RSS Alabama Team Notes

[monster_masterpiece]

They are going in right way.

 

[Uvopia]

Preview: First SEC Road Trip of 2026 for Alabama Softball

Feb 28, 2026; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama shortstop Gerritt Griggs takes a throw that was too high and a bit late to catch Kent State base runner Aaralyn Nogay at Rhoads Stadium in the Crimson Classic softball invitational. | Gary Cosby Jr.-Tuscaloosa News / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

So far, so good for the Crimson Tide in this the 30th year of the program. Now, the SEC schedule kicks in.

RANDOM THOUGHT​

According to NCAA Rule 3.10.1 regarding headgear, “Visors, headbands and caps are uniform accessories, may be mixed, and must be of the same predominant color and worn as intended by the manufacturer. Exception: The catcher’s headgear may be of a different color than other defenders’ headgear.”

Headgear is an “accessory”, meaning it is not required. The only reason this was brought up is the observation that you almost never see girls wearing caps. Most of them opt for visors or no hat. That is your Random Thought for the day.

ACCOLADES​

In the Zone @Jocelynbriski

: https://t.co/m3JRFenf9i#Team30 #RollTide pic.twitter.com/TsJEG75rSx

— Alabama Softball (@AlabamaSB) March 2, 2026

• Jocelyn Briski was named SEC Pitcher of the Week. Including the midweek game against UAB, she won three games and did not give up a run over 15.0 innings. She allowed only five hits and two walks, while striking out 28 in those games.

RAT POISON​

• Softball America 13 ↑ 8 ↑ 6 ↑ 4 ↔ 4 – ahead of Okie
• D1Softball 14 ↑ 10 ↑ 9 ↑ 8 ↑ 5 – behind Okie
• ESPN/USA Softball 16 ↑ 13 ↑ 9 ↑ 7 ↑ 6 – behind Okie & Nebr
• USAToday/NFCA 15 ↑ 10 ↑ 8 ↑ 5 ↑ 4 – ahead of Okie

The top 3 teams in each poll are Tennessee, Texas Tech, and Texas.

SCHEDULE​

This will be the first trip for the Crimson Tide to the unoriginally-named Ole Miss Softball Stadium. The new state-of-the-art home for Rebels softball in Oxford was officially opened in the spring of 2025. It has a capacity of 1,677, which pales next to Rhoads’s 3,940.

Due to inclement weather expected for Saturday, the two teams will play a doubleheader on Friday.

• Fri, Mar 6 at Ole Miss 3pm/4pm
• Fri, Mar 6 at Ole Miss 45 minutes after the conclusion of Game 1
• Sun, Mar 8 at Ole Miss 1:30pm/2:30pm

HOW TO WATCH… ALLEGEDLY​

Moar SECN+ streaming (ESPN+).

WEATHER​

Oxford temperatures should be in the high 70s with partly cloudy skies on Friday. After thunderstorms expected most of the day on Saturday, morning rain is anticipated on Sunday but it should clear up by first pitch. It will be quite the test for the Ole Miss grounds crew to get the field ready for the finale.

OLE MISS (18-5)​

The Rebels have had a sloppy start to the 2026 campaign. Their defeats have come at the hands of Cal State Fullerton, Boise, McNeese, ULL, and Missouri State. It’s little defense, but each loss was away from the Magnolia State. OM has had only 8 home games after traveling to Fullerton, CA, Lafayette, LA, and Birmingham, AL for tournaments. They have won all 8 of their games in Oxford and overall have won 8 straight. Alabama will be the first 2026 “Power” opponent for the ‘Sip.

THROW THE BALL

Emilee Boyer (4-3) transferred in from Division II West Texas A&M and has been thrown right into the fire. She has been great at times, but is a little inconsistent. Her ERA is 1.73 in 48.2 innings. Senior Kyra Aycock (8-1) has thrown the identical number of innings but her ERA is 2.30. Her record is mostly due to higher run support. Previously at Missouri, junior Lilly Whitten (5-0) is the third pitcher but has a nice ERA (1.46). She has been used mostly in short stints, averaging around 3 innings per outing.

HIT THE BALL

Freshman Madi George has 30 hits in 66 at bats (.455) with 7 round-trippers and 23 batters knocked in. If you are into OPS, she has a gigantic 1.383. Persy Llamas is hitting .430 with five four-baggers and 25 ribbies. Soph Mackenzie Pickens is at .348 but is second on the team in homers (6), doubles (5), and RBI (24).

The Rebs have 31 dingers as a team, which is tied for 16th in the nation.

CATCH THE BALL

The Ackbars are a decent fielding team. Their .975 fielding percentage is right around 4oth best in the nation.

TEN CENT ANALYSIS​

Although Mississippi has not had the best start to the season, they are still SEC and the series is still in their home stadium. On paper, the Tide should roll to three victories, but nothing is certain when rivals clash.

#RollTide #Team30​

Source: https://www.rollbamaroll.com/womens...st-sec-road-trip-of-2026-for-alabama-softball

 

[Uvopia]

Alabama Football 2026: Crimson Tide’s Newcomers get their Numbers

Dec 6, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Ryan Williams (2) looks on during the first quarter against the Georgia Bulldogs during the 2025 SEC Championship game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images | Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Earlier today, Alabama dropped a list of all the new numbers for the Tide’s new players along with the number changes of returning players via a graphic from Yea Alabama.

The reveal
Jersey number changes for this season@AlabamaFTBL pic.twitter.com/9aEJNrNy3K

— Yea Alabama (@yea_ala) March 6, 2026

While it was a bit weird to have this come out from a tweet rather than the usual surprise stealth roster update at RollTide.com, it did make things easier for viewing things in a list, rather than the usual hunt and peck method. And shout out to AL.com for typing the list out so I could make use of a nice copy/paste tool.

---

First up, here are the number changes for each of the Tide’s returners:

No. 0– Yhonzae Pierre (previously No. 42)

No. 1– Ryan Coleman-Williams (previously No. 2, changes name from Ryan Williams)

No. 3– Lotzeir Brooks (previously No. 17)

No. 4– Luke Metz (previously No. 26)

No. 6– Red Morgan (previously No. 16)

No. 6– Kevin Riley (previously No. 28)

No. 7– Rico Scott (previously No. 11)

No. 9– Marshall Pritchett (previously No. 14)

No. 23– Cayden Jones (previously No. 30)

No. 45– Jay Williams (previously No. 46)

No. 59– JD Martin (previously No. 54)

No. 69– Baker Hickman (previously No. 66)

No. 77– Jackson Lloyd (previously No. 78)

I kind of hate that Lotzeir Brooks is changing away from 17, it was such a cool number. And I guess Yhonzae Pierre is taking up the mantle of #0 always being worn by a linebacker. And the other big news, of course, is Ryan Williams changing his official last name to Coleman-Williams.

It really would be an interesting psychology study, to me, to figure out how it became the thing for veteran players to always get the lower numbers. There isn’t a single change this year with someone’s number going higher. Oh well, I’ll keep dying on my hill of wanting another actual starting running back in the 30s and a WR in the 80s. One day.

---

As far as all of the new players, here’s the whole group:

No. 1– Devan Thompkins

No. 5– Noah Rogers

No. 7– Caleb Woodson

No. 8– Cedarian Morgan

No. 9– Desmond Umeozulu

No. 10– Jireh Edwards

No. 11– Tayden-Evan Kaawa

No. 11– Xavier Griffin

No. 13– EJ Crowell

No. 15– Jett Thomalla

No. 16– Jorden Edmonds

No. 17–Trae’shawn Brown

No. 17– Zyan Gibson

No. 18– Mack Sutter

No. 20— Khalifa Keith

No. 21– Maurice Mathis Jr.

No. 22– Kedrick Bingley-Jones

No. 24– Rihyael Kelley

No. 26– Mhari Johnson

No. 28– Carmelo O’Neal

No. 29– Nick Sherman

No. 32– JR Howard

No. 33– Adam Watford

No. 34- Zay Hall

No. 37– Tyler Henderson

No. 40– Josh Ford

No. 41– Jamarion Matthews

No. 49– Ethan Stangle

No. 54– Jayvin James

No. 63– Bryson Cooley

No. 65– Tyrell Miller

No. 71– Nick Brooks

No. 72– Ty Haywood

No. 73– Chris Booker

No. 75– Ethan Fields

No. 79– Kaden Strayhorn

No. 80– Jaxon Shuttlesworth

No. 86– Jude Cascone

No. 90– Lorcan Quinn

It’s a massive list, and obviously includes a big number of walk on players that we’ll likely never see. But the biggest eye-catcher is WR Cederian Morgan choosing to wear #8. He’s already a 6’4” 220 receiver that’s drawn athletic comparisons to Julio Jones, so rolling in with the 8 jersey definitely wont do anything to slow down those fan expectations.

