Field set - Bama plays winner of Auburn-Georgia

Most favorable bracket in my opinion...

     I'm sure that a lot of people won't agree with me. I'd rather the Tide play Georgia or Auburn again because of the match-ups. I'd rather not have to play Florida until next Sunday.  Playing a team back to back is never easy. It is hard beat a team twice in a season. However, I see no reason to think that Bama wouldn't beat Georgia again. That's assuming the Dawgs beat Auburn. Auburn is absolutely the worst team that Georgia can play match up wise. The Tigers carried Georgia into OT in Athens. It is no gimmee for the Dawgs.

     Should Bama beat the winner of that game the Tide will probably face Kentucky. I like the Kentucky - Bama game for the Tide.  If there is one team that has a shorter bench than the Tide it is the Wildcats. Kentucky will have the homecourt advantage in the Georgia Dome. Anyone losing on day # 1 will find a blue clad Kentucky in fan willing to pay ungodly amounts of money to watch the Wildcats. The SEC is one of the few places where some KU fans even have a chance to watch them play.  Bama will have its share of fans there as well.

Kentucky plays the winner of the Ole Miss vs. South Carolina game. The Rebels should win that game and don't count the Rebels out of the Kentucky game.

So once again the SEC Tournament returns to the world's worst venue...

     I know that Hotlanta has a lot of fun stuff to do. Watching basketball in the Georgia Dome is horrible. There are no great seats. There are plenty of horrible seats. And then there are the seats worst than horrible. I guess to the players all courts are basically the same. But I know from talking with players that the depth perception in huge arenas is not always good. That might help Bama and hurt a team like Vanderbilt and Kentucky. This is the most wide open SEC I can remember.

     In my estimation the Gators are favorites to win the event. You can't say they are overwhelming favorites however. Most experts think that either Florida, Kentucky, or Vanderbilt will win. You can count out Vandy. They peaked and now are not playing their best.  Kentucky is coming of a road win at Knoxville. Bama is coming off a key win over Georgia in the Tide's continued march to days of old. Ole Miss has won a couple of nice ones over Bama and Arkansas.

     I like Florida to win. The winner in the opposite bracket is going into the finals have played rough and hard games. Florida can put it on cruise control and advance. I must don't see Mississippi State being able to come out of the bottom bracket.   

    
    The big winner in all this bracket talk is Georgia. They lose to Bama, the team they needed to beat to convince the NCAA to give them a bid. Now they it is deja vue all over again as they say.

     One final thought. Wouldn't you like to be be fly on the wall in the Lacey Home in Huntsville should those two teams play. It would be especially interesting if Bama beat the Wildcats.

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Bama whips the Dawgs behind great defense and ...

Three point shooting...

     That was not a misprint. Charvez Davis ended his regular season senior season pretending he could launch something as good as NASA. Davis nailed 5 three pointers. When Bama star JaMichael Green was sitting with four fouls the left handed dropped in four big three point baskets. That performance only reinforced what a lot of pundits believe - if Bama has good outside shooting they can beat anyone, anytime, and anywhere but the Bahamas.
     

     Senior Day is always bittersweet. But for Hillman, Hines, and Davis they each played like champs, and each contributed in their own manner to the Bama win. Hillman nailed down his man on defense. Just flat nailed his shoes to the floor. Davis was the mad bomber. What can you say about Hines? It was almost fitting that the senior fouled out trying to make a steal and ended up prone on the hardwood for his effort. 15,000 plus fans gave him a standing ovation. Same for Hillman when he left the game. Davis who played 38 mintues was still on the floor when the final buzzer showed the Tide a 65-57 winner. When the game was over and the Crimson Tide gathered at midcourt to celebrate their Western Division Crown it was Davis who got the thunder. He deserved it.

     The bench was a big part in winning...

