TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- The Crimson Tide look to burst any talk of falling off the tournament bubble on Wednesday when they host in-state rival Auburn. Alabama, which is ranked No. 25 nationally in RPI, could solidify its postseason standing with a win, as well as ensure a regular season sweep of the Tigers.
“It’s the biggest game on our schedule because it’s the next game,” Anthony Grant said. “Obviously, it adds to it because it’s a rivalry game. I think our guys are excited to play Auburn. After that, everything is out of our control.
“Everyone wants to play in the postseason but we’re going to focus on today.”
For Alabama to win, and improve its postseason resume, a few things must happen:
“It’s the biggest game on our schedule because it’s the next game,” Anthony Grant said. “Obviously, it adds to it because it’s a rivalry game. I think our guys are excited to play Auburn. After that, everything is out of our control.
“Everyone wants to play in the postseason but we’re going to focus on today.”
For Alabama to win, and improve its postseason resume, a few things must happen:
2013 hoops commit excited to get to Bama 
February, 29, 2012
2/29/12
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Greg Ostendorf | ESPN.com
Before his junior year, University of Alabama basketball commitment Shannon Hale transferred to North Carolina's Christ School, a basketball powerhouse known for producing the Plumlee brothers who play for Duke.
Hale, a 2013 recruit, and the rest of the team came up short this year and lost in the state semi-finals. But it proved to be a productive season that helped the future Crimson Tide star improve his game.
“The season went pretty good,” Hale said. “It was what I expected. I think I did pretty well. During the year, I tried to improve on rebounding and scoring inside, and I was just trying to help my team win.”
Hale, a 2013 recruit, and the rest of the team came up short this year and lost in the state semi-finals. But it proved to be a productive season that helped the future Crimson Tide star improve his game.
“The season went pretty good,” Hale said. “It was what I expected. I think I did pretty well. During the year, I tried to improve on rebounding and scoring inside, and I was just trying to help my team win.”
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Saban will offer multi-year scholarships
February, 28, 2012
2/28/12
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Alex Scarborough | ESPN.com
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- University of Alabama coach Nick Saban said on Tuesday that he will begin offering multi-year scholarships, a team spokesman confirmed.
The Tuscaloosa News first reported the change in policy. According to the report, Alabama was one of a handful of schools to vote against the return of multi-year scholarships last week.
Saban told The News that the change the return to multi-year scholarships was "no problem" and that Alabama was "happy to do it."
Saban's words of support come as somewhat of a surprise, considering his comments on national signing day, when he questioned the need for such a change. Saban did not offer multi-year scholarships to the 2012 class, unlike some schools in the SEC and Big 10.
“I guess I’m getting old, but I’ve been through the whole cycle of this multi-year scholarships deal," Saban said on Feb. 1. "When I was in college, which was many moons ago, you got four-year scholarships. There were lawsuits galore, because we gave people four-year scholarships and they would violate a rule or something and someone would try to take their scholarship away, and there would be a lawsuit and all kinds of issues and problems, and that was why we went to one-year scholarships.
The Tuscaloosa News first reported the change in policy. According to the report, Alabama was one of a handful of schools to vote against the return of multi-year scholarships last week.
Saban told The News that the change the return to multi-year scholarships was "no problem" and that Alabama was "happy to do it."
Saban's words of support come as somewhat of a surprise, considering his comments on national signing day, when he questioned the need for such a change. Saban did not offer multi-year scholarships to the 2012 class, unlike some schools in the SEC and Big 10.
“I guess I’m getting old, but I’ve been through the whole cycle of this multi-year scholarships deal," Saban said on Feb. 1. "When I was in college, which was many moons ago, you got four-year scholarships. There were lawsuits galore, because we gave people four-year scholarships and they would violate a rule or something and someone would try to take their scholarship away, and there would be a lawsuit and all kinds of issues and problems, and that was why we went to one-year scholarships.
Around the Bases: UA 4, South Alabama 3
February, 28, 2012
2/28/12
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Alex Scarborough | ESPN.com
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- Kenny Roberts’ sacrifice bunt in the bottom of the eighth inning on Tuesday won't make a highlight reel but it was met with the loudest applause of the night from the Alabama dugout. Every player on the bench went over to give Roberts a high-five and slapped him on the back for a job well done.
It didn’t look like much -- it won’t even be remembered as an at-bat in the box score -- but Roberts’ bunt to move Hunter Gregory and Taylor Dugas into scoring position opened the door for the Crimson Tide’s comeback against South Alabama.
Roberts set them up, Jarred Reaves knocked them down, and Alabama walked away with a 4-3 win over South Alabama to improve to 4-3 overall. Down one run with South Alabama playing in, Reaves slapped a single up the middle to score two. If the defense was playing at regular depth, the ball might not have made it through.
It didn’t look like much -- it won’t even be remembered as an at-bat in the box score -- but Roberts’ bunt to move Hunter Gregory and Taylor Dugas into scoring position opened the door for the Crimson Tide’s comeback against South Alabama.
