AUBURN IS A TWO POINT FAVORITE IN TUSCALOOSA

AUBURN IS MUCH IMPROVED...

Releford not at full speed  

   I wonder how long it has been since AU was favored over Bama when playing in Tuscaloosa? The program has suffered to the point that the worst basketball program in the SEC is favored over the Tide - at home. I would like to say how worse can it get? No way, it can get worse this season. To Alabama fans who follow the round ball the game  tomorrow is the big one. Just like football we have been beating the Tigers so long we have taken it for granted, no pun intended. Sure the Tigers have beaten us some. On the road is a tough place for anyone to win. All in all the Tide has dominated Auburn liked a whipped mule. Last season the worst college basketball team in the SEC beat Alabama. That loss cost us an NCAA bid in my opinion.  I'm not suggesting that an AU win in Tuscaloosa will have a long lasting impact. At least I don't think it will. Auburn is now 13-13 which is good for the Tigers. Last year they  had the worst basketball team in the SEC and some would say we've stolen that title.  

     I hope all Alabama fans understand the importance of the game.  The Tigers killed the Tide in Auburn. I thought it was the beginning of a string of games who really showed how bad we really are. The Tigers are indeed a better team this season and I'd boldly suggest that at 13-13 they are underachieving. I also think when you look at our record you can't really say we are underachieving. So what has happened to the Tide. Here's a few things I point to in my mind.

1. The loss of Lacey hurt us more than I thought. Not because Lacey is that good, but rather, Retin Obasahan who came on strongly at the end of last year, and was red hot early this year, has come to an abrupt end.

2.  Lackluster play by Cooper and Randolph in the scoring area has been  a real killer. Randolph. in particular, has been hard to understand. Randolph has played the roll of a scared rabbit most of the season.  Cooper couldn't drop a ball off the edge of barn and hit the ground. 

3.  I have continued to believe that the loss Gueye was huge. He wasn't great but at least  he was dependable. He also was a horse inside on defense. Engstrom has just not played well. Taylor is getting better. He is doing just fine on defense. I'm pleased with his progress. 

4.  The inability to rebound on the defensive end of the court is almost comical. I've come to view missed shots as 50/50 balls now. Here's something else I think we all overlook - our defense has giving up a lot of points, but the culprit is lack of rebounding. You give an opponent an extra 18-20 shots a game you are beaten.  The new touchy-fealy  rule hasn't helped. 

5.  The attrition rate is a clear indication of something severely wrong with the interpersonal relationships between players and coaches.  Why would all these kids seek another place to play? Maybe the coaches have nothing to do with all this coming and going. With transfers coming in and eligible starters leaving it has an effect on the chemistry of the team. 

    

That's my take on the situation. I want Alabama to win tomorrow but it would be like throwing a starving man a dog bone and expect him to have a full belly. The best thing that Alabama has going for them in the big rivalry is that no one gives a damn about basketball at Auburn. That's the long term effect. Short time it is just another loss in a bad season. I'm serious when I say tha Auburn players have less support when they are playing better than us when we are playing poorly. Apparently, Auburn basketball is not a part of the "family". Statistically these two teams look almost identical.  The have the best one/two punch in the SEC at the guards. Releford is better than either, but together I'd give the nod to AU because of Obashan's sabbatical.  Inside the Tigers have the size and the edge. However, the Tigers are not a strong rebounding team. The Tide has an advantage on the wings with Hale and Randolph.  It's not much of an advantage. The Tide's big advantage is Coleman Coliseum. A sell out is expected. I bet a large segment of Tiger fans who will drive down from Birmingham for their annual basketball trip.

     Am I surprised about the line? I thought it might be 4. The team usually plays well at home.  In my mind it all depends on the health of Releford and the offense of Hale. If Taylor can stay out of foul trouble it will  help. If Carl can do anything good on the boards it will help. Cooper needs to rebound big time. We need three players to score in double digits.  I'm picking Alabama to win by 5. Why? We've really played okay at home. We need a little better than okay tomorrow.  A win will remind high school kids who the big dog is in Alabama.

 

NOTE TO THE READER: THIS LINE HAS BEEN MOVING ALL OVER THE BOARD. THIS MORNING ALABAMA WAS A 5 POINT FAVORITE. THIS ARTICLE WAS WRITTEN LAST NIGHT.