Bama in the News

March 1 - 7, 2009

• Women's Basketball:
Mississippi State 67, Alabama 49

• Alabama Golfers Finish Eighth at Puerto Rico Classic • RollTide.com
The Alabama men's golf team turned in its best round of the tournament with a 2-under-par 286 in the final round of the Puerto Rico Classic on Sunday at the par-72, 6,902-yard River Course at the R... 

• Women's Basketball Drops Regular Season Finale to Mississippi State 67-49 • RollTide.com
The women's basketball fell to Mississippi State 67-49 in the Crimson Tide's last game of the regular season Sunday afternoon in Coleman Coliseum. Alabama finishes the season at 13-16 and 1-13 in ... 

• Tyson David Successfully Defends 5,000 Meter Indoor SEC Title • RollTide.com
The men's track and field team concluded action at the 2009 SEC Indoor Track and Field Championships hosted by the University of Kentucky Sunday night. Alabama came away with a SEC Champion and All... 

• Women's Track Finishes 10th at SEC Indoor Championships • RollTide.com
The women's track and field team concluded action at the 2009 SEC Indoor Track and Field Championships hosted by the University of Kentucky Sunday night. Alabama grabbed 16 points on the third and ...

• Gymnastics Posts Season-High Road Score at Penn State • RollTide.com
It was another road meet and another meet that came down to the balance beam and the last rotation for the Alabama Gymnastics team. 

• Gentry Estes: Tide gymnasts fall short in Happy Valley • al.com
Alabama's best balance beam rotation of the season wasn't enough to complete a late comeback during today's three-way meet at Penn State. The final gymnast up -- PSU's Brandi Personett -- scored a 9.95 that was the difference in her side's narrow victory. 

• 2009 SEC Women's Basketball Tournament • SEC Sports
2009 SEC Women's Basketball Tournament

• SEC Women's Basketball Roundup - March 1st • SEC Sports
SEC Women's Basketball Roundup - March 1st

• Gainesville WR Tai-Ler Jones narrows to 15, eliminates Georgia Tech • AJC
Gainesville wide receiver Tail-Ler Jones, one of the nation’s leaders in early offers with around 30, trimmed his last to 15 schools on Sunday evening.

• Scout TV: Phillip Sims • 'BamaMag  (Subscribers Only)
Four-star signal caller Phillip Sims looked excellent leading a stacked Virginia squad through the New Level Athletics 7-on-7 tournament until they ran into a New Hampshire team that played David to Virginia’s Goliath. We spoke to him before that game and talked about his recent recruiting activity. 

• Gymnastics:
Penn State 196.650,  Alabama 196.625, Ohio State 196.050

• Alabama-UIC Series Finale Cancelled • RollTide.com
Heavy snow fall and cold, blustery conditions have forced the cancellation of the series finale between Alabama and UIC on Sunday in Tuscaloosa. 

• Gentry Estes: Snow caps a red-hot week for UA sports • al.com
So I woke on this first morning of March to about an inch of snow on the ground at my house near the UA campus in Tuscaloosa. This is my first real snowfall since moving here in Aug. 2007, and it's the good kind of powder, meaning electricity is still on, roads are clear and, best I can tell, no one is freaking out and buying milk and batteries.

• Doug Segrest: Sunday SEC stock report • al.com
With one week left, it's going down to the wire. The SEC should get at least four NCAA Tournament bids. Five are possible. Six teams have a shot, at this point, although Auburn is a longshot. 

• Baseball:
Saturday Night: Alabama 20, Illinois - Chicago 4 (8)

• Bama in the NBA - February 28th Game Stats:
Check to see how the former players did

• Alabama Sweeps Double-Header with UIC • RollTide.com
Alabama seniors Kent Matthes and Alex Kubal launched home runs and senior Austin Hyatt worked seven innings on the mound as the No. 23 ranked Crimson Tide beat Illinois-Chicago 4-2 in the first gam... 

• Tyson David Takes Third in 3,000 Meters on Day Two of SEC Championships • RollTide.com
The men's track and field team concluded day two action at the 2009 SEC Indoor Track and Field Championships hosted by the University of Kentucky Saturday night. Junior Tyson David notched yet anot... 

