********************************************************************************************************
Saban's Comments From "Hey Coach" Last Night
Photo Credit: RollTide.com
Alabama head football coach Nick Saban took calls and answered questions last night on his syndicated radio program, "Hey Coach." If you haven't tuned in, you might want to do so. It's informative and enjoyable. Pick it up on one of your local stations or via the internet.
One of the big disappointments for Saban this season are the number of penalties incurred by his team. He said he has emphasized every week the importance of keeping their heads in the game, and while he doesn't believe the team is undisciplined, the problem keeps occurring.
Speaking of this week's upcoming opponent, Mississippi State, Saban was complimentary of quarterback Dak Prescott. He said it was pretty remarkable that the young man has only one interception on the season considering how much Mississippi State throws the ball.
Saban also spoke of the noise level at Davis Wade Stadium in Starkville, Mississippi. He said it takes more focus from the players going into a loud environment like that, especially with all the ringing cowbells.
Addressing the "hangover" issue following the LSU game, Saban said if this team were ordinary they'd have a hangover after coming off such a big win. He said he told the team they'd have to extraordinary this week managing the game and expectations. He said they'd had a good week of practice and that hopefully it would work out well.
Saban then talked about the LSU game as well as discussing how he's tried to be a positive help and influence in head basketball coach Avery Johnson's transition saying he had even spoken to some of the basketball recruits.
Talking about the schedule, the grueling games and practices, Saban said he can't do much to manipulate the schedule. He said he really doesn't like to play more than six games in a row without a bye, but when that happens he gives an extra day off practice to help rest the players.
Concerning uniforms, Saban said that Nike is always coming up with new ideas, but he's a traditionalist and likes Alabama's uniforms and tradition. One caller even thanked Saban for keeping them as they are.
Talk returned to quarterback Prescott at State, and Saban said that the youngster is very good at scrambling to throw the ball. He also commented by coach Mullen has designed plays for the quarterback to run, and most of Prescott's rushing yards are on those designed plays.
Saban was complimentary of the team's passion and willingness to have a successful season. He said the team has created a tremendous opportunity for itself and now just has to deliver. Again, he mention the "hangover" aspect, saying he didn't want his team thinking of having a hangover against State or about being tired. He spoke of the resiliency of this team and their mental toughness, something a lot of talented teams don't have.
Alabama travels to Starkville, Mississippi for a 2:30 p.m. CT contest with the Mississippi State Bulldogs in another Top-25 contest. The game will be broadcast by CBS.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alabama Football
Final Practice In The Books For State Contest
Photo Credit: RollTide.com
The final practice is in the books for the Alabama-Mississippi State football game tomorrow afternoon. Yesterday the Tide put in approximately 90 minutes of work in shells inside the Hank Crisp Indoor Facility. Yesterday's focus was on special teams, and also putting those "finishing touches" on the gameplan.
Alabama travels to Starkville, Mississippi for a 2:30 p.m. CT game tomorrow afternoon. Alabama leads the series with an all-time mark of 77-18-3, which includes a 17-4 slate at State's house. The Crimson Tide is riding a seven-game winning streak, and came away with a 25-20 win in Tuscaloosa last season over the then-number one rated Bulldogs. It was the fourth time a Nick Saban coached Tide defeated a number one ranked team, and the seventh overall for Alabama.
Tomorrow's contest will be broadcast live on the CBS network, with Verne Lundquist, Gary Danielson and All LaForce handling the announcing duties.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alabama Hosts Kennesaw State
Tide Men's Basketball Opens Regular Season Tonight
Photo Credit: RollTide.com
The Avery Johnson era at the University of Alabama officially gets underway tonight when the Alabama men's basketball team hosts the Kennesaw State Owls in the first game of the 2015-16 regular season at Coleman Coliseum tonight at 7:30 p.m. CT. This will be the first ever meeting between the two teams.
Johnson was introduced as the University of Alabama's 20th men's basketball coach back on April 8th, and has already caused quite a stir both on and off campus with his excitement and enthusiasm for both the program and the university. He has made appearances at the various sports program's games, spoken to different teams and spoken to the community at large.
He brings a 254-186 coaching record to the Crimson Tide. While none of those are college games, he has an NBA title and Coach of the Year award in his resume.
Johnson and the men's basketball team collected an 87-65 win last Friday against Trevecca Nazarene in the team's lone exhibition game of the season. Shannon Hale led the team with 18 points in that contest, followed by Arthur Edwards with 12, and Rile Norris with 10 as the team's three shooters hitting double-digits on the night.
Alabama returns six lettermen from last year's team, including three starters who compiled a 19-15 record and reached the NIT second round. Bama has seven newcomers on its roster, five of which are eligible to play. Two are sitting out the season due to NCAA transfer rules (Nick King and Avery Johnson, Jr.).
The Crimson Tide will be a relatively young team this season, with seven of the 12 eligible players either freshmen or sophomores. However, returning are last season's leading scorers, senior guard Retin Obasohan and junior forward Shannon Hale. Also returning is junior forward Jimmie Taylor who led the team in blocks.
This will be Alabama's 103rd season of basketball, with an all-time record of 1,600-984-1 (757-578 SEC). The Crimson Tide ranks second in Southeastern Conference wins and in all-time winning percentage. UA has won seven regular-season SEC titles and six SEC Tournament Championships. Bama has competed in 19 NCAA Tournament games and 13 NIT contests.
Prior to the men's game tonight, the Alabama women's basketball team will be hosting Alabama A&M, also in Coleman Coliseum. Tickets are just $5, and allow you to watch both games. The women's game gets underway at 4:30 p.m. CT.
Tonight's game can be seen on SEC Network+. Mike Gillespie and Rick Moody will be handling the announcing duties. It may also be seen on the Crimson Tide Sports Network with Chris Stewart and Bryan Passink on the call.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Women's Basketball Opens Regular Season This Afternoon
Photo Credit: RollTide.com
The Alabama women's basketball team tips off its 2015016 regular season this afternoon as it hosts Alabama A&M at Coleman Coliseum. The game will be part of a double-header, with the men taking on Kennesaw State. The game is scheduled to begin at 4:30 p.m. CT.
The women earned an easy 93-34 victory over Faulkner this past Monday in the team's lone exhibition game of the season. Freshman Shaquera Wade recorded a double-double in the contest pouring in 17 points and 10 rebounds in her first-ever game for the Crimson Tide. Sophomore Meoshonti Knight also tied for the night's high-scorer with 17 points, which beat her previous game-high 16 points from last season.
Eight letterwinners and three starters return from last season's Tide team. Nine of the 12 on this year's team are underclassmen, five of which are sophomores and four are freshman.
The lady Tide are led by head coach Kristy Curry.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bama Men's Tennis Hosts Weekend Tournament
Photo Credit: RollTide.com
The University of Alabama men's tennis team host the CCB Collegiate Invitational at The Country Club of Birmingham this weekend in its final tourney of the fall. Bama welcomes student-athletes from South Alabama, Troy, UAB, Samford, LSU, Louisville, Middle Tennessee State, Southern Miss, Texas and Tulane.
The tournament opens at 9 a.m. today and is scheduled to conclude on Sunday. Today's contests include two rounds of doubles followed by one round of singles. On Saturday there will be one round of doubles and two rounds of singles. Then on Sunday there will be the final round of singles played.
The six taking the court for the Crimson Tide this weekend are junior Hayes Brewer, sophomores Danny Kerznerman, Sam Edwards and Matthew Rossouw, redshirt freshman Langford Hills and freshman Spencer Richey.