And with that, spring football is just around the corner. Roll Tide!

Source: https://www.rollbamaroll.com/alabam...026-crimson-tides-newcomers-get-their-numbers

 

[Uvopia]

#16 Alabama vs Auburn Game Thread

Feb 7, 2026; Auburn, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide forward Amari Allen (5) runs a play as Auburn Tigers guard Tahaad Pettiford (0) defends during the first half at Neville Arena. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-Imagn Images | John Reed-Imagn Images

It’s the final day of the regular season for the 2026 edition of the Alabama Crimson Tide, as Nate Oats’ 16th-ranked squad plays host to the free-falling Auburn Tigers on Senior Night. Since Alabama’s win in Lee County last month, Auburn has been really struggling under first year head coach and nepo-baby Steven Pearl. Oats ended up finishing with a 7-5 record against his daddy, and now has a chance to sweep Steven in his first year as well.

Additionally, a win tonight for the Tide would damn-near eliminate Auburn from the NCAA Tournament, vanquishing the Tigers to the dark depths of the NIT. I can’t think of a better way to close out the regular season and get ready for postseason play.

Roll Tide, folks.

Last one in Coleman pic.twitter.com/eEkwx0VjVa

— Alabama Men’s Basketball (@AlabamaMBB) March 7, 2026

^Low key fantastic troll, by the way^

Source: https://www.rollbamaroll.com/alabama-crimson-tide-basketball/80081/16-alabama-vs-auburn-game-thread

 

[Uvopia]

2026 SEC Men’s Basketball Tournament Bracket and Schedule

Mar 7, 2026; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide forward Aiden Sherrell (22) dunks the ball against Auburn Tigers forward KeShawn Murphy (3) during the second half at Coleman Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: David Leong-Imagn Images | David Leong-Imagn Images

By virtue of their 13-5 conference record and a tie-breaker over Arkansas, Alabama earns the No. 2 seed in the 2026 SEC Men’s Basketball Tournament.

It looks like revenge time for the Crimson Tide. Assuming Texas takes care of Ole Miss, Alabama with face the winner of the Georgia Bulldogs and the Longhorns. Alabama embarrassingly lost to both those teams in the regular season. Hopefully, the revenge factor will give the Tide a little juice.

Bama will play on Friday at 6 p.m. CT with the game airing on the SEC Network. The tournament takes place in Bridgestone Arena in Nashville. This arena, not to be confused with Vanderbilt’s ridiculous mausoleum, is home to the NHL Nashville Predators.

Schedule​

All times CST.

First round​

Wednesday, March 11

• G1: No. 9 Kentucky vs. No. 16 LSU, 11:30 p.m. (SECN)
• G2: No. 12 Auburn vs. No. 13 Mississippi State, 2 p.m. (SECN)
• G3: No. 10 Texas vs. No. 15 Ole Miss, 6 p.m. (SECN)
• G4: No. 11 Oklahoma vs. No. 14 South Carolina, 8:30 p.m. (SECN)

Second round​

Thursday, March 12

• G5: No. 8 Missouri vs. Game 1 winner, 11:30 p.m. (SECN)
• G6: No. 5 Tennessee vs. Game 2 winner, 2 p.m. (SECN)
• G7: No. 7 Georgia vs. Game 3 winner, 6 p.m. (SECN)
• G8: No. 6 Texas A&M vs. Game 4 winner, 8:30 p.m. (SECN)

Quarterfinals​

Friday, March 13

• G9: No. 1 Florida vs. Game 5 winner, Noon (ESPN)
• G10: No. 4 Vanderbilt vs. Game 6 winner, 2:30 p.m. (ESPN)
• G11: No. 2 Alabama vs. Game 7 winner, 6 p.m. (SECN)
• G12: No. 3 Arkansas vs. Game 8 winner, 8:30 p.m. (SECN)

Semifinals​

Saturday, March 14

• G13: Game 9 winner vs. Game 10 winner, Noon (ESPN)
• G14: Game 11 winner vs. Game 12 winner, 2:30 p.m. (ESPN)

Final​

Sunday, March 15

• Championship game, Noon (ESPN)

Source: https://www.rollbamaroll.com/alabam...ns-basketball-tournament-bracket-and-schedule

 

[Uvopia]

Alabama Softball Sweeps Ole Miss, Remains Undefeated

The Crimson Tide had some close games, but held on for the sweep.

GAME 1: ALABAMA 5, OLE MISS 3 – Walk This Way​

The Crimson Tide wasted many opportunities to score and were gifted a pair of runs on bases loaded walks that proved the difference in the game. But a win is a win.

Bama had bases loaded in the 1st inning, but a double play erased the threat. In the 2nd, Lauren Johnson was not going to let another opportunity get away when she jumped on the second pitch she saw for a two-run two out home run.

LoJo gets the Tide on the board!

SECN+ | https://t.co/0GAgZV0xDV#Team30 #RollTide pic.twitter.com/bk6ct77xLV

— Alabama Softball (@AlabamaSB) March 6, 2026

Lawd, she absolutely crushed that one.

Unfortunately in the bottom of the frame, the Rebs bit back with an identical two out 2 RBI dinger to tie it up.

Brooke Wells continued her torrid pace by leading off the 3rd inning with an opposite field solo shot over the right field wall to lead 3-2.

Brooke Wells with the oppo shot!

SECN+ | https://t.co/0GAgZV0xDV#Team30 #RollTide pic.twitter.com/dTeMeHN5o5

— Alabama Softball (@AlabamaSB) March 6, 2026

The next two Bama batters would walk, but another double play put out that fire as well.

Following a walk and a double in the bottom of the 4th, Patrick Murphy called for Bama starter Jocelyn Briski to intentionally walk the bases full. A SAC fly would tie it up at three runs apiece but the next batter popped up to end the rally.

In the top of 5th, Audrey Vandagriff and Wells walked. A single by Ana Roman loaded them up for the Tide and both Salen Hawkins and Abby Duchscherer would earn an RBI on a free pass, but Alabama could get no more. Bama again loaded the bases in the 6th but could not score.

Briski (7-0) retired nine of the final 10 batters for a complete game win.

NOTES:

• On the home run that Briski gave up, she really left the pitch up in the zone and the Ackbar jumped all over it. It was only the second four-bagger (at FSU) that she has given up this season.
• Briski threw a season-high 113 pitches, which included seven strikeouts. The junior is averaging 1.6 Ks per inning as of this game.
• Bama left nine runners on base. Ana Roman grounded into both twin-killings.
• No errors.

GAME 2: ALABAMA 13, OLE MISS 2 (6 Inn, Run Rule)​

Things went much better in Game 2 with the Crimson Tide collecting 13 runs on 10 hits, and for the fifth straight game, hitting multiple home runs.

Alabama opened the game with four walks and a hit by pitch to take an early 2-0 lead. Yet, the no-hitter was still intact. Lauren Johnson and Audrey Vandagriff opened the next frame with two more bases on balls. The Tide finally got their first hit on a Brooke Wells single up the middle to make it 3-0. Ana Roman followed that up with a 2-run bomb over the right field wall.

Towering shot for the freshman

SECN+ | https://t.co/DpPPgTAlvB#Team30 #RollTide pic.twitter.com/x5ge2isPpH

— Alabama Softball (@AlabamaSB) March 7, 2026

Bama loaded the bases in the 3rd on three singles. Wells picked up two RBIs with a single and Alexis Pupillo hit a SAC fly to make it 9-0.

Ole Miss scored a pair in the 3rd with three singles and a fielder’s choice. Both teams wet hitless over the next two frames. With Wells on second base in the 6th, Pupillo hit a single that was misplayed in right field and Pup circled the bases to push the score to 11-2.

Pupillo hustles all the way home on that one!

SECN+ | https://t.co/DpPPgTAlvB#Team30 #RollTide pic.twitter.com/v3l6NcVuzq

— Alabama Softball (@AlabamaSB) March 7, 2026

Later in the same inning, Ambrey Taylor stroked a two-run jack. It was the second pinch-hit homer of the freshman’s collegiate career. OM could not score in the bottom of the inning, which triggered the run rule.

Pinch-hit home run for Ambrey Taylor!

