You have to be proud of the Tide...

Gritty performance may land NCAA bid...
Lacy unlikely for State game

Effort like this was key

    It seems to me that Alabama winning on the road over Arkansas must be considered one of the more important wins in the Anthony Grant era. With the roller coaster going downhill the diminutive group of Crimson Tide guards, plus one big man have won two big games back to back. A season on the brink of disaster is now likely saved for something to remember. I've seen over a 1000 Alabama basketball games. I can't remember one that was more enjoyable to watch which meant something. Last nights game looked like two teams of Smurfs running around chasing a ball. The Crimson Smurfs were just better.

Steele was supreme

     Alabama took a hard right to the chin and fell behind 33-20,  and then  lost Trevor Lacey. Lacey injured his ankle. If you saw him fall and heard his screams of pain you can better understand just how bad his injury might be. Lacey had already drilled 2 three point baskets and added a deuce for 8 points. It was Lacey who kept the Tide close enough to win. It was everyone else who pulled themselves together and played the hardest defense I have seen in years. No joking, no puffing, and no exaggeration in saying that for 10 minutes Arkansas couldn't run a play, couldn't score a basket, and were roundly booed by their own fans.



Lacey's defense on Young in second
half was huge

      Down 13 with 7:38 to go in the first half, Alabama rallied behind their defense, but also used some great shooting to build a 4 point half-time lead of 45-41. The Tide shot 59% from the floor including 6-8 from behind the arc. Arkansas hit 8-11 from behind the arc in the first half. Oddly enough, no one made a point basket in the second half.

• Andrew Steel would be my player of the game. He scored a career high in points,15, and had 3 assists. He pulled down 6 rebounds and was 8-10 from the free throw line.
• Rodney Cooper led a scorers with a very quiet 17 points.
• Trevor Releford had 14 points and enjoyed the last 20 seconds of game as he dribbled alone in front of the Tide bench.
• Nick Jacobs has 14 points, just one shy of his career high, pull down 4 rebounds, but set a lot of time in foul trouble.
• Moussa Gueye and Carl Engstrom each played. Gueye got the start was not as effective as he has been in the past. The same with Engstrom. The game was too fast for them in the full cout. Jacobs's mobility and speed was a key differnce in the game as Alabama controlled the paint durinig his rotation
• Bama needs 1 more win go at least .500 in the league. If they do I believe the Tide will get a bid. Any wins over 8 and in the SEC will help the seeding'
• What happens is Bama wins the last 4, and then 2 games in the SEC. How about a 5 or 6 feed.
• The Tide is playing so well right now I wonder exactly how Grant intends to use Green. Will he start him or use him off the bench. Bama can't beat State without a big game from someone inside. Moultrie and Sydney would have too much size for a four guard lineup.

• A Green/Jacobs vs. Moultrie/Syndey showdown would be fun to watch.

     Finally, for all the anger filled, doom and gloom pessimests who posted that Grant wasn't the man - He is the Man. And everyone who posted negative things about our Coach are just like Old Faithful. You are right on time with your negative posts, but don't do a damn thing except blow off steam... And finally, for you gentleman who take such pleasure in defaming me I just wanted you to know you have me confused with someone who cares what a bunch of whiners and cowards think. Go file yourselves under chicken shit a/k/a per America Graffiti, time for your next shift down at Wendy's, flunkees, choad scrapers,wankers, wife beaters, girl friend bashers, santorum producers, and all you guys who prove to sane people that Rick Santorum is insane, post away. Go find some self esteem, prozac, and class. You are unfit to be an Alabama Man in any capacity.