• Lynda Cooper Sets Another School Record on Day Two of SEC Championships • RollTide.com
The women's track and field team concluded day two action at the 2009 SEC Indoor Track and Field Championships hosted by the University of Kentucky Saturday night. Alabama advanced three athletes f... 

• Tide Eighth after 36 Holes of the Puerto Rico Classic • RollTide.com
RIO GRANDE, Puerto Rico - The fourth-ranked Alabama men's golf team slipped one spot to eighth place following the second round of the Puerto Rico Classic on Saturday at the par-72, 6,902-yard Rive... 

• Men's Basketball Beats Mississippi 90-69 in Oxford • RollTide.com
The Alabama men's basketball got its first Southeastern Conference road win and its third straight victory overall with a 90-69 victory over Mississippi Saturday afternoon. rday night. Alabama advanced three athletes f...

• The Streak finally ends • Tuscaloosa News
Crimson Tide routs Rebels for first SEC road win since 2007

• Matthes stays hot as Tide sweeps Flames • Tuscaloosa News
TUSCALOOSA | Kent Matthes continued his hot hitting on a cold Saturday, and his University of Alabama teammates joined in on the fun.

• After big win, Tide wants to continue momentum at tri-meet • Tuscaloosa News
TUSCALOOSA | The University of Alabama gymnastics team posted a season-high score Friday night against Auburn, solidly beat the No. 5 team in the nation, and in the process set numerous personal bests.

• Emotional end to Tide regular season • Tuscaloosa News
TUSCALOOSA | When she looks across Coleman Coliseum today and sees Mississippi State on the other side, it’ll be a little strange for University of Alabama women’s basketball assistant coach Stacey Franklin.

• Cecil Hurt: Give Pearson credit for Tide not having a meltdown • Tuscaloosa News
For two years, or three years, or maybe longer, University of Alabama fans have been demanding to see something other than what they have been seeing on the court.

• Christopher Walsh: The real reason for the spring football schedule change • Tuscaloosa News
While we've hit a bit of a lull when it comes to football and basketball (don't expect any movement on the coaching search for a few weeks, until some of the people being targeted wrap up their seasons -- just like Mal Moore did when hiring Nick Saban), a couple of days ago the University of Alabama announced a change in the spring football schedule.

• Gentry Estes: Surprise, surprise: Alabama routs Ole Miss to end 18-game SEC road slump • al.com
OXFORD, Miss. -- The Tad Smith Coliseum had fallen so quiet that one shout from the student section made its way through the arena: "Nick Saban sucks!"

• Sound Off • The Birmingham News
Anderson should stay at MU: 

• Alabama finally ends SEC road losing streak • The Birmingham News
OXFORD, Miss. - Alabama interim men's basketball coach Philip Pearson lost control of his team in the final minutes against Ole Miss on Saturday.

• One for the Road:  • Press-Register
Anthony Brock, grieving from his grandmother's death, scores 17 as Bama snaps road losing skid
OXFORD, Miss. - Grieving point guard Anthony Brock didn't even know if he would make it to Saturday's game at Ole Miss.

• Tide ends road grief • The Huntsville Times
Reserve surprises as Alabama snaps 18-game SEC skid 

• Tide back in Miss. for rising DL • BamaOnLine (Subscribers Only)
Yazoo County athlete Kaleb Eulls played everywhere on the field last fall from quarterback to tight end to defensive end, but it is his defensive talents that now has him sitting with four offers with one of the latest being from Alabama.

• 2010 Recruiting Outlook: Linebackers • Crimson Confidential (Subscribers Only)
Editor's note: This is the sixth in a series examining Alabama's 2010 recruiting targets. Today's position: linebacker

• Matthes-led Alabama sweeps Illinois-Chicago • Crimson Confidential (Subscribers Only)
The only way to stop Kent Matthes' bat on Saturday was for Alabama coach Jim Wells to take him out of the lineup.

• Gymnastics Jumps to Fifth in National Rankings • RollTide.com
The Alabama Gymnastics team jumped six places in the national rankings this week, landing at No. 5 after posting its highest score of the season, a 197.35 against Auburn on Friday, and it's highest... 

• Men's Basketball Faces Auburn in Home Finale • RollTide.com
The University of Alabama men's basketball team returns to campus for its final home game of the season when it hosts in-state rival Auburn on Tuesday evening at 8 p.m. before a national television... 