SECN+ | https://t.co/DpPPgTAlvB#Team30 #RollTide pic.twitter.com/GV0tleiM5o

— Alabama Softball (@AlabamaSB) March 7, 2026

Vic Moten got the start and pitched 3.2 innings. She gave up four hits and both runs with one walk, two HBP, and struck out six. For some reason, Moten was lifted in the 4th with two outs and no one on base. Kaitlyn Pallozzi (5-0) allowed one hit with two walks over the final 2.1 innings and 5 Ks.

NOTES:

• The Alabama defense converted one out during Pallozzi’s time in the circle.
• Pupillo and Kinley Pate each swiped a base.
• No errors for Bama.

GAME 3: ALABAMA 2, OLE MISS 1​

With the two teams taking Saturday off, they were back at it on Sunday for the finale.

It was more runner left on base for the Crimson Tide. Despite 8 hits and 5 walks for Bama, they had 11 LOBs for the game. The Tide left six runners on base in the first three innings and had no runs to show for it. They finally broke through in the 4th when Audrey Vandagriff singled in a run from third. Alabama added a second run in the 5th inning after a SAC fly from Salen Hawkins.

Oher than that, it was a whole lotta stranded runners as Alabama put runners on base in every inning. Meanwhile, Bama starter Jocelyn Briski held Ole Miss to four singles and one run while striking out an octet and not yielding a walk or HBP. Briski seemed to be running out of gas as she gave up three singles in the 7th. With two outs, it was Vic Moten to the rescue who came in and struck out the fina batterof the game/series.

NOTES:

• This should have been something like a 5-1 win. Alabama did not take advantage of opportunities.
• The Alabama home run streak was snapped.
• Bama runners stole three bases.

[SURGEON GENERAL WARNING: The section below is not all rainbows, lollipops, and unicorns. If we see an issue that we deem worth discussing, RBR is not going to shy away from it. That is the MO that this whole website is based on. If you want sunshine pumped up your nether regions, there are PLENTY of those people more than willing to provide that service. If you are easily triggered, stop reading now and play the above video on repeat. If you live in the real world, carry on my wayward son.]

SERIES NOTES​

Duke climbs the ladder for that one to end the inning!

SECN+ | https://t.co/5GyaPtAqLB#Team30 #RollTide pic.twitter.com/FzWFVZNX4a

— Alabama Softball (@AlabamaSB) March 8, 2026

Third base remains an issue for this Alabama team. We discussed it in Comments of the previous post but to recap, the Tide is not getting a lot of production out of the three players who are vying for the position. Abby Duchscherer is approaching .200 at the plate. Mari Hubbard has 1 HR, 1 RBI. The third option is actually Gerritt Griggs and she’s not blowing anyone away.

Freshman Ambrey Taylor already has more home runs and same number of RBI than that trio (3 HR, 9 RBI) and has done so in just 15 at bats. She played shortstop in high school, so it would be assumed that she could play third base. However, Bama may be too deep into the season to be performing any experiments.

In her three starts, Taylor has played first base. Again from Comments, the problem is that Brooke Wells is in that spot and having an All-American-like season. If you DH one of those two, Alexis Pupillo has to sit or move to catcher, and then Giles sits (and she is hitting .429).

I am so sure that Patrick Murphy is an avid reader of RBR and gets all his ideas from us. Our latest suggestion is to give Taylor a shot at the hot corner against Samford on Tuesday.

• Alabama coaxed 21 walks over the series. That is 7 per game for you mathematicians at home. Tehy also whiffed a dozen times.
• 13 Tide players participated in all three games, including Kristen White, Larissa Preuitt, and Mari Hubbard.
• Hawkins was 1 for 8 with 2 RBI but played solid defense.
• Jena Young was 1 for 7 with a run scored.
• Alabama had four homers but only one double.
• No errors for the series! ☺
• The green safety base was back for this series. It looks like it will be a permanent fixture in the SEC.

MVPs​

• WELLS: 7-9 (.778 BA), 1 HR, 1 DBL, 4 RBI, 3 RUNS, 0 K
• ROMAN: 4-7 (.571), 1 HR, 4 RBI, 2 RUNS, 3 BB, 2 SB, 0 K
• BRISKI: 13.2 IP, 2 WINS, 4 HITS – ALL SINGLES, 4 RUNS, 2 BB, 15 K, 8-0 overall

UPCOMING ALABAMA SCHEDULE​

Things get real for the Crimson Tide as they host the 5/6/7/9 ranked Razorbacks (22-2) who just swept UGA.

• Tue, Mar 10 vs Samford 7pm/8pm – St. Patty’s Day!
• Fri, Mar 13 vs Arkansas 6pm/7pm – Autism Advocacy Day
• Sat, Mar 14 vs Arkansas 2pm/3pm – Marlie Giles Senior Day
• Sun, Mar 15 vs Arkansas 1:30/2:30 – Power of Pink

HOW TO WATCH… ALLEGEDLY​

• Oddly enough, the Samford game will be on the SECN. The other three can be streamed on SECNX Streaming (ESPN+).

#RollTide #Team30

Source: https://www.rollbamaroll.com/alabam...a-softball-sweeps-ole-miss-remains-undefeated

 

[Uvopia]

Jumbo Package: Offensive line in focus as spring practice begins

PASADENA, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 1: Michael Carroll #64 and Ryan Williams #2 of the Alabama Crimson Tide runs into the locker room during the second quarter of the College Football Playoff Quarter Final Game against the Indiana Hoosiers at Rose Bowl Stadium on January 1, 2026 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by CFP/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Happy Monday, everyone. With the thumping of Auburn on Saturday, the men’s basketball team clinched the 2-seed in the SEC Tournament, and will play on Friday. Emilee Smarr has ticket information for anyone who would like to go to Nashville for the festivities. The women lost to Texas in the SEC quarterfinals and are a projected 6-seed in the dance.

On the diamonds, the baseball team earned a sweep of North Florida while softball swept Ole Miss to remain unbeaten.

The Gym Tide scored a road victory at Illinois, led once again by spectacular freshman Azaraya Ra-Akbar.

The No. 3 Alabama gymnastics team (9-4) defeated Illinois (4-12), 197.125-196.175, Sunday afternoon in Huff Hall. The Crimson Tide’s uneven bars rotation highlighted the day, as the squad recorded a program-record 49.700 score, spearheaded by a perfect 10.000 from freshman Azaraya Ra-Akbar.

Ra-Akbar’s perfect routine, and the Tide’s first since the 2024 season, gave her five event titles this season on the uneven bars and marked the first 10.000 on bars by a UA gymnast since program alum Makarri Doggette in 2023. Entering Sunday, the Tide’s 49.700 rotation score ranks second nationally and leads the Southeastern Conference.

Football spring practice started yesterday, and the offensive line is a focus.

Alabama is going through a particularly transitional offseason up front. Michael Carroll is the Crimson Tide’s only returning offensive line starter after Kam Dewberry, Jaeden Roberts and Geno VanDeMark ran out of eligibility, Parker Brailsford and Kadyn Proctor headed to the NFL early and Wilkin Formby transferred to Texas A&M.

Carroll is a strong start to the group, having taken over the starting job midway through the 2025 season and shown clear improvement throughout his true freshman campaign. However, if Alabama is to reach the upper echelon of college football again, it has to find a starting five that can be better than last year’s group.

Racin Delgatty transferred in from Cal Poly and could take over at center, and Jayvin James arrives as a tackle with SEC starting experience at Mississippi State. UA will also likely be reliant on some unproven pieces.

This is an interesting nugget on weight changes.

Last year, USC listed Thompkins at 290 pounds. Alabama has him up to 298 pounds, a weight gain that could see him primarily used as a defensive tackle.

Given the losses at the position that the Crimson Tide saw this offseason, having Thompkins further inside made sense. But with his weight at Southern Cal, he also made sense at the defensive end position that Kane Wommack calls the “bandit.”

In theory, that’s still possible, especially if bandit depth becomes a major concern at some point. However, the weight gain likely solidifies that the Crimson Tide will be keeping Thompkins inside.

Most folks thought Thompkins would slot in at Bandit. If not, South Carolina transfer Desmond Umeozulu may well be your man.

Tampering is a hot topic in the sport.

The Ferrelli situation was not one of a kind in this portal cycle. Multiple GMs told ESPN they had players who had already re-signed get contacted by Power 4 schools inquiring about the cost of their buyout. The agents generally viewed breaking contracts as too problematic to pursue and guaranteed to burn relationships with schools. Some said they would even drop the player as a client if put in that position.

One ACC GM felt the Ferrelli move was nowhere near as troubling as Miami swiping star quarterback Darian Mensah from Duke at the portal deadline. The Hurricanes’ last-minute push to flip Mensah away from the ACC champs resulted in Duke suing the quarterback and settling for an undisclosed sum to release him from his two-year contract.

