Tide holds on to beat Vandy 68-63

This time the Tide won a close one...

    

  Alabama played so well they built a 17 point second half lead. They then played so poorly they were in a one possession game and a nail biter. Instead of letting another game get away, the Tide pulled themselves together and refused to lose. The win got the Tide back to .500 for the year, and 1-0 in the SEC. Vandy played without their best player and for three quarters it showed. The last ten minutes the Commodores riddle the Tide defense time and time again.

 The Tide seemed to have lost their focus and energy. Luckily for Alabama the team started to get a few rebounds and  forcing some iffy shots caused by a re-invigorated defense. The with just under two minutes left, Retin Obasahan, a 25% three point shooter made a big one from the top of the key. Sure, it rattled around the rim hard enough to cause a richtor scale movement. Sure the 'crowd' held  their collective breathe until it fell through. Bama had opened the lead up to 5 and they had survived a spirited comeback. Hey, we'll take it anyway we got it. 

Anyone who believes that Alabama is going to make it to the NCAA field is either sadly mistaken or has clairvoyant aunt. Too many tough games remain with too little talent. Writing about Alabama basketball which I love as much as life its ownself is tough this year. Watching Bama play is like being invited to watch a root canal. Some good things happened though. Bama showed that they can play some good offensive basketball at times. The turnovers were held to 8 and the Tide caused 16. The Tide also had13 assists. Bama got out rebounded by 7 and still managed to win. Here's a couple of numbers I found  interesting. Carl Engstrom only had 4 rebounds. Same number that Levi Randolph pulled down. Our other big man, Nick Jacobs, had 3. 

The Bama guards had a big night. Releford had 16. Obasahan had a little comeback to score 15. That the same as rapidly improving Shannon Hale. Randolph had 11 and another solid game. His mid range jump shot has given him a new weapon. Carl Engstrom didn't score again. It might be his inability to hold onto the ball hurts him. Rodney Cooper continues to struggle. The junior has lost his starting job, and his entire game by all appearances. I'm sure that one game he'll break out of official  funk but if it doesn't come soon it really won't matter. We will  Moussa Gueye despite what a lot of fans like to say. Retin has been a good replacement for Lacey. I think the loss of Lacey hurts from  a chemistry viewpoint. Obasahan has more athletic talent. Bama plays at Georgia next and then plays State. This is a chance to start 3-0.  After that things get serious quickly. Bama has two games to find some chemistry and gain some confidence. 

While watching the UCLA game earlier I got a chance to talk with a couple of NBA scouts. They love Releford's game and court savvy. He'll have a chance to play in the League.