Braxton Key SEC Frosh Of The Week; Bama Gymnastics 6th; Alabama Track & Field Latest Rankings; 4-Star Todd Harris To Announce Tomorrow; WR Devonta Smith To Announce Choice At 2 P.M. Tomorrow; Akial Byers Won't Be Signing With Bama As Expected; It's Back To 24 Commits For Tide After Losing One To Academics; 2018 UA Football Commits

Braxton Key Named SEC Men's Basketball

 Freshman Of The Week

Braxton Key
Photo Credit: USA TODAY/Adam Hagy

TUSCALOOSA, Alabama – University of Alabama men's basketball freshman forward Braxton Key has been selected as the Southeastern Conference Freshman of the Week. The announcement was made yesterday by SEC officials. He is the first player from the Crimson Tide men's basketball team to earn the league's freshman of the week award since Shannon Hale did so back in March of 2014.

     
Key was outstanding this past week in a pair of SEC wins. The 6' 8", 225-pound forward out of Charlotte, North Carolina averaged 22.5 points and 9.0 rebounds, while shooting 45.8 percent (11-of-24) from the floor, 50.0 percent (4-of-8) from three and 70.8 percent (19-of-27) from the free throw line all the while helping to lead Bama to victory over both Georgia and Mississippi State.

                       
Key is only one of seven NCAA Division I freshmen to lead his team in both scoring and rebounding.

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Bama Gymnastics Ranked 6th In This Week's Poll

Photo Credit: UA Athletics

TUSCALOOSA, Alabama – The Alabama gymnastics team has moved to No. 6 in the nation according to this weeks rankings, released yesterday. Oklahoma remains at No. 1, followed by LSU at No 2. Rounding out the Top 10 are Florida (3), Utah (4), UCLA (5), Alabama (6), Michigan (7), Denver (8), Georgia (9) and Kentucky (10).

Six Southeastern Conference teams are in the Top-12. They are LSU (2), Florida (3), Alabama (6), Georgia (9), Kentucky (10) and Missouri (11).

The Crimson Tide remains in the Top-1 on all four events. Bama is fifth on the balance beam, ninth on the vault, 13th on the floor exercise and 15th on the uneven bars.

Individually, junior Kiana Winston is No. 14 in the all-around, second on the balance beam and eighth on the floor exercise. Junior Nickie Guerrero is ranked seventh and senior Aja Sims is 17th on the balance beam. Sims also comes in ranked 21st on the floor exercise. Senior Katie Bailey is ranked at No. 24 on the uneven bars.

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Alabama Track & Field Latest Rankings

Photo Credit: UA Athletics

TUSCALOOSA, Alabama – The University of Alabama men's track team remained in the Top 10 of this week's national rankings, holding steady at No. 9 in the second U.S. Track & Field Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) National Team Rankings. The Bama women's track and field team moved up two spots to No. 20, in the latest rankings which were were released yesterday. The men's team garnered a total of 67.38 points while the women earned 43.38 points.

The national team rankings are compiled by a mathematical formulae based on national descending order lists and data taken from previous seasons. The purpose and methodology of the rankings is to create an index that showcases the teams that have the best potential of achieving the top spots in the national team race. Ranking points do not equate with NCAA Championships team points.

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4-Star Cornerback Recruit Todd Harris

Unveils Final Four Schools

Twitter Photo

Four-star cornerback Todd Harris out of  Plaquemine, Louisiana announced on Monday via his Twitter account that he will make known his selection of the college for whom he wants to play on National Signing Day. The 6' 0", 175-pound prospect narrowed his list to four schools: The Alabama Crimson Tide, LSU, Arizona State and TCU.

Harris is the No. 8 safety prospect in the country and the No. 3 overall player out of the state of Louisiana for the class of 2017, according to ESPN.

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Wide Receiver Devonta Smith To Announce Choice 

National Signing Day At 2 P.M. CT

Photo Credit: 247Sports

Four-star wide receiver Devonta Smith has announced a change in plans for his announcement to which university for whom he wants to play. The 6' 1", 160-pound prospect out of Amite High School had originally planned his announcement for 9 a.m. CT on National Signing Day, but has now moved the time to 2 p.m. CT.

Smith is the No. 3 wide receiver in the country, and the No. 1 receiver out of the state of Louisiana according to 247Sports. 

He made an official visit to The Capstone earlier this month and is considered an Alabama-lean, with home-state school LSU running second.

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Akial Byers Won't Be Signing With Bama

Photo Credit: 247Sports

With only one day remaining until National Signing Day, the Alabama Crimson Tide appears to have lost another player. This one is a longtime Alabama commit. 