Roberts set them up, Jarred Reaves knocked them down, and Alabama walked away with a 4-3 win over South Alabama to improve to 4-3 overall. Down one run with South Alabama playing in, Reaves slapped a single up the middle to score two. If the defense was playing at regular depth, the ball might not have made it through.
In this episode of RecruitingNation 411, we look at the recruiting success for Texas, Michigan State, and Auburn. We also look into Oklahoma’s plans to match the big recruiting weekends of the Longhorns and Aggies.
ESPNU Watch List tight end O.J. Howard committed to the University of Alabama last summer, but the in-state star is still being recruited by Auburn, and he visited the Crimson Tide’s rival school over the weekend for their junior day.
“It was a different experience from the first time I went because I got to meet the new offensive coordinator, Coach (Scot) Loeffler, and I really got to see a different side of Auburn,” Howard said. “I got to go to the basketball game, hang out with the coaches and I just had a lot of fun.”
Although he enjoyed the visit, Howard said he remains firm with his commitment to Alabama.
“It was a different experience from the first time I went because I got to meet the new offensive coordinator, Coach (Scot) Loeffler, and I really got to see a different side of Auburn,” Howard said. “I got to go to the basketball game, hang out with the coaches and I just had a lot of fun.”
Although he enjoyed the visit, Howard said he remains firm with his commitment to Alabama.
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DE Jonathan Allen has OU in top six
February, 27, 2012
2/27/12
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Brandon Chatmon | ESPN.com
ESPNU Watch List defensive end Jonathan Allen (Ashburn, Va./Stone Bridge) has not heard from Oklahoma recently but his interest in the Sooners remains strong.
“I haven’t talked to them recently,” said Allen, who was offered by Brent Venables before the former OU defensive coordinator left for Clemson. “But I plan to talk with them more as the weeks progress. I’m still very interested. I’m narrowing my schools and Oklahoma is still one of them.”
A superb basketball player, Allen fits the mold of the hybrid defensive end/linebacker the Sooners have been recruiting in recent years.
“I haven’t talked to them recently,” said Allen, who was offered by Brent Venables before the former OU defensive coordinator left for Clemson. “But I plan to talk with them more as the weeks progress. I’m still very interested. I’m narrowing my schools and Oklahoma is still one of them.”
A superb basketball player, Allen fits the mold of the hybrid defensive end/linebacker the Sooners have been recruiting in recent years.
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Combine: Hightower, Upshaw work out
February, 27, 2012
2/27/12
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Greg Ostendorf | ESPN.com
The University of Alabama has nine players in Indianapolis for the NFL combine this week, more than any other college program. The Crimson Tide could potentially have up to five players drafted in the first round of April's NFL Draft. Find out how the former UA stars are doing at the event and what the latest buzz is around them.
Linebacker Dont’a Hightower runs an official time of 4.68 in the 40-yard dash. Day 6 NFL combine results: Link
How will the results from the NFL combine help former Tide players like Courtney Upshaw, Mark Barron and Dre Kirkpatrick? Link (Insider)
Linebacker Dont’a Hightower runs an official time of 4.68 in the 40-yard dash. Day 6 NFL combine results: Link
How will the results from the NFL combine help former Tide players like Courtney Upshaw, Mark Barron and Dre Kirkpatrick? Link (Insider)
TideNation mailbag
February, 27, 2012
2/27/12
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Alex Scarborough and
Greg Ostendorf | ESPN.com
It was a terrific weekend for Alabama athletics with basketball pulling off its third consecutive victory, baseball sweeping a three-game series and softball winning five in a row from Friday through Sunday. The week ahead could determine a lot for the basketball team as coach Anthony Grant attempts to win the final two games of the regular season and lock up a spot in the NCAA Tournament.
With that in mind, let's look ahead at the future of Alabama basketball and what lies ahead for the football team with spring practice a few weeks away.
The TideNation Mailbag is only as good as the questions you ask, so get your questions for next week to tidenation.espn@gmail.com or Tweet us at @AlexS_ESPN or @GregO_ESPN.
With that in mind, let's look ahead at the future of Alabama basketball and what lies ahead for the football team with spring practice a few weeks away.
The TideNation Mailbag is only as good as the questions you ask, so get your questions for next week to tidenation.espn@gmail.com or Tweet us at @AlexS_ESPN or @GregO_ESPN.
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Quick hits: Alabama basketball
February, 27, 2012
2/27/12
12:29
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By
Alex Scarborough | ESPN.com
Coming off three wins in a row, the University of Alabama (19-9, 8-6) has climbed the latter in the SEC and improved to a 10-seed in ESPN Bracketologist Joe Lunardi's latest Bracketology. On Monday’s SEC teleconference, Alabama coach Anthony Grant discussed where his team stands with just two games remaining in the regular season.
