The University of Alabama will face some stern competition early on in the basketball season as it participates in the 2K Sports Classic at Madison Square Garden. The Crimson Tide will face Oregon State on Nov. 15 in the first game of the tournament that will air on ESPN2 at 7 p.m. The second game will feature Villanova against Purdue at 9:30 p.m.
The third-place game will take place the following night at 5 p.m. on either ESPN2 or ESPNU. The championship game will tip off at 7:30 p.m. on ESPN2.
Last season Alabama competed in the Puerto Rico Tip-Off and won the tournament, beating Maryland, Wichita State and Purdue. Alabama went on to finish the regular season fifth in the SEC and earned a berth in the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2006. Alabama lost to Creighton in the first round and finished the year 21-12 overall.
Alabama's first-round opponent in the 2K Sports Classic, Oregon State, had its best season since 1989 when the Beavers won 22 games. Oregon State's season ended with a third-round loss to Washington State in College Basketball Invitational.
Purdue closed the season strong by advancing to the second round of the NCAA tournament. The Boilermakers, who finished 22-13, lost to the sixth-ranked Kansas Jayhawks by three points.
Villanova had a subpar year, finishing 13-19 overall and 5-13 in the Big East. It was the first season the Wildcats did not reach the NCAA tournament since 2004.
The third-place game will take place the following night at 5 p.m. on either ESPN2 or ESPNU. The championship game will tip off at 7:30 p.m. on ESPN2.
Last season Alabama competed in the Puerto Rico Tip-Off and won the tournament, beating Maryland, Wichita State and Purdue. Alabama went on to finish the regular season fifth in the SEC and earned a berth in the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2006. Alabama lost to Creighton in the first round and finished the year 21-12 overall.
Alabama's first-round opponent in the 2K Sports Classic, Oregon State, had its best season since 1989 when the Beavers won 22 games. Oregon State's season ended with a third-round loss to Washington State in College Basketball Invitational.
Purdue closed the season strong by advancing to the second round of the NCAA tournament. The Boilermakers, who finished 22-13, lost to the sixth-ranked Kansas Jayhawks by three points.
Villanova had a subpar year, finishing 13-19 overall and 5-13 in the Big East. It was the first season the Wildcats did not reach the NCAA tournament since 2004.
From now until kickoff in Arlington, Texas, we'll be counting down the days before Alabama and Michigan get the season started. Today, we move to No. 37 and what it means to UA football. See all the previous editions here.
The University of Alabama secondary experienced an overhaul when the season ended. Mark Barron, Dre Kirkpatrick and DeQuan Menzie all left for the NFL. But one man with his own pro prospects decided to stick around: No. 37 Robert Lester.
For a unit introducing new starters at cornerback and safety, Lester's return for his senior season was huge. The continuity he brings at safety is invaluable to newcomers like Deion Belue, Travell Dixon and Landon Collins, as well as underclassmen like Vinnie Sunseri and Ha'Sean Clinton-Dix.
Lester, who could blend in with strong personalities like Barron and Dont'a Hightower before, is now taking on more of a leadership role as an elder statesman on defense. He told reporters this spring that there are, "a lot of areas that we want to improve on. Less mental errors. Pick up on the loafs, stop loafing around. Just execute more. You can never be perfect out there and we want to get as close to that as possible.
The University of Alabama secondary experienced an overhaul when the season ended. Mark Barron, Dre Kirkpatrick and DeQuan Menzie all left for the NFL. But one man with his own pro prospects decided to stick around: No. 37 Robert Lester.
For a unit introducing new starters at cornerback and safety, Lester's return for his senior season was huge. The continuity he brings at safety is invaluable to newcomers like Deion Belue, Travell Dixon and Landon Collins, as well as underclassmen like Vinnie Sunseri and Ha'Sean Clinton-Dix.
Lester, who could blend in with strong personalities like Barron and Dont'a Hightower before, is now taking on more of a leadership role as an elder statesman on defense. He told reporters this spring that there are, "a lot of areas that we want to improve on. Less mental errors. Pick up on the loafs, stop loafing around. Just execute more. You can never be perfect out there and we want to get as close to that as possible.
