Petty decides to stay with 'Bama



    I want to applaud John Petty for making the decision to exit the transfer portal and play for Nate Oats next season. He ought to be happy in his three-point point shooting offense. Petty, Mack, and Lewis will greatly benefit from the new offense. That assumes that Lewis will return. Petty had some good games last season, notably the Tennessee game when  Petty almost led the Tide to an upset on the road. 

     Petty's defense improved this season. His rebounding was impressive for a 6-5 player skinny as a rail. But Petty can elevate with anyone. If it is true that Scott Cochran is going to take over the weight and strength program it will make Petty a potential All-SEC player next season. In fact, all of Bama's players played pretty soft last season. That means they got pushed around too much.

     Petty is also free to contact potential recruits like Trendon Watford and Kira Lewis. I have watched a couple of videos of Oats at Buffalo. You better be in shape and you better be ready to share the rock. Petty is not a selfish player and my bet is he will thrive under his new coach.  It hurts when the coach that recruits you is forced to leave. All of Alabama's players can't say they weren't happy with being at the University of Alabama. The Tide is a family in a sense. Because of the fewer number of players you are all close friends. Because the fanbase is smaller, a lot of fans and players are friends as well.

NAT OATS TAKES CONTROL OF THE PROGRAM...


    My thoughts on our new coach. He seems to be a really good coach. In fact, he seems like "our kind of guy" and I will support him fully, but...

    Are right back in the Anthony and Avery boat. We thought each of them was the man.  Past success at lower divisions outside a Power Five conference cannot make you successful in the SEC.  So, we need to understand that Alabama is taking a risk once again. I suppose the AD took a cost-benefit analysis approach in making this decision. I think the money Alabama paid Johnson took a financial toll and might have had something to do with his decision. That is somewhat understandable. Or it may mean that Alabama cannot attract a current big-time coach. If you can't attract one try to hire one and hope he becomes big-time. 

    None of what I have said means I have a negative opinion about our coach or AD. It isn't like we are betting the ranch on drawing a card to an inside straight.  But it isn't like having three of kind hoping to get a fourth king either. For all the Halleluiahs that Alabama exerts to sell Nate Oats, you have to throw in a couple of Hail Marys as well. Do I hope Oats is successful?  Of course, all 'Bama fans want him to be. The Capstone needs him to be. Truthfully, none of us know. The difference between a Thad Matta type coach is you can expect him to be. With Oats, you have some indication of what he might be able to do at Alabama. But hope is still a big part if you think about it. I am not being negative or wildly excited. Temperant is the right word.

   This isn't going to be an overnight success story and a walk down the yellow brick road. This isn't going to be a Bataan Death March either, but there are going to be some down times ahead. Task one - convince those in the transfer portal to stay at Alabama. Task two is to recruit Trendon Watford and one more big man. Task three is to convince the fanbase to lower expectations for a couple of years or four. 

   I hope he can do it and let's give some room. Alabama is a tough job. He's not a kid. He's mature and that will help at Alabama. I like him a lot though. This press conference was tempered with a dash of hard-hat thrown in. I believe you work hard for this man or you transfer out. I think Alabama needs a little more of that in Coleman, don't you? He seemed sincere and that is important. Johnson was a salesman. Oats is a leader. 

UPDATE:  CNO said some things this writer needed to hear. He didn't promise instant success, instead, he took a more logical stance of "continue to build". I like that. It was better to say that outright and have it out of the way. He said  he would likely keep one instate coach in a kind of "lay of the land strategy." It was respectful to give each assistant coach a chance to talk with him about their future. N.O. said he is also open to giving a high school coach a leg up as his mentor did for him. Paying it forward never hurts. If the two time Alabama High School Player of the Year and a 5-star recruit plays for a talented coach in Mountain Brook, Alabama. That statement is going to light up the board. Those things answered a lot of questions I had. He appears solid. He is a competitor. He has a plan and he said the University will give him the funds to compete to make his blueprint work. You can't ask for a more logical and thoughtful approach. 

I have a source close to high school basketball in Birmingham. He says that Watford will sit and listen to what the coach has to say. It might happen tonight.

     Greg Byrne had his Mike Shula moment and passed it when he fired Avery Johnson.  We should give him credit for that. My thought is the loss to Norfolk State was the final blow. We will never know if Alabama had a nice run in the NIT might have saved his job. I was afraid that a couple of good wins might have given him a stay of execution. Anyone who knows anything about basketball could see that the problems the Tide had were more than just lack of good coaching.  The team had lost confidence in themselves. They had also lost confidence in their coach.  I don’t think Johnson was a horrible coach. He just wasn’t as good as most coaches he faced. We should also acknowledge his effort and love for Alabama. But Byrne fired Johnson for the good of the program. I acknowledge and think him for that, and we should all remember that in my opinion.\

     So now he has to find a basketball coach. That is an easy thing to do. The hard part is finding the right man. I believe that Thad Matta is that man. My second choice would be Greg in the “we got stood up at the Marshall. Hem alter” comments. Business is business. I even saw where one of our posters called his wife an alcoholic. Why would anyone do that? I have no way to know if that is true.  His children were young. Marshall. Perhaps he thought that his children and wife were more important. He is a great coach at University that loves basketball.  He would be a great coach at the University of Alabama. He would fit in with the ‘Bama Nation because he needs to. That is pretty much how I’d feel about all of the top candidates. Some of the other candidates might be great coaches. We need someone with a proven record. Wimp Sanderson knows great. He can tell Byrne what he thinks and he will.

      I have a good feeling about finding the right coach. Let’s give the AD the time and space needed. No harm in expressing who you want. I love Alabama basketball. It is a blessing and a curse at the same time. I have broken bread with our coaches and players. I have all over the world to watch them play. Some I’ve coached some in the Summer leagues. Yeah, gave a few free legal advice. I’ve driven them to schools in the middle of nowhere when they agreed to help reading and school programs. Each minute has been a joy. I still have college coaches call me to help a player here and there with free throw shooting. If it’s about hoops I’m in. If it is about Alabama hoops I’m all in all the time. 

     By the way, my third choice coaches at Nevada and he’s a good one.  His philosophy on life is an inspiration to everyone. If you have stumbled and fallen you’ll like this man.

MATTA ON CAMPUS IS A RUMOR IMO. MORE LATER. 

Where does the coaching search stand?

