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Alabama Football
Tide Continues Bowl Prep
Photo Credit: RollTide.com
The University of Alabama football team was in full pads for a second straight day as they practiced approximately two hours yesterday afternoon inside the Hank Crisp Indoor Facility. Bama has one day of practice remaining before the Christmas break in preparation for the team's playoff bowl contest with Michigan State.
Alabama head coach Nick Saban said they like to give the guys that don't get much playing time extra reps during practice, but that will change once installation is underway. He reported that while a few of the guys have missed a few practices, none will miss the game next week. Everyone should be ready to play.
Drills, tweaking, and so-on were taking place. As usual coaches were trying to swat the ball from players hands to cause fumbles.
The Crimson Tide will meet the Spartans in the College Football Semifinal at the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on December 31st. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. with the game being broadcast by ESPN.
This will be only the second meeting between Alabama and Michigan State. The first meeting was in the 2011 Capital One Bowl. In that contest, the Tide washed away the Spartans with a 49-7 victory amassing 546 yards of total offense.
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Saban's Monday Press Conference
Coach Nick Saban
Photo Credit: RollTide.com
Alabama Crimson Tide head football coach Nick Saban met with reporters yesterday afternoon as is his custom. It will be the final time he speaks to the media before the holiday break.
After popping off a joke or two Saban said the team has been looking good in practice. He also said that they decided to go outside a few days to change things up.
Saban reported some good news concerning injuries in that no one is hurt to the point they won't be able to play in the game next week. He did say, however, that a few of the guys have missed a day or so of practice.
Concerning bowl preparation, Saban said his plan has evolved over the years. He said that they used to practice too much when he coached Michigan State and learned his lesson. Concerning strategy, Saban said he likes to give extra reps to players who don't see much playing time. H said they dial it back when the installation begins. He said you actually don't know if you practiced enough or too much for a bowl game until the game comes.
Saban did say that new defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt has nothing to do with coaching for the upcoming bowl game or games. He is there to help coordinate some things, re-acclimate himself to the Alabama program and work on recruiting.
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Tide Men's Basketball Falls 72-68 In Vulcan Classic
UA Guard Justin Coleman
Photo Credit: RollTide.com/Robert Sutton
It was a tough night for the University of Alabama men's basketball team. The gentlemen made the short commute to Birmingham for the Vulcan Classic at Legacy Arena with high hopes but returned home with a 72-68 defeat at the hands of the Oregon Ducks on Monday night.
The Crimson Tide led by 12-points at the half, but saw it fall by the wayside as Oregon went on a 21-6 run after the break to wrest control of the game away from Bama. The Tide, however, still had a chance to pull off the win in the final seconds trailing 68-65, but a three-point bucket fell short with just 19 seconds remaining. Bama immediately fouled sending the Ducks to line adding two more points. With six seconds remaining Arthur Edwards sank a three-pointer for the Tide to make it a two-point game. Once again the Tide fouled and again two points were added giving Oregon the win.
Alabama head basketball coach Avery Johnson said, "We just couldn't pull it off, but I am so proud of our boys tonight. They played like men. I'm just so proud of them. I told them in the locker room, I can't wait to get back from the break and get back to work. They laid it all out on the floor tonight but we came up short."
Oregon forced 14 Tide turnovers for 22 points, stealing the ball nine of those. They also bested Bama on the boards 35-30.
Justin Coleman led the Tide in scoring with 24 points, making a career-high seven field goals and matching his high of six free throws. Edwards and Riley Norris finished the night with 12 points each. The pair also led the team in rebounds with five each.
Concerning the loss, Norris commented, "I feel pretty good. It's a tough loss and I hate losing, but we shouldn't keep our heads down. We played tough tonight I thought, and we'll be ready when we come back from Christmas break."
When asked about what he said to the team as they leave for break, Johnson said, "I said, 'Love you. Love being your coach, very gratifying.' America saw a hard working team tonight that doesn't make excuses. We don't complain on officials. We just play. We have two of our best players out tonight for different reasons, so all I can say is thanks to the fans for coming out. Hopefully they like where we're going, and the foundation we're laying."
The Crimson Tide falls to 7-3 on the season heading into the holiday break. Oregon improves to 10-2.
Alabama has a week off then returns to the hardwood on Tuesday, December 29th when they will host Jacksonville State in Coleman Coliseum. Game time is 7 pm. CT and will be broadcast on the SEC Network.
UA Guard Riley Norris
Photo Credit: RollTide.com/Robert Sutton
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Tide Running Back Derrick Henry Has Target On His Back
Alabama Running Back Derrick Henry
Photo Credit: RollTide.com
It would appear that University of Alabama running back Derrick Henry has a target on his back. The winner of the 2015 Heisman Trophy, and numerous other awards and accolades, will have his work cut out for him if what the Michigan State Spartans are saying comes to pass.
According to 247Sports.com's Mike Wilson, Jon Reschke of the Spartans' defensive unit said, "We are going to have to hit him harder...harder than we've ever hit anyone else. It's a challenge we are accepting."
Michigan State defensive coordinator Mike Tressel has said, "We need to prepare for a 15-round fight and and we need to prepare to take blows and deliver blows right up to the very end. That has to be our mindset. It has to be our mindset that we are going to need to want to tackle and want to tackle physical every snap."
Of course teams all season have been trying to hit Henry. And some succeed...for part of the game. The man they call "The Beast" appears to actually get stronger with every carry, and appears as fresh at the end of the game as when it began. In his last two games Henry had a total of 90 carries. He bullied his way over, through, under and sometimes around opposing defenses.
Henry has an SEC-record 1,986 rushing yards and 23 rushing touchdowns this season. He will have more.
The Michigan State defense has proven itself effective against the run. Ohio State's Ezekiel Elliott had 101 yards or more in each of the Buckeye's wins, but was held to just 33 yards by State. The Spartans have held each of their last four opponents to 16 points or less. They are ranked seventh nationally against the run and 23rd in sacks per game.
"Their defensive front guys guys play really well," commented Alabama head coach Nick Saban. "Hard to block."
The Michigan State defense has proven itself effective against the run. Ohio State's Ezekiel Elliott had 101 yards or more in each of the Buckeye's wins, but was held to just 33 yards by State. The Spartans have held each of their last four opponents to 16 points or less. They are ranked seventh nationally against the run and 23rd in sacks per game.
"Their defensive front guys guys play really well," commented Alabama head coach Nick Saban. "Hard to block."
Alabama and Michigan State face off in the Cotton Bowl in AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas for the College Football Playoff Semifinal game on December 31st. Kickoff is at 7:10 p.m. CT.
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UA To Suspend Normal Operations Wednesday
The Crimson White is reporting that the University of Alabama will suspend normal operations beginning at noon on Wednesday, December 23rd "due to impending inclement weather."
It is further reported that "in the event of an emergency, shelters will remain open even though UA has suspended normal operations."
The National Weather Service in Birmingham is reporting that a "severe weather outbreak" is expected Wednesday through Wednesday night. Check with the National Weather Service for more details, and keep an eye on your televisions and/or radios and internet weather sites.
