#18 Bama Basketball Loses Close One at Ole Miss

#18 Alabama Falls in Oxford 75-69

The Tide played well enough to win most of the afternoon, but turnovers and big 3 pointers by Ole Miss were to much for the Tide to overcome as the Rebels beat the Tide 75-69 on Saturday afternoon. Alabama was led by Richard Henrdix and his 18 points and 6 rebounds. Mykal Riley had 16 points and chipped in 7 rebounds for Alabama.

Ole Miss (16-8, 5-5) was led by Bam Doyne's 17 points and Dwayne Curtis' double-double of 14 points and 10 rebounds. The win puts Ole Miss and Alabama(18-6, 5-5) into a tie for the SEC West lead. Ole Miss holds the tie breaker. While Alabama played well on the offensive end, its lack or perimeter defense and shoddy ball handling doomed Mark Gottfried's club in the end.

Alabama stays on the road this week as they travel to # 1 Florida on Wednesday.

Baseball Season Opener Postponed

#25 Tide To Play Double Dip Saturday

The Alabama Crimson Tide will have to wait one more day before opening their 2007 season. The first game of the three game set between Alabama and Georgia State will not be played tonight, and is postponed until tomorrow because of cold rain and freezing temperatures in the forecast.

The first game is set to begin at 1pm CT on Saturday and the second game will be 30 minutes after the completion of Game 1. Fans will not be asked to clear the stadium between games. The third game of the series is still scheduled for 2:30pm CT on Sunday.

Tommy Hunter is expected to get the start for the Crimson Tide in game 1 with Brandon Belcher starting game 2. Jeramy Crompton scheduled to start for Georgia State in game 1. GSU's game 2 starter is yet to be named.

Men's Basketball Preview: Ole Miss

# 18 Alabama Travels to the "Tad Pad" Looking for Big SEC Road Win

TUSCALOOSA, AL| Oxford, MS is a nice little college town. It has also been nice to Tide basketball coach Mark Gottfried over the past couple years. Alabama hopes to win its third straight at Ole Miss this Saturday afternoon at 4pm CT.

The Rebels(14-8, 4-5) are on a two game winning streak and playing well under first year coach Andy Kennedy. They are currently in second place in the SEC West, a game behind Alabama. They are led by guard Bam Doyne's 16.7 points per game and Clearance Sanders, who averages just under 16 a game.

Alabama(18-5, 5-4) is riding a three game winning streak and looks for its second SEC road win of the season, the first coming against LSU in Baton Rogue last week. The Tide is led by senior Jermareo Davidson and his 15 points and 9 rebounds per game. Sophomore Richard Hendrix also chips in 14.8 points and 9 rebounds per contest.

For the Tide to win this game they will have to play better team defense and shoot better from behind the arc. They have squeaked out two straight wins in Coleman against South Carolina and Mississippi State, but have not played particularly well in either game on the defensive end. Alabama needs to play hard, intense basketball and pound the ball inside to its two stellar big men all day long to come out with a "W". I see this one coming down to the wire.


Nick's Prediction: # 18 Alabama 74 Ole Miss 71

2007 Baseball Preview

2006 SEC Champs Look For Omaha Trip In '07

TUSCALOOSA, AL| Coming off a SEC regular season championship, winning over 40 games, and hosting a NCAA Super Regional, the 2007 Alabama Baseball team wants to repeat some of the same success as last season, but it also has a loftier goal, a trip to the College World Series in Omaha, Nebraska.

The 2007 Crimson Tide, ranked 24th in the rivals.com preseason poll, looks to return to Omaha for the first time since 1999 with a mixture of old and new faces. The Tide is led by Coach Jim Wells, Alabama's all time wins leader, preseason All-American Emeel Salem and 2006 Freshman All-American Tommy Hunter.

Alabama is picked to finish third in the SEC Western Division by the coaches and media and when asked if this team could repeat as SEC Champs, Coach Wells said, "I don't know, but I didn't know last year's team was going to do it. Someone will need to continue to improve. But we had some surprises last year and maybe we will have one or two this year."

