Alabama

Rick Barnes wanted a timeout before Jahmai Mashack's buzzer-beater against Alabama

Published

1 year ago

March 1, 2025

Rick Barnes wanted a timeout before Jahmai Mashack's buzzer-beater against Alabama

Rick Barnes motioned for Jahmai Mashack to hurry. As soon as Tennessee’s senior guard got across midcourt, Barnes turned to the official running down the floor and yelled timeout — and got ignored.

No. 5 Tennessee and No. 6 Alabama were tied at 76. Mashack had just taken the inbound pass with 3.8 seconds left, a play that was designed to get the ball back to point guard Zakai Zeigler, who threw the ball in.

But when Alabama’s defense denied Zeigler, he went down the floor looking for the same timeout his coach was trying to call. When it wasn’t being granted, Zeigler turned toward the official and signaled for it with his hands.

Zeigler jumped up and down to no avail. Barnes threw his hands up in the air.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the court, Mashack stopped on a dime with 0.7 seconds left, pulled up for a long-range three and made a shot that no Tennessee Basketball fan will soon forget in the 79-76 thriller at Food City Center.

The head coach never saw the shot go in. Neither did his senior point guard.

“I was calling time out,” Barnes said during his press conference after the win. “I didn’t see the play.”

When did he know the shot went in?

“When the crowd went nuts,” Barnes said, drawing a laugh.

Jahmai Mashack vs. Alabama: 11 points, 6 rebounds, 3 steals, 2 blocks, 2 assists

It was Mashack who had tied the game at the foul line with 30.6 seconds left, capping an unthinkable four-point Tennessee possession just when it looked like Alabama had put the game away in the final minute.

Chaz Lanier started it with a baseline drive with the Vols down 76-72, making a shot and getting fouled. He missed the foul shot that followed, but Mashack drew a foul chasing the rebound and made both foul shots in the double bonus.

Tennessee’s defense got a stop on the other end, but a tie-up with 3.8 seconds left gave the ball back to Alabama with the possession arrow pointing to the Crimson Tide. The Vols forced a five-second violation, though, to get the ball back and set up Mashack’s miracle.

“I had a chance to call a timeout,” Alabama coach Nate Oats said. “Coaches can call timeouts on the underneath out-of-bounds play and at four (seconds), I should have called it. I thought we were getting it in and that’s on me.”

Tennessee’s final play started with miscommunication before Zeigler even threw the ball into Mashack. As the players were going back onto the floor after the timeout, Barnes tried to yell to Mashack to get the ball up the court and call time.

But that’s not the message that was received.

“It was funny,” Mashack said, “I usually look over at coach to see like what he wants. So we get into our little, ladder drill and ladder play, and he’s mouthing something to me and I didn’t know what it was.

“And so in my head, I said, ‘Oh, he wants me to shoot the ball, so I’m going to shoot the ball. But he was really trying to say, if I catch it and I pass it up or I dribble it up, call time out.”

Good thing Mashack never looked over to see what Barnes was doing on the sideline as the he brought the ball up the floor.

“Right when I got the ball and I seen ‘Z’ was denied,” Mashack said, “I’m like, yeah, I’m shooting this. I was just feeling good. I felt like I was going to hit the shot and that’s what happened.”

“I made one good coaching move today,” Barnes added, “I didn’t tell the referee I was going to call timeout. I normally tell them and they would probably have given it to me. But I’m screaming and, really, I did not see the shot.”

Rick Barnes: Jahmai Mashack has ‘been through it … knows what it’s about’

Mashack finished with 11 points in 34 minutes for Tennessee (24-5, 11-5 SEC). He added six rebounds, three steals, two blocks and two steals to go with one legendary shot. Lanier had 18 and Zeigler had 11.

“I’m happy for Jahmai,” Barnes said. “He’s been just incredible with everything. I mean, he exemplifies everything that you want in a player, a person, a great family.”

He was everything Barnes wanted on the floor late in the game, too. And it paid off.

“To be frank, (the) coaches were asking if I want to go big,” Barnes said. “I said I want Shack on the court, I want him out there. Because he’s been through a lot. This time of year, he knows what it’s about.”

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Alabama

Alabama edge to pattern his game after 2-time Super Bowl Champ

Published

7 hours ago

April 19, 2026

Press Room

Alabama edge to pattern his game after 2-time Super Bowl Champ

Photo comes via Rodger Champion of Alabama athletics

How electric could Alabama football be on defense this season?

Alabama edge updates development of 4-star inside linebacker

The answer comes down to how many players Kane Wommack can produce to affect opposing quarterbacks in the pocket.

