Alabama
Get ready for ‘super intense’ defense from Alabama basketball this season
Alabama men’s basketball coach Nate Oats gave a blunt message to anyone who was interested in his assistant coach opening.
“Everybody we interviewed, just basically told them, ‘if you can’t coach a top-5 defense in the country, don’t bother applying or talking to me,” Oats said Tuesday.
Alabama had enough defensive woes a season ago that Oats didn’t want it to happen again. So he hired defensive guru Brian Adams, a long-time NBA assistant.
The Crimson Tide had the No. 2 offense in the country in 2023-24, per KenPom. But its defense finished No. 111. That was a far cry from the No. 3 defense the season prior to go with the No. 20 offense.
“Our defense is going to be markedly improved from last year, due in part to him, due in part to, again, roster,” Oats said. “Roster is more important than the coaches, but we do have to have a coach that knows what he’s doing, and I think he’s doing a great job.”
When Oats references players helping improve the defense, Clifford Omoruyi sits at the top of the list; The Rutgers transfer is expected to provide the rim protection Alabama didn’t really have a season ago.
“Maybe best shot blocker in the country,” Oats said. “Chris Youngblood, ultimate competitor. Houston Mallette, long, athletic defensive guy. The freshmen, Derrion Reid, super versatile. Aiden Sherrell, rim protector. Labaron Philon has been maybe our best two-way guard every day in practice.”
Combine that group with Adams, and the defense has a chance for drastic improvement. Adams has already received praise from Alabama players, specifically Latrell Wrightsell Jr.
“Super intense,” Wrightsell said.
Part of Adams’ job has been changing mindsets and how players view defense at Alabama. Adams has changed the way the Crimson Tide practices, too.
“We normally used to go for offensive scores, now it‘s, who can get the most stops?” Wrightsell said. “He’s definitely brought an intensity into that.”
Time will tell how that translates into intensity on the floor, starting when Alabama begins its season Monday, Nov. 4 at Coleman Coliseum against UNC Asheville.
Nick Kelly is an Alabama beat writer for AL.com and the Alabama Media Group. Follow him on X and Instagram.
Alabama football will never be without its share of critics and detractors, no matter who roams the sidelines at Bryant-Denny Stadium — or previously Birmingham’s Legion Field.
That was especially true during Nick Saban’s illustrious tenure as Crimson Tide head coach. Between 2009 and 2020, Saban produced six national championships in his 17 full seasons in Tuscaloosa.
In the grand scheme of things, though, there’s one team CBS Sports believes best embodies the spirit of hate Alabama received under Saban better than any other. That would be the Crimson Tide’s 2011 squad.
Alabama and LSU were indisputably the best two teams in college football that year. Oklahoma State was a distant third behind the two SEC behemoths, who met in their annual regular-season showdown in early November 2011: the “Game of the Century” at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa. LSU won, 9-6, in overtime.
And that seemed to be that for Alabama’s national championship hopes.
But then a month of chaos ensued: Oklahoma State lost to Iowa State. Boise State lost to TCU. Oregon lost to USC. Alabama was suddenly propelled back into title contention, and an eventual rematch with LSU for the BCS National Championship Game was set for Jan. 9, 2012, at the Superdome in New Orleans.
From start to finish, Alabama throttled the Tigers behind one of the most suffocating defensive performances in college football history. ESPN broadcaster Brent Musburger famously quipped, “This is a mauling, folks, a mauling.”
LSU didn’t reach midfield until the fourth quarter, and while the game might have lacked for offense, Trent Richardson’s 34-yard touchdown run with 4:36 to play put Alabama up 21-0 and secured Saban’s second of six national championships in Tuscaloosa.
CBS Sports’ Brad Crawford said of why the 2011 Tide was so hated:
“Blame Nick Saban for much of the hate the SEC received for a decade-plus during his illustrious tenure in Tuscaloosa. Universally hated by just about everyone outside of Alabama during his reign, the Crimson Tide won more games from 2010 to 2020 than any program in the country and churned out more first-round picks as well. Saban collected six national titles and countless conference championships over his 17-year reign, but it was Alabama’s rematch opportunity with LSU in the 2011 national title game two months after losing to the Tigers, 9-6, that tossed lighter fluid on the fire aimed at taking computers out of the mix to determine college football’s championship matchup. Alabama’s 21-0 destruction of LSU equaled the third-lowest TV viewership in the 14-year history of the BCS final.”