     All I can tell you is the search continues. There is some information we can share, however. Opinions have ranged from Rick Pitino to a high school coach. Those are not options that Greg Bryne is likely to choose.  Public opinion seems to be floating toward Thad Matta, at least among Tide fans. Other names are being mentioned in the national media, but nothing is definitive. Alabama is playing this one close to the vest.  I wish Alabama would select someone prior to the end of March Madness. It might be the kind of hire that would give the University some positive news and help promote the University.

         Some people have said that Matta used the University. I'd like to see where you got that information. Matta reportedly has a due diligence clause in the buy-out agreement. I bet Avery Johnson does as well. If Alabama makes the correct offer to a candidate they will accept an offer. It isn't all about money. I've read a lot of names  Some of them make sense to me. Others don't. Here are some names we should remember.

1. Thad Matta - Health has been a problem. I'm not going to speculate exactly what that means. Matta will know when it is time to return to coaching. Side-bar: Matta might like being out of the limelight at Bama. Nick Saban gets the attention in this State. Beyond that, Matta is the best candidate with longtime experience as a head coach. He has proven a success.

2. Andy Kennedy - Kennedy lost his job at Ole Miss. Don't forget how much his tenure helped Ole Miss. He is a solid coach, well-known among Southeastern recruits. Kennedy's TV exposure makes his names familiar with a lot of people. His players liked him. Not a bad choice at all ...

3. Kelvin Sampson - he served his time with the show-cause. It's over. The man did his time. Let it go.  He is a winner. He has been a winner at every place he has coached, and he has brought Houston back to some of its old prestige? Isn't that what Bama fans and the AD want? 

4. Steve Prohm - I remember Steve when he worked for David. He has done well at Iowa State, and has ties with Alabama? Is that good or bad? Not a bad choice at all, but I am not sure he has prominence which would help Alabama. Prohm now says he is not interested in the 'Bama job.

5. Fred Hoiberg - a good college coach and struggled in the NBA. He is well-respected in college coaching circles. I wouldn't put him in the 'likely to be interviewed" category. We could do a lot worse.

5. Rick Pitino - We all know RP.  He is a great coach. Pitino denies all allegations about his involvement in some of the more savory things at Louisville. He's in the not likely to be interviewed category in my opinion as of now. 

6. Chris Beard - Red-hot mamma, hotter than a pepper-patch... like Coach Grant was at VCU. Although, his success at Arkansas Little-Rock shows consistency in winning. No disrespect to Coach Beard, but he may cost Alabama more than they will pay due to contractual obligations to terminate his contract with Tex-Tech. Alabama might talk with him. The league where he coaches is a good league. He'd be used to the stiff competition.

7. Greg Marshall - He turned down 'Bama before, but he would be a solid choice. He is excellent at evaluating talent, as well as elevating talent once he signs them. He is the four things that Byrne wanted per his interview. So let's not get upset he turned Alabama down once before. 

Note: I put Matta at the top. I really don't see a front-runner after that. I'm sure the AD has a couple already. Look for a surprise announcement from the AD when he's made the decision. Here's some to think about - If we don't hear something during the NCAAT does it mean that a possible candidate is still coaching? A lot of schools, including UCLA, need a coach.  So does Vanderbilt in the SEC. 

Two names I have heard for the UCLA job is Bruce Pearl and Mark Gottfried. Hard to put my head around those guys. MB has coached on staff at UCLA and Pearl is an LA Big City kind of guy. 

Mike Anderson fired today and not everyone likes it.

Some thoughts on a new head coach...

    There are plenty of coaches looking for jobs and schools that will be offering jobs. That is always the case at the end of any basketball season. Alabama's hunt is underway already. Agents for basketball coaches are contacting the Alabama AD daily about the opening at Alabama. I have some ideas about which candidates Alabama might be interested in to fill the vacancy. 

      Alabama has some unique situations that need to be addressed, and it will take an individual with high self-esteem and confidence to address those.  Not all coaches actually have the characteristics. Alabama needs to hire a person who can provide some initial success. That is VERY IMPORTANT in the upcoming selection. It has been a decade since Alabama has tasted real success. I know that Johnson and Grant each took a team to the NCAAT, but did not achieve where they wanted the program Let me define success. Worming your way into the Dance with a must-have win is not a success strategy. What Alabama wants is a coach that can take teams to the NCAAT by doing all the right things to set the process into place and refresh and not rebuild. The current Alabama roster has enough talent to build a decent foundation, and the incoming class is a top-twenty group. The talent level may not get Alabama into the top twenty rankings,  but will some hard work they can make the NCAA field next season. 

       The Tide needs a big man who can score and rebound. He doesn't have to score a ton of points, but he needs to be a productive rebounder. Better guard play might be possible with two incoming players. A really good small forward is already signed. Alabama also needs a power forward. Tevin Mack fills that role now, although he is a small forward in stature.  

       The Trendon Watford situation. If Bama gets an outstanding coach, Alabama might get back on his list. Watford has strong ties with one current player. 

Who do I want? 

     This is an easy pick for me. Thad Matta would be a dream come true. His record is replete with championships. A lot of people on the board here says that he is damaged goods. I am amazed by what people say they know. They don't know anything first hand. If Matta says he is ready to come back to college coaching I would take him at his word. If is back problem is better he knows. We don't know. Matta would be the most accomplished coach Alabama could hire. TM would shake the foundations of the SEC coaching ranks with an unexpected and outstanding head coach. Sources not close to this writer have reported that Matta is on campus today. 

Tomorrow: Other candidates

 Bama's Search for a New Head Coach ... 

        Do you wonder if Alabama can find a great head coach?  Will the history of mediocrity bother some coaches, or will attract coaches? Will the fact that Alabama is first and foremost a football school make coaches wary of coming to Tuscaloosa? Finally, how much money will Alabama be willing to pay?  What would make any highly successful coach want to coach at Alabama?

1.       CAN ALABAMA CONVINCE BIG TIME COACH TO COME TO TUSCALOOSA? I’m not sure that a really successful college coach in D-1 power conference wants to coach at Alabama. The State of Alabama is not a rich recruiting area. It was at one time, but the talent isn’t what it used to be. Just because fans love the Tide, a lot of expectations are broadly brushed by the football success. We are not entitled to a great coach because Nick Saban is a great coach.  Basketball coaches have pretty big egos.

2.       ALABAMA’S LAST DECADE OR SO ISN’T CONDUCIVE TO RECRUITS OR COACHES - Alabama hasn’t had much success in the last decade. A culture of mediocrity has been around for a long time. That hurt’s recruiting. A 17 or 18-year-old kid has looked at Alabama hasn’t seen much to entice them to play in Tuscaloosa during their lifetimes.  That’s the downside to being unsuccessful.  There is an upside. A great recruiter might be able to convince players to a sign and play now philosophy.