Here’s what he and other coaches around the SEC had to say as it relates to the Crimson Tide:
Anthony Grant, Alabama
On the week ahead: "We've got Auburn here on Wednesday. With that being an in-state rival, I'm looking forward to a very challenging game. Then Saturday we head down and finish up the regular season against Ole Miss. That's another team right now that has played well."
Here’s what he and other coaches around the SEC had to say as it relates to the Crimson Tide:
Anthony Grant, Alabama
On the week ahead: "We've got Auburn here on Wednesday. With that being an in-state rival, I'm looking forward to a very challenging game. Then Saturday we head down and finish up the regular season against Ole Miss. That's another team right now that has played well."
The University of Alabama had a stellar week or so of basketball, running off three consecutive victories to improve to 19-9 overall and 8-6 in the SEC. The Crimson Tide now rank fourth in the league heading into the start of the SEC tournament less than two weeks away.
Joe Lunardi's latest round of Bracketology puts Alabama in the NCAA Tournament as a No. 10 seed, up one from last week and facing Saint Mary's in the first round of the Midwest Division in Louisville: Link
Jay Bilas has the Tide in his top 50: Link (Insider)
ESPN's BPI (Basketball Power Index) ranks Alabama No. 21 overall: Link
Joe Lunardi's latest round of Bracketology puts Alabama in the NCAA Tournament as a No. 10 seed, up one from last week and facing Saint Mary's in the first round of the Midwest Division in Louisville: Link
Jay Bilas has the Tide in his top 50: Link (Insider)
ESPN's BPI (Basketball Power Index) ranks Alabama No. 21 overall: Link
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2013 RB Jones can continue Tide trend
February, 27, 2012
2/27/12
9:53
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By
Greg Ostendorf | ESPN.com
No school has been able to produce running backs like the University of Alabama since the arrival of Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban.
It started with Glen Coffee, a relative unknown rusher from the state of Florida, who became an All-SEC player for UA in 2008 and went on to be drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in the third round where he enjoyed a brief but successful NFL career.
Next, and most notable, was Mark Ingram, a late addition to the Tide’s 2008 recruiting class from Michigan. As a sophomore, Ingram won the school’s first Heisman Trophy after rushing for a school-record 1,542 yards and scoring 18 touchdowns. He was drafted in the first round last year by the New Orleans Saints.
It started with Glen Coffee, a relative unknown rusher from the state of Florida, who became an All-SEC player for UA in 2008 and went on to be drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in the third round where he enjoyed a brief but successful NFL career.
Next, and most notable, was Mark Ingram, a late addition to the Tide’s 2008 recruiting class from Michigan. As a sophomore, Ingram won the school’s first Heisman Trophy after rushing for a school-record 1,542 yards and scoring 18 touchdowns. He was drafted in the first round last year by the New Orleans Saints.
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Watch List WR Benjamin planning visits
February, 26, 2012
2/26/12
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By
Derek Tyson | ESPN.com
WINTER GARDEN, Fla. -- ESPNU Watch List wide receiver Richard Benjamin (Tampa, Fla./Tampa Bay Tech) boasts several scholarship offers, including new ones from Oklahoma and Alabama. Benjamin said on Sunday that some schools are starting to stand out for him.
"Florida, Miami, USF and USC are starting to standing out to me right now," Benjamin said from the Nike SPARQ combine in Winter Garden (Fla.). "I really like the coaches at atmosphere at all of those schools."
Benjamin declined to name a leader, but did say there are several out of state schools he will likely visit over spring.
"Florida, Miami, USF and USC are starting to standing out to me right now," Benjamin said from the Nike SPARQ combine in Winter Garden (Fla.). "I really like the coaches at atmosphere at all of those schools."
Benjamin declined to name a leader, but did say there are several out of state schools he will likely visit over spring.
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Taylor talks playoff run, recruiting
February, 26, 2012
2/26/12
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Greg Ostendorf | ESPN.com
Junior big man Jimmie Taylor is headed back to the Final 48 in Birmingham, Ala., for a chance to win another state championship. Taylor had 13 points, 11 rebounds and five blocks on Saturday for Greensboro High School, who defeated Hale County to advance to the Class 3A semifinals.
“The season’s going good,” Taylor said. “I’ve got a lot of help on the team, so I don’t have to do everything. I don’t have to carry the whole load for the team. We’re trying to only concentrate on one game at a time.”
The 6-foot-10 in-state product burst onto the scene as a sophomore, and he has continued to develop his game through various camps, AAU basketball and the USA Trials. He believes all of the hard work is paying off.
“The season’s going good,” Taylor said. “I’ve got a lot of help on the team, so I don’t have to do everything. I don’t have to carry the whole load for the team. We’re trying to only concentrate on one game at a time.”
The 6-foot-10 in-state product burst onto the scene as a sophomore, and he has continued to develop his game through various camps, AAU basketball and the USA Trials. He believes all of the hard work is paying off.
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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.