     We have all expressed concern over our bench. Today the bench outscored the Dawg bench 16-2. More important, when Green got his third foul early in the second half it was the Tide bench that helped the Tide from a 2 point lead to a 7 point lead. When Big JMG got his fourth foul the Tide upped the lead to 11. Green had 19 points and 9 boards in only 24 mintues of play. Trevor Releford knifed throught the Georgia zone like a surgeon drinking Red Bull. When Georgia finally went man in an effort to place some defensive pressure the freshman point guard owned the floor. His ball, his game. Tony Mitchell was always there for the big traffic rebound when the Bama Big men were sitting. He also threw in some "hello, I'm Tony Mitchell and I'm from outerspace" baskets. Tony doesn't do the mundane. He specializes in wow.

    Vandy couldn't beat Florida. So the Tide finishes 2nd overall in the SEC. I think Florida is the best team in the SEC. And I honestly think we are second best. A shot and turnover here and there could have given Bama the Crown. That Crown is coming and coming soon. Most felt Bama needed to win the SEC Crown to make it to the NCAA. I've listened to all the bracket experts and they seem to think Bama's strong finish in the SEC will be enough, barely. Barely means you make it. You either make it or don't make it. I think we have made it. I'd love to see us win at least one game in the SEC Tournament. Call it breathing room if you like.

A word about the crowd. The were loud and they were proud. When Coach Grant addressed the fans he thanked them for making Coleman a place where teams hated to come. I suspect in a couple of weeks some team is not going to be overly happy to see Bama coming to play them. A lot of things could happen between now and a week from tomorrow. We should be there . You can't convince me there are more deserving teams that don't recieve an automatic bid that should be in over the Tide.

Last home game is always a little different for me. Rather than sitting close I like to go up in the rafters and soak in all in. The game unfolded with the bad guys jumping out front and the good guys getting it togehter to win. Georgia was wearing black and Bama was in white.  This was an old Roy Roger's rerun. The guys in the white hats always win. This was a season where the term Crimson Pride was easily understood. I can' remember when there was an Alabama team exactly like this one. Watching them play took on all the fun of a root canal. But as the season progressed and kids got better they became a team that real hoop junkies came to love One play today eptimized our season. Trey Thompkins, the great Georgia forward, picked up his dribble in the corner. He immediately was swarmed over by Green and Mitchell. It was like someone dropped a sirloin steak in a river of piranha. Thompkins desparation pass landed just short of Northport. If you like your football as three yards and a cloud of dust, you love this team.

If I'm a guard recruit I'd look at the Bama offense and Releford and think I could score 20 every night out. Mr. Cooper, Mr. Randolph, and Mr. Lacey were probably watching a grinning.

photos compliments of UAmedia and bham news



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Key Georgia player doubtful?

Will Tide catch a break with injury to Trey Thompkins...

Thompkins help by LSU player
after sustaining his injury

In the Georgia romp over LSU it was easy to forget that Trey Thompkins got injuried. His status is doubtful according to Georgia Coach Matt Fox. "I doubt he'll even make the trip", said Fox when asked about the star forward's stutus. Marcus Thornton is still recoving from a deep laceration on his elbow. He is probable.



Thompkins score 16 ppg

 If Georgia indeeds loses Thompkins that is a big hit for the Dawgs. Thompkins is Georgia' biggest threat against a smaller Bama team. Trey is also very versatile. His 16 points per game and 7.5 rebounds won't be easy to replace. If Trey sits helps the Tide a great deal. Like the Tide, Georgia lives on the edge as well. Most national hoop pundits believe Georgia should recieve a bid to the NCAA. I'll admit they have a pretty good resume. However, they are playing the team that is the other teammost likely to give them a run for the SEC's last bid.

If Thompkins is unable to  play, I like the Tide even more on Satruday.


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Georgia has talent and game

Georgia can feel better about their season by beating Bama...

