Tide rips the hogs 90-59...

     It could have been much worse.  Had Nat Oats not called the dogs off, Alabama would have scored over 100.  It was, by any standard, a remarkable showcase for Alabama basketball. Anyone who doubted Nat Oats can now be quiet. 

     Excuse me for a brief rant.  How is it that ESPN gives more airtime to Auburn and Shariff Cooper than they give to Alabama? Post-game coverage on SEC and Espn talked about Cooper and AU. The commentators talked about Arkansas and a tough practice.  What they didn't talk about enough was Alabama and a complete dismantling of the Arkansas Razorbacks, or how the Tide did the same to Kentucky the game before. Now, you guys know my love and commitment to Alabama basketball. This is all about 'Bama fatigue in football, and it is spilling over to basketball. I'll now step off the soapbox. 

Herb Jones - UA/Ath.

           Going into the game, there was a great deal of concern regarding  Jones and Bruner's absence. Herb played, he played well, and I couldn't really see much difference in his play. Jones is a warrior. I wonder if Herb will come back for one more season. He could really enhance his professional career by extending his 'Bama career one more season. I've heard rumors. Bruner was not limping. The time frame for his recovery was 4-6 weeks. I'm betting he's back earlier than that.

     Joshua Primo described Jones as a "soldier." It was an apt tribute from a freshman to a senior. Senior leadership by Jones and Petty is making the Tide a tight-knit cohesive team. Kudos to John Petty. He broke ex-great Brian William's long-lasting record for made three-pointers. Petty was four short going into the contest and nailed five.  Speaking of Primo, he won the "hard-hat" award for his play.  Oat's singled him out of his play, saying that he played a good game even though his shooting was off. The young Canadian is going to be a star before he leaves Alabama. He needs some time in the weight room. 

     When Bama shoots the ball well, they will beat anyone they play. I was impressed with their defense, especially in the first half. Great defense leads to great offense. If you are playing solid defense, you'll win some games you might lose if the shooting isn't there.  The Tide outrebounded the Razorbacks without Bruner, and that was big. I thought Ambrose-Hylton had the play of the game. His thunderous dunk on an inbound play knocked the Hog's seven-footer to the deck and then back to the bench. Darius Miles showed his smooth outside shooting. Seven Bama players made three-pointers. Walk-on guard Britton Johnson hit one from downtown and set off a celebration on the Tide bench.  

     A special note to Keon Ellis. His play is giving the Tide some much-needed depth. He is carving some big minutes with his shooting and particularly his defense. I thought Juan Gary played a tough 7 minutes. He will be big-time for Bama this season. Nice seeing him drain the three-point basket. Tip of the hat to Alex Reese. His defense was outstanding. He will be a big help for the Tide, and I suspect he will be back next season.   I think Bama may break the top-twenty tonight. 

IMO -

MVP - John Petty's outside shooting set the tone

Defensive Player of the Game - Gritty performance by Herb Jones

Play of the Game - Keon Ambrose-Hylton gave Bama an "oh, my" moment

A Special Nod - Juwan Gary gave Alabama something to build on