was to the dismay of many Bruin faithful. Some fans don't believe a win over Bama will help he Bruins make the NCAA field in March. Those could be logical thoughts. I disagree. Alabama is a good opponent but should UCLA lose the game it might really hurt according to a lot of LA sportswriters. For Bama, the opposite is true. UCLA might not be the team of old, but they are still a top 10 program. Alabama isn't in that rarefied air, at least not yet. Beating a team like UCLA on the road will be big. The Bruins have turned to Steve Alford to run the program. Some fans see him as the second coming and many more don't like Alford or the hire. Alford has his work cut out for him. After coaching at New Mexico and have mixed success, UCLA hired him. One of the first things that Alford did was sign his son, Bryce. This has caused some hard feelings among some of the UCLA players. Bryce Alford is not a star but is solid player in his own right. Alford has been controversial at every coaching stop he's made, and he was a prima donna at Indiana where he was an All-American. The man can coach though.
Bama will be solid road dog in the game. Can the Tide win? As long as you have Trevor Releford playing point guard you have a chance.
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