Crimson Red Sports

I know football season is almost here but my head is spinning with all of the recruiting news that we hear and read each day, way too many names and promises for me. I'll just wait on February to get here and see who signed the dotted line.

Basketball is getting started as well and I'm all excited about this season. There are some good things going on with CAJ and his staff so far with a full team now signed and the    schedule being completed. I am happy with the schedule even though it is tough because I think the earlier the team finds out how good they are the quicker they become a better team.

Bama is losing a basketball icon as Wendell Hudson is finally retiring. He has been with Bama for many years as a player and employee and has represented the school with nothing but the highest class.

Wendell was at the country club this weekend and was asked a few questions about CAJ and the team. Wendell is very excited about CAJ, staff, and team and has watched the players practice some. He stated that the Bama fans are in store for a big change in the style of basketball that we all have been used to watching. He feels that the recruiting edge is better than it has been in many many years and the style of play should get Bama into the realm of the better programs much quicker than what some of us might have been thinking. Wendell thinks the new style of play will lure the better players across the country to Tuscaloosa.

I was reading something today on a player that Bama is hot on, Terrance Ferguson. Rumors are out there that Bama has a real shot at this player. I found some videos of him that I will add the link for you to watch and I was very impressed and he is a 5 star by the way.

Anyway, just a little basketball gossip from me and maybe some of you have some things that you have been hearing or reading and would like to share a little of it on the forum.
 
Roll Tide!!!

https://video.search.yahoo.com/search/video;_ylt=A0LEV1i3JbBVqdEAC5VXNyoA;_ylu=X3oDMTEyOGdoaWVwBGNvbG8DYmYxBHBvcwMyBHZ0aWQDQjA0ODhfMQRzZWMDc2M-?p=Terrance+Ferguson+Basketball&fr=dss_yset_chr

I'm adding the link to the video of the practice as well.

http://www.al.com/alabamabasketball/index.ssf/2015/07/watch_alabama_practice_under_a.html

I can't wait, either. I don't expect a first year miracle, but steady improvement in overall play. Things like better & crisper passing, no more dribble offense but one that looks more organized, rebounding, blocking out, & just a more consistent team play.



 :popcorn2:

I think all of Bama nation is waiting with baited breath to see the basketball team in action. Watching a fast paced, fundamentally sound team in action will be a new adventure, for sure.

Sad to hear about Wendell Hudson. I remember the last BB game that I went to with you, J, you and he stopped to chat for a few minutes. It was funny seeing you with somebody taller than you. I've only seen that one time before and that was when we were with Jesse.  :lol2:

Gosh this young man has a touch. I like hearing you guys talk about meeting each other and the fun you have at those times. Someday I hope to  make a BB game at Coleman and a football game. Good read here. RTR!

Thanks for sharing, Jamos!

I like everything CAJ is doing.

I wanted a coach who would promote the program. He is doing that and doing it well. He is all over campus at baseball, softball and gymnastic events. He is going radio and TV interviews on a regular basis. Pearl at the barn had a huge advantage over Grant in this department. CAJ is a big winner in this area.

All things considered I think recruiting for this year went better than expected. We held on to the key Grant recruits. CAJ went out, recruited hard when the recruiting pool was small, and got some good players. For the first time since Gottfried was coach we have a full bench. This will help not only with depth but with a quality practice squad to push the starters. We even have two players that transfers for 2016-17. Going forward the recruiting looks outstanding. We are on every short list for the state's best players. We are getting attention from 4 & 5 star players in ACC, BIG and Big 12 back yards. We are recruiting with top level programs for the best recruits. I do not think that has ever happened at Alabama. Newton, Wimp and Gottfried were all successful with mostly local recruiting.

CAJ went out and hired a very good staff. He got a Big East assistant that is well know and respected that is a known recruiter. He picked up an AAU coach from the Dallas area that has coached and developed high quality players for years. He also retained Antoine Pettway who is well liked by high school players and is a former player.

We have yet to see what this team will look like on the floor in a game situation but you have to be excited from what we are hearing. A fast paced offense that will also get after you on the defensive end. CAJ is stressing the fundamentals. Passing, rebounding, blocking out, spacing and taking good shots. We have been lacking in this area.

