Auburn comes to Coleman to take on the 2nd ranked team in the nation. Archrivals are always antagonistic games. This year the season match takes on additional importance. For Alabama, a win means an SEC Champion. The Tide will keep that #1 seed. Auburn finds itself in a precarious situation. The Tigers got an absolute beat from Kentucky. The score of that one was 84-56. Pearl's team is now 19-10 and 9-7 in the league. That includes losing 7 of their 10 games. After Bama, the Tennessee Vols host Auburn in Knoxville. The Tigers may finish 9-9 in the league and 19-12 before the SEC Tournament. Who knows what might happen to the Tigers in NCAA Tournament play.
The rivalry has been hallmarked by hard-spirited play. So many of the players have met before in high school and AAU games. Suffice it to say, there are major surprises in this one. Both teams are well coached and will be well prepared. Surprisingly, the Tigers are in a late-season meltdown. Kenpom has them ranked 29th. Should Auburn lose to Bama and Tennessee (the next game for AU), will the Tigers get a bid? Alabama is ranked by Kempom as the 3rd ranked team. Only Houston and Alabama are each ranked in the top 10 in adjusted offense and defense. Aubie checks in at 17th in defense and 78th on offense.
This will be a Quad 1 game win for either team. My thinking is Bama will be an 8–10-point favorite tomorrow. Pearl has guided his teams to victories over Miss. State, Northwestern, and Arkansas. Quad one wins have been few and far between this season. They are 2-8. Auburn is 6-1 in Quad 3 games. Alabama is 3rd on Kenpom.com. Their NET ranking is 3rd. The Tide is 18th in the nation and 5th on defense.
But games are not played on paper or on a computer. Every game is a war in the SEC. Alabama fans would expect that against Auburn. For Alabama is important but for Auburn, it might be a season-defining moment. Auburn has good players. I think the Tide has better players. The self-proclaimed Bama killer is Wendall Green. The 5-11 point guard is averaging 23 ppg against Alabama. Green runs the Tiger offense. Stop Green and you might just stop AU. Alabama is a ten-point favorite this afternoon.
TIDE IS ONE WIN SHORT OF SEC CHAMPIONSHIP AS STATE KNOCKED OF TEXAS A&M...
It wasn't downtown Freddie Jones bombs that fans were ready to see. Instead, it bit down, clenched your jaw, and manned up. The Tide did that in the second half. Arkansas had opened 37-28. Three-point shots were not dropping; 7 Arkansas steals had rattled the Tide. All the Tide guards played poorly. Mark Sears, whose usually Mr. Reliable, couldn't dribble, didn't guard and missed some shots.
When the 2nd half opened, young Bradon Miller scored the first 10 points of the second half. Oats put the metal had full speed. He told the players to finish at the goal. The result was that a 9-point lead had shrunk to 42-39. Now, it wasn't Bama scratching their heads. Bama controlled the paint like a middle age crosswalk cop. The Tide had cut it to three, and then Alabama decided they wanted to win the game. Sometimes it takes time to determine when that happens. The play JQ was the difference. He had some great lobs to Pringle, but more than that, he found space between a stingy Arkansas defense to throw in three bunnies. His partners in the crime were Nick Pringle and Brando Miller.
The Tide slowly increased their lead, and the Razorbacks had to foul. Alabama was 25-30 and almost automatic when it mattered. Last night was film noir. A dark affair with possibly fatal mistakes didn't kill the Tide. They all grew a little in the previous few days.
I have two four-day Master badges, not just tickets, for this year's play. Shoot me an email at midcourt@aol.com. I usually receive them in late March.
It is now time to help the Auburn Tigers prepare for the NIT.
Picknroll
ALABAMA CLIMBS OUT OF A HOLE TO WIN AGAINST ARKANSAS 86-87...
In a key matchup, the Alabama Crimson beat the Razorback. It wasn't easy and it wasn't fun most of the game. Down by 7 at the end of the first half, the listless and confused Tide headed to locker room and lots of angry coaches. I'm pretty sure it was a version of we're beating ourselves (7 turnovers) We need to become more aggressive. You got to play even better on defense (because of offense as lost as Moses in the desert), and you don't look like you are having fun. Have some, I order it. Oats might has said none of those things. But...