3.       Can being a football power help Alabama’s basketball program? The evidence would suggest the answer to that question is no.  Some exceptions can be found. But perhaps my question is the wrong thing to ask. Can an SEC basketball team benefit from the football madness of the Deep South? Florida was national champions in both sports, but the Gators had exceptional coaches in both sports. Ask Kentucky football fans if having a great basketball program helps their football. While not 100% true it seems that most SEC teams cannot be great in both sports. Granted, the SEC hasn’t always tried to have great basketball coaches. If you look at the BIG Ten you will see success in both sports but the reason why is that part of our nation has a huge African-American population center nearby.

4.       Will money help? It never hurts, but it doesn’t guarantee success. Alabama paid Avery Johnson 3 million to coach at the Capstone. How much did it help the Tide?  If you want to hire a top-level coach you better be willing to shell out big bucks for top assistants.

Biggest Danger for the Tide: If you look at historical success there are two things that are clear-cut. First, teams become successful are likely to stay successful. Alabama no longer falls into this category. Second, a team that stays unsuccessful for an extended period might never be successful again. (exceptions occur)  Bama is close to being in this category.  In fact, if this hire isn’t productive the Tide is looking at a further drop in success in my opinion. You can argue that Anthony Grant and Avery Johnson, while not as successful as hoped, at least didn’t let the Tide hit rock bottom. The second half of the past season could be hitting the iceberg if the new coach can’t get things on track quickly. Any potential coach will look at the current situation and give that scenario some serious thought. UCLA may have hit the second point now. While older fans look at the Bruins as the gold standard, I know a lot of younger fans who don’t know about the history of UCLA. (See point 2 above)

Why this hire will be successful – after talking to some of my old friends in Tuscaloosa I am convinced the Tide will make the financial commitment necessary to succeed. In a league of coaching ascendency, the Tide cannot risk falling further behind. That doesn’t mean that Alabama will sign the best available coach.  There are major risks for any candidate to come to Alabama. If the Tide signs an up and comer he will be vetted like no coach in Alabama basketball history.  If the new hire leaving everyone scratching their heads we are in trouble. This is going to be a tough gig.  And wait for it…. A new place to play ASAP.  A palace isn’t needed but an oversize Quonset Hut won’t cut it. Where a kid plays may not be really necessary, but other coaches can convince a kid and his parents it counts. 

JOHNSON LOST HIS TEAM AT MID-SEASON ACCORDING TO AL.COM...

     According to Al.com, the Crimson Tide players lost confidence in their head coach around mid-season. That coincides with the total collapse of the Crimson Tide basketball team which lost eight of their last eleven games. Many of the losses were embarrassing. "Toxic" was team used by Joseph Goodman who reported the situation and used that team to describe the atmosphere in the Tide locker room. His source was described merely as "I have been told." He also reported that Trendon Watford had eliminated Bama as his team of choice due to Johnson's inability to establish a winning culture in the Alabama program. If true, it is a damning report regarding Coach Johnson. 

         Johnson is asking 6 million dollars upfront for his contractual 'buy-out' clause. It is reported that Johnson and Alabama are discussing how to end the relationship. Alabama has made no official statement. The search for a new head coach is underway. We have previously talked about the commitment to college basketball at Alabama. I have three men I'd like to see interviewed for the job as the head basketball coach position.  Eric Musselman at Nevada, Thad Matta, one-time head coach at Ohio State, and Kelvin Sampson who has coached at Oklahoma. I also think that some effort should be made to see if Rick Pitino might be interested.

According to a source close to the program - The main source of discontent was the inability to give some players offensive schemes that were successful

 Will Avery Johnson stay at 'Bama next year?

      Alabama Athletic Director Greg Byrne has reached a pivotal moment in his tenure at Alabama. He will soon make a decision whether to keep Avery Johnson as the head coach of Men’s Basketball. His decision will also tell us whether or not he is serious about basketball. This past Saturday, Byrne, and Johnson had a serious meeting about Johnson’s future. Last night couldn’t have helped Avery’s cause.

      Coach Johnson has failed to improve basketball at the Capstone. He took one team to the NCAAT and three teams to the NIT. If your team has a beating pulse you should always make it to the NIT. Alabama has been a dead team walking for the past dozen or so games. The most amazing thing about this year’s team is not just the losing but how they lost. The Tide went from being a decent team to a national embarrassment. 

       It is not optimism isn’t when your head coach has watched his team disintegrate and believes “we are in a good spot.” No disrespect to Johnson, but we are not in a good spot. That is not optimism. That is denying reality. If Byrne decides to let Coach Johnson continue it sends a signal to fans that Alabama is not serious about becoming a better a program.

       This is a Mike Shula moment. If Byrne allows Johnson to continue it sends a clear signal to basketball fans we should accept mediocrity.  This isn’t a situation where the coach has put together excellent seasons before.  I have said many times it may take Coach Johnson five years to make the Tide a contender. It doesn’t mean watching your team turn into Laurel and Hardy in year four. If Johnson stays and can convince Trendon Watford to come to Alabama, things will be much better next year. The Tide has signed three excellent players, one of which seems underrated to me. Watford might opt for Alabama because he views himself as a one and done player. Johnson can help him get to the NBA. It might also help Johnson to get back into the NBA.

       Regardless of what happens Byrne has to take some responsibility for this season as well.’ If you build it they will come.’ Give our players a first-rate facility. Give our recruiters something to showcase prospects. Give basketball every chance it needs to succeed. That will be expensive in the short run. It will be profitable in the long run. A nebulous announcement of a better facility came across as a disingenuous to a lot of fans. This decision will tell all of us the truth about the future commitment to basketball. If Johnson stays another season it will not be the end of the world.

       If you want to know how the fans feel, 2400 or so attended the game. That is a stone cold fact that cannot be overlooked. 

Johnson needs a win tonight ...

     Someone sent me an email and asked what I thought would happen to Avery Johnson if Alabama lost tonight?  I don't know. The Alabama social media would completely melt down. Besides that would one more win or another "bad" loss make any difference in his future at Alabama?  I'm not sure that Tide fans can get any more upset or disillusioned with buckle up. On the other hand, winning the NIT might quieten a lot of angry fans. 

          The top 68 teams in the NCAA are not all in the Big Dance. There are so many automatic bids going to smaller conferences a lot of good power five teams get left out. But, basketball is different than football. Lesser teams in football can be powerful teams in basketball. Villanova, VCU, and Gonzaga quickly come to mind. You can't compare basketball with football. History matters a lot in basketball. But, above everything else, basketball is a coach driven sport. A great basketball coach can take five players and win conference championships.  A football coach can't take eleven players and do the same. 