Who is college football’s all-time most hated team? CBS Sports ranks ‘bad boys’ No. 1
When looking at any Mount Rushmore of most hated college football teams, no Alabama squad has anything on the late 80s Miami Hurricanes. Alabama’s 2011 team was only No. 10 overall on CBS Sports’ list. Jimmy Johnson’s 1986 Miami team was No. 1.
Crawford said of the Hurricanes:
“The birth of “The U” under Jimmy Johnson is when the Hurricanes truly became college football’s bad boys. On a team loaded with future NFL talent, Johnson essentially didn’t believe in suspensions and handled all disciplinary action “in-house” — whatever that meant during a time of little to no NCAA regulation. That included several slap-on-the-wrist penalties for alleged shoplifting and fraud infractions involving his top talent. Miami’s swag wasn’t enough in the national championship game against Penn State after the Hurricanes infamously stepped off the plane in military fatigues. Heisman-winning Miami quarterback Vinny Testaverde threw five interceptions, and the Hurricanes fell, 14-10, for their only loss of the season. Over five seasons with the Hurricanes, Johnson went 52-9 with a national title in 1987 and three top-3 finishes, putting together one of the greatest runs of all-time. The 1986 team, though, was the nastiest group.”
Four SEC programs make CBS Sports’ list of all-time ‘most hated’ college football teams
For the most hated SEC team of all-time in CBS Sports’ rankings, Crawford put Cam Newton-led Auburn at the top of the list and writes:
“These Tigers stand as one of the SEC’s most hated teams ever. In a setting made for reality TV, Cam Newton captivated viewers with his Heisman-level athleticism on the field and his never-ending saga off of it. Kicked out at Florida before starring in the JUCO ranks, Newton landed at Auburn pre-NIL as a transfer and was Gene Chizik’s claim to fame. Much like Jameis Winston and Johnny Manziel, Newton was vilified by opposing fans, and many anxiously awaited his moment of failure. But it never came. Newton won the SEC and directed his team to an unblemished national championship season, recording one of the single-most impressive campaigns in the sport’s history. Newton earned 729 first-place Heisman votes, a then record-setting margin, with the next closest player being Andrew Luck (78).”
A breakdown of CBS Sports’ rankings for SEC teams on the list:
Follow us at @RollTideWire on X, and like our page on Facebook for ongoing coverage of Alabama Crimson Tide news, notes and opinions.
The Alabama Black Belt Adventures Association (ALBBAA) is inviting hunters across the state to take part in its 14th annual Big Gobbler Photo Contest during the 2026 spring turkey season.
According to the association, the contest highlights Alabama’s Black Belt region — a 23-county area long known for its strong turkey populations, hunting traditions, and outdoor recreation opportunities.
Hunters who harvest a gobbler within the region are eligible to submit a photo for a chance to win a prize package that includes a $100 gift card, hunting gear, and a copy of Black Belt Bounty, along with a Buckmasters prize pack for the first-place winner.
“This is the 14th year for our Big Gobbler Contest, and it’s a wonderful way to further educate the public on all the natural resources found in Alabama’s 23-county Black Belt,” said ALBBAA director Pam Swanner. “Hunters flock to the Black Belt from all over the country to access our abundant hunting opportunities while also enjoying our area’s unique natural scenery, historical sites and local food and entertainment.”
The winning photo will be determined by online voting, which runs through May 10 at 11:59 p.m. Participants may vote once per day using an email address and IP address.
To ensure fairness, contest rules limit entries to one per participant and exclude winners from the previous two years. All contest decisions made by ALBBAA officials are final.
Submitted photos must also meet guidelines promoting ethical hunting and wildlife stewardship. Entries may be disqualified if they depict unethical behavior, violate Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources regulations, or show unfair voting practices.
“It’s always rewarding to see the photos entered into the Big Gobbler Photo Contest every year,” Swanner said. “We know we have amazing turkey hunting available here in the Black Belt and what makes it truly special is seeing photos of young hunters bagging their first gobbler or father-and-son or mother-and-daughter hunting together. Those memories will surely last a lifetime.”
