TIDE GETS HUGE WIN OVER USC IN FOUR OTs

You can tell your grandchildren you were able to watch one of those game that defies description. The Tide won a road game against the top team in the SEC in a four-overtime affair Final Score was 90-86 and the back story was that it was one of the most magnificent wins in Tide history. Alabama has won a lot of big games through the years, but have they ever won more that mean more for a team? As someone said, "the honeymoon for Johnson is over." Maybe so, the Coach got a signature win with a single player whose name might not even draw an Honorable Mention at season's end. More remarkable was that the Tide did so with three starters on the bench for most of the overtime periods. How long was the game? You could cook the Thanksgiving turkey. In his postgame interview, the coach said, "All I got for you is Roll Tide." That about sums it up. Pluck and grit? Yes, sir. The Tide lost the momentum and refused to be buried before 18,000 stunned Carolina fans.Will the Tide make it to the NCAA Tournament? It isn't likely. But, oh my, does the future look bright for the program.

      File this win under courage and heart. Ironically, it was players that the fans have complained who contributed the least, that contributed the most. Avery Johnson, jr., Armond Davis, and Riley Norris all played key roles in winning this game. You can’t overlook Corbin Collins either. In fact, it is hard to overlook anyone who played for the Tide last night.

      Did the Tide play well? For a half, they were as good as any game they have played. They held the Gamecocks, who were leading the SEC Standings into a land of offensive ineptness. South Carolina missed jump shots, bunnies, and three-pointers because Bama contested everything and anything the Gamecocks tried. Do you know how hard it is to hold the leader of the SEC to only 16 points in a half? Frank Martin, the Carolina Coach, maintained that he was responsible for working his players too hard in the two days prior to the game. You have to admire a coach that will throw himself under the bus for his team. Only that wasn’t the truth. The Tide wore down the Gamecocks Dentyne defense up front and personal.

The SEC Officials allowed Sidarius Thornwell to shoot 33 free throws. If he moved he was fouled. I understand the concept behind giving the offensive player a lot of leeways. I don't understand giving a player a free pass to the line everytime he moves toward the basket. In the end, Thornwell had 44 points and 21 rebounds. To Alabama's credit, they shut down every other Carolina player considering the length of the contest. Wimp Sanderson had a personal belief that you conceded the big dog his bone. No one else better have a big night. The truth is that Bama had so few players that could defend him due to foul trouble he was a man left alone. And then, of course, was the officiating.

Riley Norris finished with a double-double. The Albertville native had 11 points and 14 boards. He was also the Alabama go to man on defense. It was Norris's defense on Thornwell in overtime number four that made a key difference in the game. AJ,jr. led Tide scoring with 23 points including 5-10 outside. Armond Davis played 39 minutes and scored 19 points. None was bigger than a corner three to bring the Tide back from the dead in overtime three. Hall played 39 minutes, Norris played 46 and AJjr. played 44 minutes. It was hard to believe that the Tide subs kept the game competitive and then ultimately won with Taylor, Ingram, and Key watching from the bench.

All in all, a signature win for Johnson. Even better it came after two poor games against Arkansas and Auburn. This game gives the Tide 14 wins. The Tide is going to need at least 18 for post season play. The Tide plays Kentucky this Saturday. They will not be favored. They will not be given no chance to win. Having seen the improbable I'm not discounting the impossible.