TIDE FACES SOUTH CAROLINA ON SATURDAY

Carolina is 18-2 and not ranked....

        I'm a big Frank Martin fan except when Alabama plays USC. The Gamecocks are 18-2. If you wonder whether or not Avery Johnson can return Alabama to being a feared program, I offer Frank Martin and the South Carolina Gamecocks as Exhibit #1. I love watching Carolina play. I still can't quite understand how they are so good. The Gamecocks don't look like an 18-2 team. They have some good players, but none is a franchise type player.  Their guards are tall by even NBA standards, and that causes some matchup problems. The interior game is solid but not great. They play ferocious defense. They never let up, and hang around due to that tenacity.  They win a lot of close games.  They are only ranked #27 in the country, and that is a joke. 

     Alabama dismantled the Gamecocks in Coleman Coliseum with excellent defense and red-hot shooting. The only other team that beat USC was Tennessee. That's ironic to me except for one thing. Both teams can beat almost anyone when they shoot the outside shot well. I'm hoping that the Tide can put together another similar effort this weekend, but not holding my breath. But, the Tide does match up pretty well with Carolina. Like Bama, the Gamecocks rely a lot on hustle and a tough hide. Unlike Bama, the Gamecocks win almost all their close games. I haven't seen a line yet. My guess would be Carolina by 7. Alabama can win this game by doing three things. 

1. They need to out rebound Carolina and cut down on giving 2nd shots

2. Bama needs to keep Michael Carrea from having his way on the offensive glass in particular

3. Keeping Thronewell under his average will be nice.

      The usual things matter just as much. Can 'Bama keep the turnovers down to around 10-12? Can Jimmie Taylor stay out of foul trouble? Can Donta Hall come in and give Bama some quality minutes? Will Micheal Kenssens turn it up and play like a power forward or just keep piddling around? 

      We'd love to think that Riley Norris can hit eight three-pointers. It will be super if Anthony Edwards catches fire and knocks down a few threes. We have to hope that Retin Obasahan continues to play like a man whose feet are on fire, and wouldn't it be nice to see Justine Coleman play a better game. In short, Bama needs to play a near-perfect game. The don't have to be perfect, but they can't throw the ball all over the place. They need to shoot somewhere over 45% and make 75% from the line. I'd feel much better about our chances if we can give up less than ten offensive rebounds. I know the Tide will play hard. Johnson will have a plan to win. A road win over Carolina would be one that might keep Bama in the post season hunt for a bid. It's a tall order. Alabama has the heart. They have the hustle. Playing the road is always difficult.

 I'd say Carolina by 12.

Carolina is  9 point favorite on Saturday morning.