BAMA NEEDS A POST PLAYER AND A POINT GUARD ASAP

      It doesn't take a brain surgeon to understand that Bama needs a competitive post player and a point guard in April. Dazon Ingram is going to be a star in the SEC before he leaves. Next season, he's going to be a freshman all over. I understand that Dazon played some before an unfortunate practice injury. I know he will be stronger, fully rehabilitated, and full of energy to get back on the floor. Like most of you, I can't wait to see him. He will be rusty, and even though I'm sure he will have gained a lot of knowledge from sitting on the bench. What he does not have is playing time. The loss of Justin Coleman is going to hurt the Tide early on in the season. Nick King is going to step into the departed shoes of Michael Kessens, and he'll do just fine. In fact, he may do a lot better than just fine. 

         In case you've missed the last three years of Tide hoops it is easy to understand Alabama doesn't have a real post player.  That's not a knock to Jimmie Taylor. He has given it 110%. Jimmie just doesn't have the talent to compete with big post players in the NCAA. The jury is still out if Don'ta Hall will make it or not. What Bama needs is a post player who can come in and play the center position next season. I don't see him on the horizon. The word is that Bama is close to getting that point guard, in the form of a grad transfer. The Word is that Alabama is also close to getting a more than decent center who will be a transfer. That means he will have to sit out one season before he can play. If Bama can't find someone to come to Bama to rebound and give Bama a few points inside I doubt next season will be much different from last season. You have to wonder who can take the place of Retin Obasohan?  The short answer to that question is no one. At least, no one I see today. 

       Braxton Key is going to help. I got to watch him five times on ESPN, and he is impressive. He's not flashy, but he is a good player. He is the type of player who can come in as a freshman and contribute. Oak Hill Academy is the best place for basketball players in the East. The Tide should feel good about being able to crack the wall the ACC has built around Oak Hill Academy. I'd bet he won't beat that Key won't be the last player that Johnson signs while he is the coach at Bama. Key is better than good, perhaps not great, but we are lucky to have him. The Tide also signed a tall and talented two-guard in JUCO Armond Davis. He is 6-6 and is going to be a tough man to guard. He can shoot, he can run the floor, and he has the hops to add a lot to the Tide lineup. Both are four-star players. I've wondered if Key might get his fifth star based on his senior season

     The real question in my mind is whether or not Johnson and his staff can add a point guard, and a post player. If Bama can do that, it is possible a much better season is coming up. If we can't sign a couple of good position players, we will have to hope that a year's improvement will carry the team to a higher won-loss record. Let's keep our fingers crossed the coaches have something up their recruiting sleeves.