Here is a breakdown by positions:

Outfield:

While a lot has changed in four years for Alabama's athletic department, one thing has remained the same. Emeel Salem in center field. Salem hit .356 last year with 67 runs scored and an SEC best 36 stolen bases. Joining Salem in the outfield will be senior Brandon Belcher, when he is not on the mound, and sophomore Kent Mathes. Belcher provides another quality bat in the lineup for the Tide and will also be a weekend pitching starter. While Mathes played a limited role in 2006, he is a very fast, athletic player who has the potential to be a very good offensive player. Sophomore Tyler Odle will be the fourth outfielder and play when Belcher is pitching.

Infield

Matt Bentley will get the first shot at replacing Spencer Pennington at first base and is a big, powerful lefty that could provide power in the middle of the lineup. Jeff Texada will start at second base, along with much improved senior Greg Paiml at SS, and freshman Jake Smith at third base. Alex Avila had a great year offensively as a freshman in 2006 and is slated as the designated hitter going into this season. He could also be playing first or third base depending on the offensive production of Bentley and Smtih.

Pitching/Catching

The Tide is led on the hill by sophomore ace pitcher Tommy Hunter. Hunter who pitched for Team USA this past summer will get the ball on Friday nights. After him the weekend rotation will be Brandon Belcher and either Kasey Kebodeaux or Miers Quigley. Alabama must replace 2006 ace Wade LeBlanc and closer David Robertson, who both signed professional contracts after last season. Last year's Saturday starter, Bernard Robert, has been battling arm fatigue will miss the first few weeks of the season but is on schedule to be in the rotation before SEC play begins.

Will Stroup, a transfer from Birmingham Southern, will try to replace Robertson as the Tide closer with Josh Copeland, Austin Hyatt, and others rounding out the bullpen.

Behind the plate the Tide must replace 2006 All-American performer Kody Valverde. Ryan Rhoden, who had a good year offensively in '06, but struggled in right field, will start at catcher.
The catching position is one that was a struggle for Coach Wells in the fall as junior college transfer Vin DiFazio and Jared Avchen were out with injuries. DiFazio is taking a medical red shirt, but Wells noted that Avchen has looked very good in the spring coming off a broken hand and will see some time behind the plate with Rhoden.


Overall

While this team is predicted to finish in the middle of the SEC West, it would not be a big surprise to have a great season. With a solid nucleus returning and talented young players in place this Tide team has the potential to repeat as SEC champions.

As usual in college baseball, the team's success will be measured by its pitching staff and the team should go as the starting rotation does. If the weekend starters perform at a high level this could be the year the Tide returns to Omaha.

Alabama opens the season tomorrow night at 6:30 CT with a 3 game weekend series against Georgia State. The final two games of the series will be played Saturday at 4 pm CT, and Sunday at 2:30 pm CT.

Steele Hits Game Winner As # 18 Tide Beats Mississippi State

TUSCALOOSA, AL| He has been slowed by injuries the entire year, but Ronald Steele is still one of the best when it comes to game winning shots. Steele hit the game winner with 6.7 seconds on the clock to give the 18th ranked Crimson Tide a 80-79 win over Mississippi State Wednesday night at Coleman Coliseum.

The Tide trailed most of the game to the visiting Bulldogs (12-10, 3-6) and were down 5 with 1:19 left in the 2nd half when junior Mykal Riley hit the first 3 point basket of the second half for Alabama,who was 0 for 9 at that point. Riley hit another 3 point shot with 17 seconds left to tie the game. On the next possession Alabama fouled Ben Hansbrough, who hit 1 of 2 free throws to put Mississippi State up 1 with around 11 seconds left. That proved to be more than enough time for Steele, who now has multiple game winning shots this season.

Alabama(18-5, 5-4) was led by Richard Hendrix's 22 points, Jermareo Davidson's 17, juniors Mykal Riley added 12, along with Steele's 10. Mississippi State was led by a brilliant performance from sophomore JaMont Gordon who netted 27 for the Bullies and Dietric Slater chipped in 13 for State.

The Tide remains in sole possession of first place in the SEC West and will travel to Ole Miss on Saturday for a 5pm CT tip off from Tad Smith Coliseum in Oxford, MS.

National Signing Day Coverage

Click to View Alabama's 2007 Recruiting Class

Magnolia State Bruiser Pledges to Tide

Alabama got another commitment Tuesday night when Batesville, MS, 4 star fullback/running back Jermaine Griffin informed Tide coaches he will sign with Alabama tomorrow on National Signing Day.

