Tide takes on Tennessee at Noon today.

Fulkerson out with a facial fracture and concussion. Primo unlikely... 

   While no official word has been given by the AD about Joshua Primo's injury, it appears he will not play today. With 12 minutes left in the second half to the Mississippi State game, Primo was on the receiving end of an Iverson Molinari dive for a loose ball. The freshman could not put any weight on his leg as he was escorted to the locker room. Nate Oats said he was taken to the hospital immediately. 

     John Fulkerson has knocked senseless by two blows to his head thrown by Florida's Omar Payne. Payne was ejected from the game. It was clearly an intentional blow.  News reports are that Fulkerson has a fracture to a facial bone and a concussion.  Tennessee AD reports he will not play today. 

     Alabama is a 3 1/2 point favorite at 9:45 am. Some houses have the Tide, a 4 point favorite.  The winner of today's game will advance to the finals of the SEC Tournament played on Sunday. The winner will face either LSU or Arkansas. Arkansas is listed as a 4 point favorite in that game. 

     For Alabama, the question is who will start in place of Primo. My source tells me that it will be Keon Ellis or Jahvon Quinerly.  Oats likes JQ coming off the bench as the 6th man, but we'll see. The Tide starters' remainders are Petty, Jr., Herb Jones, Jason Bruner, and Jaden Shackleford. This is a  more talented team than Bama played earlier in the season. 

HOW DOES THE TIDE WIN?

1.  Alabama needs to keep Pons away from the basket when Shackleford or Quinerly drives the lane. 

2.  Bama needs to get early fouls on Pons to negate his shot-blocking. The loss of Fulkerson will help the Tide in the paint,  but Pons is a load.

3.  Downtown shots need to fall early and often.  

4.  Keep the turnovers down to 10

5.  Run the floor like a scalded dog, and try to wear down the Vols. Most Tn. players logged in the 30 + minutes against Florida.

6.  Make 75% or better from the line.

7.   Play the same aggressive defense shown against State. 

 Look for Darius Miles to get some extra minutes today. He's ready

Update:  Primo has an MCL sprain according to UA AD's office. He will miss today but can return in a week or so.

Alabama destroys Mississippi State 85-48

        If this had been a prize fight, someone would have thrown in the towel. Alabama played the best defensive basketball game I've ever seen. The Bulldogs had 19 points at the half and were lucky to have scored that many. The Tide defense was so stifling Mississippi State couldn't run their offense. The Tide blocked shots, deflected passes, got all the fifty-fifty balls, stole everything they touched. 

     

      When Mississippi State got the ball inside, Alabama's quick hands stopped the Bulldogs from shooting. After the first 12 minutes, you could see Ben Howland's team surrender. If you ever wondered how good the Tide defense really is, you saw Exhibit 1.  Alabama wasn't red-hot from the outside, but they held Mississippi State to 1-19 from downtown. The Tide's switches on ball screens and back screens were nearly perfect. Nate Oats had to be happy with the team's performance.

     Alabama shot 48% from the floor, 36.1 % from beyond the arc, 8-8 from the free-throw line.  The Tide had only 9 turnovers and an outstanding 20 assists. 11 steals, and 7 blocked shots. State out-boarded the Tide by 9,  but several were after the game was in hand. Quinerly led the Tide in scoring with 14.  No news yet on Primo's knee injury.  Juwan Gary was a force inside. He kept Ado and Smith off the glass. He had 11 points. All things totaled with was the best performance the Tide has had on both ends of the floor since early in the season.

     Alabama now takes on Tennessee. Fulkerson sustained a head injury, and according to Rick Barnes he is unlikely for tomorrow. Arkansas edged out Missouri 70-64. This was posted prior to the last game between LSU and Ole Miss.  

 Alabama starts its post-season Friday against Mississippi State...

     

    After a 21-6 regular season, the Alabama Crimson Tide carries high expectations into the post-season. Mississippi State moves to 15-1 3 with a dramatic win over Kentucky 74-73. Iverson Molinari hit two big three-pointers and then two free throws in the last minute to eliminate the Wildcats. State hopes to secure an NIT bid. The Tide is projected as a two-seed right now but wants to move up to a one by winning the SEC Tournament. 

     Not only has did the Tide win the SEC championship, but it suddenly finds itself in relatively good health. This season, Jones, Rojas, Quinerly, Bruner, and Gary missed games due to injury or illness. Nate Oates has been known as a tournament coach and looks to see the Tide regain their offensive punch going into the post-season. I've spoken with three former SEC coaches, and each report that if the Tide can beat anyone, if they regain their shooting touch. The second half of the recent Georgia game saw the Tide make 8 three-point baskets. Joshua Primo had 11 in that game, and hopefully, he can return to earlier season form.  

