It was bound to happen....

The writing was on wall last year, even though I didn't want to believe it. Steadily as the calender flipped from January into February and February into March, the demand for Alabama Basketball tickets suddenly began to go through the roof of Coleman Coliseum as the Tide ran to a perfect record at home. All the while 'Bama sold out 6 of its last 7 SEC home games boasting raucous crowds of 15,383 on a nightly basis.

Following the disappointment of not reaching the NCAA tournament, Alabama hosted 3 straight NIT games at home and the crowds continued to grow for each successive game. I don't think it would have mattered who Alabama was playing, but people were having such a fun time that I think they could have continued playing Sisters of the Poor in the middle of April and another huge crowd would have come out to see the Tide.

So with a preseason top 15 ranking coming for the Tide, the return of the three headed monster of Trevor Releford, Tony Mitchell and Jaymichael Green, a highly touted incoming freshman class, Alabama is poised for another break out year. Expectations are high, but so is the demand for tickets, so much so that I was unfortunately told that my current seats are now being put into the Tide Pride program for basketball.

What this basically means is I will have to give a $100 donation for each of my current seats and then buy my season tickets at $200 for each set of tickets, bringing the grand total to $600 for this season. Some may say that is a high price, but it includes almost 20 home games, which basically puts the cost of attending games as being the same price and if not cheaper then attending a movie.

Trust me, I'm not complaining about the increase because it didn't take a rocket scientist to see this coming, but it is disappointing. I've had season tickets for Crimson Tide hoops for almost a decade now, even kept them when I lived in Atlanta. We had great seats in about row 25 right behind the basket and by the Alabama bench. I gave those tickets up when we had our first two children, but still attended several home/road games a year & SEC Tournaments over that time. When we purchased our seats again in 2006, the demand for season tickets reached an all time high as Alabama was pre season top 5 team, much like this year. We were stuck up pretty high in the nosebleeds as a Tide Pride for basketball was instituted at some point during our 2 year season ticket hiatus.

But as Alabama Basketball floundered to a disappointing end of the Mark Gottfried era, fewer and fewer people renewed their tickets and we kept moving lower and lower to the point that we sit on the foul line, directly across from the Tide bench. There great seats and have been there for 4 straight years going on 5 and we know all the regulars/loyal supporters around us.

Its disappointing that our loyalty of buying tickets during those awful campaigns under Gottfried are not being rewarded, that we have to pony up more cash to keep our seats. But its understandable and good for the program that there is such a buzz about Alabama basketball in a football crazed state.

Several years ago at an important SEC home game for Alabama that had NCAA tournament/SEC Title implications, I was complaining about the lack of a big crowd on a Wednesday night when there needed to be a huge crowd there. A wise man told I wouldn't complain about the lack of a crowd, because its that kind of fan apathy that let's those who really love 'Bama hoops to continue to not have to fight for tickets to big games, etc, etc. Its nice too not always have to fight crowds for concessions, parking etc.

You know what, he was right. It was a different take in regards to basketball at the Capstone. Those who go to the games know how much fun the hoops games can be, their isn't a drunk sitting behind me calling for the back up quarterback or other yahoos there. Its not too hot or too cold, its not sitting out in the rain like a football game. Its having a cushioned seat and being with knowledgeable basketball people who like the sport and Alabama, who enjoy the games and thats that. Its our secret and so I stopped worrying about the importance of basketball at Alabama and just enjoyed it. Since that point, I never worried about the crowd size at Coleman. If it was huge, great, if not, I'm having a good time with my family and we're enjoying what we do together.

Its great that basketball at Alabama is getting the attention it deserves. For the fans that have stuck through the thin years, its a fun time. But in a way its somewhat bittersweet from the ticket standpoint and that my family's little secret of fun times & enjoyment might be somewhat threatened.

Anthony Grant runs a picket fence around the Yellowhammer State

Sign, Sealed, Delivered.

Alabama Basketball has taken a major step towards regaining national prominence when Anthony Grant was able to land in state, high school hoops legend & two time Mr. Basketball, Trevor Lacey from Butler High in Huntsville to sign his letter of intent to Alabama.