Alabama roaded out the locker and scored the first six points, or rather the Sweet One did. Miller aggressively too the ball inside the paint and scored. And then he scored again. Brandon surely has the weight of the world, but still found room for Alabama. The Tide had 7 turn overs in the first half. Six of those Razorbak steals. Many led to baskets. The return of Nick Smith was istrusmental in the really Arkansas lead 937-28, but was a lead that indicated it could have done. Bama roared by the second half with 58 points. The Tide's won the rebound war, the shooting percent state, and made more free-throws than Arky. The Tide was a steller 24-30 from the line for 83%, while the Hogs were 20-29 (68%).
It was fun watching the Tide handle Eric Musselman. He never takes a loss well. He's competitive. He had to be happy to Smith return from an injury. My bet is Arkansas is not going to a fun team for anyone to play.
Once again Alabama found out that hard work wins.
PLAYER OF THE GAME: tie Brandon Miller Jahvon Quinerly. Millers eary second half eruption set the tone of the remainder of the game. Jahvon's ability to get the basket, helped Alabama control the paint. I Quinerly can keep up the good play the Tide could be headed to places they've never been. I mean that Bama won, not from the outside, but from the inside. The good guys only made 3-22 from downtown. How is that even possible. Bama found another way to win
Saturday, February 25, 2023
Tide has its hands full today
Don't think for one moment the Tide is going to blow out Arkansas. The Razorbacks have the top recruit in the nation back in their lineup. Smith was the consensus number one prospect in the nation. With Anthony Black 6-7 and Nick Smith (6-4) The Razorback backcourt can cause significant mismatches with Mark Sears and J.Quinerly. I'll be honest with you. The non-basketball problems, along with the recent poor shooting by Sears, Quinerly, Burnett, and Griffen has me worried. Miller can make a huge difference, but in the last game between the schools. I remember Devonta Davis (6-4) hounded Miller and held him to 12 points. Davis can also score the rock. Toss in Ricky Council lVwho can play inside and outside. Mitchell is a good post player, he's a Great shot blocker and much stronger than Charles Bediako.
Eric Musselman is a quality coach and recruiter. Two early season injuries caused him to fool around with his lineup. He's settled in now that Smith is back in the lineup. Don't be surprised if Arkansas starts three guards. Each of the guards is very talented and has great physicality.
Vegas line: Bama is an 8.5 favorite, and over/under is 154
My final thought: I'm picking Bama in a close game. 80-75.
Miller is defamed by the media when he was a victim himself...
The national sports media isn't about a search for the truth. It is a search for advertising money and personal greed. So-called reporters are simply the masters of click-baiting. Aggrandizing mislabeled article titles is merely a lure to read second-rate writers. They don't care about honesty or fair play. They care about their bank accounts.The more clicks, the more money.
These snake oil charmers have been around forever. They are not writers but rather influencers. Do you think they care about the pain Brandon Miller has gone through? Of course, not. Some people believe this is an anti-Bama conspiracy. While that belief might have some truth, it is more about showing me the money. Capitalism and money are what America is about. The wave of unqualified pundits on the internet is no different from the robber barons in the 19th century.
For better or worse, Brandon Miller is left alone to defend himself. How can he do that? There is no constructive way for him to do so at this time. Slander or defamation lawsuits are rarely successful. Freedom of Speech is an essential part of the American dream. However, even unsuccessful lawsuits can teach a lesson. It will be interesting to see the individuals who have defamed Miller would respond when the spotlight falls on them. A few "writers" changed their stories today. Now they are getting more clicks. They get money making up the lie and more money correcting their lies. Most will do nothing; they will crawl back into the dirt from were they came and continue the model.
The University of Alabama could pull credentials and tell them they are no longer welcome in Tuscaloosa. Interview requests could be denied. Telephone calls to players and coaches should not be returned. Colleges should have a persona non-gratis list and publish it for their industry to see. That list should state why those writers are denied an opportunity to interface with Alabama. It might change if the NCAA denied writers a chance to contact players and coaches if there is a history of lying.
