IF YOU BUILD IT HE WILL COME...    

   

  

The mythical voice heard in a cornfield by Ray Kinsella in the 1989 movie, "Field of Dreams". Kevin Costner and baseball, two of America's favorites giving hope to all who have a dream.  It's time for the Univerisity of Alabama to quit playing word games about building a basketball arena. There comes a time when decision-makers have to quit talking and start building. My later father, AKA Big Bill, and I attended the first game played in Memorial/Coleman Coliseum. The year was 1968 and on February 1st,  the Tide beat Samford University.  It was, as my father said, the world's largest Quanset Hut. Alabama has put 15,363 people in the Hut on many occasions. Had this team been able to play home games without social distancing, they would have probably set a record for most consecutive sellouts. 

    Despite that voice in the cornfield,  Alabama's problems with poor attendance had very little to do with the inherent design flaws of playing basketball in a glorified auditorium. It was the product on the floor and the general attitude to any sport that wasn't football. Those are the problems. The general attitude toward basketball is the main problem. It has always been the real problem. Until the new arena is built it is likely to remain a problem. What Coleman Coliseum has become is a bastion of indifference toward basketball.  

    If you have been the Duke's Cameron Indoor Arena you would understand what I meant about indifference. Duke arena is small and antiquated. But since basketball is the premier sport in North Carolina it just fine. It is always packed with crazy students who screaming the entire game. Most of the time, you stand up to watch a game.  It's the football facility that needs some work.  I've seen better football complexes in Texas High School football than Duke now has.   The Hut, as my family calls Coleman, is just a symbol of how football fans don't take basketball seriously. Nate Oats and his team have given the board of trustees and the AD a chance to make that vanish. The building of a state-of-the-art facility will send a message to everyone that the Tide wants to be a major player in basketball.  If Alabama decides to be a big dog in hoops nothing can stop them. If you have enough time, energy, and effort at something you can do anything.  If leadership will choose to drive toward this goal now, and not kick the can down the lane once again, it will be the start of making Alabama the best programs in football and basketball in the NCAA. 

    Once again, the press wants this to make this an issue as click-bait. It isn't the press that will push this over the finish line. It is inspired leadership that will make it happen. I think the AD has this kind of imagination and leadership. Let's hope the board of trustees will do the same. Yes,  it is going to cost money. It is going to cost a lot of money.  Remember when AU's basketball attendance was so bad they put up a curtain to hide that fact? How much has their basketball program improved with a new arena?  It's going to take some people to imagine what the future will be like with the best basketball arena in the nation on campus at the UofA. One day someone will ask why Alabama built such a facility. We should be able to answer because we wanted to be the best.

    

ALABAMA  HOSTS AUBURN TUESDAY AT 6:00 PM IN COLEMAN...

   

Be like this guy tomorrow night - Superfan.

      There are two games left in Alabama's regular season. It has been a great, although unexpected, year for Tide fans. The Crimson nation is looking forward to an even better finish. What happens next? Alabama needs to beat Auburn and Georgia to improve their record to 21-6, and it's always great to whip the farm. It's crucial for instate and regional recruiting. You don't get the JD Davison's of the world by finishing second to your archrival. AU has an upcoming date with the NCAA, which could set the Tigers back.

     The Auburn game will be a war. Bruce Pearl has reported that Shariff Cooper will travel with the Tigers to Tuscaloosa but refused to disclose whether he will play. That's Bruce Pearl engaged in coach speak.  Cooper will probably play, or he wouldn't travel. Good for him. Alabama wants to beat the Tigers when they are at full strength. Keep in mind that Auburn just beat Tennessee without Cooper. Auburn's record is now 12-13 overall and 6-10 in the Conference. 

     Once again, the Tide must try to stay even on the boards with a bigger and stronger Tiger team. The Tigers lead the nation in blocked shots. They have the height, length, and hops to dominate the inside. Bama's offensive game plan is to take the ball inside from Shackleford or Quinerly and draw perimeter defenders to stop them from shooting lay-ups.  The Sweatbirds may not have to help out that much.  The Tigres trio of Thor, Williams, and Akingbola is averaging four blocks per game. Alabama's perceived weakness is a lack of the power game inside. I think it is better than some believe, but Bama's lack of size inside will be visible. Alabama needs big games from Jones, Bruner, Gary, and Rojas on the inside. 