• Terrence Cody and Rolando McClain on 2009 Lombardi Watch List • RollTide.com
Alabama football players Terrence Cody and Rolando McClain highlight the preliminary watch list for the 2009 Rotary Lombardi Award, which is given annually to the nation's top down lineman or lineb... 

• Kent Matthes Named National and SEC Player of the Week • RollTide.com
Alabama senior right fielder Kent Matthes capped an exceptional week Monday by being named the Collegiate Baseball newspaper Louisville Slugger National Player of the Week and the Southeastern Conf...  

• Baseball Opens Five-Game Road Trip at Troy • RollTide.com
Alabama looks to extend its winning streak to five straight games when the No. 23 ranked Crimson Tide travels to Troy, Ala., to face the Troy Trojans at Riddle-Pace Field on Tuesday, March 3, at 6 ... 

• Coach Philip Pearson Press Conference Transcript • RollTide.com
Alabama interim head coach Philip Pearson talked about the upcoming game against Auburn with the media on Monday afternooon. 

• Cody, McClain named to Lombardi Watch List • Tuscaloosa News
TUSCALOOSA | University of Alabama football players Terrence Cody and Rolando McClain have both been named to the preliminary watch list for the 2009 Rotary Lombardi Award, which is given annually to the nation’s top down lineman or linebacker.

• Tide gymnastics move up to No. 5 • Tuscaloosa News
Thanks in part to its season-high 197.35 during Friday night’s “Power of Pink” meet, the University of Alabama gymnastics team moved up in the latest national rankings by GymInfo from No. 11 to No. 5.

• Kent Matthes wins national, SEC player awards • Tuscaloosa News
TUSCALOOSA | University of Alabama senior right fielder Kent Matthes was named the Collegiate Baseball Louisville Slugger National Player of the Week and the Southeastern Conference Player of the Week on Monday for his efforts in the Tide’s four games last week against Nicholls State and Illinois-Chicago.

• Ian R. Rapoport: Terrence Cody, Rolando McClain among those getting some national love... • al.com
Sure, the football season may be over. But the award season is never over for college football. Oh, and the Kent Matthes hit parade for the baseball team is garnering some attention, too. 

• Ian R. Rapoport: Nick Montana: "Whenever I feel I find the perfect fit I won't hesitate to commit." • al.com
It's not like Alabama recruits a bunch of no-names. I think, by now, everyone knows the particulars about the Crimson Tide's signing class, which was considered to be number one again by some analysts. But at least one possible recruit for the 2010 class is a name that you really, really know. 

• Gentry Estes Alabama's Kent Matthes: National player of the week • al.com
Collegiate Baseball magazine named Alabama outfielder Kent Matthes as its national player of the week today for his heroics in leading the Crimson Tide to a 4-for-4 week on the diamond. Matthes was also SEC player of the week.

• SEC Women's Basketball Coaches Press Conference • SEC Sports
SEC Women's Basketball Coaches Press Conference

• In-state safety getting looks • Tider Insider (Subscribers Only)
One of the top, playmaking junior defensive backs in Alabama is Davin Hawkins of Etowah HS in Attalla. Hawkins is receiving early attention from Alabama, Arkansas, Auburn, FSU, Georgia, Louisville, LSU, NC State, UCLA and Vanderbilt.

• Tide Hosts Auburn In Home Finale • 'BamaMag
Alabama doesn’t have the same goals it had in the pre-season, when the Crimson Tide was favored to win the Southeastern Conference Western Division championship. Of course, it’s not the same Bama team that it was in October. Fortunately, it’s not the same team it was a couple of weeks ago, either.

• DL Bryon Bennett picks up two more offers • 'BamaMag
Madison Central star takes in 1st Jr Day

• McClain, Cody on Lombardi Watch List • Crimson Confidential
Alabama linebacker Rolando McClain and defensive tackle Terrence Cody have been named to the Watch List for the 2009 Lombardi Award, given annually to the country's top lineman or linebacker. 

• Ian R. Rapoport: So... what did I miss? • al.com
Well... What's up? Finally, I've return from a four-day excursion refreshed (kind of) and ready to write about some stuff again. By the way, I loved your guesses as to where I was on the previous post. (If you're still wondering, let's just say it was a final, pre-wedding trip with some old friends before the wedding. Good times.) 

