You have to be proud of the Tide...

Gritty performance may land NCAA bid...
Lacy unlikely for State game

Effort like this was key

    It seems to me that Alabama winning on the road over Arkansas must be considered one of the more important wins in the Anthony Grant era. With the roller coaster going downhill the diminutive group of Crimson Tide guards, plus one big man have won two big games back to back. A season on the brink of disaster is now likely saved for something to remember. I've seen over a 1000 Alabama basketball games. I can't remember one that was more enjoyable to watch which meant something. Last nights game looked like two teams of Smurfs running around chasing a ball. The Crimson Smurfs were just better.

Steele was supreme

     Alabama took a hard right to the chin and fell behind 33-20,  and then  lost Trevor Lacey. Lacey injured his ankle. If you saw him fall and heard his screams of pain you can better understand just how bad his injury might be. Lacey had already drilled 2 three point baskets and added a deuce for 8 points. It was Lacey who kept the Tide close enough to win. It was everyone else who pulled themselves together and played the hardest defense I have seen in years. No joking, no puffing, and no exaggeration in saying that for 10 minutes Arkansas couldn't run a play, couldn't score a basket, and were roundly booed by their own fans.



Lacey's defense on Young in second
half was huge

      Down 13 with 7:38 to go in the first half, Alabama rallied behind their defense, but also used some great shooting to build a 4 point half-time lead of 45-41. The Tide shot 59% from the floor including 6-8 from behind the arc. Arkansas hit 8-11 from behind the arc in the first half. Oddly enough, no one made a point basket in the second half.

• Andrew Steel would be my player of the game. He scored a career high in points,15, and had 3 assists. He pulled down 6 rebounds and was 8-10 from the free throw line.
• Rodney Cooper led a scorers with a very quiet 17 points.
• Trevor Releford had 14 points and enjoyed the last 20 seconds of game as he dribbled alone in front of the Tide bench.
• Nick Jacobs has 14 points, just one shy of his career high, pull down 4 rebounds, but set a lot of time in foul trouble.
• Moussa Gueye and Carl Engstrom each played. Gueye got the start was not as effective as he has been in the past. The same with Engstrom. The game was too fast for them in the full cout. Jacobs's mobility and speed was a key differnce in the game as Alabama controlled the paint durinig his rotation
• Bama needs 1 more win go at least .500 in the league. If they do I believe the Tide will get a bid. Any wins over 8 and in the SEC will help the seeding'
• What happens is Bama wins the last 4, and then 2 games in the SEC. How about a 5 or 6 feed.
• The Tide is playing so well right now I wonder exactly how Grant intends to use Green. Will he start him or use him off the bench. Bama can't beat State without a big game from someone inside. Moultrie and Sydney would have too much size for a four guard lineup.

• A Green/Jacobs vs. Moultrie/Syndey showdown would be fun to watch.

     Finally, for all the anger filled, doom and gloom pessimests who posted that Grant wasn't the man - He is the Man. And everyone who posted negative things about our Coach are just like Old Faithful. You are right on time with your negative posts, but don't do a damn thing except blow off steam... And finally, for you gentleman who take such pleasure in defaming me I just wanted you to know you have me confused with someone who cares what a bunch of whiners and cowards think. Go file yourselves under chicken shit a/k/a per America Graffiti, time for your next shift down at Wendy's, flunkees, choad scrapers,wankers, wife beaters, girl friend bashers, santorum producers, and all you guys who prove to sane people that Rick Santorum is insane, post away. Go find some self esteem, prozac, and class. You are unfit to be an Alabama Man in any capacity.

Here's the word I heard...

Great Source tells me that 8-8 will get a bid...

Grant says Green will not play.

     A really great source who is close to the NCAA Selection Committee told me that barring a lot of unforeseen upsets in Conference Tournaments, an 8-8 record would probably be enough to get Alabama in the NCAA Field of 68. That includes the opening night play in teams who earn the right to get killed by the number one seeds shortly thereafter. 
      