Fayetteville, Arkansas defensive lineman Akial Byers is reportedly signing with Mississippi Gulf Coach Community College tomorrow, according to a release from his high school. Though Byers has been committed to Bama since last summer, he has not as yet qualified academically. It appears from this news, he won't for this season. 

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2017 Football Commitments & Signees For Alabama Football

The University of Alabama Crimson Tide football team currently has 12 student-athletes who have committed to furthering their football careers at The Capstone and another 12 who have already signed and joined the squad. As new commits and signees are announced the list will be updated and released. 

Here is the complete list of 2017 commitments and signees to UA as of 01/31/17:

• Najee Harris, RB (6-1, 210), Antioch, California  (signed)
• Alex Leatherwood, OL (6-4, 300), Pensacola, Florida  (signed)
• Chadarius Townsend, ATH, (6-0, 180), Tanner, Alabama*  (signed)
• Brian Robinson, RB (6-2, 210), Tuscaloosa, Alabama*
• VanDarius Cowan, LB (6-4, 217), Palm Beach Gardens, Florida
• Tua Tagovailoa, QB (6-1, 210), Honolulu, Hawaii  (signed)
• Elliot Baker, OL (6-7, 295), City College of San Francisco (California)  (signed)
• Mac Jones, QB (6-2, 185), Jacksonville, Florida
• Markail Benton, LB (6-2, 245), Phenix City, Alabama*
• Tyrell Shavers, WR ( 6-6, 202), Lewisville, Texas  (signed)
• Thomas Fletcher, C (6-2, 220), Bradenton, Florida  (signed)
• Hunter Brannon, C (6-4, 290), Cullman, Alabama*
• Jerry Jeudy, WR ( 6-1, 177), Deerfield Beach, Florida  (signed)
• Kyriq McDonald, DB (5-11, 185), Madison, Alabama*  (signed)
• Kendall Randolph, OL (6-5, 290), Madison, Alabama*
• Kedrick James, TE (6-5, 250), Waco, Texas
• Dylan Moses, LB (6-3, 235), IMG Academy, Bradenton, Florida  (signed)
• Major Tennison, TE (6-6, 230), Bullard, Texas  (signed)
• Jedrick Wills, OT, (6-5, 318), Lexington, Kentucky
• Christopher Allen, LB (6-4, 234), Baton Rouge, Louisiana
• Daniel Wright, DB (6-1, 187), Fort Lauderdale, Florida
• Isaiah Buggs, DL (6-5, 290), Mississippi Gulf Coast  (signed)
• Xavier McKinney, S (6-1, 192), Roswell, Georgia
• Joseph Bulovas, K (6-0, 205), Mandeville, Louisiana

*State of Alabama Recruits/Commitments

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2018 University Of Alabama Football Commits

The University of Alabama Crimson Tide football team currently has 4 student-athletes who have committed to furthering their football careers at The Capstone. As new commits and signees are announced the list will be updated and released. 

Here is the complete list of 2017 commitments and signees to UA as of 01/31/17:

• Malcolm Epps, TE, (6-6, 214), Dekaney, Texas
• Dameon Pierce, RB (5-11, 205), Bainbridge, Georgia
• Jordan Davis, DE (6-6, 240), Memphis, Tennessee
• Xavier Williams, WR/ATH (6-1, 185), Hollywood, Florida 

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Bama Women's Basketball Falls To Auburn; Tide Women's Basketball Press Conference; Bama's Billy Napier Reportedly Leaving; Alabama's Josh Chapman Arrested; Tide Women's Tennis Falls; UA Signee John Petty In Jordan Brand Classic

Alabama Women's Basketball

4th-Quarter Scoring Spree Gives

Auburn Win Over Alabama

Photo Credit: UA Athletics

TUSCALOOSA, Alabama – For three quarters the University of Alabama women's basketball team had enough offense and defense to hold the lead in a contest with in-state rival Auburn. The problem came in the fourth. The Crimson Tide was outscored 25-11 in the fourth stanza costing both the lead and, ultimately, the game 66-55. Alabama now falls to 15-7 overall and 3-6 in Southeastern Conference play, while the win elevates Auburn to an identical overall 15-7 mark on the season, but a better 5-3 SEC slate.

A very disappointed Alabama head basketball coach, Kristy Curry, said, "We can't just win three quarters, and obviously it's how you finish. We just weren't able to put four quarters together. I thought we played three really solid quarters, but we just couldn't finish it off. We had eight fourth quarter turnovers with the inability to get to the free throw line. We weren't as aggressive as we needed to be taking care of the basketball, making shots and getting to the foul line and converting."