         Money is so important in football. It isn't nearly as important in basketball. In basketball, you can even play in a pretty bad arena and get away with it. If you have tradition and some historical importance. Duke and UCLA have proven that fact, but if you are like Alabama you need better facilities. And you need a great coach. You cannot be a great basketball team without a great coach in my opinion. That includes recruiting. Here's one of the ironies in the world of hoops. A great coach can win average players.  

        Alabama isn't a great team or program for that matter. So what is it that Alabama lacks? Is it coaching or is it recruiting? Does Alabama have great players? Certainly not in the category that they once had. You don't get a lot of Collin Sexton players. If Alabama isn't going to spend money on a state of the art facility, that hurts anyone who comes to Alabama to coach. It would take a famous and proven coach to come to Alabama. I doubt Alabama will spend the money needed to do that. 

       In a post-Johnson era, what should Alabama do? The only remaining choice is to take a gamble on an up and coming young coach. That is tricky, and most frequently doesn't work. It does on occasion. Billy Donovan worked out. Alabama would greatly benefit from the elimination of the one and done rule as well. The NCAA needs to include more teams to make sure the top 68 teams get an invitation. Play one more game and that solves a whole lot of problems for teams without the big names. Basketball is a tournament sport.

     If Alabama loses tonight will Johnson be booed? Johnson doesn't deserve that. But the AD needs to understand that the fans deserve more. For the record, Alabama by 10. The best indicator of future success is a past success. If Alabama can land Watford and perhaps another inside player we will be better next season regardless who is the coach. Our signed recruits have been assured Johnson is returning. What does that tell you? 

    Don'ta Hall dropped some hints about team problems in his interview. That is never good. Perhaps that would be a good place for Johnson to start next year.

What a rotten season...


     I haven't written anything in the last couple of days. Sometimes you need to just reflect. Disappointment abounds in the Tide Nation. We have fallen even further behind Auburn. We have to tip our hats to the Tigers, however. They had a great weekend of basketball and pulled themselves together with outstanding basketball the latter part of the season. They did that as the Tide simply walked away into nothingness.

     If I missed Avery Johnson saying he was to blame let me know. I heard a lot of 'we' but don't recall a lot of 'me'. The blame falls on Johnson. He makes  $3 million dollars a year. That breaks down to $8229 dollars a day. Perhaps he'll find some solace on the way to the bank. He said the team needs to look in a mirror to see who was at fault. Johnson needs to look in a full-length mirror himself.

    Johnson was a lousy coach this season. He alluded to some recruiting problems. He is the coach and he recruits the players. I think it is unfair to criticize the players you pick. I'll watch the NIT. I enjoy the NIT because the NIT helped give birth the greatest era of Alabama basketball. Going to the Big Apple has a country boy was a road trip to remember and changed my life. I snuck in the first game because I lost my ticket. A New York Cop winked at me and told me to go on in. I sat on the fifth-row midcourt. Acted like I belonged. It was high cotton for a Blount County boy.

    Not much to say about the closeness of our NCAAT  hopes. We all know what happened. Now we need to hope that Avery Johnson can acknowledge his fault publically and fix things. One more year like the last and he just needs to leave. He is a nice man. I watched Alex Reese light up Kentucky and remember thinking why hasn't Johnson played him more. First thing I'd do (after apologizing to the fans) is to hire the mother of all weight coaches and make the players look like something other than bean poles.

How Bama could beat Ole Miss...

    None of this ‘must have stuff’.  Not talking about’ backs to the wall’. We all know what tonight’s game against Ole Miss means to Alabama’s NCAAT hopes.  Al Davis said it best. “Just win, baby.” Let’s look at what Alabama needs to do. This will be the Reader’s Digest version.

1.    Remember that you did beat Ole Miss before, a/k/a, try to get your heads screwed on tight and have a positive attitude

2.    Throw caution to the wind. Play like there is no tomorrow. Tomorrow could be the NIT. You should believe you are better than the NIT

3.    Dazon Ingram might play, but he is not close to 100%. Get Junior fired up for big game.

4.    Please don’t let Herbert Jones play the point guard position. Keep him inside to help rebound and block shots.

5.    Play Galin Smith and Don’ta Hall at the same time to get offensive rebounds.

6.    Hope Ole Miss has a bad shooting day, and the Tide can help make that happen. Change defenses to keep Ole Miss from finding an offensive rhythm.

7.    John Petty and Kira Lewis must shoot more often. Tevin Mack must understand his limitations.

8.    As soon as anyone shoots the ball for Bama, Kira Lewis and the other Alabama guard must get back on defense.

9.    If Ingram can’t play let him post up inside. Let Mack hang around the elbow.

10. Play hard, fast, and tough but not stupid. Ole Miss is going to overextend their defensive perimeter play. Take advantage of that. No lazy passes

11. Free throws matter

12. Coach needs to play Alex Reese in this game. He causes match-up problems. 

13. Please set some plays for Petty to shoot. If Petty shoots well we will win.

14. If I were Avery Johnson I’d tell my team that we can beat Ole Miss. We have an app for that.

15. Johnson has to be an All-American Coach for four segments only. The first and last five minutes of each half.

16. If Bama has a lead late please let Junior play to have better ball handling on the floor.

17. Play Kira Lewis as a two guard more tonight.

18. Alabama has beaten Ole Miss and Kentucky. Ironic seeing for the Tide.

19. We gotta see a lot of Riley Norris tonight. He settles the team down.

20. Show the world that this team has some pride.

   John Wooden never prepared his team for what the other team might do on offense. Johnson needs to concentrate on what his team can do. Make it simple, repetitive, and play hard defense.  Be like John Wooden.

    The Ole Miss guards are going to score on offense. Wimp had a philosophy I loved.  Let the big dogs get their points. Don’t let anyone else get their average.

`

CAN ALABAMA MAKE IT TO THE NCAA?

      One of the real problems with being such an "underachieving" team at this time of the year is the bid stealer. The bid stealer is a team who wasn't going to the dance wins their conference's automatic bid. St. Mary's upset Gonzaga last night to get the Western Conference's auto-bid.  St. Mary's had been a bubble team of late. Joe Lunardi said that even with a win over Ole Miss it would be almost too close to call. Joe had already moved Alabama down from the first four out to the next four out. Jerry Palm has the Tide should get in.

