Big day for some little players...
- Trevor Lacey had a great day. He had 18 points, but more importantly looked like he had regained his confidence. He still isn't shooting like he did at Butler High School, but he is shooting again. That little drive down the baseline in the second half helped spark a Bama run.
- Levi Randolph didn't have his greatest offensive day. But he was a lot more active on offense. He made a three ball, and even though he missed some shots when got open on good moves, he at least took the shots. Yesterday, they all didn't fall but next time they might. If he doesn't take them the Tide doesn't get a couple of big offensive rebounds which we put back for scores.
- Trevor Releford started off slowly. The little man from Kansas City then began to put on a show. The running crossover scoop layup that he made which was waived off with a charge call & was not only a horrible call but took away a Gameday highlight shot. Releford had no assists however. He needs to get ball to some of the outside shooter on some of his inside drives perhaps. Bama has some good inside players, but none better than our smallest player.
- Andrew Steele did a little bit of everything. He had 7 assists and Bama only had 17 baskets. His "thread the needle" pass to big Carl Engstrom was a thing of beauty. His defense was key in causing Tennessee shooters to have a bad day outside the arc, and he shows no fear in taking the rock inside.
- Rodney Cooper didn't have an LSU night. But he nailed 2 three point baskets, and the one late in the second half as the shot clock neared zero was a killer for the Vols. He played pretty good defense, but his ball handling needs work. It is getting better however
The Tide Big Men held their own...
- Carl Engstrom scored 7 points and generally clogged up the middle. He showed good hands on a couple of rebounds and one lightning quick pass from Steele
- Nick Jacobs did not play due to an infection in his gums
- Bama finally played Rodney Cooper down low after Moussa and Carl fouled out. He then went down to the offensive end and nailed a three
- Moussa Gueye played well. He had six blocked shots including one from behind on Jarnell Stokes. This seemed to unnerve the 'Vols. Bama started a big run. Both Gueye and Engstrom got the job done. It may not have been picturesque but they were effective.
Tide freshmen and subs haven't gotten some great playing time in the last three games. That time on the floor will pay dividends as the season winds down No one is going to argue that we've lost two games we probably would have won. We might have been 19-7 and about a 5 seed right now. But we aren't. Let's assume that Green and Mitchell return from the land of the dead. Bama might be able to put away Arkansas and then Mississippi State. Those would be 2 key wins, with only Auburn at home and suddenly stinging Ole Miss. What if the Tide won all those games? I think if Bama won 3 of 4 and the a game or 2 in the SEC Tournament not only will they be in the NCAA Tournament but would get a half way decent seed.
If the NCAA is serious about looking at injuries and suspensions in an effort to put the best available teams in the field that would have to include Alabama. A strong finish could make us a six seed. We are probably penciled in right now as a nine or ten seed. This might be a year where the SEC Tournament really means something if the NCAA sticks to their gun and wants the best.
Finally, how about Anthony Grant? Can this man coach or what? Tennessee was starting to think about the NCAA with four straight wins including one over Florida. A great win for a diminished roster.
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