It was Bama junior Quanetria Bolton leading the Tide in scoring with 17 points, with junior Hannah Cook just one point back with 16 points. Bolton and sophomore Shaquera Wade both finished the game with a game-high seven rebounds apiece, while Wade contributed a game-best four assists. Sophomore Janiah McKay, who had 26 points, led the Tigers in scoring.

The Crimson Tide hit on 21-47 (44.7 percent) in the contest, while the Tigers were a little better with 26-56 (46.4 percent). Bama led the teams in rebounds 33-28, as well as blocks five to one. However, Alabama had 22 turnovers in the contest and was only able to get to the free throw stripe 11 times during the game.

Alabama will again take to the road, this time to face the LSU Tigers on Sunday. Game time is set for 3 p.m. CT and will be broadcast on the SEC Network.

Team Statistics

Game Stats	AU	UA
FG%	.464	.447
3FG%	.375	.313
FT%	.579	.727
RB	28	33
TO	10	22
STL	11	1

Photo Credit: UA Athletics

Photo Credit: UA Athletics

Photo Credit: UA Athletics

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Alabama Women's Basketball Press Conference

Following Loss To Auburn

Click HERE to view press conference via Tide TV

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Bama's Billy Napier Reportedly Leaving

Photo Credit: UA Athletics

TUSCALOOSA, Alabama - It appears that another Crimson Tide coach is leaving. Alabama football wide receivers coach Billy Napier is reportedly going to be hired as the new offensive coordinator for Arizona State University.

In case the Arizona State thing sounds familiar, it's where former Bama quarterback Blake Barnett has transferred. Also, if you keep up with things happening on the Plains concerning Auburn football, this is where the new Auburn offensive coordinator, Chip Lindsey, hails.

Napier has been Alabama's wide receivers coach since 2013. He has personally been involved in helping to develop the likes of Amari Cooper, Calvin Ridley and ArDarius Stewart.

Previously the quarterbacks coach at Colorado State University in 2012, Napier became an offensive analyst for the Tide in 2011 prior to being named wide receivers coach. He also served as offensive coordinator at Clemson in 2009 and 2010.

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Alabama's Josh Chapman Arrested For DUI

Josh Chapman
Photo Credit: Tuscaloosa County Jail

TUSCALOOSA, Alabama - Former University of Alabama defensive lineman and current Crimson Tide assistant strength and conditioning coach Josh Chapman has been arrested. According to the Tuscaloosa County Sherriff's Department, Chapman was arrested on Sunday morning and subsequently charged with driving under the influence.

Chapman was reportedly found passed out in his car in downtown Tuscaloosa. His bond has been set at $1,000.

Chapman is a former second-team All-SEC defensive lineman, and for the Crimson Tide from 2007-11. He was a fifth-round selection of the Indianapolis Colts in 2012, and spent three years with the Colts before he was released in September 2015. 

Chapman, a Birmingham native, has been serving as Alabama's assistant strength and conditioning coach since early last year.

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Alabama Women's Tennis

Tide Tennis Tumbles

Ohio State Defeats Alabama

Photo Credit: UA Athletics

COLUMBUS, Ohio – It didn't go nearly as expected. The Alabama women's tennis team lost 4-0 to the seventh-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes in the championship match of the ITA Kick-Off Weekend tournament. The event was held on the campus of Ohio State University at the Varsity Tennis Center. The Crimson Tide now falls tol 4-2 overall, while the Buckeyes remain in the ranks of the undefeated at 4-0.

Alabama will be back on the courts on Saturday, February 18th when it hosts TCU. Match time is set for 1 p.m. CT.

SINGLES

1. Erin Routliffe (Alabama) vs. No. 1 Francesca Di Lorenzo (Ohio State) 6-4, 1-1 DNF

2. Andie Daniell (Alabama) vs. No. 41 Anna Sanford (Ohio State) 6-3, 5-2 DNF

3. Danielle Spielmann (Alabama) vs. Gabrielle De Santis (Ohio State) 6-3, 3-1 DNF

4. Sandy Niehaus (Ohio State) defeated Smith Hinton (Alabama) 6-1, 6-1

5. No. 59 Miho Kowase (Ohio State) defeated Maddie Pothoff (Alabama) 6-1, 6-0

6. Ferny Angeles Paz (Ohio State) defeated Juliana Valero (Alabama) 6-0, 6-1

DOUBLES

1. Erin Routliffe/Maddie Pothoff (Alabama) vs. Anna Sandord/Sandy Niehaus (Ohio State) 5-4DNF

2. Francesca Di Lorenzo/Miho Kowase (Ohio State) defeated Andie Daniell/Danielle Spielmann (Alabama) 6-1

3. Olivia Sneed/Ferny Angeles Paz (Ohio State)  defeated  Smith Hinton/Juliana Valero (Ohio State) 6-1

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UA Signee John Petty In Jordan Brand Classic

