Bama Hammer
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Alabama football, basketball weekly news and tidbits, July 30

By Ronald Evans

TUSCALOOSA, AL - SEPTEMBER 22: Cheerleaders with the Alabama Crimson Tide cheer before their game against the Florida Atlantic Owls on September 22, 2012 at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Alabama defeated Florida Atlantic 40-7. (Photo by Michael Chang/Getty Images)
TUSCALOOSA, AL - SEPTEMBER 22: Cheerleaders with the Alabama Crimson Tide cheer before their game against the Florida Atlantic Owls on September 22, 2012 at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Alabama defeated Florida Atlantic 40-7. (Photo by Michael Chang/Getty Images) /
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Catch up on Alabama football, basketball and more, news and tidbits. The July 30 update that lists events you may have missed the past week.

Amidst all the sound and fury this past week from the Ole Miss debacle, perhaps you missed this endorsement of Alabama football. It came from the unlikeliest of sources.

Cowherd was responding to Ole Miss fans and others who claimed Alabama football cheats more than Ole Miss. We agree with Cowherd and we have a good reason. Presenting our argument requires a short college football history lesson.

Cheating in college football predates the creation of the NCAA in 1906. We have no precise data but for most of the last 100 seasons, the NCAA rule-breakers out-numbered the law-abiders. Paul Bryant broke NCAA rules at Maryland, Kentucky and Texas A&M.

After Bryant came to Alabama, he decided more success could be achieved by not paying players. His decision was a matter of pragmatism. Bryant decided players who demanded extra benefits could not be counted on all the time. Using Bryant vernacular, those players “will quit on you.”

Bryant won without cheating as Saban is doing now.

Speaking of Saban

Here is some data you may not have seen. Saban’s record against the current SEC football coaches is 2-30. The lone blemishes being 2012 against Kevin Sumlin and TAMU and 2013 against Gus and Auburn.

For those looking for a reason of why the SEC may have been down a bit the last season or two, consider this: the 13 SEC football coaches not named Saban have a career win average of 38.3 wins.

Nick Saban has coached teams to 210 wins. Only two other SEC coaches have more than 50 career wins, Bret Bielema with 93 and Kevin Sumlin with 79. Draw you own conclusions.

Football Recruiting

The No. 822 rated player in the nation plans to announce his college choice on July 31. Why is that important to Alabama football fans? 3-Star all-purpose player, Slade Bolden is valued as a slot receiver by Brian Daboll. Daboll has even compared Bolden to Patriots receiver Julian Edelman.

Another priority recruiting target for Alabama football is 4-Star tight end, Dominick Anderson. Anderson is expected to announce his decision on August 1.

Basketball News

Alabama basketball is practicing due to the August Canadian trip for three exhibition games. Early reports are that Collin Sexton Sexton and Dazon Ingram are meshing well in the Tide’s backcourt. John Petty has also been impressive in the early practices.

Keep your eye on Herb Jones. The true freshman did not have the rep of Sexton or Petty but he can play. It may not be during the upcoming season but Jones will become a star for Alabama basketball.

Next: 30 Great Tide Players who were 3-Star Recruits

Alabama football fall camp starts on August 3. Lots of new information will soon be available. Until then, we have heard the summer strength and conditioning program has been one of the best ever. Scott Cochran is not easy to please but insiders report Cochran is very satisfied. To that, we say, Yeah! Yeah! Yeah!

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