• Copeland quietly picking up offers • 'BamaMag
At least half a dozen schools have offered J.C. Copeland out of Lagrange (GA) and he thinks a new offers is right around the corner. A couple of visits are behind him and he has a big one coming up this weekend. 

• Synjyn Days Plans for Early Decision • 'BamaMag  (Subscribers Only)
Louisville, Kansas State, Georgia Tech, Stanford, Wake Forest, Duke, and NC State are some of the schools recruiting Hillgrove QB Synjyn Days. None have extended an offer yet. Recently, he talked with Scout.com about his Junior Day visit with NC State. Days came away with the Wolfpack as his leader. But what about other visits he has made?

• Alabama S with plenty of options • BamaOnLine (Subscribers Only)
Jarrick Williams is one of the nation's top safety prospects. Williams, 6-2 and 200 pounds, recorded 52 tackles and two interceptions as a junior, and Alabama is one of the programs high on his list.

• Montana still wide open • Crimson Confidential (Subscribers Only)
The recruitment of one of the most coveted players in the 2010 football recruiting class is already in high gear.

• Tide's Matthes honored by SEC • Crimson Confidential
Alabama's Kent Matthes was named Southeastern Conference Player of the Week on Monday. 

• SEC Men's Basketball Coaches Press Conference • SEC Sports
SEC Men's Basketball Coaches Press Conference

• SEC Baseball Weekly Award Winners Announced • SEC Sports
SEC Baseball Weekly Award Winners Announced

• Bama in the NBA - March 1st Game Stats:
Check to see how the former players did

• Men's Tennis Picks up a Pair of Wins on Sunday • RollTide.com
The men's tennis team (9-1) collected a pair of region victories Sunday at the Hank Crisp Indoor Tennis Facility. Alabama opened the day with a 6-1 win over Memphis (6-4), while posting a 7-0 sweep... 

• Tide offense melts away in second half • Tuscaloosa News
TUSCALOOSA | It was like watching the snow melt in the sunshine Sunday afternoon. 

• Season-high road score not good enough for Tide • Tuscaloosa News
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. | Less than 36 hours after posting its highest score of the season at home against Auburn, the Alabama gymnastics team came back to post its highest road total of the season against Penn State and Ohio State.

• Alabama men’s tennis picks up pair of wins • Tuscaloosa News
TUSCALOOSA |The Alabama men’s tennis team (9-1) collected a pair of region victories Sunday at the Hank Crisp Indoor Tennis Facility. Alabama opened the day with a 6-1 win over Memphis (6-4), while posting a 7-0 sweep over in-state foe Jacksonville State (5-1). Senior Billy Mertz clinched the win over the Tigers, while freshman Michael Thompson clinched the win over the Gamecocks. The Crimson Tide is now off to its best start since the 2003 season.

• A golfers finish eighth at Puerto Rico Classic • Tuscaloosa News
RIO GRANDE, Puerto Rico | The Alabama men’s golf team turned in its best round of the tournament with a 2-under-par 286 in the final round of the Puerto Rico Classic on Sunday at the par-72, 6,902-yard River Course at the Rio Mar Golf Club to finish eighth.

• First things first in Olympics quest • The Birmingham News
With Auburn University and the University of Alabama submitting bids to host the AHSAA's Super 6 and Final 48, city officials and residents should be alarmed.

• Sports Soundoff • Press-Register
Monday, March 02, 2009
This is Sports Sound Off, where you can speak your mind on anything you wish. Because of the large number of calls received, not all can be published. 

• Jess Nicholas: Spring clean-up: Tide has few holes to fill, but they’re big • TideFans
With spring practice not far away, Alabama finds itself replacing only a handful of departed starters from 2008.

• Tide quiets critics with win over No. 5 Auburn • The Crimson White
The ensuing uproar in Coleman Coliseum after Morgan Dennis landed a near-perfect floor routine to cap a rout of higher ranked Auburn Friday negated the fact that a portion of the sold-out crowd was scared away by the treacherous weather.

• Tide picks up two wins to move to 9-1 • The Crimson White
The Alabama men’s tennis team defeated Memphis 6-1 and Jacksonville State 7-0 Sunday. The Crimson Tide took an early lead in both matches by sweeping both teams in doubles.

• Second-half drought dooms Tide • The Crimson White
After holding a lead for the majority of their final home game of the season, the Alabama women’s basketball team found itself unable to put away the Bulldogs of Mississippi State, falling 67-49 at Coleman Coliseum Sunday afternoon.

