Crimson Red Sports

Well, it's time for the team to show it is for real by beating trhe next 5 teams. Our RPI is 34 & the SOS is 12th. These are outstanding numbers, but we can't be losing to Ole Miss, or Auburn, So. Carolina, etc. Our toughest remaining games are home with:

Arkansas (RPI 64)
Florida  (RPI 38)
Miss. State (RPI 39)
Tennessee

We would still have to play Arkansas at their place, a very hard place to win.

I can't wait to see how we bounce back, on the road against USC, then home against Arkansas.


 #+

We certainly need to stretch some Ws together. This team is an evolving piece of work and it is hard to tell how this season will end. But you have to have a strong feel that the program in general is on the rise.

Until this team learns how to do some of the very basics, (pick and roll, screens, passing the ball, etc.) they will continue to struggle. Their D isn't that bad, it's just there is no offense to support the D after a turnover. If Bama can't play the "dunk the ball" type of game they are in trouble.

This team can be a very good team but they have got to have more discipline among the players to learn how to shoot contested jump shots around the perimeter successfully. The other ploblem is their weakness on the offensive boards, they are more determined to get back on the defensive end after a shot rather than crashing the boards for put backs.

CAG touched on some of these same problems in an article in the paper this weekend, maybe we'll see some positives from the games this week and get back on the winning trail again. Roll Tide !! JMO

The biggest thing coach Grant has to work on is players attitudes, specifically Toni Mitchell and J Green. I thought going in to this season that Mitchell was Bama's best player, even more so than Green. He has phenomenal talent and athleticism. He could be the best player in the SEC, but he has such an attitude problem. Whenever he gets hit, or he misses some shots, or gets a foul called against him, he goes into pouting mode. He is a petulant child and Grant has to make him grow up or this team will go nowhere. Similarly, Green has to grow up and understand how to be a leader. He hustles and plays well on D, but on the offensive side he often looks lost and out of sync. He, like Mitchell, has flashes of brilliance, but he is committing way too many turnovers, and he needs to be more dominant inside.

Good analysis.  I think it is the older players in particular, Green and Mitchell, who need to do a better job on the offensive boards.  Both have had their spectacular moments this season, but Mitchell in particular seems to be sliding.

I agree. I'n not sure what's going on with Mitchell, other than maybe he is developing Greene's attitude. I've seen it before where one player can be a cancer to a team. I hope I'm wrong here. At any rate, the youngsters have to step it up. If TM & JG aren't going to get with the program, bench them and start really developing Jacobs & Gueye. I'd like to see Lacey get more PT. He seems to be very close to having the outside shooting touch, at least more so than anybody else. Randolph needs to find his stroke. He was supposed to be a great outside shooter. Whether it's him, Lacey or someone else, one of these young guys needs to step up as a leader. There's too much talent on this team for it to be wasted.

Jacobs is playing well for a young guy.  It usually takes longer for these big guys to develop, compared to the shooting guards. 

It will be interesting to see who Grant gives the ball to in crucial situations down the stretch.  I imagine he will go to Green because of his experience, but I'm beginning to think Lacy would be the best option.  He can do more, and is getting better at creating his own shot.

I've seen Lacey calling for the ball several times at the end of the last few games.  He wants the ball when the game is on the line.  It will be interesting to see how he develops in this area.  I expect great things out of him as the season progresses.

I agree, we need Lacey to step up. Also, Jacobs has been impressive. Levi Randolph seems to be disappearing after starting the season so strong. Cooper has been a non-factor. I wonder if these guys have nagging injuries which are affecting their play?


 :popcorn2:

A third option would be Releford, who I think is better at going to the basket than Lacy, despite less height, and who has gotten better at the 3-pointer this year.  I think both Lacy and Releford are more versatile than Green, especially since Green is tightly covered these days under the basket;  Green would be a great choice if open, because that hook shot is hard to defend.