I don't think Alabama handled the matter perfectly. I'm not sure there is a way to do that. The subsequent publication by Miller's lawyers clarified what actually happened. Some will say, how do we know that is the truth. It is unreasonable to think a law firm would risk substantially damaging its reputation by lying. Miller will survive this. Alabama will survive this. Oats will explain to recruits what actually happened. A young woman was killed. Her daughter will miss her. A family has been shattered. I'm sure at the proper time, the University will offer some reconciliation to the daughter. Perhaps the University will ask for forgiveness and let her know she will be given a free education anywhere she chooses to attend. That day will come. Not today or next week, but down the line, Alabama will offer its heartfelt condolences. Perhaps an annual scholarship will be given in the mother's name.
Miller was a lesser victim. I suspect he will grow stronger from this. Lessons are learned, and lessons can be taught to others. We all learn from the callous disregard of the truth. Many of us have carried a heavy heart from all this. This nation has always been a nation of lies. But as individuals, we can seek a better path.
The Tide starts a four-game race to SEC Championship...
Brandon Miller is the SEC's best player.
Nate Oats takes his 2nd-ranked Crimson Tide on the first of four games that will determine the SEC regular season championship. Last night, Texas A&M beat Tennessee 68-63 on 28-34 free throws. The Vols made 10-14 attempts. Alabama remains one game ahead of the Aggies and Alabama may clash with them for the SEC regular season championship in the final game of the season.
South Carolina is enduring a miserable season. Their record is 10-17 and only 3-11 in the conference. The Tide is a 17 1/2-point favorite to win to their 14th SEC game. Carolina is in a three-game race with LSU and Ole Miss to finish last in the Conference. On paper, it appears that South Carolina has no chance of beating the Tide. Since losing to Tennessee, the Tide has looked unbeatable. A road game is a tough place in the SEC, and anything is possible.
But Alabama has more trouble than beating South Carolina tonight. I have included the Sports Illustrated article that has garnered much attention in Tuscaloosa. I am not offering this as my belief that certain Alabama players will be charged along with Darius Miles and his friend. Clearly, this is a horrible situation, and I hope that all college players and coaches learn something.
Alabama basketball player Brandon Miller, 24, brought a gun to an incident that led to the death of a 23-year-old woman, according to police. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
In the early morning of Jan. 15, a wild shootout erupted in front of a popular string of bars in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, just steps from Alabama’s campus. At least eight shots rang out, two vehicles were hit and a 23-year-old mother named Jamea Harris was killed.
Later that day an Alabama basketball player, Darius Miles, and his longtime friend from back in Maryland, Michael Lynn Davis, were arrested for the killing. It was a sad and tragic story all around.
Miller is Alabama's leading scorer, a National Player of the Year candidate and potential NBA lottery pick for the second-ranked Crimson Tide. According to a Tuscaloosa detective, he is also someone who received a text from Miles that night requesting that Miller drive over to The Strip, a collection of bars and restaurants, and bring Miles’ gun with him.
Miller complied, according to AL.com reporting from the courthouse. He'd previously tried to go to a bar there, Twelve25 Sports Bar, with Miles and Davis but left because the line was too long.
On the return trip, police allege Miller parked his car in a manner that blocked the Jeep that Harris, her boyfriend and a cousin, who is a U of A student, were in. Bradley also allegedly parked his car in that manner.
Earlier, there had been a dispute between the parties that centered on Harris not being interested in talking with Davis, who allegedly told officers he was so drunk on tequila he doesn’t recall a thing. An argument ensued — “It got a little elevated,” Det. Branden Culpepper testified, according to AL.com.
It was about to get even more elevated. When Miller arrived, Miles and Davis got in his car, according to testimony. It was there Miles took the gun and then handed it to Davis, telling him, "There’s one in the head,” a reference, police testified, to a bullet being in the chamber.
With the gun in his hand, Davis walked up and “began firing through the driver’s side window of the Jeep,” AL.com reported. “He fired at least eight shots, some of them while running in an arc from the driver’s side around the back of the vehicle.”
Harris’ boyfriend used his own gun to return fire, hitting both Davis in the shoulder and Miller’s Dodge Charger twice. The boyfriend then was able to drive the Jeep away. It soon spotted a police car and, seeking help, stopped at the nearby Walk of Champions in front of Bryant-Denny Stadium.
Harris, the mother of a 5-year-old boy, was pronounced dead at the scene.
