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Alabama Men's Basketball
Crimson Tide Upsets Gamecocks
UA Guard Riley Norris
Photo Credit: RollTide.com/Robert Sutton
The University of Alabama men's basketball team (10-5, 1-2 SEC) upset previously unbeaten South Carolina last night for their first Southeastern Conference basketball victory of the season. It was sophomore forward RILEY NORRIS stepping out and showing off to lead the Tide, scoring a career-high 27 points and tying a school record with eight three-pointers , to a 73-50 pounding of the number 19/15 Gamecocks. This was Alabama's third victory over a top-25 team this season.
Alabama head men's basketball coach AVERY JOHNSON was enthusiastic and excited, saying, "Incredible win for us tonight. I am proud of our guys. Our scout team, they really put it on our guys yesterday (Tuesday) and it was an intense battle for the entire two hours plus of practice of every drill and situation. It carried over. You know, we rebounded the ball tonight, we got our defense set, we changed our defense set, we changed our defenses quite a bit tonight and fortunately we kind of kept them off-balance."
This was the first start for Norris this season, and he made the most of it. The Albertville, Alabama native hit his first five three-point shots on the evening, and finished out the night sinking 8-of-11 from three-point land. Riley is now the sixth Crimson Tide player to reach this plateau in the program's history, the the first since MYKAL RILEY did it back in 2008.
Two points of interest concerning last night's game...it was coach Johnson's first Southeastern Conference victory at the helm of the Crimson Tide, and it was also the first home win for Bama since defeating then-number 12 Kentucky 68-66 back in 2011.
The Crimson Tide hit on 13 three-pointers on the evening, as well as winning the rebounding battle 38-30. Alabama is 5-0 this season when out-rebounding their opponents. The defense forced 18 turnovers and eight steals resulting in a 23-8 advantage in points coming off turnovers. Bama was 47.1 percent from the field, while limiting South Carolina to a mere 35.8 percent.
Norris not only led the team in scoring, but also had seven rebounds and was 9-of-16 from the field. JUSTIN COLEMAN was next with 14 points, five rebounds, and a game-high six assists. Coming in off the bench was SHANNON HALE to pump in another eight points. MICHEL KESSENS had six points, JIMMIE TAYLOR had five points, RETIN OBASOHAN put up four points, and ARTHUR EDWARDS and DONTA HALL put in three points each.
"I want to thank our students," Johnson stated. "This is the type of energy that we need to always have in Coleman Coliseum. Our students set the tone for the entire building, so thank you students, to all of you that came out tonight to support us. It makes a difference."
Concerning starting tonight's game, Norris said, "It doesn't matter to me whether I'm coming off the bench or starting. I give all the credit to my teammates tonight as they found me when I was open. Justin (Coleman) did a really good job playing tonight. I'm just happy we got a good win."
Speaking of the shooting tonight of Riley Norris, Bama guard Justin Coleman said, "Riley is a great shooter. He's one of the best shooters in the country, so every time it leaves his hand, I always think it's going in. Riley did good shooting the ball and he's always been a great shooter. Tonight wasn't surprising at all."
Next up for Bama is a trip to Nashville, Tennessee to do battle with the Vanderbilt Commodores this Saturday. The game is scheduled for a 5 p.m. CT tipoff and can be seen on the SEC Network.
Alabama head men's basketball coach AVERY JOHNSON was enthusiastic and excited, saying, "Incredible win for us tonight. I am proud of our guys. Our scout team, they really put it on our guys yesterday (Tuesday) and it was an intense battle for the entire two hours plus of practice of every drill and situation. It carried over. You know, we rebounded the ball tonight, we got our defense set, we changed our defense set, we changed our defenses quite a bit tonight and fortunately we kind of kept them off-balance."
This was the first start for Norris this season, and he made the most of it. The Albertville, Alabama native hit his first five three-point shots on the evening, and finished out the night sinking 8-of-11 from three-point land. Riley is now the sixth Crimson Tide player to reach this plateau in the program's history, the the first since MYKAL RILEY did it back in 2008.