“It’s like they robbed a bank in broad daylight, walked out with no mask and no alarms went off,” the ACC GM said with a chuckle.

One month after Swinney’s news conference, NCAA vice president of enforcement Jon Duncan sent a memo to member schools warning that his group has been charged with pursuing “significant penalties” for tampering violations — including any contact between agents and coaches about players who are not in the portal. He vowed work is underway to modernize and streamline the investigative process for more expedited resolutions.

“Simply put, communicating with an agent for a student-athlete who is not in the transfer portal is a tampering violation,” Duncan wrote.

Now we’ll see if there is anything they can do about it.

The Dolphins are eating a record amount of salary cap space in order to get rid of Tua.

The Dolphins will release quarterback Tua Tagovailoa after the start of the new league year in a move that will leave Miami with an NFL-record $99.2 million in dead money against the salary cap.

The Dolphins announced their intention to release Tagovailoa in a statement Monday. A source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter that Tagovailoa’s release will be designated post-June 1, allowing the Dolphins to split the dead money over two years.

“As we move forward, we will be focused on infusing competition across the roster and establishing a strong foundation for this team as we work towards building a sustained winner,” Dolphins general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan said in the team’s statement.

The post-June 1 designation will leave the Dolphins with a $67.4 million dead hit against the salary cap in 2026, followed by $31.8 million in 2027. The move ends Tagovailoa’s six seasons in Miami only one year into the franchise-record extension he signed in 2024.

I just hope he avoids any more head injuries.

Last, a troll account successfully duped many on the tweeter this weekend.

Claim: Richardson slammed his former coach, Saban, for his commentary on NIL. We will link the quote below.

“Honestly, I don’t get why he’s even commenting on it, they gave me and my family $75,000 just to commit, plus $10,000 a month to stay at Alabama,” an X account tweeted while claiming to quote Richardson.

Source of rumor: The account making the claim on X is called “No3 Sports.” It has around 17k followers and has been active for almost 10 years. On the surface, it appears to be a fairly reputable source.

Verdict: False. No3 Sports is a parody account. As reputable as it seems on the surface, the page says right in its bio that it reports parody news for college sports. This one about Richardson and Saban just happened to hit mainstream news and confuse the masses.

Even two-time Super Bowl champ LeSean McCoy reacted to the tweet, believing it was real.

People are dumb.

That’s about it for today. Have a great week.

Roll Tide.

Source: https://www.rollbamaroll.com/alabam...nsive-line-in-focus-as-spring-practice-begins

 

[Uvopia]

Starting Pitching Leads Alabama To Sweep Over North Florida

Feb 21, 2026; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama batter Bryce Fowler (9) runs to first after connecting with a pitch during the game with Rhode Island at Sewell-Thomas Stadium in the first game of a Saturday double header. | Gary Cosby Jr.-Tuscaloosa News / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The Alabama Crimson Tide swept their three game series with the North Florida Ospreys over the weekend. The Tide improved to 14-3 on the season while UNF fell to 8-9. Bama won game one 7-2, took game two 9-3, and finished off the sweep with a dominate 12-2 win in a game shortened to 7 innings by the Mercy Rule. Alabama used dominate starting pitching, some wildness by North Florida’s pitching, and a mixture of small ball and power to secure the sweep. I would venture to say coach Rob Vaughn’s squad bunted more this weekend than they have in his first two seasons in Tuscaloosa combined. The small ball was a combination of bunting for hits, straight sacrifices, and a couple of safety squeeze’s to score runs. This year’s team is running a lot more than in the past as well. The Tide stole eight bases in the series and now has been successful on 38 out of 40 tries.

Game One- Won 7-2

Junior right hander Tyler Fay was dominate, striking out a career high 11 batters, and Justin Osterhouse, Jason Torres, and Brady Neal combined for 10 hits and six runs to lead the Tide to a 7-2 victory over North Florida on Friday night at Sewell-Thomas Field. Fay also tossed a career high seven innings.

Fay was efficient all night and started the game with a perfect first inning on only eight pitches. The Tide got a bunt single from Neal and walk to Luke Vaughn in the bottom half, but could not score off of NFU left hander Dakota Stone. Fay struck out the side in the top of the second on 11 pitches. Bama took the lead in the bottom half of the frame. Osterhouse led off with an infield hit on a dribbler to the left side. Peyton Steele walked and both men moved up on a perfect sac bunt by Brennan Holt. A ground out to shortstop by Chase Kroberger plated the games first run and gave the freshman the first RBI of his career.

Fay had a perfect third with two strikeouts and a comebacker to the mound. Alabama added two more in the bottom half. Neal led off with a single and moved to second on a throw away pick off attempt. After Vaughn lined out to center field for out one, Torres laid down a perfect squeeze bunt for a sacrifice and a RBI. Steele singled to score the second run of the frame. Fay finally allowed his first base runner in the top of the fourth on a bunt single by Sean Benjamin. A double play started by Justin LeBron and a ground out to first base ended the inning. The Tide got a leadoff bunt single and a stolen base from LeBron in the bottom half, but he was stranded after two strikeouts and a ground out.

North Florida finally broke through against Fay in the fifth. A ground ball up the middle hit the second base bag and bounced away just as LeBron was set to field it. Gialdri Gomez then hit the next pitch into the right field plaza for a two run home run, cutting the lead to 3-2. Fay recovered to strikeout the side and hold the lead.

The Tide got those runs back in the bottom half. Torres singled to lead off, ended Stone’s night. Ryan Furey replaced Stone and was greeted by a double by Osterhouse to put runners on second and third. Steele then smoked a triple to plate both runners. The three bagger was Bama’s first triple of the season. After the next two batters were retired, LeBron hit a ball to deep field and was robbed of extra bases on a great grab by Gomez. The play instigated some chirping between the teams, something the Ospreys were involved in all game.

Fay retired the side in order in the sixth and allowed only a single in the seventh with two strikeouts to end his career best night. Fay allowed four hits with one walk, two runs, and 11 strikeouts. Bama added on in the bottom of the seventh. After Torres just missed a home run off the top of the left field wall for a double, Osterhouse lined a 3-2 pitch into the plaza for his second home run of the season. With a 7-2 lead Alabama called on Evan Steckmesser to finish off the game. The lefty pitched the final two innings and allowed no hits and no runs with one walk and two strikeouts.
Alabama hit 14-35 in the game with four walks, 10 strikeouts, two sac bunts, two doubles, a triple, a home run, two stolen bases, and left 11 men on base. Osterhouse was 4-5 with a home run, double, three runs scored, two RBI, and a stolen base. Neal was 3-4 with a walk and a run. Torres finished 3-4 with a double, sacrifice, two runs, and two RBI. Steele drove in three runs on a 2-3 night with a triple and a walk. Fay improved to 3-1 with the victory. NFU hit 4-29 with two walks, 13 strikeouts, and two left on base. The Ospreys committed three errors. Stone fell to 0-1 with the loss.

Game Two- Won 9-3

The Crimson Tide defeated North Florida in game two of their series by scoring six runs in the bottom of the first and cruising to a 9-3 victory. Bama used three hits from Bryce Fowler and two from Johnny Lemm and Brennan Holt to take down the Ospreys. Junior left hander Zane Adams was the starter and winner for the Tide.

UNF actually took the lead in the top of the first off of Adams on a two out RBI single by Boone Hosey that scored Matthew Farner. North Florida starter Clay Hendry struggled mightly in the bottom half of the frame. After retiring Fowler to start the inning Hendry was touched by a double from Justin LeBron. Brady Neal and Luke Vaughn walked before Lebeon scored in an error. Lemm than smoked a double the opposite way down the left field line to score two more runs. Jason Torres and Justin Osterhouse walked, and advance a base on a Peyton Steele ground out. Holt was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Fowler, up for the second time of the inning, hit an opposite field double of his own to played two more runs for a 6-1 lead. Hendry only lasted 2/3 of an inning and allowed two hits and six runs, walking four batters and hitting one.

Adams turned in scoreless innings in the second and third before allowing one run in the fourth on two walks and an RBI single. The walks were only the 2nd and 3rd issued by Adams all season. The Tide got one of those runs back in the bottom of the fourth. Holt tripled to lead off and scooted home on a single by Fowler. Adams finished his day with a perfect fifth inning and left the game holding a 7-2 lead.

