Crimson Red Sports

I had a chance to watch both basketball and softball this past week and thought I would share an early opinion with everyone.

I left the basketball practice feeling like there might be a good chance of some success this season. The first thing I noticed was the conditioning and enthusiasm of the players. It was very noticeable of the weight loss for some of the big boys especially as they were working on their fast breaks, more speed and agility. Reese is one that I think we need to keep our eye on this year, he's leaner, seems to be more aggressive and still has his outside shot. Riley Norris looked like Riley Norris of the past, scrambling for rebounds and put backs and seemed not to fear pulling up and taking his shot. There was one part of their game that is still lacking some, free throws.

It is early in the year and they should look like there is work to be done but I left thinking this team has more energy and player skills than they had last year. We lost Mr Basketball from last year but that may be a big plus for this team, more team effort and not a one man show.
I also had a chance to see the softball team and they did look different. Alexis Osorio is not here any more and there are more new players on the team than I have ever seen. The first thing I noticed was there is 5 pitchers now on the team but none looked like Osorio did. I also did not see a player that stood out as the leader of the team as no one was returning from last years team to fill that role and no one seems to have stepped up to be that.

Defensively I wasn't impressed as graduation took out some of the key players and no one was that impressive but again, it is early for the players and there is a good time frame ahead for them to work on their mechanics. I did seem some good at bats from some so maybe our run production will be better this year to make up for their lack of experience. I've got my fingers crossed.

Wow thanks for the report. I hope this is the year we really step up at BB but I also believed graduation will hurt us in SB. We are young and have to grow so have to be patient, "I hate that word" but we shall see. RTR!

Thanks for the report.   :clap:   I noticed last year that the team played better, as a team, for that stretch when Basketball Jones was out.  Good to see that might continue. 

I really appreciate you sharing your observations, Jamos!

Good stuff, J. Thanks!

The BB team is not ranked, so maybe they will have something to prove.

Looks like the softball team may be a work in progress.

We definitely need to schedule some trips to Ttown this season to watch some games.

True dat!  :popcorn2:

Is there a published schedule for the fall softball season?

Bama plays UCF this year... in basketball.  Nov. 29, 6pm, ESPNU   :popcorn2:

I think Tide basketball can be very good this year. They have returning starters like Donta Hall, Dazon Ingram, Herbert Jones, & John Petty. Plus, other returning players like Riley Norris, Alex Reese, and Johnson, Jr. New players like Kira Lewis, Javian Davis-Fleming, and transfer Tevin Mack. I think this could be a special year for Bama BB.



 :popcorn2:   :pray:   #+

How did Tevin Mack, transfer from Texas, look?

I heard from this weekend that some of the team resented Sexton. They thought he was selfish and not a good teammate. Care more about himself than the team. They think the team may be better without him.

It has been rare for Bama to be about to put five players on the team that can all score. This years we have scorers on the team that will not start. I think this team could exceed media expectations.

Tickets have apparently sold well.  I just looked at buying tickets for 3-4 games, and all the "good" seats are long gone.

Last year was the Collin Sexton show. I expect the team to be better this year. Donta Hall developed into a legit star last year, and should improve further. NBA scouts see Herb Jones as an NBA player. Petty won’t be in Sexton’s shadow anymore. Tevin Mack is a great player if he keeps his head on straight. Ingram, Norris, and A.J. Jr., should be maturing and comfortable playing with each other by now.

They may not win the SEC, butI can see this team competing for a spot in the Sweet Sixteen in March if the all the players are living up to their potential.

 :o :o Sweet Sixteen, now that is music to my ears. RTR!

Let's just hope we don't draw a Villanova in the second round again.  

We need to do better than an 8/9 seed to avoid Villanova or another #1 seed in the second round.

I think we will. Last year’s team was too dependent on Sexton, and when he was battling injuries during the SEC schedule we lost a few games we should have won. I expect to see this team playing more like CAJ’s first two teams, where the whole was greater than the parts. And this team has much better parts.

I think Bama can take down a No. 1 seed, just not a smoking-hot-playing-the-best-basketball-in-the-country No. 1 seed.

But yeah, a little further up the ladder would be helpful, and I agree with BP that we should be there.   :popcorn2:

Bama is going to be good and they will make us proud this year. RTR!

Someone already mentioned that we have to avoid the 8/9 seeding in the NCAA since that is such a tough place to land. We need to get no lower than a 5th or 6th seed. I can see this team going something like 22-8 or better in the regular season. Donta Hall looked very good last year, Norris s back and healthy and can shoot 3's and rebound. Petty & Jones can get hot and hit 3's, Ingram is dynamic on both ends of the court.



 :wave: