Tide goes cold in the last ten minutes...

Alabama loses another close game...




    The difference between a good team and an average one isn't very much. Once again Alabama define that to be the case. 77-74. With 2 field goals in the last 9:45 of a game you aren't going to win any basketball games.  Only the hustle and heart of the players allowed this game to be close. Alabama has no margin for error. None. It may well be that when the history of this team is recorded they will be remembered as underachieving. Not in my book or experience. These are a bunch of kids that play as hard and as long as they can. There just is such a lack of inside offense and rebounding they have two hands tied behind their backs when they step on the floor. That's the coach's fault.  He needs to recruit as well as he coaches. None of us should blame the players for that. That one falls squarely on the shoulders of the head coach.  If you asked Grant himself he'd own up to that one.

Hale plays a great game...

     Two good things about tonight's game - Shannon Hale had a breakout game, and the team continues to play hard.  Both of those things will pay off sometime this season. Perhaps what this team needs  is a good road trip where they have nothing to lose might be what the doctor orders.  It is hard to write about this team in a lot of ways. It's always easier to say nice things about a winning team. This team is doing all they can do when you consider their substantial limitations.

     Bama missed too many free throws, got sloppy with the ball, and once again just stood around with no movement in the second half. Alabama just doesn't have the size or strength to match up with anyone in the paint.  Alabama has lost to every good team they've played this season.  That's the bad part.  Alabama has played each of those teams tough games. The hopes for Alabama to make it to the NCAA as an at-large team are essentially over. The NIT looks like a long shot unless the Tide  ramps it up through the SEC. A good start would be by beating a good UCLA team at Pauley Pavilion. That's only a slim possibility looking at this team. UCLA is still the mecca of college hoops. A win over the Bruins means a great deal to any program. I've seen the Bruins play 7 games this season. We have some serious match up problems. That doesn't matter. The Tide needs to tip it off and play their hearts out. They will. Maybe something great and unexpected will happen. You never really know. Just when you think you know something happens that proves you wrong.