ESPN 150 RB Alvin Kamara names top five 
July, 25, 2012
7/25/12
1:53
PM ET
By
Radi Nabulsi | ESPN.com
ESPN 150 running back Alvin Kamara (Norcross, Ga./Norcross) has narrowed his list of college destinations down to a top five.
“Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, Oklahoma State and FSU,” Kamara said in a text to DawgNation. “But I think more Oregon than FSU.”
So maybe it is a top six. Either way the Under Armour All-American says they the schools are equal and not in any particular order.
“Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, Oklahoma State and FSU,” Kamara said in a text to DawgNation. “But I think more Oregon than FSU.”
So maybe it is a top six. Either way the Under Armour All-American says they the schools are equal and not in any particular order.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
TN Mailbag: Filling out the 2013 class
July, 25, 2012
7/25/12
9:38
AM ET
By
Greg Ostendorf and
Alex Scarborough | ESPN.com
Alabama recruiting writer Greg Ostendorf and beat writer Alex Scarborough bring you another edition of The TideNation mailbag, answering your questions about recruiting, football and basketball.
@HighTide_14 asks: How will Bama finish up their class? Who do you think they get?
Ostendorf: With 18 commitments already on board, Alabama is running out of room in its 2013 class. I’ll focus on the ESPN 150 prospects who are still considering the Crimson Tide. I think they are in great shape to land defensive end/linebacker Demarcus Walker and running back Derrick Henry. Both could announce their intentions in the next month. The biggest name still out there is offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil. Originally, most thought he wouldn’t leave the state of Florida, but Alabama made up a lot of ground on his last visit and now has a legitimate shot to land the five-star. The Tide could also pull a top linebacker, Kendell Beckwith or Matthew Thomas, or Pa. wide receiver Robert Foster in this class.
@HighTide_14 asks: How will Bama finish up their class? Who do you think they get?
Ostendorf: With 18 commitments already on board, Alabama is running out of room in its 2013 class. I’ll focus on the ESPN 150 prospects who are still considering the Crimson Tide. I think they are in great shape to land defensive end/linebacker Demarcus Walker and running back Derrick Henry. Both could announce their intentions in the next month. The biggest name still out there is offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil. Originally, most thought he wouldn’t leave the state of Florida, but Alabama made up a lot of ground on his last visit and now has a legitimate shot to land the five-star. The Tide could also pull a top linebacker, Kendell Beckwith or Matthew Thomas, or Pa. wide receiver Robert Foster in this class.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
From now until kickoff in Arlington, Texas, we'll be counting down the days before Alabama and Michigan get the season started. Today, we move to No. 38 and what it means to UA football. See all the previous editions here.
Paul 'Bear' Bryant had a lot of good tailbacks in his decades coaching the Crimson Tide. But the best may have been Johnny Musso. The former Alabama great was a scoring machine for Bryant, finding the end zone 38 times in his career.
Until running backs like Bobby Humphrey, Shaun Alexander, Mark Ingram and Trent Richardson came around, it was Musso who stood out as the most prolific running back in Alabama history.
CAREER TOUCHDOWNS LEADERS
Musso is one of 12 Alabama players to ever be nominated for the Heisman Trophy, finishing fifth in 1971 when he ran for 1,088 yards and scored 100 points. He twice led the SEC in rushing, going for 1,137 yards in 1970 and 1,088 yards in 1971. He was an All-SEC selection both seasons.
Musso was inducted into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame in 1989, and the College Football Hall of Fame 11 years later.
Paul 'Bear' Bryant had a lot of good tailbacks in his decades coaching the Crimson Tide. But the best may have been Johnny Musso. The former Alabama great was a scoring machine for Bryant, finding the end zone 38 times in his career.
Until running backs like Bobby Humphrey, Shaun Alexander, Mark Ingram and Trent Richardson came around, it was Musso who stood out as the most prolific running back in Alabama history.