     The big question on the minds of fans for both teams is whether Shariff Cooper will play. I think if he travels, he'll play.  I talked to two people in Lee County who are very close to the program. Each thinks he'll play. Cooper did not play in the Tiger win over Tennessee this past weekend. If he plays, will Alabama man-up on him, or will the Tide try to man and play the gap to keep him out of the lane? I think the gap defense might be more effective. Bama is going to lose some of the lane wars if Cooper plays. He's a good player. We'll see how good he scores. Cooper plays 33.6 minutes a game. Allen Flanigan, who will play the point if Cooper can't go, averages 31 minutes a game. Both of those are a lot of time on the floor. Can Bama wear them down? 

    What Alabama needs to do is to score from downtown. The Tide has been throwing up bricks lately. They are due for a big game. I'm betting they will. If the Tide can make 10 threes, make 75% of the free throws, keep the turnovers around 15, and come close to breaking even on the inside,  they win. I think Bama will be  10 point favorite tomorrow.    I'm taking Alabama to win and to get the offense on track again. 

     

 Alabama wins the SEC Championship...

   

      Alabama won the SEC Championship on Saturday, and we can thank the defense. Once again, the offense was missing in action. The final score was  The Tide 64-59. So much for the "Tide can't win unless they score 70 points" belief. Alabama's defense cinched it up and refused to lose late in the second half when the Bulldogs had cut the Tide lead to three. The Bulldogs had gone on a 10-2 run. James Rojas buried one from the corner in front of the Tide bench. That pushed the Tide lead up to six again, and Alabama won the Regular Season Championship. Alabama assured itself of the number one seed in the upcoming SEC Tournament. Bama won game 19 and now focuses on winning 21.  Auburn comes to Tuscaloosa on Tuesday night, and then Alabama travels to Georgia. 

     It's been a long time since Alabama won an SEC Basketball Championship. In 2001 the Tide won the SEC with a 12-4 record and finished the season with a 27-8 record. How long ago? Athletes in Action still played basketball. Mark  Gottfried was in his fourth season at Alabama. Most students at the Capstone hadn't even been born. Rod Grizzard, Terrance Meade, Erwin Dudley were sophomore starters. Gerald Wallace was a freshman, along with a little-known point guard named Antoine Pettway. 

     The first half of the season was Alabama's offense. The second half has been about the defense. Can Alabama put together the two in the remaining games? I don't know. I think Alabama's offense might be better against teams in the NCAA Tournament. Those teams have seen anything quite like the Crimson Tide. I'm betting a bunch of them haven't seen a defense that plays as hard as Alabama. I think Alabama is tired. It's been a long season, and the way Alabama plays on both ends of the floor has got to be tiring. I think part of the shooting problems might be caused by fatigue. Other teams will be tired as well. 

    Congratulations to the Crimson Tide. 

 Is 'Bama ready for Mississippi State? 

   Someone asked me if I thought Alabama was folding "like last year?" I don't think so, but there are some disturbing trends.  At a time when teams need to be gelling, the Tide seems to have lost the mojo. There are Three games are left to get it back. A loss to Mississippi State will kill the Tide's two seed. All of us remember the late-season collapse last season. No one wants a repeat.  I think we'll have an answer around 7 PM on Saturday night. Between now and then, I bet Nate Oats is doing everything he can do to win the game. We'll see what he's got. It is a pressure-packed game for Alabama, and Mississippi State has nothing to lose. 

       Mississippi State has a roster that will cause Alabama a lot of problems. They have two outstanding inside players. State also has two guards that can play hard in the lane and make the three. When you look at the State lineup, you have to wonder why they've had so much trouble winning. The Bulldogs are in 9th place in the Conference and have a 7-8 record. They are 13-11 overall. In Tuscaloosa, the Tide beat State 81-73. D.J. Stewart had 27 points and shredded the Tide's defense in the paint. If Alabama is going to win, they've got to cut down on State's ability to win in the lane. Tolu Smith, Post, had 9 boards. The Tide did keep State's two big men from scoring a lot of points. Smith and Abdul Ado combing for 14 points.  Ado had only 1 rebound. The Tide's defense on the two bigs was the difference in that game. The Tide isn't likely to have that much luck in Starkville, but the Tide cannot allow State to control the boards. 