Austin Morris took over on the mound in the sixth for the Tide, and struggled with his control. A walk, a single, and a hit batter loaded the bases with one out and brought Sam Mitchell out of the bullpen to replace Morris. Mitchell’s first pitch hit Drew Buchman to force in UNF’s third run of the game. A fly out and a strikeout followed to limit the damage. Mitchell was back out in the seventh after a ground out and a walk the big right hander picked the runner off first base and induced another groundout to end the inning.Bama finished their scoring in the bottom of the seventh. Lemm lined a shot to centerfield and when Sean Benjamin slipped going for the ball the big Aussie catcher lumbered around the bases with a stand up triple. After Torres was hit by a pitch, Osterhouse laid down a perfect safety squeeze bunt to score Lemm. With two outs Holt bunted for a single and Fowler followed with a bunt single of his own to score Torres with the last run of the game.

Freshman left hander Luke Smyers took the eighth for the Tide and worked around a lead off single with a pair of strikeouts and a groundout. Bama went down quickly in the bottom half and Anthony Pesci pitched the ninth for the Tide. Pesci walked one and struck out two in a scoreless frame, locking down the 9-3 Alabama victory.

The Tide hit 10-31 in the game with six walks, three hit batters, six strikeouts, three doubles, two triples, and left eight men on base. Fowler finished 3-5 with a double and four RBI. Lemm was 2-5 with a double and triple, two RBI, and two runs scored. Holt was 2-3 with a triple, stolen base, run, and a HBP. Osterhouse was 1-1 with two walks, a HBP, an RBI, and a run scored. LeBron doubled and scored and swiped his 15th base of the year in 15 tries. Adams improved to 3-0 on the year with the victory. UNF hit 7-33 in the game with five walks, two hit batters, nine strikeouts, and left 10 men on base.

Game Three- Won 12-2, 7 innings Mercy Rule

Freshman right hander Myles Upchurch toed the rubber for the Tide in his fourth start of his career in Sunday’s game three of the series. Left hander Joseph Dimino was his counterpart for UNF. Like Tyler Fay was on Friday, Upchurch was extremely efficient early in the game. Upchurch needed only seven pitches in the top of the 1st to retire the side, which included a strikeout. All seven pitches went for strikes. Alabama went ahead in the bottom half of the frame. Justin LeBron walked with one out, then stole his 16th base of the year in 16 attempts. Brady Neal then walked and both moved up on a sacrifice bunt by Johnny Lemm. Lemm appeared to be bunting for a hit but was thrown out. Jason Torres then walked to load the bases and Andrew Purdy collected an RBI when he was hit by a pitch to plate LeBron.

Upchurch allowed a single to Boone Hosey leading off the 2nd inning, but a pop out and two more strikeouts ended the inning with the righty throwing only 10 pitches. When Dimino walked Peyton Steele leading off the bottom of the 2nd Dimino was replaced by right hander Brandon Adams. Brennan Holt drew a walk of his own and when Bryce Fowler singled, the bases were loads with no outs. LeBron struck out for out one before Neal socked a sacrifice fly to deep center to score Steele for the 2-0 lead. A Lemm fly out ended the inning with the Tide wasting an opportunity to break the game wide open.

The Ospreys number nine hitter, Seth Alford, touched Upchurch for a one out home run in the top of the 3rd to cut the lead to one. Upchurch worked around a two out single and notched another strikeout to end the inning. The Tide went down in order in the bottom half. The calm, cool, freshman Upchurch then had an eight pitch top of the 4th with two more whiffs of North Florida batters.

Bama got to Adams in the bottom of the fourth. Steele reached on an error and Holt walked to put two runners on with no outs. Fowler struck out before LeBron reached on an infield single to load bases. Neal then took the first pitch he saw the other way, far over the left field wall, for a grand slam home run and a 6-1 lead. The Tide wasn’t through. Johnny Lemm reached on a single and after out two Purdy walked. Justin Osterhouse blooped a single to left for an RBI as Lemm raced home to make the score 7-1.

Upchurch struck out two more batters in a perfect top of the 5th. Bama poured three more runs on in the bottom half. The rally was started with two outs when LeBron walked and Neal beat out a perfect bunt for a single. Lemm walked to load the bases before Torres blasted a base clearing double to right center field for a 10-1 lead. Upchurch was back out for the 6th and again struck out two batters to bring his total to 11 in the game. Bama added two more in the bottom half when Holt singled and stole second and then scored in front of Fowler’s opposite field home run to left field.

With a 12-1 lead entering the top of the 7th, Upchurch was trying to finish off the complete game, run rule win. Hosey led off and walked on a border line ball four call. When Sean Benjamin hit a single, Upchurch was replaced in favor of Ashton Crowther. Pinch hitter Connor Witherington blooped a little fly ball that fell in no man’s land behind second base for an RBI single, cutting the lead to 12-2. A double play turned by Holt and LeBron came next and a ground ball to Torres at third ended the game with the mercy rule.

The Tide hit 9-26 in the game with nine walks, one hit batter, one sac bunt, one sac fly, six strikeouts, two home runs, a double, three stolen bases, and left eight men left on base. Neal was 2-2 with five RBI, a grand slam home run, a sacrifice fly, and two runs scored. Fowler was 2-5 with a home run, two RBI, a stolen base, and a run scored. Torres drove in three on his 1-3 day with a double and a walk. Lemm was 1-3 with a walk, a sac bunt, and two runs scored. LeBron hit 1-3, had two walks, a stolen base, and three runs scored. Upchurch improved to 3-1 with his longest outing and most strikeouts of the year. The hurler pitched six innings, allowed four hits, one walk, two runs, and struck out 11 men.

UNF hit 5-25 with one walk, 11 strikeouts, and three men left in base. Tide pitching held the Ospreys to 16-87 in the series for a .183 batting average. Bama pitchers struck out 33 batters, walked only eight, allowed two home runs, and stranded 15 men on base.

Overall Alabama hit a robust .358, collecting 33 hits in 92 at bats while drawing 19 walks, being hit five times and striking out 22 times. The Tide left 27 men on base in the three games, stole eight bases, had four sac bunts, slammed three triples, five doubles, and three home runs. Bama out scored UNF 28-7 in the series.

Who Did What ?
*Bryce Fowler 5-10, home run (5), double, 6 RBI, stolen base, run

*Justin Osterhouse 5-10, 4 RBI, home run (2), double, 4 runs

*Brady Neal 5-9, home run (4), 5 RBI, sac fly, 4 runs

*Jason Torres 4-9, 2 doubles, 5 RBI, 2 sac bunts, 4 runs

*Justin LeBron 3-12, double, 3 stolen bases, 2 walks, HBP, 4 runs

*Brennan Holt 3-6, triple, 3 runs, 4 walks, HBP, 2 sac bunts, 2 stolen bases

*Myles Upchurch W (3-1) 6 IP 4 hits, 2 runs, 1 walk, 11 strikeouts

*Tyler Fay W (3-1) 7 IP, 4 hits, 1 walk, 11 strikeouts, 2 runs

*Zane Adams W (3-0) 5 IP, 5 hits, 2 runs, 2 walks, 4 strikeouts

Next up the Tide hosts Troy at 6 p.m. in Tuesday night at Sewell-Thomas Stadium

Roll Tide

Bama Baseball Fever, catch it!

Source: https://www.rollbamaroll.com/alabam...ing-leads-alabama-to-sweep-over-north-florida

 

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Jumbo Package: Former Tide players make waves in NFL Free Agency

Sep 18, 2021; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Josh Jobe (28) against the Florida Gators at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

The football world is fully focused on NFL free agency right now. The very first news to break on Monday morning was that the Dolphins had released QB Tua Tagovailoa (and paid him $99 million to hit the door). It only took a few hours after that, and Tua already had a new job:

Former Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa plans to sign a one-year deal with the Atlanta Falcons, a source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

The move now will give the Falcons two left-handed quarterbacks, Tagovailoa and Michael Penix Jr., heading into the 2026 season.

Tagovailoa was informed Monday that he will be released by the Dolphins.

The Falcons entered the offseason in the market for a quarterback, with Penix Jr. recovering from a knee injury and Kirk Cousins set to be released before the start of the new league year Wednesday.

Atlanta’s answer at the position is Tagovailoa, who will cost the Dolphins an NFL-record $99.2 million in dead money against the salary cap. A source told Schefter that Tagovailoa’s release will be designated post-June 1, allowing the Dolphins to split the dead money over two years.

Jokes aside about it being an All-Injured QB room, this is a move that makes a good bit of sense for both parties. Both QBs being left-handed is a nice perk, and while Atlanta has been high on Penix, it’s clear they aren’t ready to put all their eggs in that basket. Add in the fact that the Falcons have a solid cast of skill players, and this is a good spot for Tua to take a 1-year career reset where he can either mentor, or take the reigns if Penix can’t get healthy or just isn’t good enough.

