The broadcast crew, when they quit talking among themselves, have said a ton of great things about Alabama. Because of the NIT JaMichael Green, Tony Mitchell, and Trevor Releford are names imprinted in the minds of the basketball nation. Mal Moore has now made two great hires, and what a way to wind down a storied career. Although the hiring of Grant didn't attract the national attention that Saban's hire brought I suspect that next season it will. Next season, the Tide is going to get some attention along the lines of a top ten preseason pick. If you are a basketball fan like me that is a little like find a silver dollar at the end of a corn row.
Tonight, the Tide takes on Wichita State. The Shockers and Alabama have clearly been the best teams in the NIT as far as I am concerned. I really wanted Washington State to beat them. I know that Bama could have defensed State out of the Garden. I'm not so sure about Wichita State. These midwestern kids seem to be playing a level just as elevated as 'Bama. Unlike the slice and dice Buffaloes Colorado this State team is a lot like Alabama. Expect the paint to look like a war zone by games end. Of all the teams Alabama could have faced in the finals the Shockers will probably match up better than anyone. Here's why:
1. For starters the Shockers like to claim the insider just as much as the Tide.
2. The Shockers also have two great ball handlers who might test the Tide's full court defense like no team has been able to do in the NIT.
3. They are also a team that got the shaft from the NCAA. They are 27-8. I don't care what conference you are from. Winning 27 games is a big deal. I think the Big East and Big Ten pretty much killed the idea of superior leagues.
4. If State played in the SEC West they would have either won or finished second behind Bama.
5. They are loosest team I've seen in a long time. These kids look like someone called and said meet me at the playground for some hoops.
6. The Shockers will have a minimum of 5-7 thousand fans in NYC and we'll have 1500 maybe.
To steal a line from TV this is not your father's Oldsmobile. The Shockers aren't anyone's lap dog. They are hard nosed, tough, like the rough and tumble of the insider game, yet have a deft outside game as well. They have better depth of players than Bama and they have a couple of great athletes to boot.
I think Bama will win but I'm not sure. I remember watching the Shockers first game in the NIT and thingking, "they missed the NCAA?" No way that should have happened.
If Shocker post player Garrett Shultz has another 10-13 shooting night like the big man had against Washington State the Tide is in for a long night. He's not a starter. Here's what is tough about State. They have no one great player. They also don't have a weak player 1 through 9 in their rotation. The 75-44 smackdown the Shockers put on Washington State was, what else? Shocking to say the least. Honestly, the game was not that close either. Washington State did not have a melt down. They were melted down by the Shockers. It is rare to watch any team dominate every aspect of a game.
Bama gutted out a one point win over Colorado. Everyone basketball talking head said Bama and the Buffs were far and away the best two teams in the NIT. I don't think they are right. I think Wichita State is dead even with them. I will not be surprised if Bama wins tonight, but I want be shocked (sorry) if we lose.The Shockers give up only 62 points a game. Those are Crimson Tide type numbers.
Bama was a point and a half dog yesterday. Today the Tide is favored by a point and a half. I can't find out why. I'll take Alabama by 2 and say the game will be somewhere in the low 70's.
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