John Petty
Twitter Photo

University of Alabama men's basketball signee John Petty has been selected to play in the Jordan Brand Classic to be held on April 14th at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. The even was begun back in 2002 and features senior players from all across the United States. The Mae Jemison senior basketball star, the reigning Alabama Mr. Basketball, is the only player from the state of Alabama on the roster.

Petty is rated as the No. 21 player in the country and the nation's No. 5 shooting guard by ESPN.

Bama Men's Basketball Wins; Crimson Tide Men's Tennis Tops Purdue; Women's Tennis Falls To Ohio State; 5th-Ranked Tide Gymnastics Battles Auburn; Alabama Women's Tennis Shuts Out Harvard

Bama Men's Basketball Beats Mississippi State

Tide Now 3-1 On The Road In SEC

Photo Credit: UA Athletics

TUSCALOOSA, Alabama – The University of Alabama men's basketball team improved to 13-7 overall, 6-2 SEC by defeating the Mississippi State Bulldogs 71-62 on Saturday night in front of a sold out Coleman Coliseum. The Crimson Tide outscored the Dogs 14-4 in just over six minutes as the game came to a close to seal the nine-point victory. This is the best start start for the Tide in Southeastern Conference play since the 2012-13 campaign.

A proud head coach commented afterward, "This was a hard fought victory for us [last night]," Alabama head coach Avery Johnson said. "We had stretches where we really looked like a good basketball team and then we had stretches where we were playing around with the basketball. A couple of fast break opportunities we didn't convert and that is one of the reasons why we shot 32 percent from the field. But the flip side of that is we made our free throws [Saturday night] and this was a great night for us to make them.

"We have a lot of work to do, give Mississippi State credit. I told our team they are a much better basketball team then the one we played the first time. So fortunately, we were able to battle. We didn't rebound the ball well [last night] and that is problematic. But it keeps us focused and humble. We will get back to the drawing board on Monday, they have earned a day off (Sunday), and we will see what happens in the next one."

Bama hit 31-of-36 free throws in the contest, a season high on both attempts, baskets made as well as free throw percentage at 86 percent.Leading the way in those free throws was redshirt freshman Dazon Ingram, who entered yesterday's game shooting 60 percent from the free throw line, hit 100 percent of those shots last night, going 12-for-12 en route to scoring 15 total points. Freshman Braxton Key was the leader for the Crimson Tide the Tide with 19 points, and pumped in nine rebounds as well. Also scoring in double figures was junior Riley Norris with 13 points. Senior Bola Olaniyan led the team in rebounds with his game-high of 11.

When holding the opposition to 62 points or less the Bama boys are perfect. Last night was no exception, with the Tide improving to 12-0 when the defense is playing tough. The Crimson Tide blocked seven State shots and scored a total of 23 points off Bulldog miscues.

Next up for the Tide is a trip to Fayetteville, Arkansas for the only contest this season between Alabama and Arkansas. The game is February 1st with a 6 p.m. CT start and can be seen on the SEC Network.

Team Statistics

Game Stats	MS	UA
FG%	.411	.327
3FG%	.313	.333
FT%	.579	.861
RB	40	37
TO	18	13
STL	5	11

Photo Credit: UA Athletics

Photo Credit: UA Athletics

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Alabama-Mississippi State Highlights

Click HERE to view highlights

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Alabama Men's Tennis

Crimson Tide Tops Purdue 4-3

Photo Credit: UA Athletics

ATHENS, Georgia – The Crimson Tide men's tennis team defeated the Purdue Boilermakers 4-3 on Saturday in the consolation match of the ITA Kick-Off Weekend tournament at the Lindsey Hopkins Indoor Courts on the campus of the University of Georgia. Alabama improves its record to 3-2, while the Boilermakers fall to 3-1.

Alabama men's tennis head coach George Husack said, "An amazing finish tonight. Great for our team to experience a tug of war match and create a memory as well. Moments like these are invaluable and we will both learn and build from it."

