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Bama Completes Final Full Practice For A&M
Photo Credit: RollTide.com
The University of Alabama football team held their final practice yesterday afternoon in preparation for tomorrow's highly-anticipated battle with the Texas A&M Aggies. The Thursday session was the final full practice for the week, completing 90 minutes in shells inside the Hank Crisp Indoor Facility.
The Tide has been fine-tuning their game plan for the Aggies contest, and no one expects it to be the 59-0 shellacking of a year ago in Tuscaloosa. This A&M squad brings a better defense to the field, much better. The Aggies ranked 104th last year in defense, allowing 450.8 yards a game. Alabama put 602 yards on them, with 304 coming through the air and 298 on the ground.
This season the Aggies are ranked 58th nationally in defense, allowing 374.8 yards per game. They are ranked 11th of the 14 in the SEC. Their pass defense is ranked fifth in the SEC, allowing 192.2 yards per game. Their sack average, at 3.8 sacks per game, is second in the league and seventh in the nation. A&M boasts the SEC sack-leader in Myles Garrett with 7.5.
Though A&M has much improved numbers, they still haven't really shut anyone down. Ball State put 23 points on them, Nevada had 27, Arkansas with 21 and Mississippi State scored 17 points on the Aggie defense.
This will be the eighth meeting between the two teams, with the Tide holding a 5-2 advantage. If Bama gets the win tomorrow it will be the third consecutive one.
Tomorrow's game will air live on CBS. Verne Lundquist, Gary Danielson and Allie LaForce will be making the call for the network. Air time is 2:30 p.m. CT.
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Alabama Basketball To Be Faster Pace
Photo Credit: RollTide.com
Modern-day college football has been leaning more and more to the uptempo style of play. More action, more innovation resulting in higher scores. Even Alabama football has installed some of this philosophy into its style of play the past couple of season.
But this isn't about Alabama football. Or any college football for that matter.
Alabama basketball practice for the upcoming 2015-16 season is in full swing, and the "outsiders" had an opportunity yesterday to get a first glimpse of "things-Johnson" when the media was allowed to watch the final hour of practice. Alabama basketball under head coach Avery Johnson will be a faster pace basketball team than we've been used to seeing the past several seasons.Former coach Anthony Grant liked the slower pace, emphasizing defense. The college shot clock is moving up to 30 seconds this season. Bama is working with 20 seconds.
Johnson said he can see a hesitation in shooting early in the shot clock, but as the team gets used to it they will improve. He mentioned that the habit of holding onto the ball, as in the past, will be a matter of breaking the habit. He also said the team is coachable and putting forth good effort. He also stated that execution "still has a ways to go." But he also said that was "something to be expected" right now.
A pair of freshmen were looking good out on the practice floor. 2015 "Mr. Basketball" Dazon Ingram should definitely being getting some playing time this season from the looks of it. The point guard was looking good, shooting well. Freshman Brandon Austin was showing some ability out there and is going to get his opportunity to shine.
Memphis-transfer Nick King won't be eligible this season but was practicing with the squad. King must sit out one season because of the transfer rule. He was looking very good, and will be a welcome addition to the 2016-17 season.
Johnson said that Justin Coleman, Ingram, Retin Obasohan and Jimmie Taylor were looking good and taking on leadership roles on the team.
The coaching staff and players worked well together. There was intensity and excitement.
And there seems to be more excitement in Bama Nation itself over basketball this season than we've seen in a long time.
Photo Credit: RollTide.com
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Bama Softball Plays Four This Weekend
Photo Credit: RollTide.com
Crimson Tide softball opens it's 2015 home season at Rhoads Stadium this weekend with four games on tap. Saturday the Tide hosts Western Kentucky and Mobile before their double-header on Sunday against West Alabama.
Bama's first contest tomorrow will be at 11 a.m. with the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers. Following that contest it's the Tide versus the Mobile Rams at 3 p.m. The following day's contest will be at 1:30 p.m.