CAREER TOUCHDOWNS LEADERS
1. Shaun Alexander: 50 (41 rushing, 8 receiving, 1 kickoff return)
2. Mark Ingram: 46 (42 rushing, 4 receiving)
3. Trent Richardson 43 (35 rushing, 7 receiving, 1 kickoff return)
4. Bobby Humphrey 40 (33 rushing, 7 receiving)
5. Johnny Musso 38 (34 rushing, 4 receiving)
Musso is one of 12 Alabama players to ever be nominated for the Heisman Trophy, finishing fifth in 1971 when he ran for 1,088 yards and scored 100 points. He twice led the SEC in rushing, going for 1,137 yards in 1970 and 1,088 yards in 1971. He was an All-SEC selection both seasons.
Musso was inducted into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame in 1989, and the College Football Hall of Fame 11 years later.
It has been a busy summer for ESPN 100 point guard Rashawn Powell. He took part in both the Deron Williams Nike Basketball Skills Academy and LeBron James Skills Academy, and he has played in multiple AAU tournaments, most recently the Peach State Invitational.
Powell seems to improve every time he gets on the floor, and college coaches are starting to notice. University of Alabama head coach Anthony Grant has been so impressed with Powell's play this summer that he offered the Florida native a scholarship.
“It felt good,” Powell said of the offer. “I had played in front of the assistant coach, and I felt like I needed to wait for the head coach to see me play. I just felt like I needed to go harder. When the head coach offered me, I just felt like I did pretty good in front of him, and that’s why he offered.
Powell seems to improve every time he gets on the floor, and college coaches are starting to notice. University of Alabama head coach Anthony Grant has been so impressed with Powell's play this summer that he offered the Florida native a scholarship.
“It felt good,” Powell said of the offer. “I had played in front of the assistant coach, and I felt like I needed to wait for the head coach to see me play. I just felt like I needed to go harder. When the head coach offered me, I just felt like I did pretty good in front of him, and that’s why he offered.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
Bama leads for ESPN 150 TE Greg Taboada
July, 24, 2012
7/24/12
6:58
PM ET
By
Greg Ostendorf | ESPN.com
The University of Alabama already has commitments from O.J. Howard and Josh McNeil, two of the top five tight ends in the country, but that hasn’t stopped the Crimson Tide from going after one more in this class.
On Monday, ESPN 150 tight end Greg Taboada visited Tuscaloosa for the second time this summer. He toured the campus, talked with people in the business department and met with the coaching staff.
“Coach [Chris] Rumph is my main recruiter, and after the first time I was there, he had been getting on me to just come back one more time, so he could set up the whole tour,” Taboada said. “They just wanted me to come back one more time and get a better idea of what they’re about and all that.”
On Monday, ESPN 150 tight end Greg Taboada visited Tuscaloosa for the second time this summer. He toured the campus, talked with people in the business department and met with the coaching staff.
“Coach [Chris] Rumph is my main recruiter, and after the first time I was there, he had been getting on me to just come back one more time, so he could set up the whole tour,” Taboada said. “They just wanted me to come back one more time and get a better idea of what they’re about and all that.”
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
While 25 top quarterbacks from the 2013 recruiting class spent the weekend in California showcasing their skills at the Elite 11 finals, a talented Los Angeles area quarterback in the 2014 class took the opportunity to head across the country to visit two traditional powers.
Brandon Dawkins (Westlake Village, Calif./Oaks Christian) and several family members had an opportunity to take in the sights this past weekend at Tennessee and Alabama. The visit to Tennessee was his first trip to a college campus that came complete with a tour and opportunity to meet a college coaching staff, and the 6-foot-3, 199-pound quarterback was impressed.
“It surpassed my expectations,” Dawkins said. “It was really great out there.”
Brandon Dawkins (Westlake Village, Calif./Oaks Christian) and several family members had an opportunity to take in the sights this past weekend at Tennessee and Alabama. The visit to Tennessee was his first trip to a college campus that came complete with a tour and opportunity to meet a college coaching staff, and the 6-foot-3, 199-pound quarterback was impressed.
“It surpassed my expectations,” Dawkins said. “It was really great out there.”
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
Nick Saban talks to Chris Fowler about trying to defend their championship, playing in the tough SEC, and what to expect from quarterback A.J. McCarron.
TideNation writer Greg Ostendorf talks with 2014 running back prospect Bo Scarbrough, who named Georgia his early leader followed by Alabama, Clemson and Florida.
