TIDE'S OPENING GAME IS A GOOD ONE...

TIDE FACES KENNESAW STATE ...

Yonel Brown runs the floor for the Owls

 Anyone who believes that Alabama's opening game is going to be a walk over better re-think that position. I'm not saying that Kennesaw State is going to waltz in Coleman Coliseum and beat 'Bama. That's not likely. Kennesaw State is not a big name opponent. We can all remember teams that have come to Coleman in the early season and beat the Tide. When you have a new coach, new staff, and loads of players unfamiliar with each other, it might not be pretty. Don't be surprised if this turns into a pretty good game. Kennesaw State is not without some talent.

      The Owls have a great little point guard named Yonel Brown. He is a pre-season Atlantic Sun Conference. He was the Gwinnett Georgia Tip-Off Club Player of the Year after his junior and senior seasons in high school. You are going to enjoy watching him play. It might be the only time that Justin Coleman may actually be taller than his opponent in a man defense. Yonel is liberally listed at 5-9 by his school. If you are unfamiliar with the Atlantic Sun Conference here are the other members: Florida Gulf Coast, Jacksonville, Lipscomb, South Carolina Upstate, Stetson, New Jersey Institute of Technology, North Florida, and Kennesaw State.

JUST TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS IS KEY...   

   'Bama needs just to take care of their own business. One of the most remarkable things I've read regarding basketball was that John Wooden never scouted an opponent. All he did was concentrate on his team. I'm sure that Avery Johnson is doing just that. He needs to spend his time building cohesion in his program. Based on what happened in the first game it appears that Jimmie Taylor, Shannon Hale, Justine Coleman, and Retin Obasahan have earned starting position. That last position seems to be up for grabs, or perhaps a better way of looking at it is who needs to play in a particular match-up. i think an overlooked fact from the exhibition game was the 11 steals the Tide snared. The is extremely important for Avery Johnson's style of play. The team scored a lot of points with wide open play. I don't think the Tide ever took more than 17 or 18 seconds. 

ODDS AND ENDS...

         

Ingram showed a lot of talent

For Bama to run at the frenetic pace, it is necessary to rebound on the defensive end. Michael Kessens had a big night pulling down missed shots, and Jimmie Taylor did the same as well. The Tide is going to have to work on ball screen switches to not give up layups as they did in game one. You have to be impressed with Dazon Ingram in his first game.  His court sense and talent are evident. Arthur Edwards is perfect for the Johnson style of play. Riley Norris is just a good player, and he'd be a starter on most teams. He is not just a good shooter or a role player. His play compliments those around him. He's a good all all-rounder who is going to be a good one.

This is going to be a team that is exciting and fun to watch. They are not going to be world beaters, but I think they are certainly better than the 13th best team in the SEC. That's where our learned media voted.