On top of that, Miami also jettisoned Minkah Fitzpatrick:

The New York Jets addressed a major need in their secondary before the start of free agency on Monday, acquiring five-time Pro Bowl safety Minkah Fitzpatrick in a trade with the Miami Dolphins, sources told ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

The Jets will send a 2026 seventh-round pick from the Chargers to the Dolphins, sources told ESPN.

Fitzpatrick, 29, will sign a three-year, $40 million contract with New York, agent Drew Rosenhaus told Schefter. The trade can’t be processed until the start of the league year on Wednesday.

He had one year, $15.6 million (non-guaranteed) remaining on his contract with Miami.

The Fins are clearly looking to rebuild this year, and, unfortunately for Minkah, the Jets were the beneficiary for only a bag of peanuts, rather than Miami just cutting him and letting him sign where he would like. Stay classy, Miami.

Meanwhile, Josh Jobe also got a nice deal that is his first NFL money that isn’t just 1-year UDFA contracts.

Cornerback Josh Jobe will be back for the title defense in Seattle.

According to multiple reports, Jobe has agreed to re-sign with the Seahawks. It is reported to be a three-year deal worth $24 million.

Jobe signed with the Eagles after going undrafted out of Alabama in 2022 and signed to the Seahawks’ practice squad after being waived in Philadelphia in 2024. He appeared in 10 games that season and took on a starting role in 2025.

It wasn’t long ago that Jobe was a freshman who was thrust into a National Championship blowout and had to cover a veteran Justyn Ross. He did his time at Alabama after that and wound up having two good years as a starter, but was ignored by the media and ignored by the NFL. After bouncing off the Eagles’ roster, he was picked up by Seattle in 2024 and slowly forced his way into the starting rotation the last two seasons, and now he’s a $24 million dollar man.

Somehow, the NFL didn’t notice that he was one of the top defensive backs in the whole league last year, so he didn’t get top of the market money.

Josh Jobe allowed the 4th-lowest completion percentage in the NFL this season (47.7%, min. 50 targets).

Jobe also allowed the 4th-fewest yards per target (5.4) among outside corners with 50+ targets.@Seahawks https://t.co/iPzD5ApFEJ pic.twitter.com/twQ35R1sYE

— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) March 9, 2026

Still, a 3-year, $24M deal is something that most only dream of. Roll Tide, Jobe!

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If you find any value in it, Alabama did post a video yesterday with some brief highlight clips from the opening of spring practice.

1-0 mentality pic.twitter.com/x8ivlxbBBv

— Alabama Football (@AlabamaFTBL) March 9, 2026

WR Rico Scott got a handful of highlights, but notably he beat #21 on one of his catches… That’s Dre Kirkpatrick, Jr., who, last we heard was suspended. So it does seem like Dre is back on the team.

The video ended with Noah Rogers making a leaping catch over 6’3” JUCO corner, Nick Sherman. It was impressive… But also had the ball hitting him right in the chest before he cradled it. I really would love for that specific action to get totally eliminated from Alabama’s receivers.

We also got a little bit of actual practice footage rather than just edited highlights:

Scenes from Alabama's first practice of the spring:
– QBs Austin Mack and Keelon Russell
– WR Ryan Williams (now Ryan Coleman-Williams & wearing #1)
– new WR coach Derrick Nix
– Yhonzae Pierre sporting his new #0
– new OL coach Adrian Klemm
– new TE coach Richard Owens

:… pic.twitter.com/Dg7vvMriwC

— The Next Round (@NextRoundLive) March 9, 2026

Again, nothing too noteworthy that Casey Poe took a double-team rep paired up with Michael Carroll. It probably means nothing, but Poe is a name we’ve barely talked about and could be someone worth paying attention to as Alabama looks to solidify an offensive line this offseason.

And here’s some video of the Wolf group:

Alabama’s Wolf group going through drills.

0 Yhonzae Pierre
8 Justin Hill
9 Dez Zulu
14 Fatutoa Henry
41 Jamarion Matthews

So both Zulu and Matthews are, in fact, at Wolf to start spring practice. Let’s see if it sticks, but certainly a noteworthy development

( UA Athletics) pic.twitter.com/LaxIvMr8mz

— Clint Lamb (@ClintRLamb) March 9, 2026

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In hoops news, Alabama now has only a few days to wait before they see their SEC Tournament opening opponent. And in either case, it will be a revenge game.

“If we see Texas they’ll play back-to-back nights before they play us,” Tide Head Coach Nate Oats said. “If we see Georgia, they’ll at least have had to play one night.”

But when it comes to confidence, a benefit the Longhorns and Bulldogs have is having beaten Alabama this season.

The Longhorns came to Tuscaloosa January 10 and beat the Tide 92-88. Jordan Pope, Tramon Mark and Dailyn Swain combined to score 64 points. Pope scored 28 and knocked down six 3-pointers. The ‘Horns outrebounded the Tide 48-38.

And, more recently on March 3, the Georgia Bulldogs beat Alabama 98-88. Kanon Catchings had a career night, scoring 32 points while knocking down seven three-pointers. The Tide got outrebounded 40-30 in that one Georgia got 25 second chance points compared to only nine for the Tide.

“They’re both good,” Oats said. “And we didn’t look good against either one of them. So we’re gonna have to fix what was wrong in those games.”

Good luck to the Tide!

Source: https://www.rollbamaroll.com/jumbo-...er-tide-players-make-waves-in-nfl-free-agency

 

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RBR Bracketology 2026: Can the Tide Secure a Three-Seed?

TUSCALOOSA, ALABAMA - MARCH 7: Labaron Philon #0 of the Alabama Crimson Tide celebrates after knocking down a first half three against the Auburn Tigers at Coleman Coliseum on March 7, 2026 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Brandon Sumrall/Getty Images) | Getty Images

After Alabama’s upset loss at Georgia in Athens last Tuesday, I wrote the following regarding the Crimson Tide’s postseason outlook:

Alabama’s chances of playing its way up to a 3-seed in the NCAA Tournament just got a lot harder as well, as it will likely take a deep run in Nashville (assuming the committee hasn’t already set the bracket before the Tide even takes the floor on Friday) in order for Nate Oats’ team to push up to that 3-line and avoid sharing a quadrant with one of the absolutely loaded 1-seeds this year.

In hindsight, I may have been a bit pessimistic in that analysis. The Tide got a lot of help from others battling for one of those coveted 3-seeds – Purdue lost at home to Wisconsin over the weekend, Texas Tech got swept in their two games last week, Nebraska got waxed by UCLA in their midweek match, and Kansas laid an enormous egg against an Arizona State team that turned around and fired its coach yesterday. Comparatively, losing a close game at Georgia really looks a whole lot better than those other outcomes, as the Dawgs are solidly in the NCAA Tournament field, and said loss would actually register as a Quad 1A game.

So, maybe a super deep run won’t be needed for Nate Oats’ boys this week. In fact, as of this writing, Bracket Matrix – an aggregate of all legitimate ‘bracketologists’ projected brackets for the year – actually has Alabama listed as the final 3-seed:

Now, that’s an incredibly slim margin over a Gonzaga team that beat Alabama pretty handily on a neutral floor earlier this year. However, the Zags have been without their starting big man, Braden Huff, and likely won’t have him back for the NCAA Tournament. The selection committee has said time and again that they take into account who will be available for each team, and Gonzaga has been substantially worse sans Huff. Either way, it’s probably best to root against the Zags tonight as they play bubble-team Santa Clara in the WCC Championship Game.

For Alabama’s part, it helps that the Tide is starting off in the Quarterfinals where a single win would likely register as a “deep run”. It helps further that Alabama’s opponent will likely be another Quad 1 opportunity, as the Tide will face whoever emerges from the Georgia/Texas/Ole Miss quadrant of the bracket. I personally would love another shot at Texas or Georgia in a game where they don’t have one of their guards making everything they throw up in the general vicinity of the basket.

Current Post-Season Odds​

All in all, Alabama’s overall NCAA Tournament outlook is similar to where it has been most of the Oats Era – if things break a certain way, the Tide is hitting shots, pushing the pace, and at least competing on the glass, the Final Four is absolutely in the range of outcomes. ‘Bama may not be one of the outright favorites like they were in 2023, but pretty much every other year during Oats’ tenure the Tide is one of the trendy dark horses capable of making a Final Four run.

