Tide Basketball: Pollard creates a buzz at Bama

[pmull]

I am looking forward to this years team. We need some young guys to step up. If that happens we could make a Sweet 16 run. Practice started last week with the first game Nov. 9.

The University of Alabama basketball team met with the media Thursday afternoon, the Crimson Tide's first such session since practice began last week. However, much of the attention was focused on a player who was not there for the meeting.

Freshman forward Devonta Pollard, the only newcomer on a team that is looking to build on last year's NCAA Tournament appearance, missed practice Thursday for what Crimson Tide coach Anthony Grant called "a family matter." Still, there were numerous questions about what role the 6-foot-8 Pollard, a Top 25 national recruit from the state of Mississippi, would play on this year's team.

"Devonta is a basketball player, as I like to call it," Grant said. "Our team this year, I guess we have got good size when you look at Nick (Jacobs), Carl (Engstorm) and Moussa (Gueye). But outside of those three guys, who are centers, we are something of an undersized team. So we will play a variety of different line-ups and (Pollard) and a lot of our other players will be asked to do a lot of different things.

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[pmull]

The team will host an open practice Saturday Oct. 27 at 3:00. The Miss State football game is 7:30 so if you are going to the game you can check out the basketball team and still have time to tailgate.

The University of Alabama men’s basketball team will give fans an opportunity for an early look at the 2012-13 squad with an open scrimmage on Saturday, Oct. 27 at Coleman Coliseum, beginning at 3 p.m.

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[Marshal Dillon]

I liked this observation by Steele.

Andrew Steele, one of the team's veterans, echoed the praise for Pollard. "In terms of his athleticism and how long he is, how quick he can jump, how fast he can run - he's been all over the place and for the way we play defensively in the press - I think he's going to be a nightmare for a lot of teams," Steele said.

"I think he can fit in more as a play maker. We won't have to run a lot of plays for him to be a great rebounder, great defender and great finisher. His skill level is better than I thought it was. He can really shoot and handle the ball and he's a good decision maker. I think he's going to be really versatile."

 I think this team challenges for the SEC title and can make a dent in the NCAA Tourney.


 

[BAMAWV]

It will be interesting to see how Pollard developes his freshman season. He needs to be in position to crash the boards while not clogging up the middle. He'll have to be in top condition to keep from camping. Also, for likely the first time in his young basketball life, he will be challenged and will need to overcome frustration.  I hope Engstrom turns out to be more than a coat hanger and gives quality minutes instead of just a warm (tall) body. Here's hoping the entire team has shown up in tip-top shape to take advantage of the pre-SEC schedule.

[pmull]

I think our starters will look like this:

Jacobs
Pollard or Steele
Releford
Lacey
Randolph

We have on the bench ready for action:
Pollard or Steele
Cooper
Engstorm
Gueye
Obasohan

I am worried who will give Releford a break since Eblin left the team. I don't know much about Obasohan. Lacey can help some. We should be solid at the off guard spot.

We are in good shape at small forward. The small forwad will be asked to help rebound. Jacobs is our only power forward and he will play without a center in the game often. I look for him to be improved and have a big year.

Engstorm and Gueye need to step up thier game. We need more than a big guy that clogs up the middle and rebounds. We need some points from that spot.

There is a lot of talent on this team. I think we will use a small but quick lineup often. Defense will set up the offense. I think we make a run at the SEC Championship and advance to the NCAA Sweet 16.

[Marshal Dillon]

I think our starters will look like this:

Jacobs
Pollard or Steele
Releford
Lacey
Randolph

We have on the bench ready for action:
Pollard or Steele
Cooper
Engstorm
Gueye
Obasohan

I am worried who will give Releford a break since Eblin left the team. I don't know much about Obasohan. Lacey can help some. We should be solid at the off guard spot.

We are in good shape at small forward. The small forwad will be asked to help rebound. Jacobs is our only power forward and he will play without a center in the game often. I look for him to be improved and have a big year.

Engstorm and Gueye need to step up thier game. We need more than a big guy that clogs up the middle and rebounds. We need some points from that spot.

There is a lot of talent on this team. I think we will use a small but quick lineup often. Defense will set up the offense. I think we make a run at the SEC Championship and advance to the NCAA Sweet 16.

Lacy can play the  point, if necessary. Also, I think we see a lot more of Engstrom & Gueye. Both are 7 footers who can make a gigantic difference in the paint on defense and maybe offense. Both have shown major potential as shot blockers and big bodies in the middle.


 

[ALTideUp]

According to today's Tuscaloosa News, the prognosticators have their doubts. We are predicted to finish sixth in the SEC. That prolly won't be good enough for a dance card.

[pmull]

According to today's Tuscaloosa News, the prognosticators have their doubts. We are predicted to finish sixth in the SEC. That prolly won't be good enough for a dance card.

I disagree. The SEC should get 6 teams (14 team league) in the tourny. Of course it depends on a lot of things but our league will be very good this year.

I also disagree with the # 6 finish. I think we will be 3 or 4 with 20-23 wins.

[Marshal Dillon]

According to today's Tuscaloosa News, the prognosticators have their doubts. We are predicted to finish sixth in the SEC. That prolly won't be good enough for a dance card.