This is Big Time because Alabama beat out John Calipari & Kentucky along with Bill Self and Kansas for Lacey's signature. With all due respect to Tony Barbee and his unsigned contract at Auburn, they never had a chance.

No more will a Eric Bledsoe or Demarcus Cousins slip up to Lexington and onto the NBA or a Stanley Robinson head to UConn. That highway has hit a detour and runs directly through Tuscaloosa.

Lacey's signature caps a superb recruiting class that also brings in the highly touted Levi Randolph from 6A Bob Jones and Rodney Cooper from 5A Russell County. All three of these guys can defend the perimeter and shoot the rock, something Alabama could not do well last year. Add in a 6'8 power forward from suburban Atlanta & and a 7 foot JUCO transfer, Anthony Grant will be set to run his full court, hard nosed defense for an entire game instead of in spurts.

On the court, this signals the end of double teams on Jaymichael Green, allows Tony Mitchell to be a slash player & the ungardable Trevor Releford to be the mistro on a nightly masterpiece in Coleman Coliseum. No more having to stop the pressure due to a lack of depth. No more is the best offense a missed shot leading to an offensive rebound.

Off the court, it signals the end to instate plucking from the Kentucky's North Carolina's, UConn's etc. for the states top talent. Grant has basically sealed off the state to the outside and shown if he wants a player, he can get him. Tony Barbee is on the way to possibly to doing the same thing in Auburn.

This might be Alabama's biggest recruiting coup since Antonio McDyess in 1993, even though Alabama landed a Ronald Steele in 2005 & a Richard Hendrix in 2006 or the one and done year of Gerald Wallace in 2001. Its definently the best class since Erwin Dudley, Rod Grizzard, Terrence Meade & Kenny Walker became the backbone of Mark Gottfried's 2002 SEC Championship team.

The news of Lacey's signing also brings some much needed good news to the area in the wake of the tragic tornadoes from April 27th. The football and gymnastics teams have won national championships in the last 2 years and softball is currently the # 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament. People are not thinking it can happen but believing that the same kind of sustained success on the hardwood will happen for the Tide.

All I know is I can't wait for my basketball season ticket renewal form to come in the mail and for December 1st to get here when Alabama will lay a beat down on Georgetown in Coleman.

Tide advnces in NYC

Despite the fact that its best player was on the bench for most of the 2nd half due to foul issues, Alabama found a way to grind out a win over Colorado in the NIT Semi-Finals. Trevor Relford's 13 point, 6 assist, 4 steal night was capped with his game winning lay up with 12 seconds remaining in a 62-61 thriller at Madison Square Garden.

Now the Tide faces an impressive Wichita State team in the FInals, with a chance for this program to win a basketball championship. Granted, its not the NCAA as many pundits will point out, but it could be a stepping stone to bigger and better things.

Before UConn became a basketball power house in the last 20 years, Jim Calhoun had to work his program through the NIT in the late '80's before becoming a perennial regular in the NCAA Tournament. Even then, that program suffered numerous disappointments before finally reaching a Final 4 in 1999 and then winning two national titles in a 5 year span.

I'm not saying Alabama is going to accomplish that type of success, but in order to achieve bigger and better things, a foundation has to be laid somewhere and it looks like its been paved on the way to New York and being firmly cemented in the World's Most Famous Arena.

A basketball championship, even the NIT, would be no small step for this program. It would be a great accomplishment for this band of overachivers. If VCU's run to the Final 4 is a possible sign of things to come (the top 5 players on that team were recruited by Grant), then bright days could be ahead for Alabama basketball and SEC Basketball in general. With stongholds Kentucky and Florida, a rising UGA and 'Bama programs, coupled with now competent coaches at Auburn and Arkansas in the mix, the SEC could very easily become one of the the top 2-3 conferences on the hardwood in the near future.

Tide rolls into Madison Square Garden and the Big Apple

Tuesday night's NIT Semi-Finals get under way with Washington State and Wichita State meeting in the opener followed by Alabama vs Colorado. I'm not going to pretend to know a whole lot about these possible opponents for the Tide other then a few glimpses of action I watched during the post season.