SINGLES:
1. No. 63 Mazen Osama (Alabama) defeated No. 49 Gergely Madarasz (Purdue) 7-5, 6-3
2. Ricky Medinilla (Purdue) defeated No. 78 Thibault Cancel (Alabama) 6-1, 7-5
3. No. 70 Benjamin Ugarte (Purdue) defeated Spencer Richey (Alabama) 6-4, 6-2
4. Stephan Keonigsfest (Purdue) defeated Alexey Nesterov (Alabama) 6-1, 6-2
5. Edson Ortiz (Alabama) defeated Athell Bennett (Purdue) 6-2, 4-6, 7-5
6. Dominik Sochurek (Purdue) defeated Langford Hills (Alabama) 6-3, 7-6

DOUBLES:
1. No. 32 Mazen Osama/Spencer Richey (Alabama) defeated Ricky Medinilla/Dominik Sochurek (Purdue) 6-3
2. Ritchie Kruunenberg/Alexey Nesterov (Alabama) defeated Gergely Madarasz/Athell Bennett (Purdue) 7-5
3. Benjamin Ugarte/Stehpan Koenigsfest (Purdue) defeated Thibault Cancel/Edson Ortiz (Alabama) 6-4

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Alabama Women's Tennis

Tide Tennis Tumbles
Ohio State Defeats Alabama

Photo Credit: UA Athletics

COLUMBUS, Ohio – It didn't go nearly as expected. The Alabama women's tennis team lost 4-0 to the seventh-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes in the championship match of the ITA Kick-Off Weekend tournament. The event was held on the campus of Ohio State University at the Varsity Tennis Center. The Crimson Tide now falls tol 4-2 overall, while the Buckeyes remain in the ranks of the undefeated at 4-0.

Alabama will be back on the courts on Saturday, February 18th when it hosts TCU. Match time is set for 1 p.m. CT.

SINGLES

1. Erin Routliffe (Alabama) vs. No. 1 Francesca Di Lorenzo (Ohio State) 6-4, 1-1 DNF

2. Andie Daniell (Alabama) vs. No. 41 Anna Sanford (Ohio State) 6-3, 5-2 DNF

3. Danielle Spielmann (Alabama) vs. Gabrielle De Santis (Ohio State) 6-3, 3-1 DNF

4. Sandy Niehaus (Ohio State) defeated Smith Hinton (Alabama) 6-1, 6-1

5. No. 59 Miho Kowase (Ohio State) defeated Maddie Pothoff (Alabama) 6-1, 6-0

6. Ferny Angeles Paz (Ohio State) defeated Juliana Valero (Alabama) 6-0, 6-1

DOUBLES

1. Erin Routliffe/Maddie Pothoff (Alabama) vs. Anna Sandord/Sandy Niehaus (Ohio State) 5-4DNF

2. Francesca Di Lorenzo/Miho Kowase (Ohio State) defeated Andie Daniell/Danielle Spielmann (Alabama) 6-1

3. Olivia Sneed/Ferny Angeles Paz (Ohio State)  defeated  Smith Hinton/Juliana Valero (Ohio State) 6-1

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5th-Ranked Tide Gymnastics Battles No. 16 Auburn

University of Alabama Gymnastics Team
Photo Credit: UA Athletics

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama - The fifth-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide gymnastics team faces the 16th-ranked Auburn Tigers this afternoon in the third-annual Elevate the Stage meet in Birmingham, Alabama's Legacy Arena.

All four apparatus today will be competed on a raised platform, also  known as a podium. In addition to spotlighting the competitors, it will also give the equipment some extra bounce. Incidentally, this will be the same setup that the gymnasts will see at both the SEC and NCAA Championships.

Both the Tide and the Tigers went through a practice session yesterday afternoon in preparation for this first of two regular-season contests in 2017. The practice session was needed in order to adjust to the equipment since it is not used regularly in meets. Alabama is 2-0 in Elevate meets, including a 196.875-196.075 victory over Auburn in 2016.

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Alabama Women's Tennis Shuts Out Harvard

Photo Credit: UA Athletics

COLUMBUS, Ohio – The University of Alabama women's tennis team shut down and shut out Harvard 4-0 on Saturday afternoon in the first round of the ITA Kick-Off Weekend Event. The event was held on the campus of Ohio State at the Varsity Tennis Center. The Crimson Tide (4-1) will face the seventh-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes this morning at 11 a.m. CT. A victory today will give Bama an opportunity to clinch a berth to the ITA National Team Indoor Championship.