    That means that 19 wins could be enough to make the post season dance. That doesn't include what might happen, good or bad, in the SEC Tournament. That sounds great. But getting that 2-2 split isn't going to be easy. Two road games with Arkansas and Ole Miss will be hard to win. Auburn, your arch rival is always dicey, and Mississippi State are in Tuscaloosa. Three of those teams know their own individual chances depend on beating Alabama. This is especially true for Mississippi State. The dead solid perfect cinch for a tournament bid just lost their fourth consecutive game, and that's not good. Arkansas is probably so far off the bubble they can't make it but beating Alabama would give some room to argue. Auburn would kill to beat Alabama in Tuscaloosa. Ole Miss in Oxford. That is never easy. You can argue 1-3 as much as you could 2-2 or 3-1. Grants's decision not to play Green in Arkansas could have some really negative results. 


     Last night in Starkville the Bulldogs jumped out to a 13 point first half lead and then got beat by 9. The final was 73-64. The Bulldogs played an almost over perfect first half. Kentucky played an absolutely perfect second half. The second half of that game was like watching a robot. The Kentucky team systematically and methodically beat the Bulldogs by taking away what was successful in the first half, and correcting what they did in wrong themselves in the first twenty minutes. The SEC is going to win another NCAA title unless Kentucky has an awful night. There might be a team that can beat the Wildcats but none comes to mind right off the bat. State gave the blueprint on how to whip the Cats, but in the end just didn't have the depth to do it. 
     
    It may be a force of habit but I just never expect an SEC team to win on the road against a good team. Arkansas is a good team with great young talent and coached by one of the best coaches in America. Marshawn Powell, the 6-7 junior power forward is averaging 19.5 ppg and 6 boards. Bama has no one who can match up with Powell, and will try to wear him down with Jacobs, Gueye, and Engstrom. It could work, but Powell has so much more talent and experience on the offensive end its a pretty tough row to hoe for the three Tide inside players. B.J. Young is a 6-3 guard who is averaging 15 ppg is a 40% three point shooter. Think Trevor Lacey with a killer shot and you have an idea of how he plays. I think that Levi Randolph will draw the assignment of keeping the ball out of his hands. That is going to be a great matchup to watch. Arkansas entered the Florida game with a 17 game home winning streak. Florida beat them by 30 points, 98-68. Now, the thoroughly embarrassed Razorbacks have a chance to protect their house against a Greenless Tide team. 


     I have no doubt that Alabama could beat this Arkansas team with Green. Without Green? I don't think so,but if there is a silver lining it is that the four guard Florida lineup killed the Hogs and Alabama will put four on the floor as well. I think this will be a very competitive game. If Releford plays as well he did as a freshman at Fayetteville (except the last 2 minutes)  last year we have chance. If the Tide can slow down the pace and get away with their relentless defense they may pull off a big one. I'm surprised that Grant announced to the media that Green wouldn't play. I thought he would play but if not why let the Arkansas team know ahead of the game. You could say the same thing for the State game as well. Why not say one way or the other? I'm sure Grant has a good reason. I'm just saying...


Arkansas by 5. 

Here's the word I heard...

Great Source tells me that 8-8 will get a bid...

Grant says Green will not play.

     A really great source who is close to the NCAA Selection Committee told me that barring a lot of unforeseen upsets in Conference Tournaments, an 8-8 record would probably be enough to get Alabama in the NCAA Field of 68. That includes the opening night play in teams who earn the right to get killed by the number one seeds shortly thereafter. 
      
    That means that 19 wins could be enough to make the post season dance. That doesn't include what might happen, good or bad, in the SEC Tournament. That sounds great. But getting that 2-2 split isn't going to be easy. Two road games with Arkansas and Ole Miss will be hard to win. Auburn, your arch rival is always dicey, and Mississippi State are in Tuscaloosa. Three of those teams know their own individual chances depend on beating Alabama. This is especially true for Mississippi State. The dead solid perfect cinch for a tournament bid just lost their fourth consecutive game, and that's not good. Arkansas is probably so far off the bubble they can't make it but beating Alabama would give some room to argue. Auburn would kill to beat Alabama in Tuscaloosa. Ole Miss in Oxford. That is never easy. You can argue 1-3 as much as you could 2-2 or 3-1. Grants's decision not to play Green in Arkansas could have some really negative results. 