• COLLEGE BASEBALL: Capital City Classic tickets selling fast • Montgomery Advertiser
More than 6,000 tick­ets have been sold to the Capital City Classic matchup between Ala­bama and Auburn at Riverwalk Stadium on March 10.

• WOMEN'S BASKETBALL: MSU pulls away from Tide • Montgomery Advertiser
TUSCALOOSA -- Alexis Rack scored 19 points to lead Mississippi State over Alabama 67-49 on Sunday.

• 2009 Spring Preview - Top 50 Non-Conf. Games • College Football News
Ready to get fired up for the 2009 season that's still six months away? As spring ball kicks in, here's part one of the 20 big off-season questions beginning with the 50 Top Non-Conference Games. It's not No. 1, but Dez Bryant and Oklahoma State vs. A.J. Green and Georgia is close.

• Tide in the hunt for dual-threat QB • Tider Insider (Subscribers Only)
Alabama's nationwide search for two quarterbacks in 2010 has taken the Tide to Iowa, home of Coralville-Iowa City standout A.J. Derby.

• Four early offers for Mississippi standout • Tider Insider (Subscribers Only)
After recruiting in Yazoo City for the class of 2009, the Tide staff will likely frequent the Mississippi town again over the coming months. Last year it was Fletcher Cox of Yazoo City High School. This year the main attraction is Yazoo County standout Kaleb Eulls. 

• Jones makes first cut • 'BamaMag  (Subscribers Only)
Tai-ler Jones is two offers away from 30 and he has decided to come out with his first list of favorites. 15 schools are on his list and you can find out who made it here.

• Parker Up to Seventeen • 'BamaMag  (Subscribers Only)
SEC and Big East school are the latest to offer the elite safety from Harbor City (Calif.) Narbonne

• Tide looking to raid SC powerhouse • BamaOnLine (Subscribers Only)
National powerhouse Byrnes High School looks to have a tremendous group of Division I prospects, and with Alabama already after top running back Marcus Lattimore, the Tide has recently turned their attention to a 6-foot-4, 250-pound defensive end from the elite program.

• Stinson makes the grade • BamaOnLine (Subscribers Only)
Among the several 2009 Alabama signees who has academic work remaining to ensure eligibility next fall, South Dade defensive end Ed Stinson was simply awaiting his latest SAT scores - and fortunately for Tide fans, the news is very good.

• Patton can fly • BamaOnLine (Subscribers Only)
One of the fastest prospects from the state of Alabama is Soloman Patton from Mobile (Ala.) Murphy High School. Patton, 5-10 and 175 pounds, plays wide receiver. Last season he scored 12 touchdowns on 845 yards receiving. 

• Tide makes cut for Tailer • BamaOnLine (Subscribers Only)
One of the most polished receivers in the state of Georgia has trimmed his list of 28 offers. Tai-ler Jones's final 15 is a who's who list of college football powerhouses and luckily for Alabama fans, the Tide made the cut. 

• 2010 Recruiting Outlook: Defensive backs • Crimson Confidential (Subscribers Only)
Editor's note: This is the seventh in a series examining Alabama's 2010 recruiting targets. Today's position: defensive backs

• Matthes off to memorable start for Tide • Crimson Confidential (Subscribers Only)
Take a quick scan down the Alabama baseball statistics, and Kent Matthes' numbers jump off the page in almost cartoonish fashion. 

• ESPN to Televise A-Day Spring Football Game on April 18 • RollTide.com
The University of Alabama's annual A-Day Game will be televised live to a national audience by ESPN on Saturday, April 18. A-Day is the 15th and final practice of the spring with kickoff from Bryan... 

• Ian R. Rapoport: ESPN to offer Alabama's A-Day Game up to a national audience... • al.com
Finally, the whispers are true. ESPN is televising Alabama's annual spring scrimmage, A-Day, on April 18 at 2 p.m. A national audience will witness live the kind of enthusiasm that popped the eyes out of the rest of the country. 

• Gentry Estes: ESPN to televise Alabama's A-Day Game • al.com
TUSCALOOSA -- For the first time, a national television audience will be privy to Alabama's spring football Game.

• ESPN to televise A-Day game • Crimson Confidential
ESPN will televise Alabama's A-Day spring football game on April 18, the school announced on Tuesday. 