Yesterday's win marks the third time that Alabama has shutout an opponent this season. With a win today, Alabama will qualify for the 2017 ITA National Women's Team Indoor Championships, which is held in Flushing, New York from February 10-13.


SINGLES
1. No. 86 Erin Routliffe (Alabama) defeated Erica Oosterhout (Harvard) 6-2, 6-2
2. Andie Daniell (Alabama) defeated No. 111 Lexi Milunovich (Harvard) 6-1, 6-3
3. No. 109 Danielle Spielmann (Alabama) vs. June Lee (Harvard) 4-6, 5-4 DNF
4. Smith Hinton (Alabama) vs. Jenna Friedel (Harvard) 6-2, 6-5 DNF
5. Maddie Pothoff (Alabama) defeated Annika Ringblom (Harvard) 6-2, 6-2
6. Juliana Valero (Alabama) vs. Irene Lu (Harvard) 7-6, 5-3 DNF

DOUBLES
1. Erin Routliffe/Maddie Pothoff (Alabama) defeated Erica Oosterhout/Lexi Milunovich (Harvard) 6-2
2. Andie Daniell/Danielle Spielmann (Alabama) vs. Annika Ringblom/June Lee (Harvard) 4-3 DNF

3. Juliana Valero/Smith Hinton (Alabama) defeated Jenna Friedel/Irene Lu (Harvard) 6-2

2016 Alabama Football To Be Honored; Crimson Tide Gymnastics Falls To Razorbacks; New Records Set By Bama Track & Field

2016 Alabama Football Team To Be Honored Tonight

2016 University of Alabama football team & coaches
Photo Credit: UA Athletics

TUSCALOOSA, Alabama - The University of Alabama 2016 football team is set to be recognized during halftime tonight of the Alabama-Mississippi State men's basketball game at Coleman Coliseum.

Scheduled tip off for today's game between the Crimson Tide and Bulldogs is at 5 p.m. The game is to be broadcast on the SEC Network.

Alabama football captured the school's 26th SEC championship with a win over the Florida Gators. Bama then went on to defeat the Washington Huskies at the Chick-fil-A-Peach Peach Bowl in the semifinal of the College Football Playoff.

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5th-Ranked Tide Gymnastics Takes A Tumble

Falls To 23rd-Ranked Razorbacks

Photo Credit: UA Athletics

FAYETTEVILLE, Arkansas – The fifth-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide gymnastics team fell to the No. 23 Arkansas Razorbacks on Friday by a score of 195.825-195.325 in Fayetteville, Arkansas.

A disappointed Alabama gymnastics head coach Dana Duckworth said, "We had a plan [last night] and we stuck with it. Individually we had some people who did not deliver what they are capable of. We will learn from [last night] and move forward. I chose to test our depth [last night] and learned a lot in the process."

The Crimson Tide had a good meet on all four apparatus, with victories coming for Bama with senior Katie Bailey taking first on the vault and uneven bars as well as sharing the top spot on the bars with fellow senior Amanda Jetter. It was senior Aja Sims taking the victory on the balance beam while junior Kiana Winston won the floor exercise.

Alabama Scoring:

Uneven Bars - 49.125
Vault - 48.925
Floor - 48.300
Balance Beam - 49.025

Alabama gymnastics will return to action this Sunday facing 16th-ranked Auburn in the third-annual Elevate the Stage meet in Birmingham, Alabama's Legacy Arena. The meet is scheduled to begin  at 4 p.m. CT.

Alabama will then return home to Coleman Coliseum on February 3rd to host the Florida Gators in the Crimson Tide's 13th annual Power of Pink meet. The Power of Pink initiative started under legendary Alabama coach Sarah Patterson to help raise awareness in the fight against breast cancer.

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New Records Set By Alabama Track & Field Teams

Photo Credit: UA Athletics

CLEMSON, South Carolina – New school records were set by the Alabama track & field teams on Friday during Day 1 of the Bob Pollock Invitational at Clemson University on Friday. Stacey Destin set a new Alabama record in the women's pentathlon while Will Herrscher set a school record in the men's pole vault. In all, Alabama track & field won nine events on this first day.

Destin posted a total score of 4,144 to win the competition and establish a new Alabama school record in the first pentathlon of her career. The total is also the top score in the NCAA so far this season. Herrscher showed even more improvement this weekend after his performance two weeks ago. He had equaled the previous Alabama record of 17-2 3/4 (5.25m) two weeks ago at the Commodore Invitational, and then beat it by nearly five feet with an event-winning clearance of 17-7 (5.36m).

