Oats is a top tier coach that I am glad is leading our team. The quality of head coaches in the SEC has never been better. It is hard to say who the best coach is because it changes every year. I am glad Greg Byrne renewed Oats contract with a big increase and massive buyout. It appears he is committed to Bama and likes being here.

Who is Arkansas going to hire to replace Musselman? With the right hire Arkansas will be a dominate SEC contender.

Barners are not handling our tournament run well. Pearl's one Sweet 16 in 10 years is not looking so good with Bama having 3 out of the last 4 years. They thought they were going to go on a good run, and we would go out in the first round.

All good points MD. I would add:

1. Limit UCONN scoring runs. They had a 30-0 run against Illinois.
2. Play at our pace. UCONN likes to slow the game down.

We are a big underdog, but stranger things have happened in this tournament.

Roll Tide!!!

Well it is one thing to home tonight. I thank GOD for his Mercy and Grace. Thank you for the prayers. RTR!

I think CNO is in the talk but not yet on top. RTR!

Great write up Marhsall. RTR!

I would absolutely LOVE for Bama to come out on top against Uconn. My gut tells me that it most likely won't happen. 

Can you imagine though, how butt-hurt the Barners would be if Bama were to upset Uconn and then go on to play Purdue and win the NC?  If that happened, it would give them upset wins against three of the four #1 seed teams in the tourney.    Instead of rolling those oak trees, they would probably burn them down...

Still praying, Preacher. 

Uh, no. He has to win a NC to be considered. I am anxious to see what UK & Calipari do next year. He's on a very warm (extra, extra warm) seat right now. Also, Bruce Pearl is still very competitive but he just hit 64 and has a limited number of years left but Coach K was around 74 when retired so Pearl could be around a while. Todd Golden at Florida is looking good right now.



 

Well, the Final Four starts this Saturday. Of course, we will be playing UCONN in the semifinals. UCONN is the college basketball equivalent of Alabama in football. UCONN is the defending National Champion and they have been awesome in the Tourney. They have blown out everyone & dominated them (like Bama football against LSU 2011 & Notre Dame 2012.

Here's what I think Tide has to do to beat UCONN:

1)  hit 13-14 3 pointers with a high percentage, like 13/28 (46%)
2)  shoot over 50-55% for the game
3)  rebound, especially offensive rebounds-need to get at least 10 offensive boards and at least 38-40 boards
4)  limit turnovers to 12 or less
5)  play great defense-this means play tough around the basket, interfere with passing lanes, and Griffin &
     Stevenson, our 2 best defenders, have to outstanding
6)  Wrightsell will be back in the line-up Saturday, that's a huge plus
7)  Simply put, Sears, Griffin, Nelson, & Pringle need to have a solid game.      
  Limit our team fouls and hope Pringle stays out of foul trouble
9)  If we do all these things we might beat UCONN, they are that good.