I did watch the majority of the Wichita State-Nebraska game the other week and was thoroughly impressed with the play of the Shockers. They effectively locked down the Huskers, mandhandled them on the defensive end of the floor and much like Alabama, really seemed to feed off the home crowd. It was one of the better defensive performances I watched all year.

As for Washington State, have not really seen them play other then a few seconds vs Northwestern. Colorado does have strong guard play and should present problems for Alabama. I expect a very close game and if Alabama stays out of foul trouble, they will have a good chance to win. The Buffs did lose to UGA in Athens, but that was the first game of the year. Expect CU Alum Chauncey Billups to be there in attendance to watch the Buffs.

Another unique perspective of this NIT Final 4 is that no one will have a decided home court advantage. This isn't like a Big East team or a Penn State making a short drive like they did a few years ago to take over the Garden. If anything, I expect Alabama to have a fairly good presence of fans in NYC as its not often that UA Basketball makes a trip up north.

As far as Alabama is concerned, it will be interesting to see how they play on a nuetral floor as they are 1-5 in such circumstances. Alabama has been 2-2 in its last 4 trips to MSG, beating Detroit in the 2001 semi finals before falling to Tulsa in the championship, beating Oklahoma to start the 2002-03 season, losing to Pittsburgh in 2003-04 opener.

This is a huge stage for Alabama, as it is a chance to play for a basketball championship, granted its not the biggest stage, but it is an opportunity that presents itself. Recruits will be watching and its the only college game on tv Tuesday and Thursday. I'm sure Alabama will be all business on this trip and have a great chance to win this entire tournament, which hopefully will be a springboard to bigger and better things next year, much like UNC, UConn and St. John's did after last year's NIT.

Empire State of Mind... 'Bama dismantles Miami

Making the most out of a bad situation. Its a life lesson that most of us could learn to use. Its a point that Anthony Grant has obviously gotten across to his Alabama Basketball team after a disheartening Selction Sunday less then two weeks ago.

It would have been easy for the Tide to pout and sulk about being snubbed by the NCAA Tournament Selection Committee and watching the likes of UAB, USC and UGA embarrass themselves last week. They could have complained about being 12-4 (13-5) in the SEC and being left out, or its two wins over torunament bound Georgia in 6 days.

But Grant and company did none of this. Instead they manned up, said this is the hand we've been dealt, let's play it to the best of our abilities. And that Alabama has done with 3 convincing wins in front of national tv audiences on the worldwide leader, high profile recuits and raucus crowds.

Last night's game was simply a great experience in the friendly confines of Coleman Colesium. Spurred on by an extremely boisterous crowd announced at 8,612 (as a frequent vistor of Coleman, I think their were atleast 11,000 their last night, maybe not all paid due to the free student tickets, but their were then 8600 at that game), 'Bama came out with some intense full court pressure defense that punched Miami into an early hole, building a 24-10 lead 9 minutes into the contest.

Thanks to general admission, first come, first serve seating, a loud/younger crowd accounted for the seats near to the court resulting in waves and waves of noise raining down to the court. Despite a nice run by the 'Canes to start the 2nd half and make ita 42-41 game, Alabama never blinked. Poised and patient, the Tide worked the lead back to 15+ in the clsoing moments behind some great defense, steals that led to transition situations where Trevor Releford ochastrated a master piece resulting in lay up/dunk after lay up/dunk.

Also a special mention for Senario Hillman's effort, by far his best offensive game in 2 years for the Senior from Georgia. The all time steals leader in Alabama Basketball History ran the point for crucial moments in the 1st half and had several key baskets when Miami was making their run at the Tide.

Now its on to New York where fellow NCAA snubb Colorado is waiting in what should be a very competitive, down to the wire game. An impressive Wichita State team is on the other side facing Washington State. At this point, whether Alabama wins or loses, they carved out their own unique place in Alabama Basketball History, as an undermanned, hard working but greatly appreciated bunch by the knowledgeable home fans who have come out in force this year to support Alabama Basketball. Thats all the hard core fans want, is a team that gets after it on defense, plays hard, is well coached and reaches its potential which is what this team has done. Do those things and you will be showered with support. Its something that some might argue has been missing in Coleman for nearly 20 years, but now its back.

What kind of team will show up?

