'BAMA - BAYLOR TIP IT OFF AT 3:OO PM

Tide nation holds its breath...

   

     Alabama welcomes the 4th ranked Baylor Beart to Coleman Coliseum today. There is a self-proclaimed white-out where fans are asked to wear white attire. I have no idea why that's needed, but maybe it will help a slumping Tide. Baylor is a great basketball team coached by Scott Drew, and they bring an 18-2 record to town Bama is a disappointing 13-7. All of the Tide losses have been close affairs, and all but one has been a won basket travesty. Luck hasn't been on the floor for the Tide this year. So, today is a massive day for the Crimson Tide. A win boosts their NCAA ranks, improves their net score, and gives some confidence for the remainder of the season. Bama is a three-point underdog, as this post was written. Baylor may be the best team Alabama has played to date. The Bears pride themselves on defense. 

     After the Georgia loss, Tide Oats left his team in the dressing room and said, "you, figure it out." Word is the team did discuss some things. Players voiced their opinions. Let's hope that locker room soul searching will pay some positive results. So here we are. Feast or famine day has arrived for the Tide. The season won't be over with a loss, but it's not going to be a happy time for Alabama with Auburn and Kentucky coming up. Logically, there is no reason to think Alabama should win this game. Games are always dictated by odds or logic. Alabama has shown the ability to play up the competition or down. Today the Tide needs to bring its A+ game to have a chance.

     Alabama is undoubtedly at a crossroads now. The Tide wins, and things look brighter for the remainder of the season. Another loss sets the Tide up for a scary road to the NCAA. I hope Bama wins today. I think they can. Regardless, Alabama fans are holding their breath. Quinerly, Ellis, and Shackelford need to score. Bama's inside game needs to break even on the boards. Turnovers must be reduced. Roll Tide and see you at three.

'Bama is falling apart...but

    You don't have to be a basketball guru to see what's wrong with Alabama. Whether Nat Oats can find a solution to what's going on with his team is the question

. The answer to that is both yes and no. Oats can't do anything about his current roster. This season, the lack of power, poor perimeter defense, and lack of quality depth can't be fixed. The Tide isn't a physically strong team. That's the no part. The yes part is up to the players. Can Jahvon Quinerly regain his shooting touch? Of course, he can. The old saying that 'shooters gotta' shoot' is actual. My personal belief is that Quinerly is suffering from a lack of confidence. That's different from just going through a cold shooting spell. JQ is also passing up open three-point opportunities, and it's not a good sign.

 

    Alabama might be able to be more competitive when the shots start falling from downtown. Shackleford made five in the first half against Georgia. He made zero in the second half. In fairness to Shack, the Dawgs made even finding shots difficult in the second half. The defense can improve if better effort, but Alabama has only one stopper. Keon Ellis is the only tough defender the Tide has. I'll give a Kudo to Juwan Gary when he plays. Gary is a banger. 

     The Tide needs to quit turning the ball over. Most Tide turnovers are just careless mistakes, and most are unforced. You'll lose games when you are soaring around 15-20 mistakes a game. If Alabama quits gift wrapping additional shot opportunities, they can win close games. Here's the problem with the offense the Tide uses - to run and gun, you will make some turnovers. That can't be helped, but I think the team can cut down on unforced errors. Those errors are killing the Tide.

     If Alabama wants to understand the problem, they need to look in a mirror. Team chemistry is missing. If the players decide to give 100% every time they are on the floor, things will improve. It isn't going to be like last season. I'd advise the players to dedicate themselves to being a leader. Instead of who is the team leader, each could say, "I'll be the team leader." There is only so much a coach can do. The remainder falls on the players. 

     This is not last season's team. The Tide lost five key players last season. I've written about that before, and I won't rehash the details. What Alabama can do is be the best team they can be. They were good enough to beat Gonzaga and Houston. That means there is an untapped potential waiting to be found again. Is it good enough to be a four seed or better? I don't think so, but this team can beat anyone when they shoot well and reduce the turnovers on any given night. Rebounding will always be a problem with this team, but they have improved in that area. C.M. Newton once told me that it isn't about just getting the most boards. It's about getting the ones that count. 

    One thing for sure - keep shooting. Keep throwing them up from downtown, and they'll start finding the nylon. Things will look a lot better then. And for Heaven's Sake, please build this program a new arena.