Crimson Red Sports

Don't forget to watch Bama @ Arky basketball tonight 6 pm on ESPN2.

Bama won the last meeting in Tuscaloosa on Jan 28, 72-66.  A lot has happened since then.  Arky is coming off a home loss to Florida by 30 points, 98-68.  That could be good or bad for Bama tonight.  This is definitely a winnable game for Bama, but could  be a tough one.

This team has grown a lot since all of the turmoil started and I like their chances. If we don't have some whistle happy refs, I think the D can put it to them which only makes the offense better. Roll Tide!!  :clap:

I would sure like to watch this game. This could be our stepping stone we are looking for to get through the rest of the year. One game at a time now. RTR!

We have put ourself in a position that every game is important. I would not say this is a must win game but an SEC road win over a decent Arkansas team would help our tournament resume greatly.

I like our chances. We have better team chemistry than we have had all year. Our young guys are getting better every game. The Hogs are good at home but Florida beat them by 30 points last week. I also think they have some injuries concerns. We need to crank up the 'D' and not fall behind early and we may steal a road win.

I think a win on the road at Arky, two home wins, and an SEC Tournament win guarantees Bama a spot in the NCAAs.

That would put us in easily.

I believe that scenario would get us a 7 or 8 seed.

This will be a different game since we won't have Greene or Mitchell. I'm very excited about our center play with Engstrom & Gueye. Engstrom scored 7 points and had 7 rebounds in 23 minutes of play and Gueye had 6 blocked shots. If Cooper, Releford, or Lacey get hot from the outside, we can do real damage to Arkansas. I expect Releford to continue driving to the basket to score.



 :popcorn2:

I think the real key is the defense. I think they found something against UT that's been missing; stealing the ball. They didn't shoot any better than they have all year, but they stole the ball and created several turnovers. If they do that against Arky and keep up intensity, they will have a real shot.

All of a sudden we're looking crappy. 30-21 Arky. Gueye is constantly open underneath and nothing coming to him.

Cooper hits a 3 and a fast break layup cuts the lead to 32-26. Lacey hurt.

Releford with a steal and layup. 33-28.

Bama hanging tough. Hankerson hit a 3 and Jacobs a short jumper. 37-33 Arky with Jacobs going to the line for 2.

Bama smoked it in the last 9 minutes. At the half, 45-41 Bama. We cannot come out flat in the 2nd half. Need to put the foot on their throat.

Their 3's were nice!!  :clap:

Bama is 6-8 from the 3 point line. Lots of hustle down the stretch. Arky was up 33-21 at one point and Bama was slopping around at that time. Since then, it's been like their shorts are on fire!

Lacey - 8pts
Releford - 7
Steele - 6
Cooper - 9
Jacobs - 8
Hankerson - 7

It's a real team effort so far.

I can't believe Bama is winning at half, as slow out of the gate as they started.  But some great play in the final 9 minutes, a 24-8 run, and 6-8 from the 3 point line for the half.

I hope Lacey makes it back.  Looked like an ankle sprain.

I thought when Lacey rolled his ankle the wheels would come loose. Shooting over their heads. Let's hope that holds up the 2nd half and RTR!

Sloppy start to 2nd half by both teams.

Confidence is gained by experience and the younger ones are getting plenty of that lately.

Bama smokin'! 52-41.

Their intensity right now reminds me of the Tennessee game.

Give these young guys a couple of more years under Grant, and...

WOW, Levi over the table

Got the grandson. Mickey is on. Keep me posted please.

Bama up by 11.  Levi Randolph went over the announcers table but no injuries.

Bama up by 13.  7:28 to go.  Commercial  break.

Randolph was pissed about that ESPN guy mistreating his dog.

Lead down to 10.  Foul on Arky.  Steele shooting, hits first.  Hits 2d.  12 point lead

Arky not quiting just yet.  They see a tournament bid slipping away, especially after a 30 point pasting by Florida at home.

