TIDE NEEDS TO GET BACK TO BASICS

OBASOHAN PUTS ON A SHOW

     The sun came up this morning. I wasn't sure that would happen. Alabama's NCAA dream is over barring something miraculous occurring. Being those miracles seem to be in short supply for this year's unbelievable scrappy team I'm not holding my breath. Last night in a jam-packed Coleman Coliseum, the Crimson Tide came up short against a hot-shooting Arkansas team. And the same thief stole another win. Alabama couldn't make free throws which would have padded a strong second half comeback. 65% (15-23) isn't good enough to earn a victory in a one-point game.

     When you review the box score that was the only deficit for the Tide numbers wise. It seemed the Tide simply didn't have the offense to score, other than the gifted one, Retin Obasohan. The was as good a defensive game as you will ever see in modern college basketball. Once again it was Obasohan who scored more than half of Alabama's points. This time, he knocked in 32 on 10-19 shooting, including a key three-pointer, and then a final second shot from just over halfcourt. He also made 9-12 free throws.

     The Tide's stifling defense allowed the SEC's best three-point shooting team to a mere 11 attempts. They made three. Had the Tide won this game their perimeter defense would have been the story of the game. Athlon Bell seemed to hit key baskets when it appeared the Tide might have started a winning run. You have to give loads of credit to Mike Anderson and his team for a hard-nosed performance.

     What I've been thinking about is what's "wrong" with this team. We seem to have slowly drifted into letting Obasohan do far too much. We've lost the team concept that brought us so much success. The team's passing and the "extra" pass are missing. Riley and Edwards are not getting enough shots. Too much offensive responsibility is placed on Retin, and the other players (if you watch a replay) are standing around waiting. The players are not looking for those gaps in the defense to find open shots. The offensive scheme can change to where we were.

     The NCAA is highly unlikely for the Tide, and if that offends you, I'm sorry. We need to let Hall play as many extra games as possible. He's our future at center. The NIT is likely to give us a home game, which could turn into two games. I know we are all disappointed, but have you ever seen a team with so little big time talent play as good as this one. Let me tell all of you to remember that Nick King is going to play forward next season and we should have another scorer. We have a couple of four-star recruits coming in as well. One is a load down low. The other can shoot the lights out. We'll try to get at least one more guard unless Ferguson re-commits, which is possible according to a couple of Texas AAU coaches.