Avoiding the one-seeds until that final weekend in April would go a long way in making that a reality. Hopefully, Alabama can make the case for a spot on the 3-line this week in Nashville. More on the SEC Tournament to come later this week, but for now, here’s a glance at where FanDuel currently values the Tide’s chances of cutting down some nets in the Big Dance:

Odds to Make Final Four: 25/1

Odds to Win NCAA Tournament: 100/1

* Odds Subject to Change

Visit College Basketball Odds: NCAA Men’s Lines & Spreads | FanDuel for more information and to place your wagers.

Source: https://www.rollbamaroll.com/alabam...etology-2026-can-the-tide-secure-a-three-seed

 

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2026 SEC Tournament Preview and Odds

GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 1: Amari Allen #5 of the Alabama Crimson Tide drives to the basket against Alex Condon #21 of the Florida Gators during the first half of a game at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center on February 1, 2026 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images) | Getty Images

It’s the most wonderful time of the year, as March Madness is here…and it is spectacular. Today, the SEC joins the Champ Week action, as the 2026 SEC Tournament tips-off in Nashville at 11:00 AM CST with 9th-seeded Kentucky playing 16th-seeded LSU. CB covered the overall schedule for the week the other day, and I’ll shamelessly copy and paste his gorgeous rendering of the bracket below:

Top shelf work there, CB.

We’ll obviously have more on Alabama’s opponent come Friday once we know who it is, but we wanted to provide the faithful readers of RBR with a quick primer on what to expect this week ahead of the opening tip today (all odds below provided by FanDuel).

The Favorites​

• Florida Gators -180

For the second year in a row, Todd Golden’s Florida Gators are playing as well as anybody in the country at the right time, as they are currently riding an 11-game winning streak – the 3rd longest active streak in college basketball. The guard play isn’t quite where it was a season ago – at least not from an offensive perspective – but the Florida frontcourt is one of the best I’ve ever seen, with all three starters (Thomas Haugh, Alex Condon, and Rueben Chinyelu) finding a place on an All-SEC team. Chinyelu was also named SEC Defensive Player of the Year, guard Urban Klavchar was voted SEC Sixth Man of the Year, and, of course, Golden was given SEC Coach of the Year.

Unfortunately, the Gators are back to being the class of the conference. They are heavily favored to repeat as SEC Tournament Champs, something that hasn’t been accomplished since Kentucky won three straight tournament titles from 2015-17. And barring a stunning one-and-done appearance, Florida will yet again be a one-seed in the NCAA Tournament when the bracket is unveiled on Sunday.

The Contenders​

• Arkansas Razorbacks +600
• Alabama Crimson Tide +750
• Vanderbilt Commodores +1200
• Tennessee Volunteers +1700

With that being said, the one-seed in the SEC Tournament hasn’t been very successful in recent years. Unless you are Alabama, of course. Auburn went 1-2 combined between 2022 and 2025 as the top seed in the field, 2024 Tennessee got stunned by Mississippi State in their one and only SEC Tournament game, 2019 LSU got clipped by Florida in a one-and-done appearance, etc. So, who could take advantage of such a misstep from the top-seeded Gators?

Obviously, I’ll start with the Tide. Alabama has been playing its best ball of the season over the past month, having only lost once since it met with Florida on February 1st. Arkansas is basically a mirror image of the Tide in roster makeup, and SEC Player of the Year Darius Acuff is expected to play after sitting out the final game of the season this past weekend against Missouri. These are the clear-cut best SEC teams outside of Gainesville, in my opinion. I said as much prior to their meeting in Tuscaloosa, which ended up being the Game of the Year in the conference. If you are looking for an alternative to the Gators this week, or a sleeper Final Four team next week, look no further than these two proud SEC programs.

Vandy is interesting. They have a couple of legitimately great two-way guards in SEC 1st-Teamer Tyler Tanner and Duke Miles. They really lack much on the interior though, which is a major problem against the Gators. The advanced metrics love the ‘Dores, but my (incredibly accurate) eye-test has never been blown away by this team as a whole. Tennessee is likely going to be without projected lottery pick, Nate Ament, who is still recovering from a knee injury he sustained when the Tide stunned the Vols in Knoxville a few weeks back. If he’s out, you are better off sending me any money you’d consider throwing on Tennessee. I’m not sure how great the Vols are even with him healthy.

Dark Horses​

• Georgia Bulldogs +3500
• Kentucky Wildcats +4500
• Texas A&M Aggies +5000

Three flawed, but dangerous, NCAA Tournament locks make up this tier. Georgia can really score the basketball (as Alabama learned the hard way) and is probably the best pick if you are looking for a longshot to make a deep run at playing on Sunday. But outside of their penchant for blocks, the defense is really not good, and they are horrible on the glass, even despite having some good size down low. Their insistence on selling out for blocked shots can really backfire.

Kentucky and Texas A&M just don’t inspire a lot of confidence. Mark Pope has already found himself on the hotseat in Lexington, and while Bucky McMillan has done a fantastic job getting his team to be competitive, it simply isn’t a great roster. The Wildcats also have probably the toughest path to a title, as LSU – despite the finish in seeding – is honestly a better team than a few others playing on Wednesday, Mizzou is a tough match-up for the ‘Cats, and then they would have to beat a rested Florida team just to get to Saturday.

Interesting Longshots​

• Texas Longhorns +10000
• Missouri Tigers +10000
• Oklahoma Sooners +12500

There’s almost always one team that plays deeper into the SEC Tournament than anticipated. They might not make a serious run at cutting down the nets, but a semifinal appearance on Saturday? Definitely doable. Missouri is a really solid team with some good bigs and decent guards, and they did actually beat Florida back at the beginning of January. But I wouldn’t hold my breath that this Tiger team can actually do that a second time.

Texas and Oklahoma are intriguing, though. The Longhorns honestly have one of the best starting fives in the conference, and when they actually buy-in on the defensive end of the court – like they did against Alabama a couple of months ago – they are extremely dangerous. That’s been a major ‘if’ though. The Sooners are quietly getting hot at the right time, as OU won four-straight to close out the season and silently slid their way back into the bubble conversation for the NCAA Tournament. They have a couple of guards who can really score the basketball.

Most importantly, they both are on the opposite side of the bracket as Florida.

The Rest​

• Auburn Tigers +15000
• Mississippi State Bulldogs +30000
• Ole Miss Rebels +30000
• LSU Tigers +30000
• South Carolina Gamecocks +35000

Save your money and time, friends. I think LSU could give Kentucky a scare in the opener today, and somebody has to win the Auburn-Mississippi State game, but these five teams are a lost cause. Maybe Auburn can muck things up for a few rounds and advance, but that team looks like they’ve quit.

It should be another fun week in Nashville. Enjoy March Madness while it lasts, folks!

Visit College Basketball Odds: NCAA Men’s Lines & Spreads | FanDuel for more information and to place your wagers.

Source: https://www.rollbamaroll.com/alabam...ll/80170/2026-sec-tournament-preview-and-odds

 

[Uvopia]

Jumbo Package: Kalen DeBoer talks spring injuries, new coaching staff

PASADENA, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 01: Head coach Kalen Deboer of the Alabama Crimson Tide looks on before the game against the Indiana Hoosiers in the College Football Playoff Quarterfinal at Rose Bowl Stadium on January 01, 2026 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Happy Gump Day, everyone. Kalen DeBoer spoke to media yesterday and covered a wide range of topics, starting with spring injuries.

Alabama linebacker Jah-Marien Latham is out for the spring as he recovers from a 2025 neck injury. Alabama defensive coordinator Kane Wommack confirmed Latham’s return to the Crimson Tide to The Tuscaloosa News in January. Alabama will also be without defensive lineman London Simmons and offensive lineman William Sanders in the spring.

Reigning first-team All-SEC safety Bray Hubbard, DeBoer said, will be “limited contact.”

DeBoer said there’s “nothing new, nothing new that’s happened in practice the first couple days.” And when it comes to A-Day and Alabama’s ability to “put on a good show” and actually scrimmage after two position groups were ravaged in 2025, DeBoer said “we’re in a different spot this year.”

Kalen seems pleased with his new coaching staff.

To replace them, Kalen DeBoer hired Richard Owens, Derrick Nix and Adrian Klemm. Owens is coaching the tight ends, Nix the receivers and Klemm the offensive line.

“I think we had great coaches that were here that I really appreciate and opportunities for them to move on, which they deserve,” DeBoer said Tuesday after the second practice. “And just coming in, three guys on offense, Nix, Owens and Klemm, just, I think there’s a mindset that they have, experience factor that they have. Whether it’s at this level or the NFL, and they know what it’s supposed to look like.”