Less then 48 hours from the disappointment that was Selection Sunday, Anthony Grant's Alabama Basketball team will play host to the Coastal Carolina Catamounts, a team that won their conference but only has 8 players due to NCAA issues. I'm shocked that a Cliff Ellis run program would ever find itself in trouble with the NCAA.

The big question is what kind of Alabama team is going to show up? A bitterly disappointed, uninspired bunch that can be beaten or will it be the tough hard nosed team thats held opponents to under 60 points a game and finished 16-0 at Coleman Coliseum?

(Just for the record, I did not have a probelm with Alabama missing the tournament, that was until Georgia popped up on the screen as a 10 seed. Basically the last 6 days of the season and head to head competition did not matter this year. The NCAA is saying that UGA must of been a 6/7 seed until they coughed up two games to the Tide in 6 days? As for U Ain't Bama, VCU, USC and Clempson, combined they have the same amount of top 50 wins as the Tide, which is 4!)

One thing that Anthony Grant's team has shown is that they're a resilent bunch, fighting back from a bad trip in November, to finding ways to gut out comeback wins vs Auburn and recovering from a bad 15 minutes of baskeball vs Florida and coming back to beat UGA. So expect Alabama to come out and win this game tonight, but it may not be easy and the Tide can certainly be beaten.

But life isn't about how many times you get knocked down, its about how many times you can knocked and and get back up to fight again. Thats what is facing Alabama tonight.

As for me, I will be unable to attend tonight's contest due to a prior work commitment, the first home game I've missed in 6 weeks. It will be interesting to see what kind of crowd is there because students are away on Spring Break and its an early tip-off at 6 PM local time.

Alabama snubbed, headed to the NIT

Unable to watch the Alabama-Kentucky game on Saturday of the SEC Tournmanet was grinding me to a slow death. Prior commitments prevented me from viewing or listening to the game. But after that performance, coupled with Va. Tech, Penn State and Richmonds wins, I had resigned myself to the fact that Alabama probably wasn't getting "in" the field of 68.

I was fine with Alabama going to the NIT. They've overachieved and were 15 minutes of bad basketball away from winning an SEC Crown. Never in my wildest dreams did I see the Tide going to the dance or even the NIT before the season began.

But all this was before Gene Smith messed up for the second time this week, leaving the likes of Alabama, Va. Tech and Colorado out of the NCAA Tournament in place of UAB, Clemson, USC or VCU. Its really inexplicable to comprehend how this came about. I don't even think UAB or VCU were having viewing parties of the tournament. Even IVY League co-champ Harvard should be in before that group. It makes no sense.

Alabama is what it is. A team that struggled in non-conference, as was anticipated by acute Tide hoops observers. but they went 16-6 in their last 22 games, 4-4 vs the Top 50, finished 12-4 in conference, 2nd in the SEC. Compare that to UAB and Clemson, who did not beat a top 50 team. Their numbers were inflated because UAB played at Duke just to increase its RPI and Clemson played Duke atleast twice, maybe 3 times, nevermind the fact that none of the games were even close. VCU finished 4th in the Cololinal, including 3-5 in their Final 8 games, but winning doesn't count for anything.

As for Georgia, I felt they were a NCAA team, but not ahead of Alabama, after losing to the Tide twice in 6 days, wilting under UA's pressure in a Geogia Dome meltdown. The selection committee basically said winning doesn't matter.

Kudos to Jay Bilas and company for slamming the selection committee. The selection committee is way worst then the BCS fiasco. I guess its all about computers, specifically the RPI. I'm certain this has been the worst week of Gene Smith's professional life, hopefully he doesn't have any trees in his yard.

As for Alabama, its onto the NIT to face the Catamounts of Coastal Carolina and the corrupt Cliff Ellis comes to Tuscaloosa for another beat down. 'Bama has a great chance to get to New York, considering they don't have to leave Coleman Coliseum. I'm sure Anthony Grant will get this team off the deck and come out fighting. Since all seats at Coleman are general admission for the NIT and the students are away at Spring Break, it will be interesting to see what kind of crowds they can generate.

As for the NCAA Tournament, I will be basketball free except for the Temple games, Go Owls!