The 6'1, 220 pound Griffin, who was a first team all state selection for South Panola High School, never lost a game in his high school career. He rushed for 1,288 yards and 19 touchdowns during his senior season.

Griffin is rated as the third best fullback in the nation and choose Alabama over Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Auburn, LSU, and Tennessee among others.

He will sign with Alabama Wednesday morning.

Hoover Duo Rolls With The Tide

Tide Picks Up 2 Huge Commits

HOOVER, AL There has not been a high school football team in America that has received more national attention than Hoover High School, in the Birmingham suburb of Hoover, AL. From the MTV show "Two A Days" to ESPN nationally televised games and its domination of Alabama prep football in this decade, Hoover produces studs.

Two of those studs, defensive tackle Josh Chapman and defensive tackle Kerry Murphy announced their commitments to the University of Alabama on Tuesday at a press conference in the school.

Murphy, who is a lifelong Tide fan, picked Alabama over offers from Miami, Auburn, Clemson, and Louisville just to name a few. There was speculation the Tide would lose out on Murphy after his visit to Coral Gables this past weekend, where he proclaimed Miami the team to beat for his services. Something must have changed for the 4 star rated, 15th ranked defensive tackle in America when he returned home.

One of the biggest recruits in the state, the 6'5, 315lbs. Murphy is extremely athletic for his size. He runs the 40 yard dash in 5.5 seconds and can do multiple back flips in a row. Murphy totaled 77 tackles, 13 of them for a loss, and had 8 sacks as a junior.



Chapman, a former Auburn commitment, began to change his mind the moment Nick Saban was hired at Alabama. Former coach Mike Shula only extended Chapman a gray-shirt offer, meaning he would not be on scholarship this fall, and when Auburn extended him a regular scholarship, he committed to the Tigers months ago. He was also considering LSU, Louisville, and Ole Miss.

Saban however changed the Tide offer to a regular scholarship and Chapman began to weigh his options. The 6'1 280 pounder, also a lifelong Bama fan, decided to go with his heart and will be wearing crimson next fall.

Chapman who recorded 65 tackles, 6 sacks, and forced 3 fumbles as a junior is the definition of "work horse". He is also impressive in the weight room with his 370 pound bench press, 550 lbs squat, and 325 lbs power clean.

The duo plans to sign with Alabama tomorrow, which is National Signing Day.

Basketball Preview: Mississippi State

Bullies Come to T-Town Looking for Winning Streak


TUSCALOOSA, AL| It is no secret that Mississippi State coach Rick Stansbury and Alabama coach Mark Gottfried are not best friends. Or friends at all. OK, they just plain do not like each other. In a feud that started over recruiting, the rivalry became bigger when these two teams fought for SEC West supremacy in the earlier part of the decade. It is a rivalry that is considered "not friendly". That said, the two coaches will have to spend some time together Wednesday night as the Bulldogs from Starkville come to Coleman Coliseum to take on the #18 Crimson Tide.

Mississippi State (12-9, 3-5) is fresh off a home win over LSU this past Saturday, which snapped a three game losing streak, and is looking for its first SEC road win of the season. The Bulldogs are lead by sophomore Jamont Gordon and his 15.4 points per game and Charles Grant's 6 boards per game. While Mississippi State is still probably a year or two away from competing for an SEC title, they are still good enough to win this game.

Alabama (17-5, 4-4) is currently ranked 18th or 19th (depending on which poll you like) and is in sole possession of first place in the SEC West. The Tide has won two games in a row and looks to continue its home court supremacy. That said, the Tide will have to come out with more emotion and get off to a better start than they have in their last few home games.

Even though the Tide got a big win Saturday against South Carolina, it took a 2nd half comeback and a very hot Mykal Riley for the Tide to defeat the SEC East cellar dweller Gamecocks. The previous home game the Tide was blown out by an Arkansas team that now has a losing record in the league.

While Jermareo Davidson leads the Tide with 15 points a game it has been sophomore Richard Hendrix that has been the constant for Bama this year. While other players have had great nights and bad nights, it has been Hendrix that provides balanced scoring and rebounding for the Tide night in and night out, averaging 14.5 points and 8.9 rebounds per game.

Back to this game, I think Mississippi State will play well and keep it close but the Tide is just more talented this year and the game is in Coleman.