Track & field head coach Dan Waters said, "I'm excited about our performance today. We've been focusing on getting better technically and doing a lot of work in that area coming into this weekend. This was an ideal meet for us and we took a big step forward. Now we need to take another one [today]."

Dylan Moses Is National Player Of The Year; Commodores Ride Tide To Women's Basketball Win; Bama Gymnastics To Face Pair Of SEC Foes; Former Tide QB Cooper Bateman Enrolls At Utah; Combo of 25 Football Commits & Signees For Alabama For 2017; Tide Track & Field At Bob Pollock Invitational; Bama Men's Basketball To Host Miss State

Alabama Commit Dylan Moses Is Named

National Player Of The Year

Dylan Moses
Twitter Photo

Not only are current University of Alabama football players receiving honors and awards, so are some of those committed to the Crimson Tide. 2017 Bama-commit Dylan Moses has been named Parade Magazine's 2017 National Player of the Year.  Technically, Moses is a member of the Alabama football team since he enrolled earlier this month, though he will not be able to showcase his abilities until later in the year. 

Moses will be able to now take part in spring practice, and to be available for the annual A-Day Game as well.

Check out Moses on the cover, as well as a three-page spread, in the February 5th edition of Parade Magazine in many Sunday newspapers.

Moses is a native of Baton Rouge, Louisiana and is expected to make a huge impact for the Crimson Tide.

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Alabama Women's Basketball

Commodores Ride The Tide To Victory

Bama Falls To Vandy 

Photo Credit: UA Athletics

NASHVILLE, Tennessee – Having fallen behind by as much as 20 points, the Alabama women's basketball team was able to mount a comeback to pull within one, eventually losing last night's Southeastern Conference contest to Vanderbilt 87-80 on Thursday in Memorial Gymnasium. The Crimson Tide now moves to 15-6 overall, 3-5 in SEC.

The two teams went after after three-pointers like there was no tomorrow. A total of 22 three-pointers scored between the two teams in the offensive showdown.

University of Alabama women's basketball head coach Kristy Curry stated, "You can't give up 87 points. Anytime you score 80 you feel like you give yourself a chance to win. We did not, defensively, play with the type of consistent energy you have to play with against these guys as well as they shoot the basketball."

Four Bama players finished the game scoring in double-figures. Leading the Tide was junior Hannah Cook pumping in 17 points in the game, followed by Shaquera Wade just one back with 16 points, Jordan Lewis with 15 and junior Meoshonti Knight with 11.  

It was Wade and freshman Ashley Knight leading the Tide on the boards with five rebounds apiece, and Lewis did her thing adding five assists to the mix. Knight finished the contest with three blocks, which brings her season total to 55, just 13 away from tying the Alabama single-season record for blocks.

For Vandy, freshman Erin Whalen shot a game-best 22 points while senior Marqu'es Webb had a double-double with 11 points and 12 rebounds.

Alabama was 28-of-64 (43.8 percent) in shooting on Thursday, while the Commodores were 29-of-63 (46.0 percent) from the floors. Bama led in steals eight to three, but Vandy managed to hit the boards a little harder, hauling down 42 rebounds opposed to 32 for the Tide.


The Crimson Tide returns home to Tuscaloosa to defend Coleman Coliseum against the invasion of the Auburn Tigers on Sunday. Game time is set for 5 p.m. CT.

Team Statistics

Game Stats	UA	VANDY
FG%	.438	.460
3FG%	.524	.579
FT%	.722	.857
RB	32	42
TO	11	14
STL	8	3

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Alabama Gymnastics To Face Arkansas & Auburn

Photo Credit: UA Athletics

TUSCALOOSA, Alabama - It's a double-meet weekend for the fifth-ranked Alabama gymnastics team this weekend. The Crimson Tide will participate in two meets, with the first one being this evening against the No. 23 Arkansas Razorbacks. On Sunday Bama will travel to Birmingham for a contest with the 16th-ranked Auburn Tigers.

University of Alabama head coach Dana Duckworth said, "Going into this double weekend, we're being very strategic. Our entire week of preparation, we've been very conscious of reps, numbers and landings – we've really monitored all that."

The contest between Alabama and Arkansas will be held in Barnhill Arena beginning at 7:30 p.m. CT and will be televised on the SEC Network. Alabama's meet against Auburn will be held in Legacy Arena starting at 4 p.m., and will be the Tide's only double weekend of the regular season.

The meet with the Auburn Tigers in Birmingham is the Tide's annual Elevate the Stage meet, where the Tide and Tigers will compete on a podium.


