'Bama to host Missouri at 7:00

Missouri playing to get in the dance...

'Bama will play to regain some self respect

   

HALE HAS BEEN IMPROVING

  The last time the Tide played the Missouri Tigers their record was 8-8. In the second half of that game the Tide scored only 17 points. Releford didn't have a good game, and no one was there for the Tide to pick up the slack. It was a glimpse  of things to come for Alabama. The good guys have now won 10 games and lost 16. That pretty much sums up what has happened to Alabama since that game. Here are few other numbers to think about if you really want to know what's happening.

• Alabama is ranked 262nd in scoring and rebounding. 33 rebounds per game will get you beat almost every game.

• The Tide is ranked 298th in assists. Hmm...

• The Tide is ranked 199th in shooting percentage at 44%.

   

     When you can't shoot or rebound you will get beat. In fact, I'm surprised that Alabama has managed to win 10 games. Before the season started I thought we might win 14 or 15. That's not going to happen. A perfect storm of poor shooting, absent rebounding, too many turnovers, and a lack of help from the coaches hit Alabama from all directions.  Alabama loses so many players you think Tuscaloosa is the launching spot for refugees seeking a better life. Fans give Jacobs a hard time. If Alabama can't get him back into the lineup the inside scoring will get even worse. I know that Grant has the right to suspend Jacobs for cutting class (gee, none of us ever did that) but I'm not sure that was the right thing to do to a player who was already struggling. Instead of suspending him for a game, Jacobs turned the tables on the staff and said he was taking a leave of absence to think things over. Let me translate that - he's deciding where to go to play next year or the year after. He may or may not be back later this year. I hope so. He's a good kid. He's very sensitive and lowering the hammer on that type personality might not be the best approach. But I'm not the coach and I certainly don't make $5000.00 dollars a day like Anthony Grant. 

      Missouri has good athletes. They  beat UCLA. But they haven't been playing well since their strong opening run. They have won their last three games. Most experts have them on the bubble. Clarkson and Parker are great players. The last time the these two teams met the Tigers won 68-47. That was the first game where another team exploited all the Tide's weak spots.  It was also the first game that Shannon Hale took a big step forward. I know that Hale took a lot shots, made some, missed more, but at least kid isn't afraid to shoot the ball. He's a keep. So is Taylor. I think Missouri should beat us by 10. We'll see. There is no way the Tide should win this game considering how poorly they've played lately. I expect the beleagured Tide to play hard to find some redemption from the Texas A&M game.The only thing certain about basketball is that nothing is certain. Roll Tide. Let's get some fans in the seats tonight. 

KEYS TO WIN

 1. Releford needs to keep making it rain. (last game against Missouri 4-16)

 2. Shannon Hale needs to keep playing that hard nosed brand of basketball.

 3. DEFENSIVE STOPS, DEFENSIVE STOPS, AND MORE DEFENSIVE STOPS

 4. Need a big game for someone else. Obasahan, Randolph, and Cooper

 5. Jimmy Taylor needs to avoid foul trouble and block some shots, rebound.

 6. Alabama needs forty or more rebounds.