     Last night in Starkville the Bulldogs jumped out to a 13 point first half lead and then got beat by 9. The final was 73-64. The Bulldogs played an almost over perfect first half. Kentucky played an absolutely perfect second half. The second half of that game was like watching a robot. The Kentucky team systematically and methodically beat the Bulldogs by taking away what was successful in the first half, and correcting what they did in wrong themselves in the first twenty minutes. The SEC is going to win another NCAA title unless Kentucky has an awful night. There might be a team that can beat the Wildcats but none comes to mind right off the bat. State gave the blueprint on how to whip the Cats, but in the end just didn't have the depth to do it. 
     
    It may be a force of habit but I just never expect an SEC team to win on the road against a good team. Arkansas is a good team with great young talent and coached by one of the best coaches in America. Marshawn Powell, the 6-7 junior power forward is averaging 19.5 ppg and 6 boards. Bama has no one who can match up with Powell, and will try to wear him down with Jacobs, Gueye, and Engstrom. It could work, but Powell has so much more talent and experience on the offensive end its a pretty tough row to hoe for the three Tide inside players. B.J. Young is a 6-3 guard who is averaging 15 ppg is a 40% three point shooter. Think Trevor Lacey with a killer shot and you have an idea of how he plays. I think that Levi Randolph will draw the assignment of keeping the ball out of his hands. That is going to be a great matchup to watch. Arkansas entered the Florida game with a 17 game home winning streak. Florida beat them by 30 points, 98-68. Now, the thoroughly embarrassed Razorbacks have a chance to protect their house against a Greenless Tide team. 


     I have no doubt that Alabama could beat this Arkansas team with Green. Without Green? I don't think so,but if there is a silver lining it is that the four guard Florida lineup killed the Hogs and Alabama will put four on the floor as well. I think this will be a very competitive game. If Releford plays as well he did as a freshman at Fayetteville (except the last 2 minutes)  last year we have chance. If the Tide can slow down the pace and get away with their relentless defense they may pull off a big one. I'm surprised that Grant announced to the media that Green wouldn't play. I thought he would play but if not why let the Arkansas team know ahead of the game. You could say the same thing for the State game as well. Why not say one way or the other? I'm sure Grant has a good reason. I'm just saying...


Arkansas by 5. 

Here's the word I heard...

Great Source tells me that 8-8 will get a bid...

Grant says Green will not play.

     A really great source who is close to the NCAA Selection Committee told me that barring a lot of unforeseen upsets in Conference Tournaments, an 8-8 record would probably be enough to get Alabama in the NCAA Field of 68. That includes the opening night play in teams who earn the right to get killed by the number one seeds shortly thereafter. 
      
    That means that 19 wins could be enough to make the post season dance. That doesn't include what might happen, good or bad, in the SEC Tournament. That sounds great. But getting that 2-2 split isn't going to be easy. Two road games with Arkansas and Ole Miss will be hard to win. Auburn, your arch rival is always dicey, and Mississippi State are in Tuscaloosa. Three of those teams know their own individual chances depend on beating Alabama. This is especially true for Mississippi State. The dead solid perfect cinch for a tournament bid just lost their fourth consecutive game, and that's not good. Arkansas is probably so far off the bubble they can't make it but beating Alabama would give some room to argue. Auburn would kill to beat Alabama in Tuscaloosa. Ole Miss in Oxford. That is never easy. You can argue 1-3 as much as you could 2-2 or 3-1. Grants's decision not to play Green in Arkansas could have some really negative results. 


     Last night in Starkville the Bulldogs jumped out to a 13 point first half lead and then got beat by 9. The final was 73-64. The Bulldogs played an almost over perfect first half. Kentucky played an absolutely perfect second half. The second half of that game was like watching a robot. The Kentucky team systematically and methodically beat the Bulldogs by taking away what was successful in the first half, and correcting what they did in wrong themselves in the first twenty minutes. The SEC is going to win another NCAA title unless Kentucky has an awful night. There might be a team that can beat the Wildcats but none comes to mind right off the bat. State gave the blueprint on how to whip the Cats, but in the end just didn't have the depth to do it. 
     
