Alabama

Get ready for ‘super intense’ defense from Alabama basketball this season

Published

2 years ago

October 15, 2024

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.

Source link

Related Topics:Alabama Basketball Basketball BKC Featured Mississippi State ncaa basketball SEC Sports

Click to comment

Alabama

Alabama has one of college football’s toughest schedule stretches in 2026

Published

4 hours ago

June 4, 2026

Press Room

Alabama has one of college football’s toughest schedule stretches in 2026

The 2026 college football season is 93 days away. The Alabama Crimson Tide may not open with a vaunted Murderers’ Row of opponents — East Carolina, Kentucky, Florida State — in September, but they’ll face one of the toughest stretches for any team in the nation later in the season.

In what’s become an almost annual matchup, Alabama will take on the Georgia Bulldogs on Oct. 10. The third straight regular-season matchup between the SEC’s premier programs is at Bryant-Denny Stadium this year. A week later, Alabama visits Neyland Stadium for its annual Third Saturday in October clash with the Tennessee Volunteers.

Texas A&M visits Bryant-Denny Stadium on Oct. 24. The Tide and Aggies will meet for the first time since the two were divisional foes from 2012-2023.

While Alabama and LSU both receive customary byes a week before the first Saturday in November again, the Crimson Tide will visit the Tigers for another Saturday night showdown on Nov. 7 in Baton Rouge.

The three-week stretch of games against Georgia, Tennessee and Texas A&M in particular ranks as one of the toughest in the nation, something CBS Sports college football analyst Brad Crawford recently spoke to.

“It’s a season-defining quartet of matchups for Kalen DeBoer’s squad in the SEC as he hopes to silence the critics during his third campaign.”

Crawford has those four games at No. 7 on his list of the toughest schedule stretches in college football for the 2026 season. Alabama’s overall schedule was recently ranked the nation’s 10th toughest by CBS Sports.

Three SEC teams have an even more grueling stretch of games, CBS believes.

LSU, which faces the Texas Longhorns a week after Alabama before visiting Tennessee, is one such team. That stretch was ranked the toughest for any SEC team in 2026.

Alabama football schedule 2026

Sept. 5: vs. East Carolina, 11 a.m., ABC
Sept. 12: at Kentucky, 2:30 p.m., ABC
Sept. 19: vs. Florida State, 2:30 p.m., ABC
Sept. 26: vs. South Carolina
Oct. 3: at Mississippi State
Oct. 10: vs. Georgia
Oct. 17: at Tennessee
Oct. 24: vs. Texas A&M
Nov. 7: at LSU
Nov. 14: at Vanderbilt
Nov. 21: vs. Chattanooga
Nov. 28: vs. Auburn

Follow us at @RollTideWire on X, and like our page on Facebook, for ongoing coverage of Alabama Crimson Tide news, notes and opinions.

Source link

Alabama

Governor Ivey Approves Request for Alabama National Guard to Support America 250 Events in Nation’s Capital –

Published

14 hours ago

June 4, 2026

Press Room

Governor Ivey Approves Request for Alabama National Guard to Support America 250 Events in Nation’s Capital –

MONTGOMERY – Governor Kay Ivey on Thursday announced she approved a request for the Alabama National Guard (ALNG) to support operations surrounding the America 250 events in Washington, D.C.

“One month from today, our nation will mark 250 years of freedom. Without hesitation, the Alabama National Guard is proud to support Freedom 250 events,” said Governor Ivey. “We live in the greatest state in the greatest nation on Earth, and I thank these Alabama patriots for answering the call to serve their country.”

As the nation prepares to mark the 250^th anniversary of American independence, 150 Soldiers from the 123^rd Quartermaster Company in Arab, Alabama will assist with support operations connected to major public events in Washington, D.C. These Guardsmen will work alongside the D.C. National Guard and civil servants throughout the U.S. National Capital Region in coordination with the National Guard Bureau.