• ESPN to televise A-Day Game • Tuscaloosa News
TUSCALOOSA | ESPN will televise the University of Alabama’s annual A-Day Game.

• Softball Thanks Fans • RollTide.com
No. 1 ranked softball thanks fans for their loyalty in this video. 

• Alabama and Washington will Share Field Ranked Number One • RollTide.com
The USA Today/NFCA and ESPN.com/USA Softball Polls were released today. Alabama checks in at No. 1 in the USA/Today/ NFCA Poll and Washington was tabbed No. 1 in the ESPN.com/USA Softball Poll. Bot... 

• Ericka Russell Named to SEC All-Freshman Team • RollTide.com
Freshman Ericka Russell was voted to the SEC All-Freshman Team as announced by the league office Tuesday. The Tuscaloosa native is one of eight freshmen in the conference to be recognized. 

• Priess named SEC freshman gymnast of the week • Tuscaloosa News
University of Alabama gymnast Ashley Priess was named the SEC freshman of the week for the third time this season, Tuesday.

• Humphrey, Lowe on Hall of Fame ballot • Tuscaloosa News
Former University of Alabama football players Bobby Humphrey and Woodrow Lowe were among 76 players and six coaches on the 2009 Football Bowl Subdivision Ballot for induction into the College Football Hall of Fame.

• This Week in SEC Gymnastics - March 3rd • SEC Sports
This Week in SEC Gymnastics - March 3rd

• Alabama enters mix for Vinson • BamaOnLine (Subscribers Only)
One of the state of Louisiana's top athletes for the class of 2010 is Isidore Newman (New Orleans) prospect Ronnie Vinson. With a handful of top schools after his signature already, the University of Alabama decided to enter the race for this speedster's services on Tuesday afternoon.

• Talk of the Tide • RollTide.com
View the sixth issue of Talk of the Tide, an official publication of the University of Alabama Athletic Department. 

• Alabama softball holds onto No. 1 ranking • Tuscaloosa News
TUSCALOOSA | The University of Alabama softball team maintained its No. 1 ranking in the USA Today/NFCA Top 25 coaches’ poll, garnering of a possible 27 first-place votes.

• Ian R. Rapoport: Do college football players simply get slower? • al.com
Sure, there is a big basketball game tonight. But while we're scrambling around trying to get stuff done... 

• Ian R. Rapoport: Alonzo Gee, on his upcoming Senior Night: "It went by too fast." • al.com
Alabama's 8 p.m. game tonight against Auburn on ESPN is a big one, especially considering both teams are, ya know, pretty good now. Or, at least, on hot streaks. 

• Gentry Estes: Some names to learn as Alabama's coaching search nears tournament time ... • al.com
As Alabama's team preps for tonight's home finale against Auburn, the latest word from a deliberate search in the shadows for a new basketball coach is that power brokers continue to "swing for the fences" in search of a recognizable name and strong background, both on and off the court.

• Doug Segrest: The national perspective on the SEC's fence sitters • al.com
Circle Saturday's visit by Kentucky to Florida. The SEC's most traditional power takes on its most recent dynasty in Gainesville.

• SEC Women's Basketball Postseason Awards Announced • SEC Sports
SEC Women's Basketball Postseason Awards Announced

• Top Texas OL to visit UA on April 1 • Tider Insider (Subscribers Only)
"I talk to Alabama every week. I usually talk to Coach [Joe] Pendry and Coach [Bo] Davis. Coach Pendry is a great guy and one heck of an offensive line coach." 

• Texas 'Backer Plans to Travel • 'BamaMag
While denying favorites, Texas linebacker Shaun Lewis admits to liking Texas A&M and Oklahoma and has already visited both. “A&M is only like one and half hours away,” Lewis said. “But that’s not a big deal. I went to their junior day a few weeks ago and loved it. Oklahoma actually reminded me of A&M with the environment and everything. But Oklahoma is already where they need to be..." 

• Names To Learn For Spring Football • 'BamaMag
Players who have been seen little or not at all prepare for Bama practice

• A Talent Pool at Manning • 'BamaMag  (Subscribers Only)
Manning is a small school in South Carolina, but it produces big-time talent

• DE Brandon Burrows Names Early Leader • 'BamaMag  (Subscribers Only)
Walton High School DE Brandon Burrows talks about his visits and names an early leader.

