Alabama Crimson Tide News & Notes

The University of Alabama will always be a football school, but the Alabama Crimson Tide men’s basketball team is currently showing a level of dominance that the football team did not reach in the 2022 season.

Bama hoops is now sitting in first place in the conference with a record of 17-2 (7-0 SEC). More impressively, the Crimson Tide has won its conference games by an average of 21 points per game. The Tide also moves to 6-0 in true road games, including a win at no. 1 Houston and double-digit conference wins at Mississippi State, Arkansas, Vanderbilt, and Missouri.

Bama is led primarily by freshmen and transfers, but the group has quickly become one of the most cohesive units in the nation. Players such as Jahvon Quinerly, Nimari Burnett, and Dom Welch are all recovering from injuries and could be impact players come March. Quinerly, in particular, has extensive postseason experience.

Alabama Football: Questions remain unanswered

The Alabama Crimson Tide football team still has unanswered questions regarding its 2023 coaching staff. Bama has lingering vacancies at defensive coordinator and safeties coach that could be filled at any moment.

Former defensive coordinator and inside linebackers coach Pete Golding departed for Ole Miss, while safeties coach Charles Kelly departed for Colorado. Coach Nick Saban has already hired former Southern Miss DC Austin Armstrong to coach inside linebackers in Tuscaloosa.

On the offensive side of the ball, many expect offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien to depart as well. O’Brien’s contract expires next month, and he has been identified as a lead candidate in the New England Patriots’ offensive coordinator search.

Alabama Crimson Tide: The Ultimate NFL Factory

It is well established that Alabama football under Coach Nick Saban has an incredibly strong NFL pipeline. Virtually every professional game that comes on television serves as a showcase for former Alabama players. NFL games have also become a no-brainer recruiting tool, as any blue-chip high school player tuning in can easily see the success Bama players have in the league.

The showcase continued on Saturday afternoon, with a few former Saban recruits enjoying big games on a playoff stage.

Most notably, Jalen Hurts and Devonta Smith teamed up to help the Philadelphia Eagles dominate the New York Giants 38-7.

Hurts threw for 154 yards and two touchdowns, and ran for 34 yards and another score. Smith caught six passes for 61 yards and a touchdown. Josh Jobe also made a tackle for the Eagles. On the other side, Giants safety Xavier McKinney notched eight tackles and a sack.

Alabama’s NFL success doesn’t figure to slow down anytime soon. Per one particular mock draft, the Alabama Crimson Tide is expected to put at least four players in the first round of the 2023 draft. This includes Will Anderson Jr. and Bryce Young, who are projected as the top two overall picks.

Regardless of whether or not Anderson Jr. and Young actually go in the first two spots, Bama figures to be well-represented in the draft.

Alabama athletics has another big week ahead, with big coaching staff news looming on the gridiron and two more games for Bama’s top-5 ranked basketball team.