RETIN SHINES FOR THE TIDE

Obasahan is a great athlete ...




Obasahan drives to the basket
compliments of Bham News

                   Bama's beat up and coming Georgia State last night 75-58. They Tide held the high scoring Panthers to just 58 points which wasn't easy. There were bunches of those silly little touch fouls on both sides, but 'Bama is making some headway into learning to play with the new standard. There are still a lot of whistles blowing for reasons which clearly confuse the players. One thing I did like about Alabama's approach to learning is that would always ask the referee exactly what they did wrong.  On a couple of occasions the Tide players told the refs, "are you gonna give me that on the other end"? None of that made any difference to the Tide. Example?  Kentucky five star transfer Ryan Harrow who was averaging 20 ppg finished with only 4 points even though he jacked up 11 attempts. The Bama man to man and 2/3 match up zone killed the Panthers from the outside. The Tide up few paint baskets in exchange but the goal going into the game was don't give up the three point baskets. State made only 5-17 and only a couple were uncontested.The Sun Belt team shot only 40% for the game overall and were out rebounded 40-26.

       That rebound differential proved big for the Tide. Shannon Hale led the Tide inside with  rebound. The freshman seemed to find his game for the first time this season and you could see why Grant signed him. He also chipped in 8 points on 3/6 shooting and blocked one shot inside to deny the Panthers a basket  Trevor Releford started things off on the right foot for the Tide with a couple of threes. He finished with 19 points which led all Tide scorers. Bama struggled on the inside again but managed to cobble together some production with a combination of Engstrom and Ellis. Ellis changed a few shots inside, and Engstom played hard pulling down 5 boards and scoring 5 as well. He made the only flat footed left handed hook shot I've ever seen much to the delight of the crowd.

      But the night belonged to Obasahan.  The 6-1 guard scored 18 points on an assortment of drives through the paint, and a couple of ESPN highlight dunks. If you wondered why Trevor Lacey transferred it showed last night. Obasahan was stealing minutes from the now NC State guard at the end of last season.  Lacey would have had a hard time winning back his starting role this year. Obasahn looks like he was chiseled from granite. He is quick,  fast, and explosive. On one play last night he stole a ball, kept it in bounds with his speed and intelligence and then soared over a couple of defenders on what can only be called a thunder dunk. It was a play you had to see to believe. Retin adds new dimension to Bama's already hard defensive play. Oh yeah, he also blocked 3 shots to save baskets. When Bama signed him people had no idea his upside. He is going to be even better as the year progresses. It was a solid when against a team that could win the Sun Belt.

      Bama now flys to NYC to play Duke on the 27th. This is a game that is all upside for the Tide. Tide fans can measure their team against one of the truly big boys of college basketball. It would be a tough win for the Tide. This will be a very interesting game due to the match ups. Not all favor the Dukies either. Win? I doubt it. But I think Alabama might surprise a few people. See you in the Garden.