      I kept saying that one more win in the SECT may not be enough, but some fans believed it would be. I'm not a flat-earth believer. There is one way that beating Ole Miss, a dubious bet at best, might be enough would involve Kentucky winning the SECT. That might be enough to make the Wildcat's a stronger number one seed. Alabama needs to see at least five of teams ranked above them lose.  Teams like Ohio State, Indiana, Florida, Texas, N.C. State, Arizona State, and St. John's drop a game now. There are other teams that fall into this category.

    What else might help? If the Tide somehow pulls beats Ole Miss and then beat Kentucky as well. If Mississippi State wins the SEC or makes it to the finals that might be enough for Bama to make it. Alabama needs for Arkansas to beat Florida, The Tide needs State to win their first SECT game and then beat Tennessee. Those things will help. The point is that so many things have to happen to give Alabama a chance. Frankly, when you haven't won but six of your last eight games and none against good teams you shouldn't make into the Dance.  Alabama doesn't deserve a ticket, but they might get one. Then what happens? Two things come to mind. Avery Johnson will be able to say his team made it to the NCAA. Not because they are good enough to deserve a bid, but because there are so many teams this season they have to take somebody. The second thing is that the AD might think Johnson deserves to stay even longer. The word extension will be mentioned.

    I'm a fan just like you. I want Alabama to get into the NCAAT. Someone always seems to be Cinderella. It could be us. Then again, the earth isn't flat, alternative facts don't exist, and there is always a slim mathematical chance Vandy wins the SEC in football next season. Alabama has blown so many chances to get a bid by not taking care of business. They didn't or honestly, they couldn't.  They shouldn't have lost any home games to start with. Northeastern is not a real team but a direction. Made a few more free throws. It wasn't like the team didn't know they needed to make some, perhaps group therapy about losing confidence was in order. Alabama should beat teams such as UCF. Maybe the coach should have given some players additional pine time instead of participation ribbons. I don't know and don't care. I just want to win tomorrow. But we still need a change in the direction of the program. Roll Tide Roll.

My bet: Even if the Tide beats Ole Miss they are out. If Alabama beats the Rebels and  KU they are in.

Update !!!!!  Joe Lundari said that 6 teams who rank higher in the current ratings must lose of Bama to make the Tournament, and beat Ole Miss. OSU lost to TCU 73-70. This is not good for the Tide.

THE WILL WADE PROBLEM AND THE SEC TOURNAMENT...

      Now that LSU has suspended Will Wade the SEC faces some interesting decisions in the SEC Tournament. No one is going to tell LSU they shouldn't play for the league's automatic berth, but the entire situation smells like a three day old dead fish. If the allegations about Wade and Javonte Smith are true it is very possible that every LSU win will be forfeited. If Wade bought Smith, a natural question arises. Did Wade buy other players as well? That is only logical. If a coach will steal little he will steal big, won't he? LSU and the SEC are in a bad spot. The havoc that will fall on LSU and the rippling effect on the other SEC teams will need to be addressed. 

      Wade isn't going to admit to any complicity in the matter regardless if it gets LSU put on probation.  My sense from reading the transcript of the conversation between Wade and the alleged bag man is pretty damning in my opinion. Wade has asked the public to withhold judgment about the matter until "all the facts" are disclosed. That sounds reasonable and even has a ring of legal fairness to the request. The problem is that LSU and Wade are not in a court of law. The SEC and the NCAA will not rock the boat prior to the conclusion of the NCAA Tournament.

     I know that LSU fans are upset, but not at Wade. They are upset at the LSU AD and the SEC Commissioner for even suggesting that something is wrong with the Tiger program. When a coach is winning fans can justify anything. That appears to be what LSU fans are doing. It has been a decade since the Tigers have had a share of an SEC Crown. If they get one in Nashville it will have questions of cheating and player buying surrounding it. The Tournament had a dynamic that a past Tournaments didn't have. Several teams have an excellent chance of taking home the crown.  Now it just smells like a cesspool. That's bad for the SEC. Right now it is hard to believe LSU is entitled to the title. Say what you will about Avery Johnson, but he hasn't put 'Bama in that position. Maybe his problem is that he won't cheat. 

Alabama in Joe Lunardi's FIRST FOUR OUT...

     Joe Lunardi is very good at picking brackets. Alabama has lost six of its last eight games, many in an embarrassing manner. Lunardi still has Alabama as one of his first four teams out of the NCAA Tournament. I heard him say that this is because of an early season win over Kentucky and Mississippi State. How Lunardi thinks this year's Tide team is remotely qualified to play in the Tournament is beyond me. Don't get me wrong, I want Alabama to make it to the NCAA Big Dance almost as much as Avery Johnson and AD Greg Byrne. It might help Tide fans be more patient with the pair. It isn't just that Alabama has lost those important games, it is the way they lost. 

    I think that watching the Crimson Tide self-destruct is one of the most amazing things I've ever seen. It seems that Alabama just couldn't play offense, and then the defense followed. The Tide couldn't make a field goal, couldn't make a free throw, made far to many turnovers, and the coach had no answers. It is a mystery to me how that happened. Looking back at the season you could see signs of real problems.  The inability to win close games was clear. Losing at home to inferior teams was concerning. The Tide offset that with wins over MSU and Kentucky at home. The almost nailed Tennessee on the road. It seemed the team was just around the corner from success. They just couldn't put it all together, and then... the team just fell apart. You could look at Avery Johnson and see he had no answers. Honestly,  maybe no coach had the answer. The old saying of an enigma wrapped in puzzle seems true about this team.

    Alabama is just a bad team. Why the media continued to believe in this team was equally puzzling to me. I honestly think that Alabama can't beat Ole Miss now. Ole Miss hasn't played great basketball in the last ten games either. So what if Alabama beats Ole Miss? Is Lunardi saying that might be enough to get them in the Dance? Or does the Tide have to wait for one of the last eight teams to lose? The eight teams above the Tide are capable of losing their next games. 

   I don't think this Alabama team believes that they can win now. In a sport where competitiveness is so obvious, it appears this squad doesn't want to compete. Surely, the players haven't just given up have they? Winning is a strange thing. Sometimes a team wins and the players just sense they are winners. Perhaps this team has done the opposite and believe they are losers. Again, it is isn't the losses are amazing, it is how they lose them. Like you, I'll watch the Ole Miss game and cheer for the Tide. Somehow,  this season I've lost some of my enthusiasm to even watch their games. I have to wonder how the players feel right now? Do they know they are going to have a second-half meltdown and feel it can't be stopped?  

SADLY OR MADLY JOHNSON WILL BE BACK...