ALBBAA encourages participants to comply with all state hunting regulations, including obtaining a valid license through the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.
The Black Belt region includes Barbour, Bullock, Butler, Choctaw, Clarke, Conecuh, Crenshaw, Dallas, Greene, Hale, Lee, Lowndes, Macon, Marengo, Monroe, Montgomery, Perry, Pickens, Pike, Russell, Sumter, Tuscaloosa and Wilcox counties.
Sherri Blevins is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You may contact her at [email protected].
No. 5 Auburn baseball returns to the diamond on Saturday in hopes of getting revenge on No. 23 Alabama and to even the series.
The Tigers struck first in Friday’s series opener on an RBI double from Eric Guevara, but the Crimson Tide responded by rattling off 11 unanswered runs to defeat Auburn, 11-1 in eight innings. Alabama’s pitching staff limited Auburn’s bats to just three hits and five walks, while striking out nine. Key lineup pieces Eric Guevara and Bub Terrell struck out three times each. Other notable names, including Chris Rembert, Bristol Carter, and Brandon McCraine, were held out of the hit column.
Saturday’s pitching matchup features Auburn’s Jackson Sanders battling Alabama left-hander Zane Adams. Sanders suffered his first loss of the season last Saturday to Texas, while Adams struck out six batters and allowed five hits over six innings in his last start, a win over Florida.
Follow along for the latest updates, highlights, and notes from Saturday’s game between the Auburn Tigers and the Alabama Crimson Tide.
Great defensive efforts keep Auburn from scoring (Alabama 2, Auburn 2 mid 9th)
Auburn baseball put the ball in play in the 9th inning and even saw a baserunner with a walk. However, Alabama’s defense was alert and made three great plays, including one by center fielder Bryce Fowler, who robbed Eddie Madrigal of a sure base hit by making a diving catch and keeping Brandin McCraine at 1st base.
Auburn in the 9th: 0 R, 0 H, 0 E, 1 LOB
Auburn does not let a bloop single affect their mindset (Alabama 2, Auburn 2 end 8th)
John Lemm led off the inning by hitting a bloop single over the head of shortstop Brandon McCraine, but the Tigers’ defense quickly shook off the setback by retiring the next three batters to hold the tie. Ryan Hetzler continues to control the game in relief by giving up just three hits and zero runs over three innings of work with one walk and one strikeout.
Auburn has one more chance in regulation to score runs and to nail down a win in Tuscaloosa.
Alabama in the 8th: 0 R, 1 H, 0 E, 1 LOB
Auburn comes up empty despite Chase Fralick’s double (Alabama 2, Auburn 2 mid 8th)
Chase Fralick had the most heroic at-bat of the game in the 8th inning by hitting a double off the right field wall after fouling a ball off his ankle. Eric Guevara moved him to 3rd base, but Ethin Bingaman’s fly ball could not touch grass, and Auburn’s scoring opportunity faded away.
Fralick has now recorded four hits over the first two games of the series, and he joins Chris Rembert by having two hits in the game.
Auburn in the 8th: 0 R, 1 H, 0 E, 1 LOB
Hetzler gets out of a jam, preserves the tie (Alabama 2, Auburn 2 end 7th)
Things got dicey for Auburn pitcher Ryan Hetzler in the 8th as the first two batters reached base with a single and a walk. However, the next three batters, including Alabama star Justin Lebron, were retired, and the scoring threat ended.
Alabama goes to right-hander Hagan Banks for the 8th inning.
Alabama in the 7th: 0 R, 1 H, 0 E, 2 LOB
A pair of pinch hitters spark a rally for Auburn (Alabama 2, Auburn 2 mid 7th)
Todd Clay and Caiden Combs combined to go 0-for-3 on the night, and with a change at pitcher, Butch Thompson elected to make a change at 1st base and designated hitter. Eddie Madrigal singled in his first plate appearance, and Logan Gregorio hit a fly ball deep enough to left center field to score Brandon McCraine from 3rd base to tie the game.
Auburn in the 7th: 1 R, 2 H, 0 E, 1 LOB
Zane Adams’ night is done after 107 pitches
Alabama goes to the bullpen for the first time tonight to relieve starter Zane Adams, who struck out eight batters and walked two batters over 6 1/3 innings. Right-hander Bobby Alcock is set to take over with one out in the 7th inning.
