Cleveland, OH
How Alabama Basketball Plans to Counter Saint Mary’s Slow Pace

CLEVELAND –– Alabama men’s basketball is known for its lightning-quick pace. So much so that the Crimson Tide’s 78.8 possessions per game is the most in the nation.
This fast play-style has helped Alabama to create the No. 1 scoring offense (91.1 points per game) in college basketball, which has led to a placement as the 2-seed in the East Region of the NCAA Tournament.
The Tide survived a 90-81 scare against 15-seed Robert Morris in Cleveland on Thursday afternoon and will face 7-seed Saint Mary’s in the same Rocket Arena on Sunday.
While Alabama aims for as many possessions as possible, the exact opposite could be said about the Gaels. Saint Mary’s ranks 358th out of 364 in this category with 65.5 possessions per game. This has worked in their favor defensively as Saint Mary’s 60.5 points allowed per game is the fourth-best mark in the country.
“When we play these slower teams, it’s not really an adjustment, to be honest with you. I mean, we’re going to try to push the pace,” Alabama head coach Nate Oats said. “We just can’t let them get multiple shots on multiple possessions.
“We can’t get frustrated with their slow pace. I mean we may be lucky to get over 70 possessions. We’ve had multiple games this year where it’s been 80 possession games in 40 minutes. They’re comfortable playing closer to 60 possessions in the game sometimes. They’re a low-possession team, they’re very methodical, they’re very deliberate, and they’re very good at what they do. What they do, they do really well.”
Part of the reason for the Crimson Tide’s survival against Robert Morris was due to the Colonials winning 19-5 in the offensive rebounding battle. Alabama has a chance to redeem itself against the Gaels, but it will be extremely difficult as Saint Mary’s 13.9 offensive rebounds per game is good for No. 11 in the country.
This is how Alabama plans to counter Saint Mary’s slow pace.
“The emphasis is going to be on rebounding,” Oats said. “Some teams will be afraid to get in a running match with us…but they’re not. They send their three, four and five every single time, pretty much no matter what. So if we can defensive rebound, we can get some run-outs on these guys. So it’s not as if we’ve got to prepare. We just got to rebound, and we know it.”
“They’re not complicated in that they don’t run 50 different sets. They’re complicated in that they’re extremely good, and it’s hard to take them out of what they do. So they’re simplified, but good at what they do, and it’s going to take some toughness. You know, if we come in soft, we’re going to have a chance to win this game.”
Oats also emphasized that forcing tough shots will be crucial to Alabama’s success. In other words, continuing the Crimson Tide’s fast pace on offense won’t be Oats’ top priority as as keeping the Gaels on their toes will be higher on the totem pole.
Alabama forward Grant Nelson and guard Chris Youngblood are both aiming for as many possessions as possible but are also holding up Oats’ core values ahead of Sunday.
“Yeah, they obviously play a lot slower than us, so I feel like they’re going to try to slow the game down,” Nelson said. “But we saw yesterday at the beginning of the game when they played Vandy, where Vandy pushed the pace early and they got off to a good start. So we’re going to, obviously, try to play our game of basketball and push the pace on them.”
“It’s way easier to play fast when you’re getting stops, so the key is focus on getting stops and make sure we take care of the glass because they’re a great offensive rebounding team,” Youngblood said. “So the key is getting stops and taking care of the glass, and it’s easier to play fast where you’re playing off stops.”

Cleveland, OH
‘Spring into Love!’: City Dogs Cleveland in full bloom with 100+ dogs reduces adoption fee to $21

CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – City Dogs Cleveland said the kennel is full again with more than 100+ “amazing dogs who would love to blossom in homes of their own.”
So, now’s the time to “Spring into Love with CITY DOGS!”
To help getting as many precious pups paired up as possible, City Dogs has reduced adoption fees to just $21 from Friday, Mar. 28 through Sunday, Mar. 30.
“We have lots of dogs coming in our door everyday and we hope to have a big adoption weekend!” City Dogs Cleveland stated. “We’re all excited for spring, so why not enjoy it with a new best friend?!”
Not only will you have the best time this springtime with your new four-legged best friend, the adopt fee also includes:
- microchip
- county license
- basic vaccinations
- spay/neuter surgery
- and of course, a lifetime of love!
Walk-ups are welcome between 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
CLAIM YOUR DOG
City Dogs Cleveland wants to get lost dogs back to their owners.
Click here to see all of the lost/found dogs in the kennel.
The Cleveland kennel is located at 9203 Detroit Ave., and can be reached at 216-664-3069.
“If you don’t reach someone live right away, PLEASE leave a voicemail as these are checked regularly,” City Dogs insisted. “If you know anyone who is missing a pet, please have them check the kennel ASAP!”
ADOPT
If you would like to adopt one (or more!) click here to see the precious pups just waiting to be part of your family.
For those who can’t make the adoption event or want to avoid a potential wait, click here to set up a meet and greet with the dog who is pulling on your heartstrings from the photos.
FOSTER
Even if you aren’t able to adopt at this time, but still have some room in your home and heart, you can click here to learn about fostering a dog.
“It will save a life, but isn’t a lifelong commitment,” City Dogs Cleveland stated.
VOLUNTEER
If you only have room in your heart and your schedule, become a volunteer!
The City of Cleveland said volunteers can help with:
- dog walking
- events
- fostering
- transport
- social media and networking
- photography
- training
- and more!
Email citydogs@city.cleveland.oh.us or call 216.664.3069 for more information about future volunteer opportunities.
DONATE
For those who are unable to adopt or foster at this time but still want to help, the kennel is always in need of monetary and item donations, like the dogs’ favorite chew dogs.
“Providing the dogs with in-kennel enrichment is so important when our facility is so full,” City Dogs Cleveland stated.
You don’t even have to go to the store or stop by the kennel to drop off your donations!
Just purchase these items from the City Dogs wish lists on Amazon or Chewy, and they will be automatically delivered to the kennel.
Click here to view the City Dogs Cleveland Amazon wish list.
Click here to view the City Dogs Cleveland Chewy wish list.
Copyright 2024 WOIO. All rights reserved.
Cleveland, OH
Are Previous Game Concerns Real Issues for MSU?