Running back Jacques Patrick (Orlando, Fla./Timber Creek) is used to being a marked man. It started last year when he was a freshman on the East River High School football team in Orlando, Fla., where he rushed for more than 1,200 yard on 150 carries. Former teammate Ryne Rankin welcomed Patrick to the varsity squad in the traditional way.
“I remember giving Jacques his first true varsity hit at practice,” said Rankin, a four-star ILB who committed to Georgia this spring. “They faked a dive with him and ran the option. And though he didn’t have the ball, I showed him how a fake dive ends up for the running back when they play against me. He took the hit and I just stood over him and said, ‘Welcome to varsity football, baby.’ I helped him up and he just smiled. He knew from then on he would have to keep his head on a swivel and go 100 miles an hour on every play.”
Patrick didn’t hold a grudge.
“I remember giving Jacques his first true varsity hit at practice,” said Rankin, a four-star ILB who committed to Georgia this spring. “They faked a dive with him and ran the option. And though he didn’t have the ball, I showed him how a fake dive ends up for the running back when they play against me. He took the hit and I just stood over him and said, ‘Welcome to varsity football, baby.’ I helped him up and he just smiled. He knew from then on he would have to keep his head on a swivel and go 100 miles an hour on every play.”
Patrick didn’t hold a grudge.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
Each week at TideNation we will speak with a writer who covers one of Alabama's 2012 opponents. Today we spoke with Tyler Norris Goode, who covers Western Carolina for Asheville (N.C.) Citizen-Times.
Scarborough: To start things off, give us a brief tutorial on the Catamounts. What's their style of play? What are their strengths and weaknesses as you see them?
Goode: Any summary on WCU has to begin with the program’s recent plunge from near mediocrity to utter futility. Since the Catamounts’ last winning season (5-4 in 2005), Western has lost 43 of its 46 Southern Conference games. Dennis Wagner, who stepped down as head coach before the Cats’ final game last year, had a four-year winning percentage of .182 (8-36) -- second-worst in the program’s 78-year history. The team’s greatest strength right now is probably hope and enthusiasm surrounding new coach Mark Speir and his staff, who are implementing their version of the spread offense. Weaknesses are too numerous to name, but the top one would be defensive ineptitude.
Scarborough: To start things off, give us a brief tutorial on the Catamounts. What's their style of play? What are their strengths and weaknesses as you see them?
Goode: Any summary on WCU has to begin with the program’s recent plunge from near mediocrity to utter futility. Since the Catamounts’ last winning season (5-4 in 2005), Western has lost 43 of its 46 Southern Conference games. Dennis Wagner, who stepped down as head coach before the Cats’ final game last year, had a four-year winning percentage of .182 (8-36) -- second-worst in the program’s 78-year history. The team’s greatest strength right now is probably hope and enthusiasm surrounding new coach Mark Speir and his staff, who are implementing their version of the spread offense. Weaknesses are too numerous to name, but the top one would be defensive ineptitude.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
From now until kickoff in Arlington, Texas, we'll be counting down the days before Alabama and Michigan get the season started. Today, we move to No. 39 and what it means to UA football. See all the previous editions here.
Greg McElroy came to the University of Alabama as an unheralded quarterback out of Southlake, Texas. Sure, he won a lot of games in one of the toughest areas to play high school football in the country, but could he play the position in the SEC?
As it turns out, the winning trait didn't go away when McElroy came to Tuscaloosa. The cerebral passer ended his career with 39 touchdown passes, placing him third on the all-time list behind John Parker Wilson and Brodie Croyle. And McElroy did what those two couldn't -- win. McElroy lost just two games from 2009-10 and led the Tide to their 13th national championship.
McElroy completed 66 percent of passes in his career and threw for 5,691 yards. His total passing yards were good enough to place him fourth on the all-time list at Alabama behind Wilson, Croyle and Andrew Zow.
If McCarron stays through his senior year and maintains his current pace, he would finish No. 1 all-time at Alabama in passing touchdowns (48) and No. 2 in passing yards (7,902).
Where will McCarron end up on the all-time touchdowns and passing yards list? Talk about it insider The Tusk.
