When Andrew Steele dropped in a field goal with 4:29 left in the game it was the last time the Tide would make a field goal. That includes the five minute overtime. So how good is Alabama? Good enough to beat Tennessee on the road and not score any field goals in the final 9:29 seconds of a big SEC road game. That moves the Tide to and first in the SEC.
If you wonder how good Alabama’s defense really is just look at the last ten minutes of the game. In overtime, a poised Tide goes a perfect ten from the free throw line. Green makes 6. Mitchell hit 2, and Releford made another 2. On the other end of the floor the Vols were nailed down tighter than a drum. The Tide gave up 2 field goals rather than contesting those shots to avoid 3 point plays.
Bama survived despite one of the most glaring errors made by an official. Tennessee was awarded the ball and a chance to win the game when an official ruled that JayMichael Green had last touched a ball that went out of bounds. He didn’t. It wasn’t even close to being a correct call. Green lay prone in front of his bench in disbelief. The old Green would have packed it in. The new improved version picked himself off the deck and played great defense on the other end.
The Crimson Tide was playing defense like the game depended on every possession. In retrospect, it did. Tennessee was averaging 78 per game. They scored only on 60 points with a bonus 5 minutes. I know Scotty Hopson didn’t play. I know he might have made a difference. I know that Alabama won 65-60 and that is the only thing that matters. There were times when you wondered if Tennessee could ever score. And for long stretches of time they couldn’t. If your cup of tea is three yards and a cloud of dust you love Alabama.
When Tennessee mounted a good comeback Anthony Grant looked like his face was on Mt. Rushmore. He never changes expressions. He did smile at the Tide fans as the team left the floor. That is the equivalent of Mona Lisa doing a break dance. This man is so calm in stressful situations you’d think he was the Buddha himself. He is so calm that his young team is reassured that the coach has it under control. In the SEC you can win games at home, and you might win a few road games. When you continue to win close road games you’ve got something cooking. The main cook for recipe is Releford and Green. You have to tip your hat to Scenario Hillman for becoming a role player. Same to Chris Hines who scored a ton in JUCO. Now Hillman and Hines play defense like it was meant to be played when a man named Rupp was coaching. I hope you noticed that when things got tight Coach Grant chose to leave Hillman on the floor. Hines was the defensive the star. Tony Hillman gets the nod on offense. Green shook off a sub-standard game to hit big free throws. What can you say about Releford? How about the glue that holds the team together? He played almost flawlessly in a very hostile arena. Bama moves to 7-1 in the league and 15-7 overall. They are currently one of the hottest teams in America. Next up is Vandy in Nashville. Bama never wins in Nashville, right? For now it is enough to walk out of the Orangedome and into the cold night knowing you team is as hot as the red hot sun. 
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