MISSED FREE THROWS DOOM THE TIDE IN ONE POINT LOSS

Another close loss for the Tide

Break out game for Riley Norris 

No way Tide makes NCAA except through SEC Tourney

       How many ways can a team lose close games? This team could be a poster child for how to do everything possibly wrong to lose a game. One game it is turnovers. The next is missed free throws. Bad rebounding has been problem. You name a way, and I’d bet this team has done it. One thing they haven’t done is quit. I cannot imagine how much it hurts to lose these games. On top of that, the team then has to listen and read about what a horrible coach they have, and how they are losers. These kids are not losers even though they are losing close games. One thing that I can’t forget about the team is how they continue to find ways to crawl back into games despite the errors. It is almost like this team’s mental character is being tested, and I’ll give them an A for character. I haven’t read any of the posts on the about last night’s game. I can imagine the heat that Grant is catching.

I understand why Grant can say this team is close. They are. He may not be around to prove it however. Georgia is a fine little basketball team, but they are not better than Alabama. They can do the little things that convert potential losses to actual wins, at least they did last night. They got lucky in a lot of ways, and we got unlucky in even more ways. Georgia won and I give them credit for that. But please to not dismember the coach and players over last night.

Cooper shows his feelings after loss

      The Tide has been playing without their star point guard. Retin Obasahan has earned the respect of Tide fans for his hard-nosed play. His defensive ability, including blocking shots is remarkable. Last night the Captain finally had a poor shooting night. We had a chance to win without our go to player hitting shots. That says a lot about the team whether a lot of fans will admit it as truth. I’m not going to knock our inside play. These guys are trying and playing hard to improve. They simply are not SEC caliber inside players, yet. Let me add that Taylor is that player on defense. He’s improved so much from last season. Kessens has a long way to go. He is physically weak and gets shoved around like a rag doll. He can get stronger, and he will get better. The potential is there, but the experience is lacking. It is so hard to win in the SEC without a good big man. 

 

Norris announces his value to the Tide
and there is more to come

    Even though this team isn’t winning like we’d all like to see them do, they have been bunch of never say die kids. Even though my heart can’t take many more of these close games, they have been an interesting team to watch. The history of this team is going to be the inability of Alabama to recruit a very good inside player. How we can’t find one is illogical to me. If you are a real good high school player you’ll have to play immediately.

Let’s look at some good things. Let me give my official and long overdue “I told you so” on Riley Norris. Some of you still think the kid can’t play. I’ll tell you this – given the right opportunity he’ll lead the SEC in scoring one day. He plays well under pressure, and he is admired by his teammates. He is the consummate gym rat with real basketball skills. He understands the game. When he gets stronger, and he will get much stronger given his work ethic, he will become one of the great swing players in the SEC. Justin Coleman is needs to get stronger as well. He is learning when to go inside and when he can’t. He’s smart and dedicated. Devon Mitchell was in spot where he just can get a lot of minutes. This kid is a deadly outside shooter. His small school upbringing was apparent. This guy is going to give Alabama some great play when he gets more experience.  We have three guys coming in. One is a very intriguing 6-10 and still growing post player. He has thrown up a lot of double-double games, and even a few triple-triple games. I’ve met him. He is looking forward to the chance to play. The other two are more than just good. They are loaded with some real potential in my opinion. I believe two of the three are underrated. Maybe all four are. 

       

Next year’s team is going to be better than this season’s. We lose Randolph and Cooper but we have kids who are going to show they belong. The future isn’t dead. The question of coaching is not up to us. I think that Anthony is coming back if he wants to do so. That may create a firestorm of controversy among Tide fans. We’ll get over it. If we have a have a new coach he’ll have a good foundation. If he can get a really good JUCO inside player, maybe a pair, next year could turn around those losses and replace them with wins.