Alabama the NCAA Test Case..... Again

Alabama Basketball 2011, Please meet the 2001, 2003 and 2006 Crimson Tide hoops teams. Besides wearing the crimson and white, each of these teams will have the distinct opportunity of being a poster child for or against what a team needs to accomplish in order to be a member of March Madness.

In each of the previous 3 situtations, Alabama was one of the last teams in or out of the tournament in the respective years. The 2011 edition of the Tide will find themselves in this same situation again. In each of the previous situtations, unique circumstances surrounding wins, losses and when they happened affected the Tide's tournament future. 2011 will be no different.

2001- In Mark Gottfried's 3rd season, Alabama started 4 sophomores in Erwin Dudley, Terrence Meade, Rod Grizzard and Kenny Walker that would become the foundation of Gottfried's success at The Capstone. The Tide had a relatively light non conference schedule, that saw them race through the non conference season 12-1. The only loss was to Bob Huggin's Cincinnati team, but also included wins over Louisville 100-71, Washington 69-60 and Ohio State 85-67.

But Alabama limped through SEC play, going 8-8 and finished the season 20-9. Included in that .500 campaign was horrendous 4 game losing streak. Alabama split the SEC Tournament, beating Vanderbilt in Nashville and losing to defending national runner up Florida to finish 21-10.

When selection Sunday rolled around, Alabama was no where to be found. The head of the NCAA Selection Committee cited big conference, power six schools for hiding behind a strong conference and building up wins against cupcakes in non-conference play. Alabama was called out by name on CBS on that Sunday evening, becoming the poster child to play tougher non-conference teams. Lesson learned as we shall see.

2003- The Defending SEC Champion opened the year in New York's Madison Square Garden and thrashed Oklahoma 68-62 which sprung the Tide to a 9-0 start and a # 1 ranking. 'Bama finished the non-league schedule at 10-1, which included wins over Ohio State, Xaiver, Providence, St. Bonaventure and a loss to Utah in Salt Lake City.

In SEC play, the Tide limped to a 7-9 league record, only winning 1 road game at Tennessee. Alabama was embarrassed by Vanderbilt at the SEC Tournament and seemed like it had no shot at the NCAA tournament, finishing with a 17-10 record. But Alabama found itself "in" the tournament come selection sunday, and was cited for its tough non-conference schedule.

The line had been drawn in the sand, if you're in a BCS Conference, and you do well against tough competition in non-conference play while making it too .500 in league play, you will make it into the NCAA tournament. Alabama learned a lesson in 2001 and was rewarded in 2003.

2006- 'Bama limped into SEC play, literally, with a 7-5 record, falling to the likes of Memphis, Oklahoma, NC State, Temple and Notre Dame. In its first SEC game, Senior star forward Chuck Davis suffered a season ending injury to fall to 7-6.

But an undermanned team, led by the heroics of Ronald Steele, rallied for wins at Kentucky and against Tennessee and eventual national champion Florida at home to roll to a 10-6 conference record. No SEC team had ever been left out of the Field of 64 when they won 10 SEC games and this edition of the Tide would be no different, earning a 10 seed, beating Marquette before losing to UCLA in a memorable 2nd round game.

Another precedent had been set, if you struggle in non conference play, but play an extremely tough schedule, and then go on to have success in league play, you're going see your name selected on Sunday. The same thing happened to Kentucky in 2008.

2011- That brings us to this season, where Alabama did not have the best non league schedule like they have in the past. Seton Hall, Providence, Iowa and Oklahoma State did not turn out to have good seasons. Couple this in with a loss to St. Peter's (which is in the field) and Purdue, 'Bama is now sweating out Selection Sunday despite going 12-4 in SEC play, including 5-3 vs the SEC East. Alabama is also 4-4 against the Top 50, which is better then most teams that are on the "bubble." No SEC team has ever been left out with such a dominating record. The Tide also played several games without the injured Andrew Steele and the suspended Jaymicahel Green, and finished 16-6 in its last 22 games.

So Alabama is now a test case again. Can a team that struggled in non-conference play, against a relatively weaker schedule, but then dominated in a BCS Conference (SEC, ACC, Pac 10, Big 10, Big 12, Big East) make the Field of 68? Will another precendent be set?? We will find out in the next 24 hours.