     Sadly or madly, my bet is Avery Johnson will return next season if he wants to do so. Here is one of those self-evident truths we understand. Alabama isn't going to pay anyone enough money to convince a named coach to be the basketball coach at a football dominated school. Alabama is first and foremost about football, and 'Bama fans love Alabama football. I am always surprised when someone tells me they are a 'Bama fan but not an Alabama basketball fan. That's another truth we all need to remember. Don't expect any mad rush to do anything that is essentially basketball in nature to be done at the Capstone. If you love football you should love basketball as well. People just don't feel that way and never will. Basketball fans are a small but spirited group. At least small compared to football. But that doesn't mean they should be unheard. 

    Here's another truth that should be self-evident. A successful AD at Alabama as little if nothing to do with basketball. If the basketball program drowns into continued catastrophy it makes no difference. As long as Alabama has a great football program,  basketball can go to hell in the proverbial handbasket. If you understand that you better understand why Alabama basketball will fail. Here's an example - Wimp Sanderson was not fired for personal reasons but rather he was developing a cult following.  You can't do that to the Alabama football program, and it doesn't matter whether basketball success would affect the football program or not. I think the hiring of Avery Johnson was a great idea. Clearly, Greg Marshall used Alabama's attempt to hire him to better his offer at Wichita State. Marshall would never coach at football oriented Alabama. His ego was too large. If you notice, he has fallen on some hard times as well. 

   Perhaps Alabama could take a real gamble on some up and coming coach who wants to lead a Power Five team. That's about as good as Alabama is going to do and I doubt that happens next year unless Johnson decides to leave. He has burned all his goodwill with most Tide fans. But the expectation for success at Alabama is so low he might regain trust if next year was a success. The truth of the to this writer is that Johnson did a fair job at Alabama until the end of this season. His coaching was highly suspect, and now his recruiting is being questioned. It should be. After four years of recruiting, we still have no real inside game, and our best guard was a high school senior who was such a great student he reclassified this season. I shudder to think how bad the Tide could have been if Kira Lewis decided to go to his senior prom instead. 

   Alabama basketball fans are loyal. If Johnson comes back we will whine and complain (and rightfully so) about his return, but most will still support the players. I suspect a slow start will kill attendance, and support from situational fans. I got an email from someone who said I should quit writing negative stories about Tide basketball and I respect that opinion. I replied by asking him or her if the Tide football program went 7-5 and went to Weed Eater Bowl how would you act? 

   I think it is proper for fans to display their concerns. Fans are important. There desires to have better basketball should be taken seriously. That is only fair. The AD needs to do his due diligence and address these concerns publically. I urge him to do so.
  

   

JOHNSON CANNOT SALVAGE HIS CAREER AT 'BAMA NOW...

           They shoot horses, don’t they?  This is the most embarrassing season of Alabama basketball possible and I’ve seen them play for over sixty years. This team has no heart. They have no coaching and it’s time to put them down. If the Athletic Director cares anything about Alabama basketball he should fire Johnson immediately and let John Pelphry finish the season. I’d give him hazardous duty pay, but lethargy isn’t going to hurt you.  No sugar coating this season. It is time to end the charade known as Avery Johnson.  I know that my friend Anthony Grant wasn’t the greatest coach. But he didn’t embarrass himself or our program. His players competed. Johnson’s players are lost. In a recent interview, Tevin Mack said he didn’t view today’s game as “must win”. Seriously, exactly what did he think it was?  A trip down the yellow brick road?

     Once again the Tide folds at the end of the season. Only a bona fide top ten draft choice got Alabama into the dance, and Colin Sexton didn’t suit up today. Avery Johnson has no excuses.  Alabama basketball is now labeled officially horrible. The Tide is not on the outside looking in. They couldn’t even find a window. Alabama isn’t worthy to be considered to play in any postseason event, but they might HAVE to play in the NIT. Alabama draws Ole Miss in the SECT.  The winner of that game plays Kentucky.

     If Dandy Don were still alive he’d say, “turn out the lights, the parties over.” I hope Avery Johnson’s tenure at Bama is over. Tide fan deserves better, and we pay good money for better than this catastrophe. At the being of the season, I predicted Alabama would win 18 games. I will be off by one. Here is one thing I will always remember about Johnson. He always said  – Roll Tide. It is the only thing he got correct. 

Alabama faces Arkansas 

    Let's skip the fluff and get down to it. Alabama needs to beat Arkansas to keep their dimming NCAA hopes alive. I see nothing to make me believe that will happen. In a season lost to a lack of fundamentals, Alabama now goes to Bud Walton which is a place where turnovers can be found by the dozens. Alabama must protect the ball,  make what few free throws the SEC refs will give them, and depend on offensive rebounds to win. Arkansas is not a great rebounding team,  but Daniel Gafford has embarrassed Don'ta Hall in the past, and Bama has no help for Hall. Daniel Giddens has an injured hand and is supposedly a game-time decision. Giddens doesn't need to score but he needs to defend. 

        Here's some bad news for the Tide. Arkansas leads the SEC in turnovers caused. Hmm... Dazon is once again a game-time decision due to his bruised quad, but he will likely see some limited time.  Johnson is going to be forced to play Junior more in this game, and although the little guard has some problems he is a good ball handler. Kira Lewis needs to play a good game. Lately, he's hit the wall. Too many minutes and the physical toll on a 17-year-old is starting to show. One thing that the Tide does have over the Razorbacks is numbers on the bench. The Razorbacks aren't deep. I don't know how Johnson will use his rotation today, but he needs to keep fresh players on the floor. 

        Arkansas is not a very good defensive team. They are disruptive. Can Johnson keep the spacing correct to give the Tide the opportunity to have some undefended looks? Will Ingram be well enough to play because the team needs his ability to penetrate and hopefully get Gafford into foul trouble? Alabama has suffered another late-season meltdown that has been the hallmark of Avery Johnson coached teams. A loss today would be 6 losses in the last 8 games. I think Bama keeps the game close and it will be a late-game win or loss. Perhaps the law of averages let's Bama win. Arkansas by 5. 

LSU SUSPENDS WADE IN DURING INVESTIGATION...
     The chancellor at LSU has suspended Will Wade from further involvement with the basketball program pending an internal investigation. I got a call from an ex-LSU assistant coach about this on Wednesday, but could never find a second source to confirm. My calls to Will Wade were not returned. My late friend, Ben Cook, taught me how to do things by the book on things this serious. This is serious. Revalations including transcripts of Wade's involvement in recruiting violations were made public. Suffice it to say that it appears that Wade is a cheat and has severe character problems. His language was an embarrassment to the Louisiana State University. Wade is to meet with the Board of Trustees and speculation is he will either resign or be fired. I have no belief that is true at this point. The suspension follows the release of new audio transcripts outlining the buying of basketball players. Wade has been subpoenaed to testify in a court hearing. 