     As good as Alabama fans feel about unexpected success this season Georgia feels as bad. What was supposed to be a banner season has turned into just okay.  Just okay for the Dawgs on paper is 20-9 overall and 9-6 in the SEC. Keep in mind that Georgia  has to play Vandy, Florida, Kentucky, and Tennessee twice each season. 9-6 is pretty darn good. Georgia is fighting to finish third in the East.

Alabama has already nailed down the # 1 seed from the West for the SEC Tounament next week. Alabama is likely to play the winner of Vandy vs. LSU game on Thursday. Bama would finally get another shot at Vandy and vindicaton REFGATE. Georgia will play Auburn on Thursday and then advance to play Mississippi State on Friday. This is more than a good draw. It is more like an invitation into the semi-finals. The Tide is going to catch one of three good Eastern teams to reach the semi's. Depending on the tie breakers it will be Georgia, Kentucky, or Vandy.

This is one season where the weakness of the West is going to effect a lot of things. It is hard to see anyone other than Mississippi State or perhaps Arkansas to pull off an upset.  If Ole Miss, LSU, or Auburn wins a game it is going to be a huge upset. In the upper bracket the winner of Thursday game could easily be a favorite over the Tide.

For Bama it becomes a one game season...

For Bama the road to the NCAA is clear. Beat Georgia and hope that the homestanding Commodores knock off Florida. That may happen. I always like hometeams in the SEC. But the Georgia Bulldogs may be better than Alabama. I'll say this - if the NCAA is torn between Bama and Georgia they are going to see one or possibly two games between the candidates.  I still maintain the NCAA is not going to snub the SEC champion even with Co-Champs.

Bama is focused on Georgia. If the Tide doesn't knock off the more talented Dawgs the NIT may be their best bet. So what's going happen on Saturday?  Georgia is coming into Coleman with a more talent. They are also rested. Bama may have better team regardless of the talent level. Key question in my mind is whether Trevor Releford, Tony Mitchell, and JaMiceal Green have rested enough to sustain 40 minutes of all out defense. I think Bama can score enough to win. I'd take Bama in a close one simply because they are at home.

Bama's bench must contribute something more on Saturday...


One thing is clear. Someone needs to come off the Bama bench and contribute. Steele has quit shooting. Hillman won't stop shooting, Eblen can's shoot, and Hankerson hasn't played enought ot know what will happen. Davis has shot pretty well at home. The crowd will give the Tide a lift. If Releford can play full speed when he is in the lineup Bama might be hard to beat. If Tony Mitchell is rested enough to return to outer space where he usually plays the Tide will be all right. Green is going to have more friends than a dumb powerball lottery winner insider. Get the ball to Green. Get the ball to Green again, and keep trying to get the ball to Green. If the Tide does that they win. I like Bama 67-64.

Bill will be on 97.7 The Zone tonight at 8 and on 97.7 The Peach in Clanton at the same time.

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Bama beats Georgia and we are in...

Pack the suitcase...

     Let me tell you that the University of Alabama is going to be in the NCAA field of 68 if they beat Georgia. That is what my three friends who have helped select teams in the past tell us. The only way that ‘Bama won’t make it would require a bevy of post season conference tournament upsets. Now get out your crimson magic markers and write this down. If ‘Bama beats Georgia and Vanderbilt beats Florida this weekend it would take a landslide of conference upsets to keep a Conference Champion out of the field.

     The NCAA simply doesn't think it is politically correct to take 11 schools out of the Big East over the SEC Champion. If ‘Bama wins the SEC Crown that means something. It isn’t something you can just overlook. A quasi-symbolic number of 20 wins still counts. It isn’t an instant invitation to the dance, but you can at least start planning the trip.

     I’ll trust what my friends tell me. Hey,I've played a good bit of golf with one of these men, and he wouldn’t tell me something unless he believed it. If he did, first tee betting negotiations would take on global proportions and involve living children. The Coach of the Year in the Southeastern Conference is going to be Anthony Grant. You don’t snub the SEC Coach of the Year. It isn’t politically correct to do so. All this makes sense. I know people who know how the system works. I trust them. I’ll leave it that. Beyond that, my wife has bought a new Crimson colored outfit for the trip. My wife doesn’t do that unless she is sure we’re going on a trip...

