Vegas Rides With Bama To Win SEC
Despite the various polls that project either LSU or Tennesses to win the Southeastern Conference this season, which are few and far between, Las Vegas still loves The Alabama Crimson Tide. With preliminary odds being released, Alabama is still the overwhelming favorite to capture the SEC Crown for 2016 according to Bovada.
Alabama, as well as Tennessee, are better than even money to take their respective divisions at 4/5 odds. Following Alabama, LSU and Tennessee are equally favored to win the SEC at 7/2. Georgia comes in next at 2/1 to win the Eastern Division, but only 9/1 to win the conference title.
Here is a complete look at the odds to take the SEC:
Odds For SEC Eastern Division
Tennessee 4/5
Georgia 2/1
Florida 9/2
Missouri 16/1
Kentucky 25/1
South Carolina 25/1
Vanderbilt 25/1
Odds For SEC Western Division
ALABAMA 4/5
LSU 9/4
Auburn 7/1
Ole Miss 12/1
Arkansas 14/1
Texas A&M 14/1
Mississippi State 20/1
Odds For Winning Southeastern Conference Championship
ALABAMA 7/4
LSU 7/2
Tennessee 7/2
Georgia 9/1
Ole Miss 10/1
Texas A&M 16/1
Auburn 18/1
Florida 18/1
Arkansas 20/1
Kentucky 50/1
Missouri 50/1
Mississippi State 50/1
South Carolina 66/1
Vanderbilt 100/1
-----------------------------------
Nick Saban Calls For Assistance For West Virginia Schools
Nick Saban
Head Coach
University of Alabama Football
Photo Credit: RollTide.com
University of Alabama head football coach Nick Saban has never forgotten his roots. A West Virginia native, Saban is asking that football coaches from across Alabama come together to
help the football teams in the West Virginia communities devastated by the recent flooding.
Saban said, "Football was such an important part of my childhood in West Virginia, and to see the devastation the flooding has caused, and how it has threatened so many high school football teams, we wanted to find a way to help. We are asking each high school from across the state to donate a full uniform to help these schools get their kids back on the football field this season."
All types of football pads and uniforms are needed by many of the West Virginia high schools affected by this flooding. High schools that will be making donations are being asked to provide one uniform, including helmet, a pair of shoulder pads, two knee pads, two thigh pads, a girdle, practice pants, practice jersey and one pair of cleats. Small and medium sizes are in the most need, but large will also be accepted.
The Alabama football program will be collecting all of these uniforms by July 25th in order to transport them to West Virginia.
Donations are from individuals and businesses are also welcome. Those wishing to help can send their donations to: Mal Moore Athletic Complex, Attn: Jeff Springer, 323 Bryant Dr., Tuscaloosa, AL 35487.
------------------------------------
Tabitha Coleman Named Full-Time Rowing Assistant Coach
Tabitha Coleman
Assistant Rowing Coach
Photo Credit: RollTide.com
Former University of Alabama rower Tabitha Coleman has been added to the Alabama Rowing coaching staff as a full-time assistant. She has spent three seasons with the Crimson Tide as both a volunteer assistant and graduate coach.
Coach Larry Davis commented, "It's gratifying to be in the position to observe someone develop and excel as a student-athlete and team leader and then see them become so passionate about the sport they decide to make a career of coaching. Since her undergraduate years at Alabama, Tabitha has charted a course to make that coaching dream a reality. She excelled as a volunteer coach and GA for our program, so when the opportunity to hire an additional coach materialized, Tabitha was at the top of my list of candidates. I'm excited to have Tabitha on our full-time staff and know she will do great things for Crimson Tide Rowing moving forward."
Coleman graduated in the spring of 2013. She then served as a volunteer assistant coach during the 2013-14 season before two seasons as a graduate assistant coach. Coleman was a three-time Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association Scholar-Athlete and was named to the 2013 All-Conference USA Rowing team and the Conference USA All-Academic team. As a senior, Coleman was also a nominee for the SEC Brad Davis Award for her outstanding efforts in community service.
-----------------------------------
Greg McElroy Moves Into Broadcast Booth
Greg McElroy with Nick Saban
Photo Credit: NBCsports
Former University of Alabama quarterback Greg McElroy is moving into the broadcast booth full time. McElroy will be serving as an analyst for college football games on ABC and ESPN this fall according to the network.
For the past two seasons McElroy has served as an analyst with the SEC Network and calling some games on occasion. Last year he was with SEC Nation in their traveling pre-game show, and in 2014 served mainly in a studio capacity.
Joining McElroy in the booth will be veteran play-by-play announcer Dave Pasch as well as Tom Luginbill handling sideline duties.
McElroy will continue to provide studio commentary throughout the week for SEC Network before calling a game for each particular weekend.
-----------------------------------
Cierra Johnson Enrolls At Shelton State
_____
Fails To Qualify Academically For Alabama Basketball
The 5-foot-10 point guard was a four-time Class 6A first-team All-State selection. Johnson led the Leopards to the state semifinals in her first three seasons and was named the Class 6A Player of the year in 2015. Johnson averaged 16 points, seven rebounds and five assists in her final season.
Johnson signed a National Letter of Intent with Alabama in November of 2015, but did not qualify. Woods said that Johnson is currently in classes at Shelton State.
Shelton State is also located in Tuscaloosa.
