MUST WIN GAME AGAINST A FIERCE AND TALENTED OPPONENT

TIDE FACES LAST STAND FOR NCAA

  I've been looking at a couple of Georgia replays. You look at the Dawgs and wonder how have managed to lose 12 games. All of that talent and Georgia is 16-12? With the talent, Georgia has on the floor you'd think it would be impossible to lose that many games. When you look at Alabama, you think how in the world has this team won 17 games? No, that just isn't possible. They have no center to speak of in Jimmie Taylor, the only real power forward they have Michael Kessens, who hasn't set the SEC on fire. The other "power" forward is Shannon Hale, who is very inconsistent'and likes to shoot from the perimeter. Hale is getting better with driving the ball inside. The other forwards are in reality, two guards. Riley Norris is a hard worker. He has his moments. Arthur Edwards is a retread from New Mexico, who got lucky enough, have Anthony Johnson give him a shot in the SEC. You see the Georgia team and notice they have no weakness at any of their positions. They are great guards. They have, in my opinion, the best two guards as a pair, in the Conference. Alabama has the best point guard in the league in Retin Obasohan. How good do you think Retin would be with Kentucky talent? How great do you think Eulis would be with Alabama's talent? If Retin played for Kentucky, they'd be close to odds-on favorite to win the NCAA. The Georgia guards are in the same category. Their outside shooting will beat anyone in the league on a given night.



 Bombs Away...         

       Georgia's two guards are excellent. J.J. Fraizer is an explosion waiting to happen. He has range, confidence, and no conscious about shooting the ball. When he has the feeling, he is the best shooter in the Conference. He can also penetrate inside. He is averaging 16.4 ppg.  The only player that Alabama has who can match his quickness is Coleman. Johnson could try Riley's size to affect his shooting. Norris isn't quick enough to stop him off the dribble. 

         Georgia's other big guard is Kenny Gaines. The 6-3 210 lb. two-guard is a bruiser who can penetrate and drive to the basket. He is good outside shooter. Throw in Charles Mann, the 6-5 guard and you have a lot of points on the outside. The big difference for the Dogs has been Yantee Mante, who is 6-8, 240 and plays the post. Mante is what makes the Dogs so well rounded. His game is improving, and he can score inside. He's almost at 16 ppg. Inside or outside the Dogs are tough. I have no idea how Georgia could have lost 12 games. If Avery Johnson had this bunch, he'd have 22+ games in the W column.

Bottom Line...

        On the road against a balanced team, there is no way in my mind that Bama can win this game. Logically, the odds are stacked against the Tide. We have been playing poorly, teams have made the decision opposing coaches seems to have made the decision to cut off everyone but Obasohan. Rather than cutting off the head of the snake, coaches are killing the body in a belief the one player cannot beat them. I expect us t see some fairly dramatic changes in the manner Bama plays on offense. The Tide will play well on defense, but you just can't stop a bevy of outside shooters. The Tide held Arkansas to 11 outside shots which was as good as a defense can play. That was tough to do, and now the Tide must do that again against some uncanny shooters. No way Bama wins this one but, I keep thinking that Georgia found a way to lose 12 games with great talent. This is the Tide's final chance to find a path to the NCAA open. Johnson will have them ready.