But no matter what happens, this has been a fun ride for Anthony Grant's team and the 'Bama fan base, one that won't be forgotten for a long time.

They were dead,,,,,

It was over. 11:53, 7 minutes till midnight, the Crimson Tide Basketball team was in the electric chair, wired up, already given its last meal at the hands of the Georgia Bulldogs. Last rights were administered, Joe Lunardi, Jerry Palm and all the other Bracket Geeks were sitting there as witnesses, waiting for NCAA Chairmen Gene Smith to flip the switch to on when the clock would strike zero, frying Alabama's NCAA Tournament Bubble. The only thing that could save the Tide was a last second call from the governor.

But then it happened, the phone rang, it wasn't the governor, but instead it was Anthony Grant calling a time out as UGA just went up by 14, 48-34 with 7 minutes left. He got in the face of Tony Mitchell and told him to cut off the head of the montsor (UGA's Leslie). The ball went into the post to Jaymichael Green who scored several points at the foul line to work the Tide back into the game. Junkyard Dog Chris Hine's defense helped force turnovers and stops, culminating with Hine's tip in during the final minute to make it a 53-51 game. When Trevor Releford's slashing lay up fell through the nylon with 4 seconds left, Alabama had forced overtime thanks to Mark Fox's last second time out negating a potential winning basket by the Dawgs.

In overtime, it was all Alabama as UGA missed its final 7 shots after Tony Mitchell's 3 pointer broke a 59-59 tie with 2 minutes remaining. Now the Tide, a gassed and tired team, gets to play another road game at the Georgia Dome against Kentucky as its reward.

But the bigger prize is that Anthony Grant has engineered his team to an unprobable NCAA Berth, basically telling all the so called experts to shove it as Alabama marches on in Atlanta and to the national stage next week.

And right now, with the way Alabama plays defense and considering tournmanet games are grind it out affairs that favor this type of team, nobody wants to see this team on the line across from them come Selection Sunday!

NIT bound????

After Alabama's season ending 65-57 win over the Georgia Bulldogs, culminating a 16-0 season in Coleman Coliseum, 2nd year Tide Coach Anthony Grant took the microphone to thank the Crimson Clad fan base for their support during the season, which included 6 sell outs in the last 7 home games.

As a result, Alabama is trying to play themselves back into the NCAA tournament after suffering road losses in Oxford and Gainesville earlier in the week. With Florida's dismantling of Vanderbilt in Nashville, the Tide finished second in the SEC despite a 12-4 record to the 13-3 Gators. Depending on who you listen too, some say the Tide is "in" while others say they have no shot or have to do some work in the SEC Tournament. The lost week in the US Virgin Islands that saw Alabama fall to Seton Hall (who beat Marquette yesterday), Iowa (who beat Purdue yesterday) and St. Peter's could ultimately damage this team, or could be chalked up to just a bad week. Of course, Alabama played without Andrew Steele, who is not a superstar by any means like his brother Ronald, but is a major fixture in this teams success. Jaymichael Green was also suspended for several games, which might of included road trips at Purdue Oklahoma State or Providence, but I can't remeber which games he exactly missed. It will be interesting to see if these items are taken into account.

Personally, I believe Alabama has to win atleast 1 if not 2 games in Atlanta to make it to the NCAA Tournament, which would have them beating either UGA, Tennessee or Auburn on Friday and then facing Kentucky on Semi Final Saturday.

But whatever happens from this point on, you have to live with it. I will take 12-4 in SEC play and an undefeated home season every year. An NIT bid will not be a bad thing because the Tide would probably be a 1 seed and get 3 straight home games if they could advance on the way to New York. Seeing more Tide hoops in person at Coleman would be a decent consolation prize.

Auburn 2011 = Alabama 2010

Ahh yes, admit it. The picture fooled ya. You though this was about football but its not. Its about Alabama and Auburn Basketball!

As the 2011 SEC Basketball season winds down this weekend, one can't help but notice the improved play of Tony Barbee's Auburn squad down the stretch. Although the Tigers have had some embarrassing losses (see: Presbyterian), Barbee's team has played extremely well of late and have become a competitive team.