• How Good Was That Class Last Month? • Crimson Country Club (Members Only)
National Signing Day was one month ago tomorrow and the national services were pulling their collective hair out in an attempt to rank all the classes. Its an impossible task if accuracy is valued simply because predicting human performance is sketchy at best. However, I have always found its much easier to rank classes against former classes signed at the same school if you are using the quantity/quality of bluechip signees as the measuring stick. We stick to quite a few time tested mantras here in this blog and first and foremost is this truism ... recruiting is full of uncertainty but if you want to eliminate as much of the uncertainty as you can, sign as many highly recruited bluechippers as you are able. 

• BOL Spring Countdown: Running back • BamaOnLine (Subscribers Only)
BamaOnLine.com is priming its subscribers for spring football practice with a daily countdown of the Crimson Tide's key position battles. The 10-part series kicks off today with a close look at Mark Ingram and the running backs. 

• Basketball preview: Auburn at Alabama • BamaOnLine (Subscribers Only)
JaMychal Green and the rest of the UA basketball team will try to make it four SEC wins in a row Tuesday night against visiting Auburn. BamaOnLine.com previews the resurgent Crimson Tide here. 

• Bama in the NBA - March 2nd Game Stats:
Check to see how the former players did

• Welcome Back • Tuscaloosa News
After six-year hiatus, Iron Bowl trophy returns to UA

• Last home game for Gee, Hollinger an important one • Tuscaloosa News
TUSCALOOSA | For University of Alabama senior forward Alonzo Gee, his career is coming to a close just as things are starting to get interesting.

• Crimson Tide makes rare appearance at Troy • Tuscaloosa News
The University of Alabama baseball team will visit Troy for the first time in more than a decade tonight for a non-conference contest against the Trojans.

• UA gymnastics team jumps to No. 5 • Tuscaloosa News
Thanks in part to its season-high 197.35 during Friday night’s “Power of Pink” meet, the University of Alabama gymnastics team moved up in the latest national rankings by GymInfo from No. 11 to No. 5.

• Tidesports Video: • Tuscaloosa News
3/2 - Philip Pearson
3/2 - Philip Pearson. Video produced by Steve Mullen.

• Andrew Bone: UA blanketing the country for top recruits • Tuscaloosa News
The University of Alabama football coaching staff continues to search nationwide for top recruits to fill needs for the class of 2010. The out-of-state prospects who have received scholarship offers are increasing in numbers, with the in-state prospect pool not as deep in talent as in the past couple of years.

• Alabama and Auburn basketball in far different places than when they met in January • The Birmingham News
TUSCALOOSA - The last time the two teams played, both appeared to be scrapping for a staircase out of the Southeastern Conference basement. Their coaches were fighting just as hard to avoid another lost season.

• Alabama, Auburn hoping to stay on track • Press-Register
TUSCALOOSA - Forward Alonzo Gee's own personal high mark at Alabama has grown dust amid the recent craziness. 

• Alabama baseball travels to Troy tonight • Press-Register
An 11-year hiatus ends tonight when Alabama's baseball team returns to Troy for a 6 p.m. game at Riddle-Pace Field. 

• Keller seeks new trial vs. NCAA • The Huntsville Times
An Alabama fan who won - and then lost - a $5 million verdict in a slander lawsuit against the NCAA has ended his appeal in hopes of seeking a second trial. 

• Alabama returns to Troy • The Huntsville Times
An 11-year hiatus ends tonight when Alabama's baseball team returns to Troy for a 6 p.m. game at Riddle-Pace Field. 

• ALABAMA VS. AUBURN: Tide playing its best at the end of the season • Montgomery Advertiser
The end is in sight for Alabama interim coach Philip Pearson and Crimson Tide seniors Alonzo Gee and Brandon Hollinger. And while the 2008-09 season has had its nightmarish moments, the last two weeks have been somewhat pleasant.

• ALABAMA VS. AUBURN: Tigers on a roll, dream of NCAA bid • Montgomery Advertiser
AUBURN -- Auburn is the Southeastern Conference's hottest team these days.

• SPORTS BRIEFS: Alabama's Matthes is national player of the week • Montgomery Advertiser
Alabama senior right fielder Kent Matthes was named the Louisville Slugger national player of the week by Collegiate Baseball on Monday as well as Southeastern Conference Player of the Week after his incredible performance at the plate last week against Nicholls State and...