Miles and Davis are being charged with capital murder. Miller has not been charged with any crime and an assistant district attorney told AL.com that “there’s nothing we could charge him with” according to the law.
Perhaps there isn’t. Perhaps bringing someone else their gun moments before it became a murder weapon and perhaps additionally having your car block the path of a vehicle just before that vehicle was riddled with bullets isn’t a crime in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
Let’s be clear though, even if Miller is cleared of any actual legal charges, it doesn’t mean his behavior is excusable.
This was Miller getting a request to bring a weapon to someone he had to reasonably believe had been drinking, perhaps heavily, in a crowded college bar district and doing it rather than a) not doing it, b) telling his teammate to leave rather than escalate the situation, c) just driving over unarmed and picking his teammate up or d) any number of other better options, namely anything else. Even doing nothing would have been better.
Miles was in no immediate danger. If you have time to text someone to drive a weapon over, you also have time to walk away from the conflict. This is a college town. This was in front of a bunch of college bars and late night diners. This wasn’t a stand-your-ground situation. This was an idiot blasting bullets all over Tuscaloosa.
If anything, everyone involved … Davis, Miles, Miller, the entire University of Alabama are lucky that only one person died that evening on The Strip. Police estimate at least 11 bullets were fired. That’s a bunch of unsuspecting and innocent U of A students who could’ve been killed as well.
This was a tragedy that could have been an even worse tragedy and none of the Alabama basketball players mentioned did anything but the wrong thing that night.
What happens next is the question. Miller may be cleared legally, but the response from the university, and eventually for him, the NBA, is not settled.
Alabama basketball coach Nate Oats offered up a bizarre dismissal of the situation Tuesday in a news conference. The statement was so tone deaf that it suggests either Oats didn’t fully understand the facts of the case, Miller’s true involvement and/or the question, which simply asked if he was “comfortable with [Miller’s] proximity” to the shooting.
That seems more likely than the alternative — that he is a truly dreadful person. Still, this is what he said.
“We’ve known the situation since [it happened],” Oats said Tuesday. “We’ve been fully cooperating with law enforcement the entire time. … We know about that. I mean, can’t control everything anybody does outside of practice. Nobody knew that was going to happen. College kids are out. Brandon hasn’t been in any type of trouble nor is he in any type of trouble in this case.
“You know, wrong spot at the wrong time.”
UPDATED INFORMATION
1. Miller's attorney has given some new information in a statement. It appears that Miller did not get out of his car. He had no conversations with Miles or his friend after arriving where the shooting occurred. The attorney stated that Miller went to pick up Miles before this occurred. In fact, Miller was on his way to pick up Miles and was unaware the gun was in his backseat. He also did not block anyone from leaving the area.
2. Miller has been interviewed by various law enforcement officials. He has fully cooperated at every step and will continue to supply any information he might have.
3. Greg Bryne stated that the shooting occurred immediately after Miller arrived and had nothing to do with the actual shooting. He also stated that Nate Oats made his statement yesterday and was unaware of certain facts regarding the sequence of events. Bryne further stated that Miller was not involved in the shooting.
My personal opinion as a practicing criminal defense attorney - given the facts as laid out by law enforcement officials, I do not think Miller has violated any laws. I can see no reason he should be charged. I am particularly impressed by the information Miller was attempting to pick up his teammate. While unfortunate that all this happened, it is also clear he is not a criminal. I have no information regarding what part Bradley played in the matter. It appears none. Miller's attorneys are doing an excellent job in representing their client. I am impressed as a colleague by their efforts.
Friday, February 17, 2023
Alabama's loss to Tennessee won't hurt the Tide...
This is the first timeI've seen an SEC basketball game officiated like the Tide/Tennessee game. If the officials called an NCAA Tournament game like they did in Knoxville, they'd never officiate there again. The officials took the skill part of hoops away and turned it into a free-for-all. After watching the game again, I saw many wrong calls and no-calls, which were atrocious. Luckily for the Tide, that game doesn't matter. The Tournament is based on the NET rankings. The Tide is currently 2nd in that category. Houston is 1st, and of course, the Crimson beat them earlier this season.