Two points of interest concerning last night's game...it was coach Johnson's first Southeastern Conference victory at the helm of the Crimson Tide, and it was also the first home win for Bama since defeating then-number 12 Kentucky 68-66 back in 2011.
The Crimson Tide hit on 13 three-pointers on the evening, as well as winning the rebounding battle 38-30. Alabama is 5-0 this season when out-rebounding their opponents. The defense forced 18 turnovers and eight steals resulting in a 23-8 advantage in points coming off turnovers. Bama was 47.1 percent from the field, while limiting South Carolina to a mere 35.8 percent.
Norris not only led the team in scoring, but also had seven rebounds and was 9-of-16 from the field. JUSTIN COLEMAN was next with 14 points, five rebounds, and a game-high six assists. Coming in off the bench was SHANNON HALE to pump in another eight points. MICHEL KESSENS had six points, JIMMIE TAYLOR had five points, RETIN OBASOHAN put up four points, and ARTHUR EDWARDS and DONTA HALL put in three points each.
"I want to thank our students," Johnson stated. "This is the type of energy that we need to always have in Coleman Coliseum. Our students set the tone for the entire building, so thank you students, to all of you that came out tonight to support us. It makes a difference."
Concerning starting tonight's game, Norris said, "It doesn't matter to me whether I'm coming off the bench or starting. I give all the credit to my teammates tonight as they found me when I was open. Justin (Coleman) did a really good job playing tonight. I'm just happy we got a good win."
Speaking of the shooting tonight of Riley Norris, Bama guard Justin Coleman said, "Riley is a great shooter. He's one of the best shooters in the country, so every time it leaves his hand, I always think it's going in. Riley did good shooting the ball and he's always been a great shooter. Tonight wasn't surprising at all."
Next up for Bama is a trip to Nashville, Tennessee to do battle with the Vanderbilt Commodores this Saturday. The game is scheduled for a 5 p.m. CT tipoff and can be seen on the SEC Network.
Derrick Henry, O.J. Howard & Reggie Ragland
Photo Credit: RollTide.com/Robert Sutton
Roll Tide Basketball Fans At Coleman Coliseum
Photo Credit: RollTide.com/Robert Sutton
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Tim Williams Returning For Senior Season
Outside Linebacker Tim Williams
Photo Credit: Picked up from Bing.com/no credit
This past Saturday, Alabama junior outside linebacker TIM WILLIAMS said he got a first-to-early second round grade from the NFL Draft Advisory Committee. He said that head coach NICK SABAN and others had told him that it would benefit him draft-wise to return to school for another year to prove his value to the NFL, for more than one reason. To show his run-stopping abilities would be a big reason.
At that time Williams said, "If I do come back, that would be my main focus...to show them that I can play the run."
Apparently the young man has made up his mind as Williams announced on Twitter yesterday he is indeed returning for his senior season. He said on his account, "Coming back to play with my brothers. We can win this thing again baby!! RTR"
His staying with the Tide is great news for a team that will lose a lot of talent in this year's NFL draft. Alabama is losing outside linebackers DENZEL DEVALL and DILLON LEE. Coming back with Williams are RYAN ANDERSON AND RASHAAN EVANS.
Williams had eight tackles and 1.5 sacks during his first two seasons at Alabama, but this season broke out with 10.5 sacks during the Tide's final 12 games.
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UA Hires Petitto Away From Georgia
Sam Petitto
Photo: Bing.com
Numerous reports have surfaced today that Alabama head coach NICK SABAN has snatched a Georgia/Kirby Smart staffer. Reportedly UA has hired Georgia's director of player personnel, SAM PETITTO, to fill an as-yet undisclosed position with the Alabama Athletic Department, more specially to do with the football side of things.
Petitto is no stranger to Alabama football, having served under Saban as defensive intern in 2008. Petitto, a Louisiana native, has also served in various capacities at North Carolina, Grambling State and Southeastern Louisiana University after first serving as a high school coach in his native state.