Alabama returns home on February 3rd to do battle with Florida in the Crimson Tide's 13th annual Power of Pink meet. The Power of Pink initiative started under legendary Alabama coach Sarah Patterson to help raise awareness in the fight against breast cancer.

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Former Crimson Tide QB Transfers

Cooper Bateman Has Enrolled At Utah

Photo Credit: AL.com/Vasha Hunt

The Salt Lake Tribune is reporting that former University of Alabama quarterback Cooper Bateman has made his selection of a new school for which to play. According to the university's student directory, Bateman has officially enrolled at Utah. It should be noted that Bateman is expected to join the football team as a walk-on rather than a scholarshipped player.

Bateman's biggest contribution to the Crimson Tide this past season was as serving as the holder for field goals and extra points.

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2017 Football Commitments & Signees For Alabama Football

The University of Alabama Crimson Tide football team currently has 13 student-athletes who have committed to furthering their football careers at the Capstone and another 12 who have already signed and joined the squad. As new commits and signees are announced the list will be updated and released. 

Here is the complete list of 2017 commitments and signees to UA as of 01/26/17:

• Najee Harris, RB (6-1, 210), Antioch, California  (signed)
• Alex Leatherwood, OL (6-4, 300), Pensacola, Florida  (signed)
• Chadarius Townsend, ATH, (6-0, 180), Tanner, Alabama*  (signed)
• Brian Robinson, RB (6-2, 210), Tuscaloosa, Alabama*
• VanDarius Cowan, LB (6-4, 217), Palm Beach Gardens, Florida
• Tua Tagovailoa, QB (6-1, 210), Honolulu, Hawaii  (signed)
• Elliot Baker, OL (6-7, 295), City College of San Francisco (California)  (signed)
• Mac Jones, QB (6-2, 185), Jacksonville, Florida
• Markail Benton, LB (6-2, 245), Phenix City, Alabama*
• Tyrell Shavers, WR ( 6-6, 202), Lewisville, Texas  (signed)
• Thomas Fletcher, C (6-2, 220), Bradenton, Florida  (signed)
• Akial Byers, DL, (6-4,  275), Fayetteville, Arkansas
• Hunter Brannon, C (6-4, 290), Cullman, Alabama*
• Jerry Jeudy, WR ( 6-1, 177), Deerfield Beach, Florida  (signed)
• Kyriq McDonald, DB (5-11, 185), Madison, Alabama*  (signed)
• Kendall Randolph, OL (6-5, 290), Madison, Alabama*
• Kedrick James, TE (6-5, 250), Waco, Texas
• Dylan Moses, LB (6-3, 235), IMG Academy, Bradenton, Florida  (signed)
• Major Tennison, TE (6-6, 230), Bullard, Texas  (signed)
• Jedrick Wills, OT, (6-5, 318), Lexington, Kentucky
• Christopher Allen, LB (6-4, 234), Baton Rouge, Louisiana
• Daniel Wright, DB (6-1, 187), Fort Lauderdale, Florida
• Isaiah Buggs, DL (6-5, 290), Mississippi Gulf Coast  (signed)
• Xavier McKinney, S (6-1, 192), Roswell, Georgia
• Joseph Bulovas, K (6-0, 205), Mandeville, Louisiana

*State of Alabama Recruits/Commitments

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Crimson Tide Track & Field At Bob Pollock Invitational

Photo Credit: UA Athletics

TUSCALOOSA, Alabama – The University of Alabama track and field teams are in Clemson, South Carolina this weekend to compete in the Bob Pollock Invitational being held today and tomorrow at the Clemson University Indoor Complex. The meet is underway today with multi-events beginning at 9:30 a.m. CT, with field and running events scheduled to begin at 3 p.m. Saturday's events are multi-events, scheduled to begin at 8 a.m. CT. Field events will follow at 11 a.m. and running events at noon. Other teams besides Alabama in the field for this two-day event include Clemson, Florida State, Duke, North Carolina State, Georgia Tech, Virginia Tech, UCF, Troy, North Carolina A&T and Johnson C. Smith.

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Bama Men's Basketball To Host Miss State

Coach Avery Johnson
Photo Credit: UA Athletics

TUSCALOOSA, Alabama - The University of Alabama men's basketball team welcomes the Mississippi State Bulldogs to Coleman Coliseum on Saturday, January 28th. Tip time for the contest is set for 5 p.m. CT. The game will be broadcast on the SEC Network. 

The 2016 University of Alabama football team will be recognized during halftime.