Bristol Carter makes another impressive play to end an Alabama scoring threat (Alabama 2, Auburn 1 end 6th)
Carter followed his diving catch in the 3rd inning by hosing down Justin Osterhouse at 3rd base to complete a double-play and to, more importantly, keep Alabama from scoring another run.
Alabama in the 6th: 0 R, 1 H, 0 E, 0 LOB
Chase Fralick’s single does not start the spark Auburn needs (Alabama 2, Auburn 1 mid 6th)
Chase Fralick logged his first hit of the game, and the third of the series, but it did not lead to an Auburn run. Eric Guevara flew out to center field, and Ethin Bingaman smoked a line drive off the pitcher Zane Adams, but Adams was able to recover and make the play at 1st base.
Ryan Hetzler will take over on the mound for Jackson Sanders.
Auburn in the 6th: 0 R, 1 H, 0 E, 1 LOB
Sanders gets out of trouble with a strike out (Alabama 2, Auburn 1 end 5th)
Jackson Sanders gave up a leadoff single and a two-out walk in the inning, but got out of the jam with a strikeout of John Lamm on a check swing.
Sanders through five innings: 7 hits, 2 runs (1 earned), 1 walk, 6 strikeouts, 79 pitches (53 strikes).
Alabama in the 5th: 0 R, 1 H, 0 E, 2 LOB
Offense comes up short again (Alabama 2, Auburn 1 mid 5th)
Auburn had few issues putting runners on base in game one of their series at Alabama, but could not put runs on the scoreboard. The trend continued in the 5th inning as Caiden Combs reached base with one out, thanks to a walk. However, Bristol Carter grounded out one at-bat later to end the inning.
Auburn in the 5th: 0 R, 0 H, 0 E, 0 LOB
Alabama takes the lead with a pair of infield hits (Alabama 2, Auburn 1 end 4th)
A pair of singles leads Alabama to its first run. With runners at the corners, Alabama’s Will Plattner laid down a perfectly placed bunt that hugged the first base line, allowing Brady Neal to score to even it up, 1-1. Luke Vaughn pushed the Crimson Tide ahead on another infield single that bounced off Jackson Sanders and rolled to Chris Rembert at 2nd base.
Sanders, who has five strikeouts on the night, needs run support from his bats in this upcoming inning.
Alabama in the 4th: 2 R, 3 H, 1 E, 2 LOB
Zane Adams bounces back from a leadoff single (Auburn 1, Alabama 0 mid 4th)
Pitching has been the story of the game so far. Alabama’s Zane Adams shook off a leadoff single from Eric Guevara by retiring the next three batters, two of those by strikeouts.
Adams through four innings: 3 hits, 1 run allowed, 1 walk, 7 strikeouts.
Auburn in the 4th: 0 R, 1 H, 0 E, 1 LOB
Get SportsCenter on the phone! (Auburn 1, Alabama 0 end 3rd)
Bristol Carter hopes to get screen time on late-night SportsCenter tonight after making a spectacular diving catch in the inning. The play led to another Jackson Sanders strikeout and a groundout into the shift to retire the Tide in order.
Watch Carter’s incredible play below.
Alabama in the 3rd: 0 R, 0 H, 0 E, 0 LOB
Let’s see what Birmingham has to say(Auburn 1, Alabama 0 mid 3rd)
Chris Rembert was the center of a controversial moment in the inning. An SEC review questioned whether Rembert’s feet were properly in the box on a two-out single. However, the review, which lasted over eight minutes, determined he was in the box and got to remain on 1st base.
The call ended up not being a factor as Rembert was stranded on 1st base after Chase Fralick flew out to center field during the next at-bat.
Rembert now owns both of Auburn’s hits on the day.
Auburn in the 3rd: 0 R, 1 H, 0 E, 1 LOB
Texas-Oklahoma has ended, Auburn-Alabama is now on SEC Network
For those looking to watch the Auburn-Alabama game on SEC Network, you can do so now as Oklahoma-Texas has officially ended. The Longhorns defeated Oklahoma, 5-4, in 10 innings to complete the sweep of the Sooners.