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Bama taken to the woodpile

You could see it coming...

In my last post I said this was going to happen. Let's be truthful. Florida was playing at home and Alabama waltzed in with the worst offense in the SEC. Senior night on a hostile floor is not a good place to suddenly find a way to score baskets. But let's get this straight. Bama can still make it to the NCAA and here is how. Beat Georgia and hope Vandy beats Florida. Co-champs. I don't care how disappointed you are about Gainesville. It was a whooping, the first one a Grant team has endured at Bama.

Just shoot the ball kid...

Anyone who thought we could be Co-Champions of the SEC this year would have served 30 days in the nearest mental health ward. I am happy with the season. I will be happier when we beat Georgia and Vandy beats Florida. We gave them one heck of a half, and then talent took over. Fatigue set in and the inevitable happened. I know the boo-birds and hitchhiker fans will be upset, then get mad, and then quit the team. Not most of us though. This season is not over. I've seen over a thousand Alabama basketball games. I've seen teams with heart and those that were without. This one has it. All they need is rest. Thank heavens we don't play until Saturday. A standing ovation for what this team has done and is going to do more. I'd bet my last dollar on it. There is something about this group of kids and their coach which makes me proud. How about leaving a few comments below for me to send to CGrant?

Too big, Too tall, and too much at home

     I wish that a forecast for an upset win was forthcoming in this article. It isn't. My heart, my crimson heart that pumped more love toward Alabama basketball than I could every tell you is wishing and hoping for that too occur. Don't think for one minute that I won't be in the O'Dome yelling and screaming for our Tide.
     But along with that love comes as a strong case of Crimson vision. The problem with getting older is that despite all the hope and wishes, despite all the passion and loyalty, comes hard reality. Florida is the best team in the SEC and they are at home. I could probably stop right there and not add one word.

Too Big, Too tall, and at home... 

Let me at those damn Gators. I'll slow them down...

      Beyond all the above it is clear that the Gators are just to big, too tall, and  are at home. I left out talent. There's plenty. There is also Chandler Parsons who is the best player in the SEC. The tall floppy mopped Gator is a great shooter, and a better leader. If the Gators were a snake he'd be the head. If you want to kill a snake you have to cut off the head.
   I just can't figure out a way for the Tide to do that. I guess you stick your chest up to his and hope he has a back shooting night. You can't double team him because he plays away from the basket as much as he does inside.  That means you've got to put a guard on him. Do that and he goes down low and uses his 6'10' frame to play over you. I think I'd try Tony Mitchell, light a candle for him, and let him have a go.

A tired Bama team... 

  Alabama is tired. Trevor Releford has looked dead on his feet the last two games. If I was his mother I would sent him to bed after the Ole Miss game just to rest. JaMicael Green has been playing as good as he can out of position. He is also playing mad as hell. Florida can double team with Vernon Macklin and Alex Tyus are huge. Huge enough to play Green straight up.
    But Bama is not without hope. The Tide defense will keep them in the game. What we need is someone like Steele, Davis, and Mitchell to provide some real help outside. Do that and we have a chance. If Releford in particular can hang on to the rock, and we don't loose our composure we kinda might maybe in an outside sort of way have a chance to win.

Bama needs the game to come down to the last five minutes and hope that the refs are fair. Or fairer. If what we all believe is true perhaps Gerald B calls from Birmingham as says "Look guys, We know that Florida is in and we sure could get a lot more money if Bama won and got in."  I don't believe stuff like that happens but tonight I'm wishing and hoping it might be true.  But one this is crystal clear to me. To even lose a game such as the one played tonight means you need to do something special to play such a contest.