The Michigan State Spartans are preparing for a Sweet Sixteen match-up with the Ole Miss Rebels this Friday as they look to continue their run in the NCAA Tournament.
This will be the second time the two teams have faced off in their program’s history, with the Spartans taking the only other game. Coincidentally enough, that game came in the second round of the Big Dance in 1999.
Chris Beard’s Rebels are currently playing excellent basketball, coming off of a dismantling of the Iowa State Cyclones in the Round of 32. It will take MSU’s A-plus game to move on to the Elite Eight.
However, Tom Izzo’s team has not played its best basketball despite winning both games by solid margins. The Spartans have struggled in a few key areas that could come back to bite them against the Rebels if they are not careful.
MSU has not been particularly sharp when taking care of the basketball. The Spartans have committed 20 turnovers through their first two tournament games.
New Mexico’s aggressive defense often forced the ball out of MSU’s hands on Sunday evening, which is something that cannot happen against a stingy Beard-coached team.
Ole Miss ranked eighth out of all tournament teams in turnovers forced with 14.2 per game. MSU must hold onto the basketball, or the Rebels will convert on its mistakes.
Another issue that has come up in these two games has been the Spartans’ free-throw shooting. A reliable team in the regular season, the Spartans have struggled at the line through their first two games.
MSU has connected on 34-of-49 free-throw attempts, good for 69.4 percent. Izzo’s team hit on almost 78 percent of its free throws in the regular season, so this drop in efficiency has been concerning.
Of course, the Spartans have struggled from beyond the arc all season, but the issue looked especially glaring against the Lobos. MSU hit just 4-of-15 3-pointers, something that cannot happen against a Rebels team that has hit on 49 percent of its attempts this postseason.
Outside of the 3-point shooting, these issues are fundamental concerns that will drive Izzo crazy. He will harp on them this week to ensure his team does not struggle with them on Friday night.
Quite simply, MSU cannot afford to, or they won’t see the Elite Eight.
Don’t forget to follow the official Spartan Nation Page on Facebook Spartan NationWHEN YOU CLICK RIGHT HERE, and be a part of our vibrant community group Go Green Go White as well WHEN YOU CLICK RIGHT HERE.
Cleveland, OH
Hodgson Swerves UNLV; Heads to USF

TAMPA BAY, Fla. — Hours following On3’s Pete Nakos reporting that UNLV had keyed in on former Alabama assistant and then-Arkansas State head coach Bryan Hodgson, the 37-year-old did a 180, inking a six-year deal with the USF Bulls to become their 12th head coach in program history.
Hodgson succeeds the late Amir Abdur-Rahim as the next South Florida head coach, who tragically passed away in October due to complications with an unannounced medical procedure.
Hodgson was reportedly nearing the final stages of a deal with UNLV. However, the South Florida brass came in with a “more compelling offer” and scooped up Hodgson.
During his two years in Jonesboro, Ark., Hodgson compiled a 45-28 record and took a share of the 2025 Sun Belt regular season title. Hodgson served as Nate Oats’ lead recruiter during his time in Tuscaloosa, taking charge of the recruitments of 5-star Brandon Miller and Jaden Bradley.
South Florida is coming off a 13-19 season as Hodgson will look to bring the Bulls back to the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2012.
For more Alabama Baseball, Basketball, and Football content from Simon Besnoy, follow him on Twitter at @SimonBesnoy and stay tuned to Tide1009.com for daily news.
Alabama Rolls Past Saint Mary’s to Advance to Sweet 16
Gallery Credit: Wyatt Fulton
Alabama Survives Robert Morris Upset Attempt
Gallery Credit: Wyatt Fulton
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