Maryland beat Purdue last night. The Boilermakers have lost three of their previous four games. Houston is winning because they need to have quality teams in their league. Memphis is the only decent team remaining on their schedule. The Tigers are without three key players for an unspecified time. Tennessee is 3rd in the NET, and UCLA ranks in the top four. Purdue is 4th, and Kansas is 5th.
The BIG 12 is the premier league this season. They have several quality teams. I'd pick the BIG 10 and the SEC next in line. The SEC's net ranking is hurt by a lackluster Kentucky team.
The key game in the SEC this weekend is Tennessee visiting Kentucky. The Vols will check in as a slight favorite. Kentucky could help their Tournament seeding with a win. The Vols will get a different type of officiating in Lexington. Don't be surprised if the Wildcats win. Bama is a prohibitive favorite over Georgia. Georgia has improved but continues to lose games. I'm hoping the Tide comes back and wins with fewer turnovers.
Arkansas lost to Texas A&M after having a nine-point cushion at halftime. Nick Smith, a possible lottery pick, is poised to return to the Razorback lineup. That could make a big difference for them. Bama plays Arkansas on 2/25 in Tuscaloosa. Alabama then travels to TAMU for their season finale.
TAMU has Missouri in Columbia this weekend. It should be interesting to see how A&M plays an offense similar to Alabama. The Tigers are coming off an embarrassing loss to AU. If TAMU loses another game, that would make the Tide's chances of winning the regular SEC season easier.
Joe Lunardi keeps Bama as the overall number-one seed today. He also picks six other SEC teams to be selected. Tennessee, Kentucky, TAMU, Arkansas, Auburn, and Missouri are on that list. The Vols are a 3 seed. No other SEC team is better than an 8 seed.
Up for discussion: Does the Tide's early schedule lead to team fatigue down the stretch?
Note: Don't be surprised if Charles Bediako doesn't play on Saturday. He has been given two days of rest and is now "day to day." Oats wondered if it might have been better not to play him against Tn. He may decide to do the safe thing.
Thursday, February 16, 2023
A few questions regarding the Tide:
1. Can Bama coaches devise a game plan to get Brandon Miller better shots?
2. How long before Charles Bediako gets back to full speed?
3. Would the Tide beat Tennessee if they played again?
4. Some fans are saying that Alabama is overrated. Agree or disagree?
5. Does Alabama need more physicality in their lineup?
6. Did Tennessee give the rest of the SEC a game plan to beat the Tide?
7. Will Alabama win the SEC regular season?
8. How far can Alabama go in the SEC?
9. Will Brandon Miller win the SEC MVP award this season?
10. If Bama has an additional player on the All-SEC team, who will it be?
11. Why does Bama has so much trouble inbounding the ball?
Wednesday, February 15, 2023
Bama heads to Knoxville in a key SEC game...
Will Bediado play?
Alabama is now #1 in the AP and USA Today Coaches polls. I've noticed some fans say being # doesn't matter. I see their point. After all, the NCAA Tournament is only #1, which matters. Being ranked does matter to most Tide fans. Mark Gottfried was the last Alabama coach with a team ranked #1. The year was 2002. I remember sitting courtside watching Kennedy Winston and company get off to a dynamic start that season. After an 11-1 start, things went in the opposite direction. Alabama finished the year with a 17-12 record, including a loss to Vanderbilt in the SEC Tournament and subsequently to Indiana in the NCAA Tournament. By all standards, it was sad sack season.
This team is different. Oats has found a way to play ten players each game and keep the pedal to the metal. That's rare in college basketball. Late in the second half, you can tell that Alabama players are more energetic. That extra pep in their step has led to solid finishes.
Tonight the Tide takes on Tennessee in Knoxville. There are no pit stops in the SEC. Bama might not play Charles Bediako. Tennessee is without J.J. James, according to Rick Barnes. The Vols could be without Julian Phillips. Most observers think that James is the best Vol defender. He would have been guarding Brandon Miller. The Tide needs a big game from their leading scorer. The Tennessee guards, Santiago Vescovi and Zakia Zeigler, are capable of scoring a lot of points. Vescovi is their best outside shooter. Zeigler is also a good shooter and can drive and dish.