     Alabama has beaten State twice this season.  The Bulldogs have caused some problems for Alabama's drive and dish offense.  The inside size and length of State make it less likely for State to collapse its interior defense.  I think Miss. State is going to force Alabama to run, force interior layups, and hop Ado or Smith gets into foul trouble. Alabama needs to cut down on their turnovers.  Miss. State had 19 turnovers against Kentucky and Alabama would like to cause that in today's game. Alabama should win this game. More after the game. 

       

 Hoop Heaven arrives again...

    Remember last year when the Tide was getting ready to take the floor for their first game in the SEC Tournament?  A moment later, the SEC canceled it all.  And then the NCAA canceled the national tournament. For a hoops first basketball fan, it was a stunning blow.  Here we are a year later, and today the SEC Tournament has its first full day of games. Yesterday, Vanderbilt beat Texas A&M to advance to round two. Here are my picks for today.

   Game 1 - Mississippi State vs. Kentucky at 11 CST-  I'm taking Kentucky for two reasons. First, the officials will do everything they can to bump the Wildcats to the Alabama game. The second reason is that State seems to have cashed it in for the year. If the Bulldogs can pull themselves together and win a couple of games, they might get an NIT bid.  I have a good friend who told me that Kentucky is now better than Alabama and Arkansas. You have to love Kentucky fans, but that ain't happening.   

   Game 2 -  Vanderbilt vs. Florida - at 2:00 PM CST - Vandy got here by beating the SEC's worst team.  TAMU was so racked by COVID protocols they never got started this season. No-fault of the Aggies, but Vandy was too much for them. Florida ended up playing on day two by losing to Tennessee in the final game of the season.  Guess who the Gators will play after beating Vandy? Yep, it's Tennessee, and Tre Manne will be back. Vandy may have some slight advantage by playing the day before. Vandy is without Dylan Disu, the 6-9 power forward. The Commodores lose 15 ppg and almost 10 boards. It might be close for a half. 

I'll have more after the first two games. 

     Way to go, Mississippi State. Molinar won the game for Bulldogs, and we can put the Wildcats to rest...

    Game 3 - Missouri vs. Georgia - I'm picking Missouri to win this one. The Tiger's inside size and length may be too much for the Bulldogs. Wheeler is one heck of a player, but his supporting cast is hot and cold.  Tilman and Smith will control the boards. Smith and Pinson are good enough to offset Wheeler.  Missouri can win a better seed in the National Tournament by making it to the SEC's finals.  This one might be close for a half or so, but Coach Martin will have the answers down the stretch.

   Game 4 - Ole Miss vs.  South Carolina - The money guys like Ole Miss, and I think they are right. Ole Miss needs three wins in the SEC Tournament to have any chance to make it to the NCAA's. DeVontae Shuler is a great offensive and defensive threat. That being said, never underestimate Frank Martin.  I like Ole Miss. 

 

PICKNROLL's  PICKS  FOR THE AWARDS

FIRST TEAM ALL-SEC 

• Herb Jones, 6-8 forward from the University of Alabama
• Moses Moody, 6-7 forward/guard from the University of Arkansas
• Tre Manne -6-2 guard from the Unversity of  FloridaDevonta 
• Devonta Schuler, 6-3 guard from the University of Mississippi
• Savir Wheeler,  5-9 guard from the University of Georgia

   All of the above players had two things in common. They are great players, and they were the heart and soul of their teams. 

SECOND TEAM ALL SEC

• John  Petty, Jr, 6-5 senior two-guard from the University of Alabama
• Jerimiah Tilman, 6-11 post from the University of Missouri
• Jevonta Smart, 6-4 guard from the  Louisiana State University
• Jaden Shackleford, 6-4 guard from the University of Alabama
• Trendon Watford -6-9 post from the Louisiana State University. 
• Cameron Thomas, 6-4 guard, Louisiana State University
•   

Honorable Mention -  Jackson, Boston UKentucky, Pippen, Vanderbilt, Smith, Missouri,  Castleton, Florida, Stewart, Miss. State. Quinerly, Al., Lawson, Florida

SOUTHEASTERN PLAYER OF THE YEAR - 

Herb Jones - University of Alabama

Moses Moody was a close second place.

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR -

Herb Jones - University of Alabama

How outstanding and rare: The Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year, and it wasn't close. Jones was also named to the AP 3rd team.

SOUTHEASTERN CONFERENCE COACH OF THE YEAR -

Nate Oats - University of Alabama

Eric Musselman - Univesity of Arkansas was a close second. 

I usually don't make a freshman list,\ but I'll say that if I did a top-five Joshua Primo, and Moses Malone would be there. 

    

Some thoughts around the NCAA...

'Bama is now # 6 in the AP

     Alabama knocks the socks off the SEC, and now many media types are sleeping with Eric Musselman.  We'll see about that later next week, won't we? Here's my thought, if Alabama shoots well, they beat the Razorbacks. If they don't, it wouldn't surprise me that Arkansas might win. You know, it's possible they won't shoot well. It happens to everyone. Take overrated Michigan. They shot poorly against Illinois and then against (gasp) Michigan State. That's two late losses that might cause them to lose their number one seed.  