“From the founding of our country to the freedoms we are still blessed to defend today, America’s 250^th anniversary is a powerful reminder of the service and sacrifice that make greatness possible,” said ALNG Adjutant General Maj. Gen. David Pritchett. “The Alabama National Guard is a proud part of that history and tradition, and we are honored to support all the people of the United States as our nation marks this monumental milestone.”

Alabama’s Soldiers are expected to arrive in Washington, D.C. before July 4 activities and serve a 90-day rotation.

Since 1807, the ALNG has served the state and nation in a dual-role: Defending against American enemies in combat and supporting civil authorities during national-level events and emergency response missions across the state and nation.

###

Source link

Alabama

Alabama Baseball Host St Johns For A Trip To The World Series

Published

1 day ago

June 4, 2026

Press Room

Alabama Baseball Host St Johns For A Trip To The World Series

The Alabama Crimson Tide will host the St Johns Red Storm this weekend with a trip to Omaha for the College World Series on the line. The Tide swept through the Tuscaloosa Regional to advance while the Red Storm worked their way through the Tallahassee Regional as a four seed, beating host Florida State twice. The Super’s are a best 2-3 series and the teams will play Saturday at 8 p.m. CT, Sunday at 2 p.m. CT, and at to be determined time in the if necessary game on Monday. The Tide will host a Super Regional for the first time since 2006 and will playing to reach the College World Series for the first time since 1997. The Johnnies have a long baseball history, having been to six College World Series and have 28 Regional appearances. SJU last reached Omaha in 1980. Alabama has a record of 40-19 while St Johns is 36-24 after starting the season 1-10.

St Johns is on an eight game winning streak after sweeping through the Big East Tournament and the Tallahassee Regional. The Storm carries a team batting average of .282 with a .420 slugging percentage, a .380 on base percentage with 54 home runs, 102 doubles, have stolen 92 bases in 120 attempts, 272 walks, 69 hit batters, with 414 strikeouts. Defensively SJU has committed only 49 errors for a .978 fielding percentage.

Individual Offense Leaders:

*Jayder Raifstanger- third baseman-.336 average, 16 doubles, 5 triples, 49 RBI

*Jon LeGrande-centerfield-.329 average, 6 home runs, 45 RBI, 14 doubles, 27-40 stolen bases

*Shaun McMillian-first baseman-.318 average, 10 home runs, 43 RBI, 10 doubles

*Lewis Rodriguez-left fielder-.303 average, 16 stolen bases

*Adam Agresti-catcher-.290 average, 14 doubles, 19 home runs, 54 RBI, .621 slugging percentage, 9-9 stolen bases

On the mound the Red Storm has an ERA of 5.36 over 527 innings pitched and have allowed 546 hits and a batting average of .268 against. The staff has 433 strikeouts against 241 walks.

Individual Pitching Leaders:

*Liam O’Leary-RHP-16 starts 8-4, 3.25 ERA, 105 innings, 95 hits allowed, .240 average against, 28 walks, 74 strikeouts

*Evan Chaffee-LHP- Alabama transfer- 16 starts, 8-4, 4.85 ERA, 81.1 innings, 88 hits allowed, .276 average against, 32 walks, 83 strikeouts

*Ian Mowart-RHP- 15 games, 11 starts, 2-5 5.36 ERA, 50 innings, 56 hits, .283 average against, 21 walks, 34 strikeouts

*Jack Nestler- RHP- 19 games, 2-0, 2 saves, 3.06 ERA, 47 innings, 40 hits allowed, .227 average against, 20 walks, 35 strikeouts

*Evan Hoeckele-RHP-19 games, 2 starts, 4-0, 7 saves, 3.26 ERA, 38.2 innings, 33 hits allowed, .236 average against, 11 walks, 42 strikeouts

St Johns is on a roll, and can’t be taken lightly. However the Tide is a favorite in the series for a reason, and should be able to take care of business and earn that long awaited return to the Mecca of college baseball in Omaha. We will look at Alabama’s leaders on tomorrow.

Bama Baseball Fever, Catch It!

Source link