10 point lead.  5:28 left.

4 minutes left.  Bama still has lead by 10.  Arky fouls Bama

lead 8, Bama almost turns it over.  Eblen gets ball on the floor no timeout called   jump ball, Bama.   3:27 left

no jump ball, 10 sec violation called on bama after timeout

Arky ball  they make basket, get fouled

 Arky on foul line, makes

Bama lead down to 5

Bama turns it over

Come on guys!

charging called on arky, Young's 4th foul

Steele on foul line, hits first, hits second bama up by 7, 2 minutes

Arky goes over and back, no call!

Young fouls out!

Jacobs shooting

FYI, Young is Arky's leading scorer

Jacobs misses both FTs

Arky has it point blank range an misses

Arky fouls Releford

Releford makes first FT makes 2d

Lead up to 9

1:39 left

Arky makes basket, but CHARGING CALLED!

Technical on Arky Coach Anderson

Releford misses both FTs

Bama has ball 9 point lead 1:30 to go

Make the FTs and ice this game!

Bama running clock

1:06 left, Bama fouled again

Steele makes both FTs.  15 points for Steele tonight.  Bama's leading scorer

My courteous grandson let me watch the last 1:40. What a great effort and great win! RTR!!!

Stick a fork in Arky, they're done

FINAL SCORE:  BAMA WINS 79 to 68

Roll Tide!!!  #+

Thanks, CP for the expert commentating.  #+

Great road win. Our guys played hard for 40 minutes. We got points from everyone. The key to the game IMO was not giving up when we were down by 12 or 13 early in the 1st half. We fought back and took a 4 point lead to halftime.

We have Miss satate Saturday. Their big guys will give us some trouble but don't count this Alabama count out. They are playing hard and finding ways to win. Our tournament hopes just improved greatly.

Jamos is right, they picked right up where they left off with UT. Their "D" is tenacious and Releford is a ball hawk who is maturing rapidly. I don't know how many steals they had, bit they flat out intimidated Arkansas after they fell behind in the 1st half. MSU's height may be an issue, but if Bama continues to play defense like they have in the past 2 games and shoot like they did in this one, it should be another win and another step forward to the dance.

Can't let basketball get in the way of grandkids!

Last night we saw what was left of a crumbling, defeated Arkansas team. This could have been Bama this season (also last season).  The difference has to be better athletes (due to CAG) and CAG as a motivator. Multiple players with 10-15 points is what I've been hoping to see all season. Of course I had figured JG or TM to be included. There is no reason not to win out. RTR

 :)  Not a win many people expected.   Keep up the momentum!

CAG is building a strong foundation for his program and he has proven that it can withstand some very tough challenges, especially the internal ones. The success that the team has had recently will do wonders for the team as they recruit players in the near future, as well as building a huge bond between the players that are already there. Early playing time is something that most of the athletes coming out of high school are looking for and Bama is a prime example of that. Roll Tide!!    :clap:

Early playing time might only sell for another year or so, which your "in the near future" says.  Bama has so many talented freshmen, and a few sophs, getting early playing time right now that these guys are going to be really good in another year or two, good enough to make a deep run in the Tournament, and the bench will get deeper.  CAG recruited a great class, and we are just starting to see what they can do.   #+

Our RPI improved to 29 with a 15 SOS. Miss state is 60 with a SOS of 67. Ole Miss is 71. Wins over those two and over a bad barn team will have us in the low 20's or teen's depending on what other teams do. If we continue to play like we have the last two games we could win out which would give us a 21-9 record and very good RPI heading to the SEC tournament.

I never quit pulling for them but I thought this team was done two weeks ago. Boy am I glad I was wrong.

Ditto  :-[  I even went so far as to suggest CAG knew we were done. Also made fun of his bow tie in the middle of "Black History Month".  :-[

Anyway, RTR!

Hey I always heard it ain't over till that little fat lady sings in soprano! RTR!