         I really like Houston. So, they have to heave in a miracle shot to beat a mediocre Memphis team. You know, the one that Penny bought. Penny vs.Kelvin. It's Wade vs. Pearl, a different conference. I don't know why TV announcers are so concerned about telling about LSU and Auburn having a letter of infractions from the NCAA. The Tiger/Tiger match-up is the one where it's the already buying players vs. having your assistant coach buying players.  It's the truth. I heard via the grapevine that AU has three or four players who want to know if their services are needed in a league that makes really strong-ass offers. I think Thor and Cooper are gone. Flannagan is also on the list.  It begs the question, if you have three players who think they are ready to play in the NBA, how did Pearl lose so many games. I've also heard that one five-star recruit is having second thoughts.  I kind of doubt that one, but the NCAA needs to make some decisions so recruits who are thinking about attending several schools know what the future might be.  That's fair, and it's terrifically unfair not to do so. But never confuse fairness with money. The NCAA is all about money and the perception of fairness. Please note the perception word drop.  If you are going to govern college athletics, make sure that rules are followed. It's not all about making bank deposits. These coaches are millionaires. Kick a few out for cheating; you'd be stunned at the effect that might have on the others.

    Can you remember when everyone was upset that Trendon Watford decided to go to LSU? How ya feeling now? I don't know how he'd fit in at Alabama because I haven't really paid any attention to his three-point shooting. I haven't heard an announcer scream, "and there's another three from Trendon Watford." Will Wade ought to be fired for having so much talent and losing as many games as he lost this year.  Tennessee secured the fourth seed in the SEC by beat Florida on Sunday. But guess who they are likely to play in the quarterfinals? That would be Florida, and Tre Mann will probably not miss the game. He had a migraine headache before the Kentucky game. 

    Well, sad as it may seem to Aubies, the Tiger basketball season is over. They fought hard,  though.  Fouth all the way to the end. LOL. In my opinion, Will Wade and Bruce Peart are on the clock. The NCAA is under increasing pressure from other member institutions to do something with Arizona, Auburn, LSU, and Oklahoma State have been out on bail. Time to give them their penalties. All were caught up in the FBI probe. I'm betting a new attitude in the FBI might move this forward. 

      Good to see Alabama back at number six in the AP.  It seems the AP voters are mirroring the NET ratings closer.  Ohio State keeps losing, but AP voters just won't vote out of the Top Ten.  Michigan has lost a couple. Illinois won a couple, and the Big Ten continues to lead the nation in good teams. Incidentally, after Alabama the SEC, the Razorbacks are number 8. No other SEC teams were in the top 25. We all have favorite teams beyond our love of Alabama.  For basketball,  UCLA, Loyola, and St. Johns are my favorites. 

Alabama wins number 21 in Athens 89-79   

JQ had 18 and control of the offense 

     The Tide gave Georgia a stay of execution with a sub-par first half.  Alabama was down 36-30. The second half opened with Herb Jones settling the offense down. The Tide fought off a determined Georgia effort behind his leadership trying to pull off a late-season upset. In the end, the Tide made eight three-point shots and relied on balance scoring to preserve their projected two-see. Alabama had five players in double figures, led by Jahvon Quinerly's 18-points. The Tide caused  19 'Dawg turnovers. Bama had 21. The game's game's first ten minutes looked like it was played on a slip 'n slide. Neither team could hang on to the ball, but Georgia jumped to a 14 point lead. The Tide cut that to six by half-time and then opened up a double-digit lead they didn't relinquish. The Bulldogs cut that lead to 3 very late in the second half but Alabama stretched that lead to 10 for a  final score of 89-79. The Tide made their free throws and got some big boards to ice the win.

     Alabama finishes the season with an SEC record of 16-2 and 21-6 record overall. It appears the Tide will play Kentucky in their first game on Friday. Alabama will play the winner of the 8-9 seed winner. That is Mississippi State vs. Kentucky. The Wildcats will be a prohibitive favorite. The Tide could add three additional wins to their total by winning the SEC Tournament. That would push their record to 24-6, and it is possible that Alabama would finish with a one-seed. If Joe Lunardi is correct, the Tide is the top two-seed at this time. 

     I don't think Alabama is playing their best overall basketball right now.They are playing their best defense, however.It is easier to play defense game to game  than offense. I believe the Tide will find their shooting  touch again. They did in the second-half. Bama made eight triples in the runaway second-half that saw Alabama scored 59 points. The Tide needs to clean up their turnovers. 20 plus turnovers won't beat many quality teams.The Gonzaga's of the hoop world  will chew up a team that  makes that many careless mistakes.