Jackson Sanders adds two more strikeouts to his total (Auburn 1, Alabama 0 end 2nd)
It is a very happy Sandersday so far, as Jackson Sanders strikes out two more batters to increase his total to four on the day. Will Plattner singled on a tough luck play off the glove of Eric Guevara that rolled foul, but Sanders’ strikeouts to close the inning ended the threat.
Alabama in the 2nd: 0 R, 1 H, 0 E, 1 LOB
Adams cruises in 2nd inning (Auburn 1, Alabama 0 mid 2nd)
After driving up Alabama starter Zane Adams’ pitch count to 28 in the 1st inning, Auburn went with a more aggressive approach in the 2nd inning, which did not bode well. Adams gets out of the 2nd inning on just nine pitches, and keeps the score at 1-0 Auburn.
Auburn in the 2nd: 0 R, 0 H, 0 E, 0 LOB
Auburn’s successful challenge prevents an Alabama score (Auburn 1, Alabama 0 end 1st)
Heads up defense led to a successful challenge as Auburn was able to wipe Justin Lebron off the basepaths. Originally ruled an infield single, Lebron slipped while trying to return to 1st base, which gave Auburn first baseman Todd Clay the chance to apply the tag. A replay review overturned the official’s safe call and sent Lebron back to the dugout.
The play proved to be important as the next batter, Brady Neal, doubled in the very next at-bat, which could have sent Lebron home for a score.
On another note, Jackson Sanders is off to a great start as he gets out of the 1st inning with two strikeouts.
Alabama in the 1st: 0 R, 2 H, 0 E, 1 LOB
Command issues lead to Auburn’s first run (Auburn 1, Alabama 0 mid 1st)
Alabama starting pitcher Zane Adams struggled with finding the strike zone in the 1st inning. One of those miscues led to Auburn’s first run, as a passed ball allowed Bristol Carter to score from 3rd base, putting Auburn ahead, 1-0.
Carter and Chris Rembert each reached base in the inning on a walk and a single, respectively. It is time now for Jackson Sanders to have the floor.
Auburn in the 1st: 1 R, 1 H, 0 E, 1 LOB
SEC Network’s broadcast of Auburn-Alabama could be delayed
SEC Network still plans to show Saturday’s game between Auburn and Alabama. However, the broadcast before featuring Oklahoma at Texas is tied 4-4 heading to the bottom of the 9th inning. Stay tuned for the latest updates. UPDATE: The game will begin streaming on SEC Network+ and will switch to SEC Network once Oklahoma-Texas is complete.
Auburn baseball releases starting lineup for game two of its series at Alabama
Here is a look at how the Tigers will line up on Saturday against the Alabama Crimson Tide.
- CF Bristol Carter
- 2B Chris Rembert
- C Chase Fralick
- 3B Eric Guevara
- RF Ethin Bingaman
- LF Bub Terrell
- SS Brandon McCraine
- 1B Todd Clay
- DH Caiden Combs
The experiment at designated hitter continues as Caiden Combs gets the start over last night’s starter, Lucas Steele, and Mason McCraine. Ethin Bingaman and Todd Clay return to the lineup, while Cade Belyeu and Eddie Madrigal bow out.
Last night, only Chase Fralick and Eric Guevara recorded hits, so it may be worth mixing the lineup a bit to find a spark. Auburn needs its bats to wake up on Saturday in order to have a chance to even the series.
Auburn vs Alabama pitching matchup
- Auburn: So. LHP Jackson Sanders (2-1, 3.66)
- Alabama: Jr. LHP Zane Adams (4-1, 4.11)
Auburn baseball vs Alabama time today
- Date: Saturday, March 28
- Start time: 7 p.m. CT
Game two of the Auburn-Alabama series is set for 7 p.m. CT on Saturday, March 28.
What channel is Auburn vs Alabama on today?
- TV Channel: SEC Network
- Livestream: Fubo
Auburn vs Alabama will be broadcast live on SEC Network on Saturday from Sewell-Thomas Stadium in Tuscaloosa. Derek Jones and Jared Mitchell will have the call from the booth. Live streaming options include Fubo, which offers a free trial to new subscribers.
Watch Auburn vs Alabama on Fubo (free trial)
Contact/Follow us @TheAuburnWire on X (Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Auburn news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow Taylor on Twitter @TaylorJones__
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