     One thing Oats does have to throw at State is Jordan Bruner and Juwan Gary. The pair was the only bright spot in the Arkansas game, and Bama needs some inside points and boards tomorrow. They also need John Petty to make some three-point baskets. I have no idea what has happened to Joshua Primo, but he needs to play better. He seems to have lost his confidence. Herb Jones needs to stay out of foul trouble. We need balanced scoring. Quinerly needs to have better ball security. He needs to challenge State in the lane, but the State defenders' length will make it tough. I'd look for Jones to try to establish the drive and dish part of the offense.

     Alabama needs to understand that they will be defended by everyone they play, just like Arkansas. The gap defense was atrocious against Arkansas, and the Tide paid the price for that. Stewart and Iverson Molinar are going inside. Iverson is also a good outside shooter. The state is shooting the three-ball better, but their bread and butter are taking good shots near the basket.  The Tide needs to quit taking bad shots. If Bama shoots 45 %, they'll win. 

KEYS TO WIN:

1. I was disappointed with Coach Oats when it was clear that the officiating was one-sided in the Arkansas game.  He could have exploded, got a technical, and let the officials know he wasn't happy. It would have let his players know he had their backs. If things get out of hand, maybe he'll understand he needs to try a different approach in the SEC.

2. Alabama needs to play better gap defense, which will cut down fouls and free throws. Bruner, Gary, Rojas, and Reese need to be ready for a war inside.  

3. Shot selection has gotten worse. Maybe the team feels they need to make a few threes regardless. I don't think that will work. Stick to your game plan, and it will work.

4. Herb Jones and Jahvon Quinerly will need to take the ball inside. If either or both can establish an inside game off the dribble, it will open up the outside game. I have no doubt that Shackleford will wear out State defenders inside and keep them off the perimeters. 

5.  Alabama needs to settle down and make a few threes. They have seemingly forgotten the "extra pass" that defined the early success they had on offense. 

6.  Alabama needs to cut down on giving up offensive rebounds. That is an Achilles heel for Bama. But the return of Bruner will help. Juwan Gary is going to be an important player for Alabama down the stretch. 

7.  Run. Alabama needs to run. There isn't a team in the SEC that can match the foot speed of the Tide. 

8. Sloppy ball-handling has hurt the Tide. Alabama needs to keep the turnovers down to 10. 

9. Make 75% of the free throws. Alabama has done a good job this season, but stepping it up a little will mean a lot.

10. Play like you are a champion. 

    Bama should win this game. They can cut down the nets when they do. I think this is going to be a blue-collar battle down to the last two minutes. The Tide is a 6 point favorite. I'm very concerned about Alabama's late-season play right now. Alabama needs to get back in the groove. You might think that State, Auburn, and Georgia are easy games to win.  I'd think again. Roll Tide

 WHAT TO SAY ABOUT THE ARKANSAS GAME?       

       Alabama played a horrible game Wednesday night. The Tide got off to a bad start but fought back to take the lead early in the second half. And then... I'm not sure exactly how to say this. How about the worst officiating in the history of bad officiating its ownself occurred? Yeah, that sounds about right, doesn't it? Arkansas shot 43 free throws, and Alabama shot 8. Seriously, if you didn't see the game last night, you wouldn't believe that is even possible. The difference in those numbers is a disparity that no team can overcome, and Alabama didn't. It seemed the officials had made a decision to make sure Alabama couldn't win. Heck, Alabama probably wouldn't have won anyway, but it is important to players to think they have fair officiating. I played in a game in high school where one official was obviously cheating. He worked at the local post office, and his wife taught at the school. Every time we'd get close, the fouls rained down. 

        John Petty was so fed-up he said something to Doug Shows, who quickly tossed him. Shows are the supreme egotist, and he had to take it to the next level by throwing out Petty.  I'm not sure exactly what John said, but it's safe to assume e wasn't bragging about Show's ability to officiate.  We've all watched this official believe he's the star of the game instead of the players.  He hasn't reached the Teddy Valentine level, but he can see the exit sign now. 

    Alabama played a stinker. Had the officiating been level, they might not have won.  Alabama couldn't.  I hope Alabama tells the SEC they don't want  Doug  Shows or Pat Adams to walk on the floor when Alabama is present. Both have revealed some serious shortcomings with their behavior when officiating a game played by young adults. The officials are supposed to be the grownups in the room. 