The Vols open up as a 3-point favorite. Chalk that number up the homecourt advantage and the best defense in the SEC. KenPom.com believes that Tennessee has the Vols' leading teams in adjusted defense. That means that Tennessee gives up the fewest points per offensive possession. Alabama is 5th. The bottom line is that both teams can play some hard-nosed defense. On the offensive side of the numbers, Kenpom believes Alabama is the 13th in the nation in scoring points. Tennessee comes in at a lackluster 49th.
The question regarding tonight's game. Can the Alabama offense overcome the homecourt advantage and the nations leading defense? The Tide is capable of doing that.
Sunday, February 12, 2023
Bama beats the Barn in Big Road Win...
Coach Oats sees Bama at # 1
Alabama lets Aubie get ahead, but they never allow them to get away.
Alabama was sticking to their game plan, and the hard-hat defense kept Auburn from a huge run in either half. As a result, the Crimson Tide put SEC win # 12 in the books. The Oats coach of the soaring program now stands 22-3. The Tigers drop to 17-8 overall and 7-5 in the league. Auburn played a good game. Alabama played a better game. In the contest's last six minutes, the Crimson Tide made the shots in a 16-7 run to put the Tigers away. Alabama kept its composure in a very hostile environment.
Adrenalin has a short shelf-life...
Auburn roared out of the gate. They were feeding off the standing-room-only roars. Adrenalin does indeed have a short shelf-life. Alabama and Auburn went into the half with a 37-37 tie. Half number one was an old-fashioned street fight. Auburn fans may not have understood that Alabama had survived the Tiger's best shot to beat the Tide. Alabama was not going away. That first-half tenacity followed Alabama into the second half. The Tigers played hard. Auburn kept small leads in the second half. Alabama kept two rotations on the floor, and Bruce Pearl's team was worn out in the last six minutes. Pearl is a great coach. Oats is a great coach with better players on the floor.
The final analysis would be that Alabama's depth and talent level were too much for Pearl to find an answer to.
Mark Sears and Rylan Griffen sealed the deal...
Bama's bench is deep and talented. Nat Oats and the staff kept Bama's momentum going with his rotation. Clowney and Bediako helped control the paint. Jaden Bradley returned to the floor, looking like a confident young man. Namari Burnette won the hard-hat award with his defense and doing the small things which helped Bama win.
But...
Bama missed too many free throws and was surprisingly cool from the outside. Give AU some credit for running the Tide off the three-point line. Miller has seen the same defense for several games in succession. Let's hope the coaches devise something to help the freshman get easier shots. Alabama needs solid 20-plus games in the future. Alabama had too many turnovers. The team also caused some turnovers with their hard-nosed defense.
Tennessee will be ready...
Tennessee has lost two consecutive games of final shots. The Commodores drained one from the corner. The Missouri Tigers nailed on from just short of the midcourt line. Rick Barnes is one heck of a coach. Alabama needs to buckle up because Tennessee has its back to the wall. If you thought the AU game would be tough, then get ready for another game the Tide might lose.
Alabama is number one in the AP Poll...
Being Number One in the polls is an accomplishment. Is it a glimpse of the end results? I don't know. But it is a pat on the back to the players who entered the season as the number-five pick in the SEC. The Tide moved up two spots from third to the top spot. Tennessee dropped four spots to number ten. Road games are a heavy load. Barnes is telling his players the Alabama game is a chance for redemption. Tennessee leads the nation in defense. Alabama has the offense to win the game if the shots fall.
Brandon Miller is SEC-Freshman of the Week...
For the 6th time this year, Brandon Miller won the SEC Freshman of the Week. He'll win it a couple more times before the season ends.
AP POLL
1. Alabama 38 SEC
2 Houston 22 (I guess some have idea Bama beat Houston) AAC
3. Purdue 2 Big 10
4. UCLA PAC 12
5. Kansas Big 12
6. Texas Big12 (soon to be SEC)
7. Virginia ACC
8. Arizona PAC 12
10. Tennessee SEC
Only 3 other SEC teams got votes: Missouri would be 26th, Texas A&M would be 31st, and Arkansas checks in at 33.
Other notes about the Brackets: Kentucky, Texas A&M, Auburn, Arkansas, Missouri, and A&M are likely NCAA Tournament picks. Alabama is currently a 1 seed. Tennessee is a 2 seed.