    It may be a force of habit but I just never expect an SEC team to win on the road against a good team. Arkansas is a good team with great young talent and coached by one of the best coaches in America. Marshawn Powell, the 6-7 junior power forward is averaging 19.5 ppg and 6 boards. Bama has no one who can match up with Powell, and will try to wear him down with Jacobs, Gueye, and Engstrom. It could work, but Powell has so much more talent and experience on the offensive end its a pretty tough row to hoe for the three Tide inside players. B.J. Young is a 6-3 guard who is averaging 15 ppg is a 40% three point shooter. Think Trevor Lacey with a killer shot and you have an idea of how he plays. I think that Levi Randolph will draw the assignment of keeping the ball out of his hands. That is going to be a great matchup to watch. Arkansas entered the Florida game with a 17 game home winning streak. Florida beat them by 30 points, 98-68. Now, the thoroughly embarrassed Razorbacks have a chance to protect their house against a Greenless Tide team. 


     I have no doubt that Alabama could beat this Arkansas team with Green. Without Green? I don't think so,but if there is a silver lining it is that the four guard Florida lineup killed the Hogs and Alabama will put four on the floor as well. I think this will be a very competitive game. If Releford plays as well he did as a freshman at Fayetteville (except the last 2 minutes)  last year we have chance. If the Tide can slow down the pace and get away with their relentless defense they may pull off a big one. I'm surprised that Grant announced to the media that Green wouldn't play. I thought he would play but if not why let the Arkansas team know ahead of the game. You could say the same thing for the State game as well. Why not say one way or the other? I'm sure Grant has a good reason. I'm just saying...


Arkansas by 5. 

How many wins does the Tide need?

Will 19 be enough wins?

Green returns to practice -
Update: Grant says Green will not play
against Arkansas but might be available for State.

     You never know exactly how many it will take. But I think that if we have 19 wins in the regular season and 1 of those is Mississippi State we will get the. Getting a bid is better than not having one but you have to hope to get a lower seed. The 8 & 9 seeds are the kiss of death. If Bama somehow wins 3 of their last 4 and then takes 2 in the SEC we will be a 6 or 7 I hope. Bama has the RPI and SOS but the wins are low and we have only 1 quality win according the bracket guys. A win over State would give us 2. I think the win over Tennessee considering the circumstances was a pretty good win.

     Let's look at the remaining games. First, is Arkansas which is being played at  Wal-Mart. The Bud Walton Arena is the top facility in the SEC for home court advantage. This is going to be one tough game. I think if Green has a great game and we don't turn the ball over we have rshot. The Razorbacks have been team Prozac of the league, but they have been hard to beat in Fayetteville. This game would be a real shot in the arm for the Tide. The 'Hogs RPI is currently 87. That would be a big hit if the Tide loses and might even hurt a bit if we win. Life on the road is tough. Alabama has had some decent games in Fayetteville. The Razorbacks now stand at 17-10 and have 5-7 SEC Record. Alabama matched up extremely well when Mitchell was a part of team. Grant will probably go with Jacobs if he can play. The players have learned alot in the last three or four games when they were put under the gun with suspensions This should make Alabama a much better team. Still it is hard to pick against Arkansas. My gut tells me Alabama but my head says Arkansas.

     Alabama returns from Thursday night's game to face Miss. State. This is the biggest game the Tide will face all year. If they lose to Arkansas and then lose to Miss. State we might be lucky to get in the NIT. However, if the Tide wins against ranked Miss. State or at least ranked before playing Kentucky at home tonight things start to look better. State is at 19-8 and 6-6 in the SEC. Most have them penciled in already. A lot of State fans think that the Bulldogs will be State tonight. I hope so. I don't think so. Three things are in States favor however; its in Starkville, Moultrie and Sydney. This is one team that can bang inside with the Cats if they get a few calls it will be interesting. Alabama MUST beat State. It's that simple. Beat State and Alabama is knocking on the door.  You have to believe that Alabama will beat Aubuie quickly and not quietly.  This is a game that the Tide has to shine to the rest of the nation and convince some voters they belong. Beating State will set the table. A big win over Auburn almost puts us in. It might even put us in the field. I like the home team in an exciting game.

     Finally, we go to Oxford. Of all the places to end a season this has to be a worst case scenario. Not only do we historically play bad in Northern Mississippi but we don't match up well with them. We have to beat them on defense and beating someone on the road with a press could end a free throw marathon for the home game. On top of that this game might actually decide if Bama or Ole Miss gets an invite. Tide fans need to pull hard for State to win tonight over the Wildcats and Ole Miss to drop a couple.