     I had an Arkansas fan tell me that way the game was called diminished the win over Alabama. Even this fan wondered if the game was called fairly. We could say it is what it is.  Kind of forgive and forget, but that tacitly approves the behavior and guarantees it will continue to happen. Fundamental fairness is necessary to become an official. The SEC should sit Shows down for the remainder of the season. He can ply his trade in another league. None of this means Alabama would have won the game. Kudos to Arkansas for their win. 

     Alabama has a "man in the mirror" moment right now. Fix the mess, or get ready for more disappointments.  The slapdash ball-handling has got to end. The questionable shot selection has been obvious. The drive/dish has gone missing. Running up and done like a scalded dog was fun to watch. Enduring offensive players standing around should be taken off the menu.  We need to take better shots. Bama's shot-selection is killing us. 

     There were a few good things. Jordan Bruner knocked down four three-point baskets was good. See an injured Juwan Gary come on the floor and watching him play impressed me. He is going to be key to Bama's success. Oats is a good coach. He'll figure it out. Basketball is a sport of highs and lows. Alabama seems stuck in a low right now. They'll find the high again. Alabama can learn from the loss. They can use it to re-focus. 

     Bama plays Georgia on the make-up date. I have no idea why. Arkansas gets TAMU. 

Alabama plays for SEC Crown tonight...   

Nat Oates

   Let's be clear. Alabama is going to win the  SEC title. They may do it tonight when they travel to Fayetteville to play Arkansas or an upcoming game. Bama wants to do it tonight.  The Razorbacks are a one-point favorite. I'm surprised. I thought it would be 3. The last time Alabama played Arkansas, the  Tide whipped them 90-59. This isn't the same Arkansas team. They have won their last 7 SEC games. The entire basketball nation is going to be watching to see if Alabama clinch the conference crown tonight. For Alabama, this is a chance to keep that 2 seed. Nate Oates is making Alabama a powerhouse in basketball. Eric Musselman, the head Hog, is an excellent coach. He has taken a couple of high school recruits and hit the transfer portal to find a winning combination that has produced a 17-5 record. 

     

Eric Musselman

     Last season Musselman led the Razorbacks to a 20-12 record and an NIT bid. If it wasn't for the Alabama story, Arkansas's season would be the SEC's top story. Arkansas goes for their 18th win tonight. It is the biggest game in the SEC this season. I believe that Oats and Musselman are going to dominate the SEC in coming years. Both have unique recruiting philosophies. Each coach has a unique shot selection strategy. For Arkansas, they discipline themselves to take no bad shots. Alabama will take the first shot offered sometimes. Both teams like to run, and both teams play defense. 

 

Herb Jones 

       The Arkansas winning streak consisted of beating Auburn, Vanderbilt, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Kentucky, Missouri, and Florida. I'll leave it up to you to determine how good that stretch has been. Three games were played at home. Winning 7 SEC games is not easy regardless of who the competition might be. If Alabama wins tonight, the Tide is SEC Champions. If they lose,  they need to beat Miss. State, Auburn, and whoever they play in the makeup date. Arkansas has 5 SEC losses. Bama has 1 loss. There is a mathematical chance that the two teams could be co-champions, but that is not probable. LSU lost last night to Georgia, and that eliminates the Tigers. Now, LSU can move forward to firing Wade. Auburn can also fire Pearl if they choose. Let's hope the NCAA comes to a conclusion on these cheaters and the schools that protect them. 

    It will be interesting to see how much time Nat Oates gives Jordan Bruner tonight. He wasn't near 100% against Vanderbilt. This is going to be a slugfest inside, and  Rojas will get some time. I'd bet that Alex Reese gets the most minutes. There is a possibility that Juwan Gary plays tonight. My bet is he will be back for State or Auburn but ready to go full speed after that. I have been wondering why Keon Ambrose-Hylton has got some minutes lately. 

   

Petty needs to light it up tonight.