Greg McElroy came to the University of Alabama as an unheralded quarterback out of Southlake, Texas. Sure, he won a lot of games in one of the toughest areas to play high school football in the country, but could he play the position in the SEC?
As it turns out, the winning trait didn't go away when McElroy came to Tuscaloosa. The cerebral passer ended his career with 39 touchdown passes, placing him third on the all-time list behind John Parker Wilson and Brodie Croyle. And McElroy did what those two couldn't -- win. McElroy lost just two games from 2009-10 and led the Tide to their 13th national championship.
McElroy completed 66 percent of passes in his career and threw for 5,691 yards. His total passing yards were good enough to place him fourth on the all-time list at Alabama behind Wilson, Croyle and Andrew Zow.
Career touchdowns leaders:
1. John Parker Wilson: 47
2. Brodie Croyl: 41
3. Greg McElroy: 39
4. Mike Shula: 35
5. Andrew Zow: 35
?. AJ McCarron: 16 and counting
Career passing yards leaders:
1. John Parker Wilson: 7,924
2. Brodie Croyle: 6,382
3. Andrew Zow: 6,983
4. Greg McElroy: 5,691
5. Jay Barker: 5,689
?. AJ McCarron: 2,634 and counting
If McCarron stays through his senior year and maintains his current pace, he would finish No. 1 all-time at Alabama in passing touchdowns (48) and No. 2 in passing yards (7,902).
Where will McCarron end up on the all-time touchdowns and passing yards list? Talk about it insider The Tusk.
Derrick Green is weighing his options -- all of his options. The ESPN 150 running back has already visited nine schools this summer, and he made a trip south over the weekend to check out three more.
The trip began with a stop in Tuscaloosa to visit the University of Alabama. It was the first time the Richmond, Va., resident had been on the Crimson Tide’s campus.
“It was really nice,” Green said. “I got there, spoke to my position coach, spoke to Coach [Nick] Saban, toured the campus. I had a good time seeing the facilities. I got to speak with the strength and conditioning coach. I really like him a lot. It was overall a good trip.”
The trip began with a stop in Tuscaloosa to visit the University of Alabama. It was the first time the Richmond, Va., resident had been on the Crimson Tide’s campus.
“It was really nice,” Green said. “I got there, spoke to my position coach, spoke to Coach [Nick] Saban, toured the campus. I had a good time seeing the facilities. I got to speak with the strength and conditioning coach. I really like him a lot. It was overall a good trip.”
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
RB Derrick Henry: Alabama still leads
July, 23, 2012
7/23/12
6:14
PM ET
By
Greg Ostendorf | ESPN.com
In June, ESPN 150 running back Derrick Henry decommitted from Georgia after visiting the University of Alabama. He consequently named the Crimson Tide his leader. Henry returned to Tuscaloosa over the weekend for one more visit this summer at head coach Nick Saban’s request.
“It was fun,” Henry said. “Coach Saban wanted me to get up there one more time just to be around the coaches and be with all of the players and stuff, so we can get that chemistry. I had a real good time.”
The Yulee, Fla., native has not made a decision on his commitment, but it might have seemed he had when he was hanging out with Tide players Kenyan Drake, Geno Smith and Vinnie Sunseri. He and Sunseri spent the most time together.
“It was fun,” Henry said. “Coach Saban wanted me to get up there one more time just to be around the coaches and be with all of the players and stuff, so we can get that chemistry. I had a real good time.”
The Yulee, Fla., native has not made a decision on his commitment, but it might have seemed he had when he was hanging out with Tide players Kenyan Drake, Geno Smith and Vinnie Sunseri. He and Sunseri spent the most time together.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
ABOUT TIDE NATION
Greg Ostendorf
Greg Ostendorf joined ESPN.com in 2012 after covering University of Alabama football and basketball recruiting at the Tuscaloosa News and Rivals.com. Ostendorf graduated from the University of Alabama and currently resides in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Email him at gsostendorf.espn@gmail.com.
Alex Scarborough
Alex Scarborough joined ESPN.com in 2012 after covering University of Alabama athletics and high school football for The Tuscaloosa News. He currently resides in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Email him at alexscarborough.espn@gmail.com.