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Derrick Henry To Declare For NFL Draft
Graphic/Photo Credit: RollTide.com
Joe Schad of ESPN is reporting today that Alabama Heisman Trophy winner and star running back DERRICK HENRY will enter the NFL, forgoing his final year of eligibility. It really comes as no surprise.
Henry has set numerous new records at the University of Alabama, including carrying the ball a total of 395 times this season, 58 more than any other college player and 68 times more than any NFL running back.
ESPN is reporting that Henry is "generally regarded as the No. 2" running back for the NFL Draft, only listed behind Ohio State running back Ezekiel Elliott. He, as well as other running back prospects, will likely not go until at least the second round.
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Mel Kiper, Jr. Places 4 From Bama In Top 20 Mock Draft
ESPN analyst Mel Kiper, Jr. has placed four University of Alabama Crimson Tide football players in his top 20 of his first postseason mock draft.
This is who and where Kiper is showing from the Tide:
- Linebacker Reggie Ragland (No. 11, Chicago Bears)
- Defensive lineman A’Shawn Robinson (No. 12, New Orleans Saints)
- Defensive lineman Jarran Reed (No. 16, Detroit Lions)
- Defensive lineman Jonathan Allen (No. 19, Buffalo Bills)
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Tide Women's Tennis Picked To Finish 5th In SEC
It's tennis time again!
Football season is over, and now it's time to hit the courts...tennis courts.
The Southeastern Conference yesterday announced it's preseason women's tennis rankings for the current season. In a vote of the league's head tennis coaches, the Alabama women have been picked to finish fifth.
Last week the Crimson Tide was selected 15th in the nation in the Oracle/ITA College Tennis Rankings.
Alabama will travel to Evanston, Illinois this Friday to compete in the Northwestern Invitational.
SEC Women's Tennis Preseason Coaches Poll
| Rank | School | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Florida | 191 |
| 2. | Vanderbilt | 179 |
| 3. | Georgia | 165 |
| 4. | Texas A&M | 148 |
| 5. | Alabama | 135 |
| 6. | Kentucky | 119 |
| 7. | South Carolina | 114 |
| 8. | LSU | 112 |
| 9. | Mississippi State | 103 |
| 10. | Ole Miss | 89 |
| 11. | Tennessee | 69 |
| 12. | Auburn | 65 |
| 13. | Arkansas | 44 |
| 14. | Missouri | 32 |
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Women's Basketball Takes On Auburn Tonight
Photo Credit: RollTide.com
The Alabama Crimson Tide women's basketball team (12-4, 1-2 SEC) travels to the Plains to take on the Auburn Tigers (11-5, 1-2 SEC) tonight in Auburn Arena. The game begins at 6 p.m. CT.
This will be the 82nd meeting between the in-state rivals, and the 37th on the Plains. Auburn leads the series 46-35. The Tigers have won four of the last five, including last year's regular season finale 80-73. The Tide won the last contest in Tuscaloosa 51-50.
Tonight's game will be broadcast live on SEC Network+. Rod Bramblett will handle the play-by-play with Joe Ciampi handling the color/analyst duties.
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A.J. Brown, four-star receiver, Starkville, Mississippi
Vosean Joseph, committed to Florida, linebacker out of Miami, Florida
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Several Recruits To Visit Capstone This Weekend
The University of Alabama will host several football recruits this weekend. This list is fairly lengthy, some having committed to the Tide and others shopping.
Those with an official visit this week who have already committed to the Crimson Tide are:
RILEY COLE, linebacker, Oneonta, Alabama
QUINNEN WILLIAMS, defensive lineman, Birmingham, Alabama
BRENDAN SCALES, tight end, Ballwin, Missouri
KENDELL JONES, defensive tackle, Killeen, Texas
Those recruits with an official visit to UA that have not committed to the Tide are:
Amir Rasul, commited to Florida State, running back out of Miami, FloridaA.J. Brown, four-star receiver, Starkville, Mississippi
Vosean Joseph, committed to Florida, linebacker out of Miami, Florida
