Morning Kickoff: Crimson Tide News 3/13
By Chris Hale
Get your day started with the Morning Kickoff. All your Crimson Tide news in one place.
Florida knocks Alabama out of SEC tournament 69-61
"If nothing else, Dorian Finney-Smith helped extend Florida’s rollercoaster season another day.Granted, the odds work against it lasting beyond Friday’s huge Southeastern Conference tournament quarterfinal challenge against top-ranked and unbeaten Kentucky. But the Gators at least get a third shot at the Wildcats thanks to their junior forward’s all-around play.Finney-Smith had 23 points and 11 rebounds and Florida overcame a slow start to make nine 3-pointers and beat Alabama 69-61 on Thursday. Finney-Smith made 4 of 9 from long range to help them shake off an eight-point first half deficit and eventually build a double-digit lead in the second half."
It definitely wasn’t the desired outcome so now Tide fans wait to see if they make it into the NIT Tournament. From two reports, it seems Grant will return for another year. We will have to wait and see.
Here’s what the Crimson Tide had to say about Anthony Grant’s future at Alabama
"Senior guard Levi Randolph:“He’s done a great job. He always puts us in position to win games. We’ve had a lot of close ball games this year, we just weren’t able to get over the hump. Give Coach Grant credit. He’s a great coach and we’re behind him 100 percent.”Junior guard Retin Obasohan:“I love Coach. I think he’s done a good job. In the midst of all the adversity and background noise, he’s kept his composure and led us.”Sophomore forward Jimmie Taylor:“We’re not worried at all about that. We just have to keep working every day.”Freshman forward Riley Norris:“Coach is a great guy. He’s not only a great guy off the court, but he’s really smart and knows the game. We’re behind Coach Grant fully. He’s really good on the court, but off the court he really watches over us and makes sure we’re doing our studying and tests and everything, so it’s a great situation.”"
All of the players are standing behind Grant and I would expect nothing less. Grant is a great man and those players have developed a relationship with him. Most of the time a person doesn’t want change.
Colts pull the plug on Trent Richardson
"The Colts have thrown in the towel on Trent Richardson.The team announced Thursday that they have waived Richardson less than two years after they sent a first-round pick to Cleveland to acquire the former third overall draft pick. Richardson’s stay with the Colts never threatened to make that look like a good idea and the arrival of Frank Gore may have been exactly what the team needed to finally cut their losses."
I hate it for Trent that he couldn’t ever get things going. Whatever it was that has been holding him back, I hope he can get it straightened out so that he can have a productive career at the Pro level.
Jets sign Antonio Cromartie to four-year, $32M deal
"The biggest question now is: What becomes of Dee Milliner, who was taken with the ninth overall pick by the Jets two years ago? Milliner is recovering from a torn Achilles’ tendon and the team is unsure when he will be ready to play. When he does return, he may find it tough to find a place on the field.Bowles likes to use cornerbacks, so Milliner could still find playing time. The Cardinals played the most dime defense (six DBs) of any team in the NFL, according to ESPN. The Jets also have Dexter McDougle, who they drafted in the third round last year. McDougle missed his rookie season with a torn ACL."
I only included this one with the blurb about Dee Milliner.
Baseball Heads to Starkville for Three Games with Mississippi State to Begin SEC Play
"Alabama kicks off SEC play this weekend as the Crimson Tide heads to Starkville for a three-game set with the Mississippi State Bulldogs.The two teams are set for a 6:30 p.m. CT first pitch on Friday, with Saturday scheduled to start at 2 p.m. and the series finale beginning at 1:30 p.m.FOLLOW THE TIDEFans can watch/follow this weekend’s games via the below outlets:Gametracker: RollTide.comListen: 99.1 FM (Tuscaloosa) | 690 AM-Friday & 94.5 FM-Saturday/Sunday (Birmingham)Web: SEC Network+"
Burchell Leads 11 Athletes at NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships
"March 12, 2015 RELATED LINKSFAYETTEVILLE, Ark. –NCAA Indoor Championships (Fri.-Sat., March 13-14)LOCATION: Fayetteville, Ark.VENUE: Randal Tyson Track & Field CenterTWITTER: @AlabamaTrack"
Men’s Tennis Hits the Road for a Pair of SEC Matchups This Weekend
"The 66th-ranked men’s tennis team (11-9, 1-2 SEC) travels south for the weekend, playing matches at No. 39 Auburn (11-4, 1-2 SEC) and No. 18 Florida (6-5, 1-2 SEC). Friday’s match versus the Tigers is slated for a 4 p.m. CT start, while Sunday’s match in Gainesville will begin at Noon CT."
No. 5 Gymnastics Closes Regular Season with No. 1 Oklahoma on Friday at 7 p.m.
"After 10 top-25 meets in a row, the No. 5 Alabama gymnastics team closes out the 2015 regular season No. 1 Oklahoma this Friday at 7 p.m. in Coleman Coliseum. It marks the second time this season that Alabama has faced the nation’s top-ranked team at home, beating then No. 1 Florida on Jan. 23.“I think having the best team in country in your gym is the best preparation going into the championship season,” UA head coach Dana Duckworth said. “You look at the depth and level of competition we’ve faced – we’ve seen the best, we’ve gone against the best – and that’s what you want to do to prepare for championships.It will also be Senior Night as the Crimson Tide honors Kaitlyn Clark, Hunter Dennis, Lora Leigh Frost and Kayla Williams. The quartet has been part of the Tide’s 2012 NCAA Championship as freshmen, have won three NCAA regional titles as well as the 2014 Southeastern Conference Championship."