Morning Kickoff: Crimson Tide News 3/18
By Chris Hale
Get your day started with the Morning Kickoff. All your Crimson Tide news in one place.
Be sure to check Bama Hammer’s recap of the 8-6 win over Samford from Tuesday that should post on the front page momentarily. We also can’t forget the inspired play from the Alabama basketball win to blow out Illinois in the opening round of the NIT Tournament. Check them both out and share with your friends.
Next: Inspired Alabama Dominates Illinois 79-58
Promising forward Jimmie Taylor, other young players noncommittal about future at Alabama
"“I can’t really say yet,” Taylor said when asked about his plans for the future. “I’m really focused on the season right now. That’s really the only thing I’m focused on. But as far as that, I’ll assess that after the season.”I also talked to freshman point guard Justin Coleman, freshman forward Riley Norris and freshman guard Devin Mitchell. Here is what they had to say:COLEMAN“Right now I’m just waiting to see what everybody does. I’m just leaving it in God’s hands, and I’ll go from there.”On whether he is undecided at this point:“I’m really undecided right now. I’m really just trying to finish the season out right now.”NORRIS“I’m just going to play it out, assess and see who they bring in. And right now I’m just focused on the season. We’re going to make a good run I feel, and we’ll see how it goes after the season.”"
I think all of that will settle down a bit after the news settles down. It looks like Battle is going to swing for the fences according to one reporter’s sources. More on that in the next link. Always remember if you are a recruit, it’s important to commit to the school and not the coach but things like this happen.
Alabama inspired to beat Illinois, Bill Battle inspired to hire a big-name coach
"Why wouldn’t Battle start at the top of the potentially available food chain, and if necessary, work down from there? If it takes Saban money to boat that big fish, so be it. Spend it. It’s not an expense. It’s an investment.It took Alabama football some time and a few failed experiments to see that light. It’s about time Alabama basketball did the same.There is some buzz behind the scenes that Alabama may be willing to spend something approaching Saban money – circa 2007, not 2015 – on this hire. Remember that his original deal averaged $4 million a year, about double what Alabama was paying Grant.In today’s basketball dollars, that’s Billy Donovan money."
If Battle is ineed going to put 2007 Saban money on the table, he should be able to knock it out of the park. It may not be the best crowds yet but if someone put that amount in front of me, I’d have to think long and hard.
Trent Richardson signs with Oakland Raiders
"Trent Richardson didn’t need long to find his next NFL home.The running back signed with the Oakland Raiders on Tuesday, five days after he was released by the Indianapolis Colts.Richardson joins a new-look backfield that also contains promising Latavius Murray and recent free agent addition Roy Helu.The third overall pick by the Cleveland Browns in the 2012 draft, Richardson was the earliest running back selected since Reggie Bush was taken No. 2 in the 2006 draft. However after a solid, if injury-plagued, rookie year with the Browns, Richardson was dealt to Indianapolis for a first-round pick early in the 2013 season."
Hopefully the third time is the charm and like I said before, I hope Trent can put whatever it is behind him so that he can be successful.
2015 Alabama football roster updated with new heights and weights
"There were a few changes, additions and subtractions made to the Alabama football roster for the 2015 season.A few players changed numbers, like Derrick Henry (now No. 2) and Marlon Humphrey (now No. 26). And, of course, a new class of freshmen was added."
Be sure to check that link and you can see all of the roster updates.
4 Tide Athletes Earn Indoor Track & Field First-Team All-America Honors
"Twelve University of Alabama track and field athletes who competed at last weekend’s NCAA Division I Indoor Track & Field Championships in Fayetteville, Ark., earned All-America honors based on their performances, the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) announced.The four athletes combined for a total of 16 All-America citations overall, including four first-team honors by four athletes led by women’s sprinter Remona Burchell earning first-team honors for her victory in the 60 meters. Other first-team honorees included women’s pole vaulter Lakan Taylor, Alex Amankwah (men’s 800 meters) and Cameron Hudson (men’s long jump). Seven athletes earned second-team All-America honors: Justin Fondren (men’s high jump), Jeremiah Green (men’s triple jump), Jacopo Lahbi (men’s 800 meters), Alex Amankwah (men’s 4×400 relay), Steven Gayle (men’s 4×400 relay), Cameron Hudson (men’s 4×400 relay) and Quincy Smith (men’s 4×400 relay). Four athletes on Alabama’s distance medley relay received honorable mention: Matt Airola, Robbie Farnham-Rose, Steven Gayle and Andrew Harris."
Softball to Host Georgia State Wednesday in Tuscaloosa
"#5/4 Alabama vs. Georgia StateTuscaloosa, Ala. – Rhoads StadiumWednesday, March 18 – 6 p.m. CTTHE TIDE ON THE AIRTV: Online Only – SEC Network + (WatchESPN.com)Play-by-play: Gary Harris, Color: Lauren SewellRADIO: 95.3 FM (953thebear.com)"
Baseball vs. Alabama A&M Doubleheader Rescheduled for May 5
"Alabama and Alabama A&M’s doubleheader has been rescheduled for Tuesday, May 5, with a 1 p.m. first pitch. The second game will begin 30 minutes after the final out of game one.The twinbill was originally set for Tuesday, March 10, but all-day rain showers forced the postponement. When the Tide and Bulldogs meet in May, the two teams will meet for the fourth and fifth times in program history. Alabama owns the all-time advantage, 3-0. The three games came in the only meeting between the two teams from March 17-18, 2009."
Women’s Tennis Maintains Top Ten Position in ITA Division I Team Rankings
"The Intercollegiate Tennis Association today announced updated team rankings for the 2015 regular season. After splitting a pair of conference matches at Ole Miss and Mississippi St. over the weekend, the Tide fell from sixth to ninth in the rankings. Alabama has maintained a position in the top ten of the ITA Division I Team Rankings for the entire 2015 season. Updated National Singles and Doubles Rankings will be announced next Tuesday, March 24."
Softball Maintains Top Five National Ranking
"A top 10 series win on the road helped Alabama maintain its top five ranking in the week six national polls, sliding up to a fourth-place tie in the ESPN.com/USA Softball poll and holding steady at No. 5 in the USA Today/NFCA poll."
Gymnastics Ranked Fifth Nationally, Seeded Third in SEC Championships
"Following the conclusion of the regular season last weekend, the Alabama gymnastics team is ranked fifth nationally this week and is seeded third at this Saturday’s Southeastern Conference Championships.The defending league champions, Alabama was also seeded third going into last year’s SEC Championships. As the No. 3 seed, Alabama will start the meet on the balance beam and will end on the uneven bars, just as it did in 2014. This year’s championship will be held at The Arena at Gwinnett Place in Duluth, Ga."