I am trying not to get too excited for next year because it will not be an easy transition. I do expect us to put a competitive on the floor but I do not have a clue as to how many wins to expect. A winning season and NIT bid would be considered a very good year IMO with steady improvement and NCAA trips to follow.

Hey pmull I think you are right. I do however have a somewhat different view. I think if our men can take the out of conference schedule and show they can play and beat those good teams then we will be improved. Maybe I am a little excited with koolaid on my lips but I think CAJ will win games this year. By this, I mean tourney type games during regular season. The SEC play will show me what we really have I think. JMHO! RTR!

I highlighted some of your comments that I totally agree with. The one other thing that I am impressed with is he has invited and welcomed all of our past players to come and be a part of the new beginning of Bama basketball. I think they can and will play a big role for the recruiting program and the fan base.

I didn't mention this in the thread but I have heard that they are already making some changes in the seating for the student section. I'm not sure what those changes are just yet.

I'm thinking there will be a full house for their first game at Coleman. ;)

Good to see Tide play Dayton & Xavier, again. Very good teams. Also, Oregon was good last year.







http://www.al.com/alabamabasketball/index.ssf/2015/07/alabama_basketball_to_face_atl.html



 :clap:

Plus, we play in the Orlando Classic in late November.




Notre Dame, Wichita State, Dayton, & Xavier are solid programs. Iowa was 22-12 & made the NCAA. USC stunk.



 :popcorn2:



http://www.goxavier.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/112014aaa.html

This is the first year in a long time that I'm just as anxious for basketball to start, as I am football.

Adding to MD's schedule information:

The schedule is not complete. Rolltide.com does not have the 2015-16 schedule or partial schedule posted yet. This is what I have picked up from various articles over the last month:

Dayton Away
Clemson Away
Southern Miss Away
Norfolk St Home
Oregon B'ham

Orlando Classic (Advocare Classic is the official name)
Xavier First Round
Wichita St or USCw Second Round
Dayton, Iowa, Notre Dame or Monmouth Third Round

That is 8 games. We normally have about 13 non-SEC games. Of the 8 games one is at home, one in B'ham, 3 away and 3 neutral. Seven are quality games and Norfolk St will not hurt our RPI so it is a good game.

I expect the rest of the schedule to be easier to give us a chance to get some early wins and let the young team and new coach gain some experience.

I think it will be a decent schedule except there are no good games in Tuscaloosa.

Me too, but I always look forward to basketball. I am also looking forward to baseball in our new stadium.

That's right, we've got that too. I'm guessing everything is on schedule for the new ball park.

All excellent points.  Ecred to you both.   #+

I'm excited about the direction of the basketball program, but I wouldn't go that far.   :lol:

Lost my head there for a minute, CP. I almost forgot we are a "Football" school.  :-[

:-X

I don't see us filling up the joint for Montevallo or Towson..... :facepalm:

Would be pretty awesome if we did. That would show CAJ a great deal of support. Kind of like the stadium being full for CNS' first A Day game.

I expect the rest of the schedule to be at home against teams we should beat. I hope they are at least competitive teams with decent RPI's that do not hurt our RPI. I also hope we never schedule another DII school like Montevallo, West Alabama or Stillman. There is an exhibition game slot for those schools.

I believe CAJ is going to schedule games and make things work to his advantage for the program. Right now I trust in him and wait to see where we go. This first year to me, is going to show the standards set and I think we know he has a loyalty already. RTR!

Plus it kills our strength-of-schedule and damages our argument to make the NCAA Tourney.


 :wall:

Actually, in basketball, it does nothing. It is like the game was never played. It does not apply to the SOS or RPI and does not count as a win. The biggest drawback is you played one less game than everyone else. Sometimes one more win helps pass the eye test regardless of the opponent.

It's a far stretch of the imagination but I've seen the Bama fans take care of business when it was needed. ;)

^^^This^^^

The NCAA Committee will know we played too many cupcakes & it will bite us in the rear if we are on the bubble.

Patience is a golden virtue. ;)