Nick's Prediction: # 18 Alabama 74 Miss. St. 62

Jermareo Davidson Named SEC Player of the Week

TUSCALOOSA, AL| Alabama senior forward Jermareo Davidson was named SEC Player of the Week today for his efforts in the Tide's two wins against LSU and South Carolina.

Davidson had a career high 31 points at LSU Wednesday night, the most any player has scored in an SEC game this year. He followed up that performance with a near double-double against South Carolina on Saturday where he scored 9 points and pulled down 10 rebounds.

The senior from Atlanta is the 27th player from Alabama to be named SEC Player of the Week and the first Bama player this season.

2007 Softball Preview

7th ranked Tide looks for return trip to Oklahoma City


TUSCALOOSA, AL| Coming off another 50 plus win season, a 25-4 SEC record, an SEC Championship, and College World Series appearance the Alabama softball team looks to repeat as SEC champs and return to the World Series in Oklahoma City with a mixture of returning starters and new faces in 2007.

The biggest challenges facing the Tide this year are replacing the 3-4-5 hitters in the lineup and its ace pitcher, Stephanie Van Brackle. The good news for the Tide is that they return 15 players this year, 5 of them seniors, making it one of the largest returning classes Alabama has ever had.

Coach Murphy told rolltide.com the experience proved vital in fall practice. "We didn't have to focus on the basics because almost everyone had been through it before. We were in the first week of practice and it felt like the third week because the practices were going so fast and everybody knew the routine."

Using what Murphy calls one of the best offensive lineups Alabama has ever had, combined with a very good pitching staff the Tide looks to be one of the top teams in the nation in '07.

Breakdown by Positions:

OUTFIELD:

The Tide is led by sophomore center fielder, Brittany Rogers, who is a NFCA and Easton All-American. The 2006 SEC Freshman of the Year led the Tide last season with a .427 batting average, had 88 hits, 60 runs scored, a .476 on base percentage and added 38 stolen bases.

and Jessica Smith, all who played last season. Also returning in the outfield are Mandy Buford, Katie Johnson, Mallory Benak, Jordan Praytor was second on the time with a .415 batting average, 57 runs scored, 78 hits, 9 home runs, and 27 stolen bases.

INFIELD:

Speed is a commodity the Tide will rely on this season as they return 4 players who stole 10 or more bases last season. Alabama returns two starting infielders including Dani Woods, a 2006 all SEC pick at first base. She had 7 home runs and over 50 RBI's last season. Another 2006 SEC selection, Kelley Montalvo, also returns after hitting .285, with 3 home runs and 20 RBI's.

Michelle Menningman and Kellie Eubanks are competing for the shortstop position with Menningman starting all four games in the fall and posting a .400 average. Eubanks who played in 32 games last year is also a solid option.

Lauren Parker, Charlotte Morgan, and Alex Bewitt are all newcomers for the Tide who look to play important roles this season in the infield.


PITCHING/CATCHING

If the fall is any indication for the Tide, they will pick up right where it left off last season on the mound. The starting rotation of Chrissy Owens, Blair Potter, and Allison Moore combined to pitch 23 innings, allowing only 9 hits, had 30 strikeouts and only allowed two walks. Teams hit a combined .117 against the Tide. Charlotte Morgan will also see some time on the mound when she is not playing in the infield.

Sophomore Ashley Holcombe, a 2nd team all SEC catcher last season, returns after hitting .242 last season with 10 doubles, 3 home runs, and 18 RBI's. She will be backed up by Kellie Deska.

Alabama opens their season this Friday night against Oklahoma State in the Century-Tel Softball Classic in San Marcos, Texas.

Tide Women Fall Again

Tide crushed by Vandy in Nashville

TUSCALOOSA, AL| # 15 Vanderbilt (20-4, 6-3) dropped the Crimson Tide,91-51, in Nashville on Sunday afternoon. Alabama (10-14, 0-9) still remains win less in the SEC and has been blown out in its last couple of games.

The Tide was led Kate Mastin's 21 points but that was not enough as the Commodores shot 84% from the field in the 2nd half. The Tide played without leading scorer Navonda Moore and point guard Alyson Butler who missed the game with a sickness.

The Tide returns home Thursday night to take on the Georgia Bulldogs at 8pm.