Regardless of how or how bad the outcome was a W...

     A lot of Alabama fans were surprised by the just how close Auburn came to pulling off the major upset. Count me in that bunch. As many basketball games that I have watched in my life it should never be a major surprise. I thought the Tide was playing as good as they could play after the State game. And now this unexpected letdown. I really don't know what to think about the way the Tide played. 

• Kudos to Green for showing up at the end of what was a horrible basketball game. You have to wonder where was the team that played State. Nice way to close out a home career.

• Releford was just not as effective per his usual game. Auburn fronted him on the zone and gave offside help at the foul line any time he looked as if he might penetrate. Because Bama shooters weren't making many shots the little man from Kansas was shut off. Don't think that film will not be shared with anyone who plays 'Bama.
  
  
• Steele played his usual high impact low statistic game. He made a big difference in the outcome of the game. His leaner into Kenny Gabriel and the subsequent free throws was a big play.
    
• Turnabout is fair play? Almost immediately Steele was call for fouling Gabriel. The replay showed that Steele didn't even touch Kenny. Bad angle on the call? Hardly, just a bad call. Don't tell me that make up calls don't exist

• The new block/charge arc under the basket has done two things: First, it makes it easier for officials to make bad calls based on some false premise. Second, they are indeed making far more bad calls on the block/charge than ever before. How about some no calls? Does it have to be one or the other. I'd like to see a rule against “flopping”. That is unsportsmanlike conduct and deserves a technical foul.

Green's last hooray at Coleman was a winner

     I talked with some friends in Vegas today. The line on the Bama game this weekend is going to be surprising is all they'd say. I say that Bama is at least a 2 point dog in this one. Vandy is an early -4 against Tennessee. It is possible for Alabama to finish second in the SEC. All the scenarios for that to happen still put Bama at the # 4 seed however. I guess it might matter to argue that your team finished second to get a better seed? Just like last year when the Tide finished second? Like that helped. That won't happen this year. Bama's late surge makes selection of the Tide a lot easier. I wonder what happens to State if they lose the last game of the season or the first game in the SEC? The SEC may only get four bids or perhaps State will get to be one of the play-in teams. 

    Bama fans think that Grant deserves some love in the Coach of the Year race. It won't happen. Calipari will win and except for his underhanded recruiting and making an absolute mockery of the educational system, he is deserving. Other names mentioned are Trent at LSU, and Martin at Tennessee. The general view from a lot of national media types is that Alabama underachieved this season. Bama has a chance to match last years 25 wins but it will take a good run for it to happen. I'd take 23 right now and count our blessings. If the Tide wins on Saturday that would be 21 wins with the SEC and NCAA left. That might mean beating Kentucky and a #1 or 2 seed to reach 25 wins. If the Tide can make 6 threes a game it is possible. I'll be making my annual drive over to Oxford, which is joking called the “trail of tears” coming home by my family.  

     I have to give Barbee a salute for his coaching against the Tide. He put on a clinic of the chalkboard. I hope the game serves as a wake up call for Tide. It better because the Rebels will be ready for Alabama. Ole Miss would rather beat Alabama than any team in the SEC. History says the Tide might not win I think if the Tide doesn't beat Ole Miss they will win two in the SEC. I'd rather the Tide win at Oxford because tournament wins have little impact on seeding unless you win the whole shootout. This is probably most one sided SEC in terms of who the winner will be - that's Kentucky. Vandy, Florida, and Alabama get some mention. About 97% think Kentucky will win.