Morning Kickoff: Crimson Tide News 2/17
By Chris Hale
Get your day started with the Morning Kickoff. All your Crimson Tide news in one place.
Alabama Crimson Tide 2016 Dream Recruiting Class
"Alabama looks to win a sixth recruiting national championship this upcoming season. The Crimson Tide have no problem putting together top classes, and 2016 will be no different.Stephen Nelson sits down with Bleacher Report Lead Alabama Writer Marc Torrence to discuss Alabama’s dream recruiting class for 2016.Who are the must-have recruits for Alabama next season?"
Marc Torrence from Bleacher Report takes a look at who he believes the Tide’s top targets on for next Signing Day.
Amari Cooper has incredible pull-up routine (Video)
"Amari Cooper is a physical freak of nature. Running through tackles with his physical strength and getting past defenders with speed are what makes Cooper one of the best receiver prospects in the draft. He was a Heisman candidate and one of the main reasons Alabama made the first-ever College Football Playoff.While training for the upcoming NFL season and getting his body into shape for the pros, Cooper did some pull-ups that normal people couldn’t do."
Well, that’s one way to do a pull-up. Check out the video.
State your case: How Alabama makes a New Year’s Six bowl
"Four consecutive No. 1-ranked recruiting classes Insider. Arguably the best head coach in the country. And a schedule that’s manageable by most any standard.For Alabama, the baseline is New Year’s. With everything already going right for Nick Saban’s Crimson Tide, there are no excuses not to make one of those top six games. Read more from this series here.Even with a giant question mark at quarterback, the offense should be fine. Derrick Henry (6-3, 240 pounds) will be among the biggest and most intimidating feature backs in America, and he’ll have the benefit of the lightning quick Kenyan Drake to spell him off the bench. Pick a couple blue-chip receivers from the cupboard, throw in a senior center (Ryan Kelly), a franchise left tackle (Cam Robinson) and the return of X’s and O’s aficionado Lane Kiffin, and you’re looking at a solid recipe for success."
Last season is barely finished and folks are already taking a look at next season. It’s still not the same as regular football.
Women’s Basketball Falls at No. 15/16 Texas A&M, 70-49
"The women’s basketball team dropped a 70-49 decision to No. 15/16 Texas A&M at Reed Arena on Monday night. With the loss, the Crimson Tide drops to 13-14 overall and 2-10 against Southeastern Conference opponents, while the win lifts the Aggies to 20-6 on the season and 8-4 in league games.Alabama was led by sophomore Ashley Williams, who finished with 15 points, all of which came in the second half, and seven rebounds. She was joined in double figures by freshman Hannah Cook with 12 points. Junior Courtney Walker led the way offensively for Texas A&M, scoring 27 points.Texas A&M shot 52.3 percent (34-65) from the floor, while Alabama was 39.1 percent (18-46) on the night. The Aggies outrebounded the Tide, 38-26."
Both Crimson Tide Track & Field Squads Ranked in Top 25 in National Team Rankings
"For the first time this season, both the University of Alabama track & field men’s and women’s teams are ranked in the top 25 of the national team rankings as the Tide men rose four positions to No. 11 while the Tide women are ranked 22nd in this week’s edition of the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) Division I National Team Computer Rankings released Monday.The Tide women had the 30th-most points in last week’s survey, but leaped to 22nd this week after a strong showing last weekend at the Tyson Invitational in Arkansas. Alabama’s men’s team has been in the top 25 all season long, returning to the No. 11 spot after a one-week hiatus at No. 13 last week. The Tide men are ranked fourth in this week’s South Region rankings while the Alabama women are No. 7 in the South Region team survey."
Gymnastics Moves Up to No. 5 Nationally
"The Alabama gymnastics team moved up to No. 5 in the national rankings after posting a season-best score of 197.800 to beat Boise State last Friday. In addition to posting its best overall score of the season, Alabama posted its season-best uneven bars and balance beam scores, tallying a 49.475 and a 49.425, respectively.Oklahoma remains in the No. 1 spot this week followed by No. 2 Florida No. 3 LSU, and No. 4 Utah. Alabama took over the No. 5 spot this week followed by Michigan who fell to No. 6. Nebraska, Auburn, UCLA, and Oregon State round out the top 10."
Men’s Basketball Set to Square Off Against In-State Rival Auburn Tuesday
"Alabama will play its third road game in four contests when it travels to take on in-state rival Auburn Tuesday night. The game will tipoff at 8 p.m. CT and will air on ESPNU.It will be the second meeting this season between the rivals, as the Tide captured a 57-55 victory over the Tigers, which was played on Jan. 24 in Coleman Coliseum."