# 19 Tide Use Second Half Comeback to Beat Gamecocks

Riley leads Tide With Big 3's in 2nd Half, Hendrix Nets Double-Double


TUSCALOOSA, AL| Just when you thought the win at LSU was going to get the Tide rolling, Alabama came out flat again against South Carolina. There is no way to say it other than they did not look like a great team most of the day. South Carolina lead most of the first half, by 6 at halftime, and a good portion of the second half.

Luckily for Alabama, junior Mykal Riley and his 3 point shooting barrage combined with outscoring South Carolina 38-29 in the 2nd half brought the Tide a 64-61 win over the visiting Gamecocks Saturday in Tuscaloosa .

Riley had 15 points, most coming on a second half run where he scored 11 straight points for the Tide. Sophomore Richard Hendrix had a double-double had 14 points and 15 rebounds, and sophomore Alonzo Gee was also over double digits with 12.

The win moves the Tide to 17-5, 4-4 in the league, and into sole position of first place in the SEC Western Division. South Carolina falls to 12-9, 2-6. The Gamecocks were led by Bryce Sheldon's 17 points and senior guard Tre Kelley chipped in 14 for Dave Odom's bunch.

The Tide stays at home Wednesday night for a SEC West showdown against the Mississippi State Bulldogs in Coleman Coliseum. Tip off is at 8 pm CT.

Super Bowl XLI Preview: SEC Flavor Abound

VS.

Former Tide Star Anderson Looks to Win "Big One" in Rookie Season


In 2005 when Mark Anderson was a senior on the Alabama football team he was a very good college player. That said, nobody could have expected the rookie season he has had for the NFC champion Chicago Bears, who are currently 15-3.

Anderson has a total of 13 sacks this season and and finished 2nd in the NFL defensive rookie of the year voting to an old Alabama teammate, Houston Texans rookie DeMeco Ryans. Unlike Ryans however, Anderson was drafted by a team that was ready to make a Super Bowl run this year.

Tomorrow evening, Anderson's Bears will meet the Indianapolis Colts, 15-4, in Super Bowl XLI. While Anderson is the only former Bama player in the game, it certainly has an SEC feel. Some of the games biggest players, Colts quarterback Peyton Manning, a Tennessee grad, Colts running back Joseph Addai, an LSU grad and Bears quarterback Rex Groomsman, who is a former Florida Gator will play crucial roles in deciding the winner of the Lombardi Trophy.

While most experts have picked the Colts to win, a 7 point favorite in most betting lines, I am not ready to give the Colts the trophy just yet. I could certainly see coach Lovie Smith getting the better of his best friend and Colts coach Tony Dungy tomorrow night. Let's break down the game.

When the Colts have the ball:

Both teams best units will be on display here. The Colts great O vs. the Bears stingy D. Something has to give. Certainly the Colts offense featuring the best quarterback in the game, two quality running backs, great wide receivers, and a fast sure handed tight end makes most defensive coordinators pull their hair out.

That said, I think the Bears defense is good enough to slow down Manning and the Colts offense. The questions are while the Bears D is great, is it good enough to shut down Manning and his buddies? Also, will Manning (finally in the Super Bowl) try to snap out of his postseason slump, do too much, and not play his best game? This will be a great match up to watch.

Advantage: Colts (by a very small margin)


When the Bears have the ball:

As stated both teams strengths are on the other side of the ball. Bears QB Rex Grossman started the season red hot but cooled off as the year went on. Depending on the day, Grossman can either be great or awful (lately it has been mostly awful) and for that reason many have questioned if he is the worst quarterback to ever play in the Super Bowl. The Bears offense usually goes as Grossman goes and he will need to play well, or at least not turn the ball over, for the Bears to have a chance.

The Colts defense, which ranked dead last against the run most of the year, has made a turnaround in its three playoff games. The Colts D held the Chiefs and Ravens to under 10 points in the first two playoff games, but did give up 34 against the Patriots two weeks ago. If the Bears running attack of Thomas Jones and Cedric Benson can get going early and take some pressure off Grossman, it might be a long day for the Colts.