   The telephone call was between Christian Dawkins and Wade. Dawkins is an alleged middleman who brokers players to college coaches. Yahoo Sports, Inc. broke this story, Wade expressed his frustration with an offer made by him had yet to be accepted by a current LSU player. A total of three calls were verified between Wade and Dawkins between June 17 and June 30,2017. On the 30th the player committed to LSU. The player was referred to as Smart and is believed to be Janvonte Smart. The offer made by Wade was to "take care of his mom", but the kid (player) did not get a "big enough piece of the pie." 
.
        It also calls into questions the eligibility to players and perhaps the upcoming NCAAT. I doubt LSU will be barred from playing this season, but regardless, it taints an outstanding season. It also impugns the reputation of the SEC. Mike Slive was a tireless worker to improve the academic and ethical standards of all member institutions. Wade's fast rise in improving the LSU has long been suspicious to other schools. In two seasons the Tigers have gone from terrible to terrific. Wade is not popular with other SEC coaches. His abrasive personality is well known Several programs have asked the SEC to review clearly unsportsmanlike plays by Tiger players. That type of play is not indicative to all their players, but it happens too often to disregard. 

     Wade is to testify as defense witness according to Steve Haney, defense counsel for Dawkins and Merl Code, were not attempting to bribe coaches to steer players to college coaches. Sean Miller of Arizona has also been subpoenaed to testify. The problem for the coaches is that they are likely to be asked exactly what the specifics of the offers were. Offering to pay money or anything of value over the telephone is a violation of federal wiretap laws. The coaches may have offered to bribe the shoe consultants but those defendants deny they accepted a bribe. This leaves the coaches in a tenuous situation, and Steve Haney, says he "will pull back the curtain" of the entire situation. This puts Wade and Miller in the position of admitting to federal offense or asserting their 5th amendment rights against self-incrimination. Wade clearly communicated he made an offer of some type. I think that Will Wade's college coaching career is serious jeopardy and LSU's basketball program is going to draw the scrutiny of the NCAA. 

Tide is still alive for NCAA bid...

     Seriously, Alabama is still included in most bracketologists prognostications for an at-large bid to play in the Big Dance. Like a drowning man, the Tide has already gone down twice in the last week. They will not survive the third sinking. This weekend the Tide goes to Fayetteville to play Arkansas. The Razorbacks destroyed what is left of Vanderbilt's year by whipping them 84-48. That is not good news for Alabama. The last thing the Tide needs is Arkansas to start playing good basketball. I am curious to see what the betting line on this game might be. I don't care how bad Vandy might be, when you get beat by 36 on your home floor it is a monumental beat down. 

    The fact that Bama is still in anyone's bracket says a lot about the SEC and not just Alabama. Right now, the Tide is riding on the tailcoats of other SEC teams. Alabama was good enough to beat both LSU and Auburn but just couldn't do it. In looking at the problems that Bama's have it is remarkable they still can come close. Look at the current situation. Alabama is getting destroyed with their lackluster backcourt. Kira Lewis has lost his luster from earlier in the year. Dazan Ingram hasn't been consistent and now has some physical problems. Don'ta Hall doesn't dominate the inside in the manner Alabama sorely needs right now. He is playing good basketball, but he is really a power forward in reality. John Petty and Tevin Mack are inconsistent, although Petty is working on improving in other areas, including defense. He deserves a lot of credit. Mack isn't there yet.  I think we are a better team with Riley Norris in his place.  That leaves us with Herbert Jones.  He is a small forward, a power forward, and sometimes point guard. He has no real outside shot (he did make 2 the other night) that makes him a threat. Jones playing guard is proof that the Tide has backcourt problems. Junior seems to understand his playing time is limited now, and his outside shooting has disappeared. 

    Is the real truth that Avery Johnson is doing a pretty good job of coaching? I'm laying it out there for your opinion. Alabama has enough talent to win some big games but they live on a razor's edge. On slip and they are going to lose. If you are of the opinion that a coaches job is to put his players in a position to win is all a can do, he has for the most part done that. He can't go out and play. The lopsided losses show just how fragile this team has become. Astonishingly, the Tide could still play in the NCAAT. I hope so. Teams do strange things in March. A good finish is still possible. The bubble teams are not really establishing themselves yet. 

     If Alabama beats Arkansas a new season begins. If they lose to the Razorbacks the NIT is anxious to have them. The NIT is still a good tourney. It is a place where teams can get ready for next year, or repair some of the disappointment of the current season. At 17-13 the Tide's record is almost exactly where it has been for four years. Alabama could get to 20 wins this year if things fall into place. Don't hold your breath, but even a drowned man can be resuscitated.  Roll  Tide.  

Tide blows another one...

     With an NCAA Tournament bid at stake, the Alabama Crimson Tide managed to snatch defeat out of the jaws of victory. Again. A lot of speculation will now arise whether Alabama has a path toward the Tournament? I don't think there is one that Alabama could make it happen. I don't think they can beat Arkansas. But they might. Do you see any scenario which would not include a win over Razorbacks, except winning the SEC Tournament? Let's be honest. Alabama is not worthy of being an NCAA Tournament team. I'm not trying to knock a coach or a player. Alabama's inability to put together a solid backcourt has killed this team. Perhaps the coaches and the players will learn something about the inability to finish a game. I know the fans have. 

    What happens if Alabama beats Arkansas and doesn't win a SECT game? We don't go. What happens if Alabama beats Arkansas and wins one SEC Tournament game? I don't know. Win two SECT games?  We might go. Can anyone see this team winning three games in a row at this time? I don't. Getting a bid would be great for the fans, but it falls far short of having a good program. Let's hang tough with the players through the season and post-season to let them no care. My sources tell me that Alabama isn't thinking about a coaching change. 16 minutes for Riley? This coaching staff drives me crazy.

  The loss was devastating. The perception of Avery Johnson after his team lost to LSU and Auburn after leading late in both games is less than charitable, to say the least. The brand of Alabama basketball took a huge blow. Some bracketologists still have 'Bama on life support. That is high praise to the SEC but not necessarily Alabama. 

Will Tide have a last hoorah against Auburn?

