TIDE FACES A SUDDENLY HOT AU TEAM THIS WEEKEND...
his may sound a little over the top. Based upon Alabama's last two games, all of a sudden AU is an important basketball game. It's not just because they are the barn. Alabama needs to get back in gear, and a home game against your in-state arch-rival may be just the ticket. Alabama needs to regroup and start shooting the ball. What Kentucky did to the Tide isn't relevant to this weekend's game. Kentucky's talent was so much better than Alabama's it isn't even close. The talent levels will be much closer this weekend.
Retin was best guard on floor at Kentucky
After watching the game, I think Retin Obasohan would be the only Bama player that could make the UK first eight players. This Saturday, Retin Obasohan, will once again be called on to carry the Tide to a win. At the start of the season, I speculated that Retin was going to make an All-SEC team, and he is underrated by the media 'experts'. Perhaps the word ignored would be a more accurate description of what the whiz kids thought of Retin.
In my opinion, he is the best guard in the SEC and has every right to be named SEC Player of the Year. For that to happen his teammates, need to cut out the sloppy play and help him a little. They need to help him more than a little. I applaud Johnson for allowing him to rest in the last few minutes of the Kentucky game. Ask John Calipari, who the big dog was on Tuesday night. Calipari took some extra time to tell the senior what a great game he had just played.
What to do this weekend?
Let's set the table for the weekend. What's needed?
1. Arthur Edwards needs to return to his earlier form.
2. Riley Norris must have some sets run for him to shoot.
3. In fact, the entire team needs to shoot the ball more.
4. Just play defense in the manner the Tide has done most of the season.
5. I'd take Michael Kessens into the back of the locker room and give him the message - play harder, play meaner, or sit on the bench a be a cheerleader. His lack of aggressive play is hurting the Tide. His weak ball handling has been going on long enough. He needs to show us more than a glimpse here and there. It's time to like a junk yard dog and not a lost puppy.
6. Same for Taylor. Be a man under the boards. Let me clarify. I think his shot blocking is super. He needs to pull down a lot more rebounds. In fairness to Taylor, those high screens take him away from the basket on the offensive end. But on the defensive end, he needs to kill the 'Eye of the Tiger'' this weekend.
Pearl is a good coach like him or not?
I know we like to call Bruce Pearl "the sweat hog" as a joke. He is one helluva coach and don't ever confuse his persona with his ability. This man has proven he can coach at every coaching stop he makes. You may not like him, but don't ever underestimate him. AU's win over Georgia on Tuesday night was a great victory for his program. He is an excellent manager of his roster. The game this weekend is going to be fascinating. A team that is having a late season surge vs. a team who was surging but now has lost two in a row. Throw in the fact that this is the ultimate rivalry game for both teams and you may have a war. Auburn would love to end the Tide's dream of an NCAA bid.
his may sound a little over the top. Based upon Alabama's last two games, all of a sudden AU is an important basketball game. It's not just because they are the barn. Alabama needs to get back in gear, and a home game against your in-state arch-rival may be just the ticket. Alabama needs to regroup and start shooting the ball. What Kentucky did to the Tide isn't relevant to this weekend's game. Kentucky's talent was so much better than Alabama's it isn't even close. The talent levels will be much closer this weekend. Retin was best guard on floor at Kentucky
After watching the game, I think Retin Obasohan would be the only Bama player that could make the UK first eight players. This Saturday, Retin Obasohan, will once again be called on to carry the Tide to a win. At the start of the season, I speculated that Retin was going to make an All-SEC team, and he is underrated by the media 'experts'. Perhaps the word ignored would be a more accurate description of what the whiz kids thought of Retin.
In my opinion, he is the best guard in the SEC and has every right to be named SEC Player of the Year. For that to happen his teammates, need to cut out the sloppy play and help him a little. They need to help him more than a little. I applaud Johnson for allowing him to rest in the last few minutes of the Kentucky game. Ask John Calipari, who the big dog was on Tuesday night. Calipari took some extra time to tell the senior what a great game he had just played.
What to do this weekend?
Let's set the table for the weekend. What's needed?
1. Arthur Edwards needs to return to his earlier form.
2. Riley Norris must have some sets run for him to shoot.
3. In fact, the entire team needs to shoot the ball more.
4. Just play defense in the manner the Tide has done most of the season.
5. I'd take Michael Kessens into the back of the locker room and give him the message - play harder, play meaner, or sit on the bench a be a cheerleader. His lack of aggressive play is hurting the Tide. His weak ball handling has been going on long enough. He needs to show us more than a glimpse here and there. It's time to like a junk yard dog and not a lost puppy.
6. Same for Taylor. Be a man under the boards. Let me clarify. I think his shot blocking is super. He needs to pull down a lot more rebounds. In fairness to Taylor, those high screens take him away from the basket on the offensive end. But on the defensive end, he needs to kill the 'Eye of the Tiger'' this weekend.
Pearl is a good coach like him or not?
I know we like to call Bruce Pearl "the sweat hog" as a joke. He is one helluva coach and don't ever confuse his persona with his ability. This man has proven he can coach at every coaching stop he makes. You may not like him, but don't ever underestimate him. AU's win over Georgia on Tuesday night was a great victory for his program. He is an excellent manager of his roster. The game this weekend is going to be fascinating. A team that is having a late season surge vs. a team who was surging but now has lost two in a row. Throw in the fact that this is the ultimate rivalry game for both teams and you may have a war. Auburn would love to end the Tide's dream of an NCAA bid.
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