Recently renamed Ryan Coleman-Williams has stepped into a leadership role at the receiver position.

“He’s taken that on,” DeBoer said Tuesday, March 10. “He’s taking a leadership role in order to lead and be vocal like he has. It’s in him. He brings just an energy and enthusiasm that you all see. It’s non-stop. But in order to do that, you have to work. He’s always done the work, and I really feel like he sees an opportunity. He continues to raise the work, raise the level and be efficient in it, because he’s always worked, but I think where he’s focusing that attention, it’s really intentional. It’s really great to see his leadership capabilities.”

Coleman-Williams regressed in 2025. With Germie Bernard taking the spotlight of consistency in the Alabama pass game, Coleman-Williams added 689 receiving yards, four touchdowns and an average of less than 50 receiving yards per game.

But in the midst of struggles, DeBoer saw a receiver in Coleman-Williams who “took a big step.”

Sounds like Caleb Woodson is going to be a starter.

“Bringing in Caleb as a captain-type guy, his leadership coming in has been certainly noted and appreciated,” DeBoer said. “Those guys all together, learning things together. Just excited. They’re hungry, just like any of the other positions we’re talking about. Like the offensive line, there’s a lot of new faces there for opportunities.”

Woodson was second in tackles among Hokie players last season with 58, including 2.5 for loss. He spent three seasons in Blacksburg, leaving Virginia Tech with 151 tackles, three pass breakups, two sacks and one interception.

The Crimson Tide hasn’t put on pads for its first two spring practices. It will return to the field on Thursday.

DeBoer plans some sort of scrimmage at this year’s A Day event.

“We always want a scrimmage and have a great spring game. Last year we just had two positions in particular (with injury problems). We wouldn’t have been able to put on a good show. We needed to get something out of the practices,” DeBoer said. “Unfortunately that’s where we were at a year ago. I think we’re in a different spot this year.”

The death of the spring game as a concept seemed to be sweeping across college football last year as a number of Power Four schools did what Alabama did, albeit citing a broad variety of reasons. The reason given at Nebraska, for instance, was that a spring game invited roster poaching via the NCAA spring transfer portal.

Brandon Marcello of CBS sees an identiy crisis for Alabama.

We wrote about this previously in our piece previewing the most interesting storylines across the country this spring, but it bears repeating: Alabama is facing an identity crisis under Kalen DeBoer. He won 11 games, including a playoff game after losing in the SEC Championship, in his second season, but he also planted a few red flags heading into 2026. Alabama couldn’t run the ball effectively last season, ranking 125th (104.1 yards per game), which placed too much pressure on QB Ty Simpson and led to a trio of embarrassing losses: at home to Oklahoma, in the SEC Championship Game against Georgia and against Indiana in the CFP. This spring is all about rekindling some toughness within the Tide’s program. It doesn’t help that four starting offensive linemen are gone, and Simpson is off to the NFL, but maybe a fresh start is what Alabama needs on offense.

Last, “anonymous coach” stories always amuse.

In an anonymous coach’s poll done by The Athletic, an anonymous SEC assistant coach talked about how much influence the show led by Rece Davis, Nick Saban, and Kirk Herbstreit truly has.

“Whatever is said on “GameDay” is like gold because now more than ever the fan support matters more than anything else,“ the coach said.

The fan support is paying the bills. It always has, but even more so now. You’ve got to keep those guys happy and they get their information from those guys on “College GameDay.” If Kirk Herbstreit said some guy is doing a really good job, they’re going to believe it. If they say he’s not doing a good job, they’re going to believe it. Right, wrong or indifferent, whatever is said they’re going to believe it.”

None of you can form your own opinions, you’re just Herbie lemmings.

That’s about it for now. Have a great day.

Roll Tide.

Source: https://www.rollbamaroll.com/alabam...boer-talks-spring-injuries-new-coaching-staff

 

[Uvopia]

Jumbo Package: Nate Oats speaks ahead of SEC Tournament

Tide defeats KSU 92-81 | Getty Images

Happy Thursday, everyone. Alabama basketball enjoys the second day of their double bye today before facing off against either Ole Miss or Georgia tomorrow evening. Nate Oats spoke to media ahead of the matchup.

“The fact that we’re 0-1 against Texas and 0-1 against Georgia, you can look at it two ways,” Oats said during Wednesday’s press conference before the Ole Miss-Texas game. “One is, shoot, we lost to both of these teams. Are they a better team than you? They’re good teams. There’s no doubt that both of those teams have very good rosters, very good coaches that play hard.

“So in one regard, would you like to play a team that you dominated? Well, it’s the SEC. We’re a 2-seed. You’re going to play a seven or 10, most likely. You could end up playing a 15. But most likely you’re playing a seven or 10. The 7-seed and the 10-seed in the SEC are both NCAA tournament teams. So you’re going to play a good team.”

10-seed Texas fell to the 15-seed Rebels last night. Alabama will more than likely be facing a rematch against the Georgia squad that took them to the woodshed just last week. The Texas loss puts them squarely on the bubble, and perhaps opens a door for Auburn to squeak in as the first 16-loss at large selection in tournament history. This year’s bubble is considered historically bad, yet people still want to talk about expanding the field from 68.

Caleb Holt chose Arizona over Alabama this week, leading to some conversation about Alabama’s ability to compete financially with some of the schools that prioritize basketball first. Nate seems comfortable with Alabama’s pocketbooks.

How comfortable is he with what Alabama men’s basketball has to work to essentially compensate players?

“First and foremost, I firmly believe we’re going to get the right players for our program,” Oats said. “We want players who come here for reasons that don’t have money at the top. I think when you take players in that money is the No. 1 thing, you end up with problems. Having said that, we’ve got to be fair. We’ve got to be in the market. We’ve got to be competitive. I think right now, I’ve had conversations with our administration, we’re going to be competitive. They’re doing a very good job working with our donors, business owners, the whole thing of how it needs to look now.”

Kalen DeBoer also spoke yesterday as spring practice rolls on. It sounds like positional versatility was prioritized on the defensive front.

DeBoer also mentioned a few newcomers who could potentially play the bandit (defensive end), among other positions.

“Des (Umeozulu) coming in, I know I’m going to miss some guys,” DeBoer said. “DT, Devan (Thompkins) being able to play inside and outside, so it isn’t always just wolf, bandit. Those guys have body types and skill sets that are going to allow our defensive staff to have fun, but put them in positions to go cut it loose and get after people.”

Umeozulu transferred in from South Carolina, where he played three seasons as an edge for the Gamecocks. Thompkins was a starting defensive tackle for Southern Cal last season.

He also mentions the possibility of Yhonzae Pierre or Justin Hill playing Bandit so that the two of them can be on the field together, which is interesting. There is plenty of talent up front this year.

Kalen likes what he has seen from his offensive line thus far.

“Guys are hungry,” Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer said Tuesday. “Guys come in, they’re wide-eyed, ready to learn. It creates competition. That’s what you want across your team, but especially in that room. And they really made a lot of improvements in the strength, and really excited about — you want to be excited about every guy, but excited about some certain guys in particular. And now, you just got to see that translate onto the football field.”

The development and cohesion remains in early stages. DeBoer said there’s some “thinking” going on.

“They’re trying to get used to just what their job is, much less trying to get used to playing with the guy next to them and hearing those calls when the bullets are really flying,” DeBoer said. “Walk-throughs are one thing. In the meeting room is another. But now you get on the football field. So, there’s a learning curve that these guys will go through.”

Last, Ryan Coleman-Williams has been a hot topic this offseason. Can he bounce back to reach his immense potential in 2026?

During Tuesday’s segment of the “Paul Finebaum Show,” ESPN analyst Adam Rittenberg detailed how Williams is perceived within the Alabama setup ahead of a pivotal 2026 season.

“There’s still a lot of talent in that program. We forgot about Ryan Williams,” Rittenberg said. “I remember talking to Ryan before the Rose Bowl about his season that certainly didn’t go as planned after his incredible freshman year. He has decided to stick it out and he has learned a lot about himself.

“His teammates are really supportive of all that he’s gone through. Got to campus at 17-years old, became a national superstar overnight. Had that incredible play against Georgia and it’s been rocky since, especially last season with the dropped passes. There’s hope that he’ll take a step forward this season. Still has the ability to make an impact in 2026.”

Needless to say, a breakout season from him would be huge.

That’s about it for now. Have a great day.

Roll Tide.

Source: https://www.rollbamaroll.com/alabam...ball-nate-oats-speaks-ahead-of-sec-tournament