Tide guts one out at State to claim 55-51 win…

Cooper fights flu to hit big basket late…

Cooper fought through the flu to help Tide...

     Early this morning it looked like Rodney Cooper would be the next Crimson Tide player to miss a game. He was diagnosed with the flu. Cooper insisted that he be given IV treatment and played a very courageous 34 minutes. He huge three point shot at the four minute mark sparked a Tide run that won the game. If you weren’t aware of his illness you might have given him hard time on some shots that were, shall we say, short of the mark. But the senior stepped up to the plate and delivered some big baskets and rebounds to help the Tide overcome a gritty Mississippi State team. The win moves the Tide to 15-9 overall, and 5-6 in the conference. Alabama has homes games with Vanderbilt, Georgia, Ole Miss, and South Carolina. Those four games could give the Tide 19 wins. The Tide has at least eight remaining games when you include the Southeastern Conference Tournament.

 

  

Randolph had another great game

    The Tide plays AU, TAM, and Vandy on the road. Is it possible the Tide might steal a win or two on the road? A lot depends on whether Alabama can get Ricky Tarrant and Retin Obasahan back in the lineup. Obasahan is likely for the Vanderbilt game this weekend, but the status of Tarrant is still unknown. You could see the anguish on his face tonight while on the bench. He wanted to be in the game during State’s frantic last minute full court press. It was a good effort but the Tide managed to hang on for the 4 point win. Grant's team reverted to the Mark Gottfried plan of throwing the ball inbounds. Riley Norris showed his youth by making a couple of "trying one" passes that somehow worked. You have to hand it to the Tide for maintaining their composure when State made a run to take a 2 point lead in the second half. Some laser like passes from Randolph to Hale under the basket gave the Alabama five points. With one minute left in the game Alabama had managed to build up an 8 point lead. It was quickly cut to 4 as result of Alabama's trouble getting the ball in bounds. Alabama used two timeouts to discuss the problem and things smoothed out. The Tide did miss 2 free throws in the last minute which would have iced the game, but this team does nothing the easy way.

  

Riley has strong road game

The latter part of Alabama's schedule is easier. I didn't say easy. I wish this team had a easy button but they don't. Kudos for Michael Kessens for a big effort off the bench. It was clear he was still hurt, but he scored 7 early points off nice passes from the Tide guards. Jimmy Taylor disrupted some inside play by State when he was in the game. When he was on the bench resting the Bulldogs took advantage of his absence. Mississippi State is a horrible basketball team. In the enthusiasm of the win we can't overlook that fact, but we also have to acknowledge that Bama went into Starkville undermanned, sick, and played a three inexperienced players extensively. I thought that Norris, Coleman, and Kessens held their own for the most part. I continue to like the hustle and hard nosed play of Riley Norris. Kessens clearly needs some strength. He is not really a true inside player, but relies more on finesse around the hoop to score. Coleman has a world of potential but he's now seeing defensive players who can stop him from blowing buy them.

The Captain played another good one...

    The Tide shot poorly, so what else is new. They made a good number of free throws, and didn't get completely embarrassed on the boards. The team held down their turnovers, and until a couple of late mistakes, State was unable to capitalize on those turnovers. The zone baffled the Bulldogs. The Tide pressed some full court. That surprised me given our depth. It was when the Tide dropped into their zone that they shut the Bulldogs down. Once again the Tide held an opponent to below 60 and except for a couple of last minute turnovers, that would have been stuck in the forties. This team is a really good defensive team, and their zone protects in the inside players some. It may cost Bama a few boards, but on balance it is the best defense they play.

  

Grants adds second SEC road win this season

    Say what you will about the Grant coached team. They didn't quit, they didn't fold when they lost the lead, and the seniors stepped up. So did Shannon Hale whose greatly improved play is making this a better basketball team. Alabama could have easily gone into Starkville and lost given the problems with injuries and illness. State essentially triple teamed Randolph with their zone. They were not going to let Levi have a big shooting night. He didn't, but his overall leadership and a few Magic Johnson like passes overcame they gamble that State Coach Rick Ray used. This season is now about the players and not the coach. I'd love to see this team go somewhere in the post season. They deserve that much. Six close losses have been the difference between a lock for the NCAA and a hope for the NCAA. The Tide deserves a chance to play somewhere. In looking at our schedule we have a chance to win at least 4 more games. I'd love to beat Auburn on the road. I'll be flying home to watch that one, of course. Vandy has some good shooters and an improving post player. Georgia is solid, and the best 'Dawg team in several years. Luckily, we catch them at home. If we can get pleats in the seats to give us a good home court advantage it will be important to the team. Let's forget the Grant saga and just pull for him and the team for rest of the season and see what happens.

 

 

 

As I saw it:

Player of the game: Levi Randolph

Mr. Defense: Rodney Cooper

Mr. Clutch: Shannon Hale

Tip of the hat: Riley Norris

Best role player: Jimmie Taylor

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Key Stats:

 

Alabama had only 9 turnovers. They had only 7 in the first 39 minutes. The Tide was also credit with two team turnovers. Jump balls where possession went to State.

 

Alabama caused 15 turnovers which resulted in 18 points

 

State won the boards 37-33 which is  about as good as Bama can do.

 

Alabama hit 78% of their free throws in the second half. Bama got to the line 22 times.

 

Jimmie Taylor had 3 blocked shots, but altered 5 others shots.

POST OF THE DAY:

Grant's record is what it is, but looking at JUST THIS YEAR, with the team he GKBAMA 2015-02-11 08:16:47

has available, it could be argued that Coach Grant has done his best coaching job since he's been here. This team, with all its deficiencies (which are also his responsibility) could easily be 19-5 right now. And despite overwhelming criticism and fan negativity, his team continues to play hard, if not well. I get that he is responsible for the lack of talent at certain positions. I get that his signing of players like Eblen and Geye(sp), the Swede, etc., were huge misses that are a big reason he is where he is at in year six. I get all that. I'm just talking about THIS YEAR. By the way, my position from the beginning of this year is that he should be replaced at the end of this season if we don't make the NCAA tournament. I stand by that position. But I won't give up on a team (players AND Coaches) that doesn't give up on itself.

Did you know that Crimson Hoops just passed the 84,000 mark in hits? Not bad for a football school.