BAMA HANDS THE SEC A WARNING FOR THE FUTURE

TAM falls 63-62

 

     Yesterday we suggested that Alabama could beat TAM if they did certain things. Looking back, I'd say the Tide did those things. They kept turnovers to ten until very late in the game. They won the battles of the boards thanks in large part to Don'ta Hall, a freshman quickly turning into a man, and we shot they ball well enough win. Free throws were not great, but they were just enough to make some difference.

        You have to love this team of "who are those guys"? Retin Obasahan is our best player. Retin who? Everyone else is someone who has a role, a specific function, and they do it well. They are doing it better and better, and have now reached a point where those in know say, 'you better mind your business against Alabama because they are not going to quit.' Teams that refuse to quit are dangerous. They just will not believe they are going to lose. Except for a couple of early season games, no one has buried this team. 

     The Tide hangs around to the bitter end of every game. When they hold on to the ball, rebound decently and shoot well they are going to clean your plough. This team cares out each other. They don't care both individual accolades. They care about one another and winning. They love their coach. They walk up in the student section for selfies and photos. The cheer each other. When Jimmie Taylor made two free throws the bench ignited. When Don'ta Hall made a late game block that could only be seen, not described, the Alabama bench exploded in cheers. They love to play, and we get to watch them.


     In several years, this is going to be a team that fans and the media remember they are the group that turned things around.  They were undertalented but never outfought. They never died because their mantra was neve say die. And we are lucky enough to watch them. They are planting seeds that can grow into a mighty forest. Avery Johnson, the little general, took a match and lit a fire. The TAM game was the fourth win against a top twenty-five team. Most of this pioneer group come back. Anthony Grant found some good solid players, and Avery Johnson is turning them into something special. I don't know what their final record will be at the end. I do know that nothing about this team isn't about ending, it's about beginning. Thank you guys. There's something in the air. You can feel it.