    It is imperative that Alabama dribble and dish tonight. Look for Jahvon Quinerly to take it to the hoop. We all know that Jaden Shackleford will do the same. Petty needs to have a big night. Primo needs to shoot some and stop being so tentative. Keon Ellis is ready for a big game as well.  He is deadly from the outside, and he is he'll steal your pride on defense. And then there is Herb Jones. He is getting close to 100%, and I'm betting Oats will let him man-up against Moses Moody, the 6-6 forward. Moody is the best freshman in the conference, and he is the backbone of Hog scoring. The addition of Justin Smith, 6-7, 230 lbs forward, transferred in from Indiana. The rise of Arkansas is thanks to Smith in so many ways. He can score, rebound, and defend. Smith is underrated. The Razorback backcourt is special. JD Notae, 6-1 point,  is fast, and he's quick. He loves to run the floor. Then there is Jalen Tate, 6-6 guard is a grad-transfer from Northern Kentucky. Tate has blossomed in the late-season run by Arkansas. Conner Vanover, post, 7-3, transferred from Cal and back home to Arkansas. He's improved under Musselman. He is a good rebounder and can even make the three-ball. Arkansas has no weakness that hurt them.

WHY ARKANSAS CAN WIN: They are at home, they are playing well, and they have gelled as a team. They may be better than Alabama. The Tide may not shoot well from downtown. 

WHY ALABAMA CAN WIN: They are the best team in the SEC and one of the NCAA's best teams. Alabama has the best three defenders on one team in the SEC. Jones, Petty, and Ellis are game-stoppers. Alabama may shoot the three well, and if they do, they will beat anyone. Alabama's defense is leading the SEC and # 2 in the nation. 

I think Bama can win. I'm not sure they will. Alabama has no rim-protector. Bama by 2. 

Will 'Bama play Texas A&M on the makeup date?

JD Davison was named Parade High School All-American.

   

     Don't hold your breath. Coach Nate Oats has suggested the Tide will play one of four SEC teams on the makeup date. Texas A&M isn't on the list. It appears the SEC will schedule Vanderbilt, Georgia, Florida, or Ole Miss.  I'd have no problem with any of these teams as long as 'Bama plays at home.  You can bet your retirement the Tide will get a road game. I've been told that there might be some concern that A&M is so racked with COVID problems they may just opt out of their remaining game. I doubt that. So why would the SEC do this to Alabama?  The short answer is it makes no sense.

        Perhaps the SEC wants to give Florida or Ole Miss a game to secure an NCAA tournament bid. I think Ole Miss shot themselves in the foot with a home loss to  Mississippi State. The Rebels are 7-7 in the league and 12-9 overall. They aren't a bubble team. Beating Alabama might make them one, however. The Rebels have three games left. They play at Missouri and Vanderbilt on the road. Then they host Kentucky at home. Three possible losses. Florida is 7-5 in the SEC and 11-6 overall. The Gators finish up with Auburn and Kentucky on the road and then have a tough home game with Missouri. Three possible losses? I'd bet they lose two. Florida is a projected 8 seed by Lunardi. Georgia and Vandy aren't going anywhere. A game with either of these two teams has no seeding upside for Alabama. If pushed, I'd say it is a win to give Alabama a better record. 

     A lot of Alabama fans are going to go the conspiracy theory route on this. I don't think the SEC Commissioner would try to hurt any SEC team. That being said, the Conference needs to consider what is best for the image of the league. Alabama is not a projected 2 seed by Lunardi. If a few things fell into place, that could be a 1seed. As much as Tide fans would want to see it happen, I just don't think it will happen unless the Tide wins the SEC with one loss. If that happens, they should get a 1 seed regardless of the SEC tournament. If Bama wins the Conference and the SEC tournament, they will be a 1 seed. 

    Fans are going to re-up their dues on Bama fatigue. That isn't the case. The SEC should actively promote the Tide's chances of getting a preferential seed. Oats has put together a special team. He's ahead of what most coaches can do in their second year. I think Bama can sustain this success in the future  Losing Jones, Petty, Reese, and Bruner will be tough to make up. It may take a while to get the new players involved in the downtown offensive system. I hope the SEC decides to allow the Tide to play the Aggies. It is a scheduled game. It should be played instead of letting the others have a shot at the Tide. And Alabama, can't just say no. It's a league decision,  but they'll listen to what Bama has to say.

   

     JD Davison has gotten the call that he is now a Parade High School All-American. He is the reigning MR. BASKETBALL in Alabama and is expected to get the nod again this season. He is a five-star prospect and has already signed his national letter of intent to play for the Crimson Tide. Think a more physical Colin Sexton. Think about this - next year, Alabama will have two five-star point guards on the floor, and each is a Parade High School All-American. Davison is a senior at the Calhoun School. 

   

   

Later - Alabama/Arkansas