In this process, the 2011 Auburn Tigers look alot like the 2010 version of Anthony Grant's first year team at The Capstone. Grant's 2010 team played extermely hard, much like Barbee's team does, and showed huge gains throughout the season. It also had some difficult, close losses at home and on the road, but the 'Bama fan base felt they had the right man for the job. I'm sure the Auburn Basketball fans (all four of them) feel the same way about Barbee.

Grant's first team lost 1 point home games to the likes of Florida and Vanderbilt, much like Auburn has dropped close games to Florida and Arkansas at home. 'Bama had a huge non conference win vs Baylor much like Auburn had over Florida State. Grant also saw a huge lead dwindle away on the road at Ole Miss like Auburn did this year in Tuscaloosa. Alabama also fought its way back from huge defecits to beat South Carolina twice late in the 2010 season like Barbee's teams have done against Mississippi State and Ole Miss.

Now that Barbee has a couple of transfers coming in next year (see former Jeff Davis and Texas player Veraz Ward at point guard), the return of a healthy Frankie Sullivan and the addition of a good recruiting class, the Tigers may be poised for a break through season in 2012 like Alabama has had in 2011.

Being the hard core Alabama hoops fan that I am, one may think I would want to see Auburn struggle at basketball, but truth be told its just the opposite. Its good for the sport in a football crazed state when both programs hoops teams are having success. Unfortuantely outside of 2003, when Auburn went to the Sweet 16 before falling to Carmello Anthony's Syracuse squad in Albany, NY and Alabama raced to its only #1 ranking in basketball, neither team has been able to sustain success together at the same time since the 1980's.

As a result, one progam seems to have more success then the other, continuing to render second class status to hoops. When Auburn's been good (1998-2000), Alabama's been terrible. When the Tide's been high (1989-1995, 2001-2006), Auburn's been terrible. Of course, they've both been horrendous together too. But this could all change to a degree. Basketball will never overtake football in the Yellowhammer State, but if Alabama and Auburn could compete for an extended time at a high level on the hardwood, battling for SEC championships and NCAA success at the same time, then basketball would quickly become more relevent.

Its not a guarantee, but for the first time since Wimp Sanderson was in Tuscaloosa and Sonny Smith was on The Plains, its seems like both programs are on the upswing together. Alabama has sold out 6 home games in Coleman Colesium and Auburn invested $90 million in its new arena. All of these factors could lead to extended success under Grant and Barbee, and a renewed interest in basketball in Alabama, which would be a great thing for long time hoops fans in a football crazed state.

Disappointment in Gaiveville....

Alabama's biggest regular season game in 9 years ended with Florida breaking open a 39-38 game with 15 minutes left, and turning it into a 27 point rout. Florida out scored the Tide 39-13 during that torrid stretch, in sealing atleast a tie for the regular season SEC Title.

Alabama could still share a championship by beating Georiga and watching Florida lose to Vandy, but niethr of those are certain to happen. Besides, could anybody rightfully not crown the Gators King of the SEC Hardwood after last night's dismantling?

Anthony Grant's overachieving squad suffered what was undoubtly the largest margin of defeat in an SEC game during the coach's short tenure in Tuscaloosa. Alabama had a deer in the headlights look all night. Despite being tied at 30-30 at the half, it felt like Florida was up 10 or so. One would have thought Alabama could not play any worst in the 2nd half then it did in the first, but it did.

But give credit to Billy Donovan as his team did the same exact turnaround to Georgia one week earlier. The Gators outworked and outplayed the Tide last night.

Now for Alabama, the Tide's bubble probably bursted at the O-Dome, but thats alright too. As stated in this column earlier in the year, this is a flawed team that has no outside shooting (outscored 24-3 beyond the arc last night), essentially a starting 5 and three ofensively challenged players coming off the bench. Despite those limitations, the Tide has overachieved and can finish with an impressive 12-4 record in the SEC play. But it won't be easy as Mark Fox brings in a talented UGA team on Saturday.

Time to see if the Tide can rebound and persevere this week after 3 bad games. Many doubted this bunch before the season, then before SEC play and I'm sure many more are doubting them about coming back and winning this weekend. Should be another sell out in Coleman and its senior day, so we'll see how Grant's bunch responds. I wouldn't bet against them just yet....