         Auburn got a big win over Mississippi State 80-75, It gave the Tigers their 20th win of the season against 9 losses. More than that it was an SEC win. The Tigers haven't been tearing up the league. Now, the Aubies have their sites on Alabama. The Tide is a team which has severe matchup problems and they seem to have lost the ability to beat anyone that matters. They have one more chance when Auburn comes calling. 

Tide still in Lundardi and Palms' brackets...

         Somehow, Alabama is still hanging around the edge of the NCAAT cliff. Perhaps, they have only one had on the ledge.  If Alabama can't upset the Tigers you can forget the NCAAT Tournament unless something unexpected happens in the SECT. Arkansas is also a must win. Sooner for later the Crimson Tide must beat someone to be relevant. Beating Auburn would do the trick. I have no idea why Alabama is still in those brackets. But they are, and let's hope the Tide can prove them correct. Beating Auburn and Arkansas would boost the Tide to an 8,9, or 10 seed. That is possible, but not probable. But if Bama could beat those two teams it would be significant.

        

Matchup problems abound with AU...

        I cannot think of a team we need to beat that causes us more matchup problems than Auburn.   The Tiger guards are fast, quick, and good shooters. It is being kind to say that Alabama has any guard that can match the Tigers backcourt. Kira Lewis is quick and fast, but he is just not experienced enough right now. Dazon isn't quick. He is strong and fast and can cause either Harper or Brown some problems when he is on offense. So can Lewis. One key for Bama is to make the Auburn guards work hard on defense. I think Alabama's guards can do that. Expect Junior to get some significant minutes trying to make Harper follow him when he moves around the perimeter. 

         Alabama can likely slow down Auburn inside. Is it in Alabama's best interest to do so? Why would anyone even suggest that? Second Key to beat Auburn is to cut off the three-point shooting even if means giving up some inside points. How crazy is that? Ask Ole Miss Head Coach Kermit Davis.  Davis essentially gave up the inside game to the Tigers in order to put more pressure on the Tigers deadly outside shooting. Wiley isn't likely to play this Tuesday. That might be more of a blessing for Auburn than Alabama. Wiley slows down the Tiger's run game. The best of all worlds would be a poor shooting night for the Tigers. 

        Alabama needs to shoot well. That's pretty easy to say, right? But the Tide needs a near 50% from the floor, and from the arc as well. Alabama can do that by letting the good shooters have the ball. Sorry, Daniel, no threes for you. Let Petty, Riley, Mack, Ingram and Lewis shoot from downtown. Ironically, all five of those players can make the long ball. Playing at home can help. Key three for Bama is a big night for three Alabama downtown shooters. The Tide needs for a couple of their three-point shooters have big nights. The Tide can also penetrate and give it to Hall or dish it back outside.

      Alabama had more than 20 turnovers the last time they played the Tigers. In Tuscaloosa, the Crimson needs to slow the pace down. Key four is to keep the turnovers to around 10. How many games could the Tide have won by making free throws? If that percentage was 75 percent the games won would have been 22 right now. It might even be higher because I could not factor in the missed shots on one and ones. Key five is making free throws. If Alabama doesn't do that they lose. Should 'Bama gets a halfway decent game from the officials they might shoot 20 free throws. Key five is keeping the high leaping Tiders off the offensive boards. 

     Auburn is a 2.5 point favorite. I was thinking four or five. How long has it been since Alabama beat a really good team? How about Jan. 29 against Mississippi State. Another way of saying this is zero for February. If Alabama fails to win chances become single digits numbers per the experts.

Bama let's another one slip away...

     It’s dim for Bama and their limping toward and NCAAT, but it’s not dark. Alabama needs to beat Auburn and Arkansas, and then win a game in the SECT. This isn’t even speculation on my part, it just wishing now. It’s probable that three wins might get give Bama a ticket at the back of the bus for the post-season. I have watched Alabama basketball long enough to see Daniel Giddens jack up an ill-advised three. It would be easy to say I’ve seen everything now but we have additional games to play.

     Of course, it would be great to make the NCAAT.  Maybe it is time to talk about getting a home game in the NIT. Won’t that be thrilling? Here’s my question. How can teams leap past the Tide in the same or lesser amount of time under Coach Johnson?  Mississippi State has, Ole Miss has, and Tennessee has as well. Don’t get me started about Auburn. That is simply too much to endure for a life-long ‘Bama fan. Florida has rebounded toward recovery, and even South Carolina has a moment in the bright sunshine.

    We are just not a good team. We are decent enough to give false hope to the fans, but not good enough to make it a reality. Alabama has the hands on a major win and once again blew it. You could look at Avery Johnson’s face in the last 90 seconds and see the pain. Here is another painful truth, at least to me, we don’t have any real talent to compete with other SEC teams. The glory days of CM Newton and Wimp Sanderson aren’t even understood by the best in-state players. We no longer have a recruiting legacy to sell to recruits. When you get a one and one is blimp of the radar.

      Okay, question number two. Who has been the best player for Alabama this season? If pressed to answer I couldn’t give you a real answer.  How about no one? LOL.  Even Kira Lewis seems to be on a downward trajectory. Basketball is a jealous mistress. She will steal your hopes and dreams. This team was a problem from the start of the season and has gotten worse. All of us ‘Bama fans are so unrealistic. Beating Vanderbilt and South Carolina should be expected and celebrated. We lost to Northeastern. We have had two good wins in my opinion. We beat Mississippi State and Kentucky at home. There have been some decent wins,  but nothing to get excited about.

      So how does this get fixed? That is not even the first question needed to be asked.  The real question would be whether anyone in leadership roles even cares? Perhaps this team would have been better if Fleming was able to play or even Diante Smith. It’s clear that Hall couldn’t care the load by himself inside. Galin Smith couldn’t do enough because he isn’t big enough, strong enough, and he can’t jump. Giddens is a puzzle to me.  This team didn’t have enough time to solve puzzles, however. We reached a point where Alex Reese doesn’t play and a month ago Johnson was bragging on him. There are so many ‘what ifs’ with this entire program you can’t count them.

      Is this the Coach we need to review a once-proud program? It doesn’t matter.  He isn’t going to be replaced. So the best we can do is support him. And we always have to support the players. So now we move on to the Auburn game.  Will we win that one?  Maybe we will. But beating Auburn is probably not enough to get us in the NCAAT if we don’t beat Arkansas and the first game in the SECT. This is a hard team to love, but they are still loved and supported. The English have an old saying, “In for a Penny, in for a Pound.” Yep, that’s all of us, isn’t it? We will all continue to conjure up scenarios to convince ourselves we will get a bid. It won’t convince us the program is headed in the right direction, however.