He returns Yhonzae Pierre, a fourth-year edge rusher, following a season where he collected eight sacks (team-high), 14.5 tackles for loss (team-high), nine quarterback hurries (team-high), and three forced fumbles. Pierre will draw much attention from offensive coaches; however, the Crimson Tide has a sophomore ready to help him on the outside.

Justin Hill, a former four-star from Cincinnati, Ohio, has made it his mission to become a complete pass rusher.

Alabama edge Justin Hill (#8) is modeling his game after a former two-time Suer Bowl Champion.

3/25/25 MFB Spring Practice
Alabama Linebacker Justin Hill (8)
Photo by Kent Gidley

He provided some excitement in 15 games last year, posting 10 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, and a pass breakup.

Former 4-star edge “will stand out” at Alabama in 2026 season, per Yhonzae Pierre

Who is Justin Hill modeling his game after?

The 6-foot-3, 244-pounder had a good spring, and the coaching staff looks at him as someone that brings speed, power, and edge-bending abilities to harass quarterbacks. Hill mentioned to reporters after A-Day that he wants to ‘go through’ quarterbacks in generating pressure.

He also wants to pattern his game after a former two-time Super Bowl Champion.

Hill detailed the former two-time Butkus Award winner he’s emulating.

“I am watching guys like Von Miller,” Hill said. “I’m watching a lot of speed to power guys.”

Hill stated Nik Bonitto of the Denver Broncos as another National Football League pass rusher he is studying. Bonitto has 37 sacks and 44 tackles for loss in four seasons with the Broncos – including a career-high 14 sacks in 2025.

Miller is one of the greatest pass rushers in the history of the league. He has 138.5 career sacks, including seven seasons with 10-plus sacks.

Miller has two Super Bowl rings, a Super Bowl Most Valuable Player honor, three first-team All-Pro honors, eight Pro Bowl nods, and is on the NFL’s 2010 All-Decade Team.

Hill learned to ‘cut it loose’ as an edge rusher from Pierre, so the combination of that and studying film on Miller should prepare him to be a force in the fall.

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Stephen M. Smith is a team writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.

Stephen Smith is a 2015 graduate of the University of Alabama.
He is a seasoned writer that has covered Alabama football for Touchdown Alabama Magazine since 2009. Smith has extensive knowledge within the program, which has made him among the most respected journalist in his field. Throughout his career, Smith has been featured on ESPN and several other marquee outlets as an analyst.

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Alabama

YMCA of South Alabama holds Healthy Kids Day in Spanish Fort

Published

19 hours ago

April 19, 2026

Press Room

YMCA of South Alabama holds Healthy Kids Day in Spanish Fort

SPANISH FORT, Ala. (WALA) – The YMCA of South Alabama held a Healthy Kids Day at Spanish Fort Town Center Park.

Saturday’s event featured games and demonstrations, along with interactive activities featuring police and fire vehicles.

“I think just seeing so many organizations come together that serve kids, and just seeing kids have fun,” said Gwen Summer, CEO of the YMCA of South Alabama.

Marissa Rennaker, director of development for the YMCA of South Alabama, said the event exposed children to new activities.

“I think it’s been seeing all the kids laugh and try different things that they probably haven’t tried before,” Rennaker said. “There was a big group doing pickleball and yoga. We had ballet earlier, so just getting them out and exposed to things, I think it’s been great.”

The event was designed to kick off a healthy, active summer.

The YMCA of South Alabama is located at 27080 Pollard Road in Daphne.

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Alabama

Former Alabama superstar signs massive extension with NFL team

Published

1 day ago

April 18, 2026

Press Room

Former Alabama superstar signs massive extension with NFL team

Former Alabama star Will Anderson Jr. has reportedly signed a three-year, $150 million extension with the Houston Texans, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Anderson instantly solidified himself as one of the top defensive players in football throughout his rookie campaign in 2023. The star defensive end was named as the Rookie of the Year in 2023, as Anderson’s extension will officially keep him in Houston long-term, as well as make him the highest paid non-quarterback in NFL history.

Anderson recorded an impressive 12 sacks on the Texans’ defensive line in 2025, as the former Alabama star has made history following his head turning extension with Houston.

Anderson was nothing short of a superstar throughout his time at Alabama. Houston drafted the talented lineman with the third overall pick of the 2023 NFL draft, as Anderson was widely regarded as one of the top overall selections from his class.

The former Crimson Tide superstar has officially inked a massive extension with the Texans, as Anderson will undoubtedly continue playing a critical role on Houston’s defensive line over the coming seasons.

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