Advantage: Colts (This could change if Grossman has one of his good games)

Special Teams:

Special teams usually play a huge role in this game and the Colts do have the most clutch playoff kicker of all time, Adam Vinatieri. While there is only one Vinatieri, the Bears Robbie Gould has been great all year and kicked a game winning field goal in the playoffs against the Seahawks. The Colts also have a good punter in Hunter Smith. That really does not matter though, as I could be the punter as long as Vinatieri is the kicker, the Colts get the nod.

Advantage: Colts

Coaching/Overall:

Best friends, both Lovie Smith and Tony Dungy are very good coaches. This being the fist time a black coach has been in the game I am sure they will enjoy themselves. I see coaching as a toss up as neither has been in this situation before.

Advantage: Push


Prediction:

This should be a great game as both teams are very good. While most experts predict the Colts to win by a touchdown or more, I see a much closer game. I think it will come down to special teams and who does not turn the ball over. No matter the winner I expect to see a great game tomorrow night.

I realize I gave the Colts an advantage in all three categories but I am going with the underdog Bears and my boy Mark Anderson for the most important piece of the puzzle...the final score. I am going against all the experts and think Robbie Gould will hit a game winning FG to give the Bears the Lombardi Trophy.


Nick's Pick: Bears 27 Colts 24

Tide Football Picks Up Two More Commits

TUSCALOOSA, AL| Alabama Head Coach Nick Saban picked up two more commitments for the 2007 season as Houston, TX safety Tarence Farmer and Dora, AL defensive end/linebacker Chavis Williams committed to play for the Crimson Tide.

Farmer, who just received a scholarship offer this week, picked the Tide over multiple other offers including Tennessee, Nebraska, Oklahoma State, Houston, Kansas, and UTEP.

The 6'1 190 lbs. head hunter is also extremely fast as evident by his 40 yard dash time, which is clocked at 4.4. Former Texas star quarterback and current Tide assistant coach, Major Applewhite, who recruits Texas for Alabama, was one of the biggest factors in landing Farmer.


Dora, AL defensive end/linebacker, Chavis Williams, informed the Tide staff he would sign with Alabama on Friday morning. He was also considering Auburn, Arkansas, Mississippi State and Marshall.

The 6'5 220 pound Williams, a lifelong Alabama fan, had not received an offer from the Tide until the last few days as coach Nick Saban is trying to figure out how many scholarships he has available for this year's class. When Williams got the offer from the Tide he committed right away.

Both are expected to sign their letters of intent on National Signing Day this coming Wednesday, February 7.

Steele Named Finalist for Cousy Award

Tide Point Guard One of 17 Finalist

Alabama junior point guard Ronald Steele is one of 17 finalist for the Bob Cousy Award, an annual award given by the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. The 2007 finalist are selected by committees whose members are from the College Sports Information Directors of America. They represent all three divisions of college basketball.

Starting today, fans can vote for their favorite candidate at www.cousyaward.com. The top vote getter online will receive the "Fan Vote" representing one vote cast by the committee.

The winner will be announced April 2 at the Final Four in Atlanta, GA.

Men's Basketball Preview: South Carolina

Gamecocks come to T-Town Looking to Upset #19 Tide

TUSCALOOSA, AL| The # 19 Alabama Crimson Tide returns home tomorrow to take on the South Carolina Gamecocks. The Gamecocks (12-8, 2-5) are coming off a five point home loss to Auburn on Wednesday after winning two SEC games in a row over Arkansas and Mississippi State.

South Carolina is led by one of the best point guards in the SEC, Tre Kelly, who is averaging just under 17 points a game. For the Tide to come out with a victory it is imperative that either Ron Steele or Brandon Hollinger keep Kelly in check for most of the afternoon. 6'9 senior Brandon Wallace averages about a double-double a night with 10.6 points and 9.5 rebounds per game.