I disagree. The SEC should get 6 teams (14 team league) in the tourny. Of course it depends on a lot of things but our league will be very good this year.

I also disagree with the # 6 finish. I think we will be 3 or 4 with 20-23 wins.

In all honesty, I am stunned by the "experts" predictions, especially about Alabama. With the progress Grant has made and the additional year of experience for Lacy, Randolph, Releford, & Jacobs, I thought they would be considered in the top 3 of the SEC. Instead, the SEC is picked to have no more than 4 team make the Big Dance, not including the Tide. I can see them going 22-8/23-7 in the regular season and making a run in the SEC Tourney. I guess we just have to prove it on the floor.


 

[pmull]

According to today's Tuscaloosa News, the prognosticators have their doubts. We are predicted to finish sixth in the SEC. That prolly won't be good enough for a dance card.

I disagree. The SEC should get 6 teams (14 team league) in the tourny. Of course it depends on a lot of things but our league will be very good this year.

I also disagree with the # 6 finish. I think we will be 3 or 4 with 20-23 wins.

In all honesty, I am stunned by the "experts" predictions, especially about Alabama. With the progress Grant has made and the additional year of experience for Lacy, Randolph, Releford, & Jacobs, I thought they would be considered in the top 3 of the SEC. Instead, the SEC is picked to have no more than 4 team make the Big Dance, not including the Tide. I can see them going 22-8/23-7 in the regular season and making a run in the SEC Tourney. I guess we just have to prove it on the floor.


 

I must have overlooked something. Where did you see the SEC picked to only get 4 teams in the Tourney? I don't agree with that pick. The SEC got 4 teams in during down years. I think the SEC will be a goog league this year.

[Hannibal Lecter, MD]

I'm optimistic about our chances this year to make a splash and perhaps a sweet 16.  But for me it's hard to think much about b-ball when our football team is undefeated.

[Marshal Dillon]

According to today's Tuscaloosa News, the prognosticators have their doubts. We are predicted to finish sixth in the SEC. That prolly won't be good enough for a dance card.

I disagree. The SEC should get 6 teams (14 team league) in the tourny. Of course it depends on a lot of things but our league will be very good this year.

I also disagree with the # 6 finish. I think we will be 3 or 4 with 20-23 wins.

In all honesty, I am stunned by the "experts" predictions, especially about Alabama. With the progress Grant has made and the additional year of experience for Lacy, Randolph, Releford, & Jacobs, I thought they would be considered in the top 3 of the SEC. Instead, the SEC is picked to have no more than 4 team make the Big Dance, not including the Tide. I can see them going 22-8/23-7 in the regular season and making a run in the SEC Tourney. I guess we just have to prove it on the floor.


 

I must have overlooked something. Where did you see the SEC picked to only get 4 teams in the Tourney? I don't agree with that pick. The SEC got 4 teams in during down years. I think the SEC will be a goog league this year.

Jerry Palm, highly thought of Bracketology "expert", said he only saw 4 SEC teams make the Dance. He also had a preseason bracket posted. If I can find it, I will post the link.


 

[pmull]

According to today's Tuscaloosa News, the prognosticators have their doubts. We are predicted to finish sixth in the SEC. That prolly won't be good enough for a dance card.

I disagree. The SEC should get 6 teams (14 team league) in the tourny. Of course it depends on a lot of things but our league will be very good this year.

I also disagree with the # 6 finish. I think we will be 3 or 4 with 20-23 wins.

In all honesty, I am stunned by the "experts" predictions, especially about Alabama. With the progress Grant has made and the additional year of experience for Lacy, Randolph, Releford, & Jacobs, I thought they would be considered in the top 3 of the SEC. Instead, the SEC is picked to have no more than 4 team make the Big Dance, not including the Tide. I can see them going 22-8/23-7 in the regular season and making a run in the SEC Tourney. I guess we just have to prove it on the floor.


 

I must have overlooked something. Where did you see the SEC picked to only get 4 teams in the Tourney? I don't agree with that pick. The SEC got 4 teams in during down years. I think the SEC will be a goog league this year.

Jerry Palm, highly thought of Bracketology "expert", said he only saw 4 SEC teams make the Dance. He also had a preseason bracket posted. If I can find it, I will post the link.


 

I am familar with Jerry Palm. He is normally very good at picking teams to make the Tourney at the end of the year. I'm not sure now accurate he is at pre-season picks. I still think the SEC will be strong this year and 6 teams will get in. JMHO

[ricky023]

Well I live a long ways from the BB arena so I am counting on you guys to keep us informed about our BB team. I agree with what I read most of, because our young guys have a lot of experience now. This league will be strong but I think if I am feeling it right we can challenge Kentucky in regular season. Play offs I am not sure about because they get so hyped up for the tournaments. RTR!

[Marshal Dillon]

pmull:

Here's that link I mentioned from Jerry Palm and his preseason 2013 NCAA Bracket. He has only 5 SEC teams making it: Arkansas, Missouri, Tennessee, Kentucky, & Florida. You need to scroll down a lot to read everything he has. Earlier I said four teams, but I was mistaken. Enjoy.


 



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