    I can see 2-2 easily. You can think that 3-1 is possible and it might be. 4-0 would be tough but Alabama has the defense to make it happen. You can also see 1-3. State has a big inside game. Green will be tested. Moultrie is the leagues MVP along with that kid from the pro team out of Lexington. Bost always saves his best for Bama,  and he seems to always do it late. So to be fair. We are 16-9 with 4 games. That might end up as 18-10. Not impossible. Alabama's ace in the hole is that the NCAA gives the Tide some leeway for 2 of the losses while Green and Mitchell were suspended. That might help us get in but it won't matter about being a bad seed. The may cut the some slack for those two game, but they won't cut us anything for the seed.

    

Green is back but Mitchell is through for the season

and, I'd suspect is gone for good. It wouldn't surprise me if he transfers to a school where he can play that last year of eligibility.  If I remember correctly he missed on season earlier. Too bad, he's not a bad kid, but in honesty he can't say he wasn't warned. I think our Coach gave him the last chance in a meeting to indicated that things could be different. Sometimes a player will not accept the discipline of his coach. That leaves only one choice for the good of the team.

This isn't Grants fault. He did what Coach Saban would have done if it were football. He did what most parents would have done as well. The difference is that when a basketball starter leaves he takes 20% of the starting lineup with him. He will be missed, and replacing him is just not possible in some regards, but overall we will be okay.

I'm glad Green is coming back for a lot of reasons. First, he can help the team and himself. Second, he can now have a better chance to do well in the NBA draft. He can help us get back to the NCAA. I don't think we can make it without him. One positive is that the other inside players have really improved. Also, the defensive pressure on the ball has really picked up passing to the inside. will not be as easy. I think with a little luck we can make it to the Tournament.

back to the forums

Tide prepares for OLE MISS

Is Ole Miss another must win game?  

     Has Alabama reached a point where every game they play is now a must win situation?  I'd like to hope not. The Tide has lost 4 SEC games to this point. Last season 12 wins and only 4 losses failed to qualify. I think the NCAA has a little making up to do for last season's error. I also think they will give the Tide the benefit of the doubt if we end up as a bubble team. What the Tide needs to do is take themselves off  the bubble with a couple of big wins. Simply stated if Alabama losses another home game this season they are in trouble. If Alabama wins all their home games that means they will have beaten Florida and Mississippi State. Those 2 games are huge for Bama. Road games to a suddenly improved LSU and Auburn, Tennessee, and Arkansas are all possible losses.  My personal belief is that Bama needs to be undefeated at home and  win at least 2 road games. 


     Will a season so full of promise fall to ashes in the next month. It could and it would not be surprising at this point. So what does the Tide need to do?  7 things...


1. Make some outside shots, particularly at home...
2. Stop trying to make so many outside shots on the road and get to the foul line.
3. Get to the foul line at home
4. Hope that Tony Mitchell returns to form and soon
5. Keep our fingers crossed that JayMychal Green plays the remainder of the season like the    
    the second half of the Arkansas game.
6. Pray that Trevor Releford continues his sparkling play in finding cracks in the zone to drive. 
7. Bama needs Andrew Steele and Nick Jacobs to continue to play some big minutes. 


     There are 7 lucky things the Tide needs to do. I have to say it has been surprising to see how much the league has improved since last year. Arnette Moultrie has transformed State on the inside while Dee Bost is killing teams on the outside. LSU is just a step away from being more than solid. Auburn is very quietly improving. Florida is much improved. Kentucky is good. Tennessee is going to get a couple of big wins. Arkansas is a monster at the Mart. 


   The two most disappointing teams are Alabama and Vandy. I say that from a hype position. I didn't think Alabama would be as good as last year unless the freshmen really played well. I'm stunned at the bricks the Lacey and Cooper have put up all year. Randolph has been a little better from the outside, but he pays his fare with his rebounding and defense. He is the best man defender we have right now.Jacobs is a load down low and is ready to finish the year with a flourish. 


     Alabama is simply a better team with Steele on the floor. What a bonus he was able to return, and what a disappointment we haven't made better use of him. Moussa was starting to get some minutes and then he has disappeared. He can help us with some key minutes and I think Grant is going to have to find away to give them to him. 

    We are on the borderline of getting into the Tournament or playing in the NIT. The exciting part is if we make the field of 64 or 68 it means we will really be playing well. Oh yeah, it wouldn't hurt to make it to the finals in the SEC Tournament either. What do you think?