Head Coach Dave Odom has led the Gamecocks to back-to-back NIT titles, but has struggled in the SEC and against quality opponents this season. The Gamecocks are 0-3 versus ranked teams this year, but it's two SEC wins have both come against SEC West opponents.

Alabama (16-5, 3-4) is coming off a huge road win, 73-70, at LSU this past Wednesday and is looking to get to the .500 mark in the SEC with a win. The Tide is led by senior center, Jamereo Davidson, who had a career high 31 points in the win over LSU. Davidson's low post buddy, sophomore Richard Hendrix, is second on the team in scoring with 14.5 points and 8.6 rebounds a game.

While I expect South Carolina to come out and play hard I think Alabama is just too talented for the Gamecocks to beat them in Coleman Coliseum, where Alabama has won 17 of its past 18. That said, Alabama needs to play with the intensity and emotion it did at LSU and not take the Gamecocks lightly and get off to another bad start. I think South Carolina keeps it close for a while but the Tide pulls away in the 2nd half.


Nick's Pick: #19 Alabama 79 South Carolina 62
Rob's Pick: # 19 Alabama 74 South Carolina 64

Women's Sports Round-Up

Gymastics Host # 24 Kentucky

TUSCALOOSA, AL| The # 4 Alabama gymnastics team remains at home tonight when the # 24 Kentucky Wildcats come to Coleman Coliseum. The Tide is coming off its 90th straight win over in-state rival Auburn last Friday night and is looking to impress the home crowd again.

Alabama is ranked first in the floor exercise, third on vault, eighth on uneven parallel bars, and ninth on balance beam in the national team rankings. Current SEC gymnast of the week, freshman Kassi Price, is only expected to compete on three events tonight, not her usual four. Another Tide freshman Morgan Dennis is ranked first in the nation in the all around and will likely go in all four events tonight.

The meet starts at 7:30pm CT.


Women's Hoops Falls to Tigers

The Alabama women's basketball team fell to the Auburn Tigers last night 93-61 in Auburn, AL. Auburn(16-7, 3-4) shot 54.9% from the floor and were ahead by as much as 35 in the 2nd half. Alabama (10-13, 0-8) never got close in the game and is still winless in the SEC. It was Auburn's first SEC home win.

The Tide was led by Kate Mastin with 16 points and fellow senior Navonda Moore chipped in 13. Things will not get any easier for Alabama as they travel to # 15 Vanderbilt on Sunday.

Football Notes: A-Day Set, Probation Ends

TUSCALOOSA, AL| Alabama's annual spring football game, A-day, has been set for April 21, 2007. The game marks the end of spring practice for the Tide and allows fans to watch an inter squad scrimmage in Bryant-Denny Stadium.

As the Tide usually draws large crowds for the game, this year there is talk of a full stadium as new coach Nick Saban takes part in his first A-Day. The Tide, who finished 6-7 in 2006, returns numerous starters on both sides of the ball and is looking to have a much better season under Coach Saban.


NCAA Probation Over for Tide Football

For the first time in 15 years the Alabama football program was operating without fear of NCAA sanctions on Wednesday night. Alabama has been on the NCAA's watch list since the 1992 national championship with probation and its repeat offender status. The last five years the Tide has endured better than most, the NCAA included, had expected and has came out probation with a solid program.

In the last five years the Tide has had two 10 win seasons and gone to three bowl games, as there was a 2 year bowl ban put on the Tide. The Tide has also seen a run of head coaches since the last violation five years ago. Then head coach Dennis Franchonie left for Texas A&M, Mike Price had some personal problems that lost him the job, Mike Shula was fired following this season, and now current coach Nick Saban will be the first to operate without having to look over his shoulder for an NCAA compliance agent.

Overall, the Tide football program has come out better than almost all would have thought and with the NCAA sanctions a thing of the past, things are looking up in the future.