• Bama booster seeks new trial in NCAA suit • Decatur Daily  (Subscribers Only)
BIRMINGHAM — An Alabama football fan who won $5 million in a slander lawsuit against the NCAA has given up on …

• Auburn (19-10, 8-6 SEC) at Alabama (16-12, 6-8) • Decatur Daily  (Subscribers Only)
Tipoff: Tuesday at 8 p.m. at Coleman Coliseum in Tuscaloosa TV/radio: ESPN will televise the game. Auburn’s radio …

• Iron Bowl showdown, hoops style • Decatur Daily  (Subscribers Only)
AUBURN — Over the last two weeks, Auburn and Alabama have both gone in the right direction in entirely different ways. Alabama enters Tuesday’s game at Coleman Coliseum on a three-game … 

• College Football Notebook • Decatur Daily  (Subscribers Only)
Alabama TUSCALOOSA — Alabama’s Rolando McClain and Terrence Cody made the preliminary watch list for the 2009 Rotary Lombardi Award, which is given annually to the nation’s top down …

• Tide enters home finale on a roll • Dothan Eagle
Suddenly, the crowd that will pack Alabama’s Coleman Coliseum for tonight’s basketball game against Auburn has more reason to show up than the halftime presentation of the ODK Trophy, which goes to the Iron Bowl winner.

• Texas defender on UA watch list • Tider Insider (Subscribers Only)
When it comes to football recruiting, the Houston area is one of the most talent-rich locations in the country. One of the top prospects in the region is Klein-Oak safety Luke Muncie, a 6-3, 213-pounder who is being looked at by plenty of top schools around the country. 

• UA offers dominating Lone Star LB • BamaOnLine (Subscribers Only)
Hightower (Missouri City, Tx.) linebacker Shaun Lewis might be the most disruptive defender in the country with 4.5 speed in the 40-yard dash and over 130 tackles last fall. On Friday, Alabama added their name to his long list of suitors

• Physical freak earns tide offer • BamaOnLine (Subscribers Only)
Tide assistant coach Bobby Williams has proven to be an invaluable recruiter for Alabama Coach Nick Saban, and his latest target is a giant defensive line prospect with just one year of varsity football to his ... 

• Coach: Opelika RB a game-breaker • BamaOnLine (Subscribers Only)
Opelika (Ala.) High coach Brian Blackmon doesn't need much time to think about it. Ask him what best describes his upcoming senior RB Corey Grant, and the coach will quickly tell you. He's a game-changer. 

• Milliner up to five offers • BamaOnLine (Subscribers Only)
Stanhope-Elmore athlete DeMarcus Milliner has the electric athleticism highly sought-after by elite college football programs. The 6-foot, 180-pounder recently added two more offers to his list. check inside for the latest. 

• Tragedy, then triumph for Tide's Brock • Crimson Confidential (Subscribers Only)
Oxford, Miss., last Saturday, but his head — and his heart — were clearly somewhere else.

• 2010 Recruiting Outlook: Athlete/specialists • Crimson Confidential (Subscribers Only)
Editor's note: This is the last in a series examining Alabama's 2010 recruiting targets. Today's position: athlete/specialist 

• Women's Golf Ranked Fifth and Sixth in Latest Polls • RollTide.com
The Alabama women's golf team is ranked fifth in the latest Golfweek/Sagarin Performance Index and sixth in the first Golf World/NGCA Coaches' Poll of the spring.

• Tiffany Welcher Earns SEC Player of the Week Honors • RollTide.com
Sophomore Tiffany Welcher captured SEC Women's Tennis Player of the Week honors for her performance against TCU on Feb. 28. This is her first weekly recognition of the season. 

• Crimson Tide prepares for spring practice • Tuscaloosa News
TUSCALOOSA | University of Alabama coach Nick Saban is looking to have one of his young outside linebackers move to the inside during spring practices, which will get under way next Friday, March 13.

• Ian R. Rapoport: Nick Saban speaks! And explains what's been going on... • al.com
With the beginning of spring practice slightly more than a week away, a lot has been going on with the Alabama football program. Players have been taking part in the Fourth Quarter Conditioning program, coaches have been self-scouting and recruiting and Nick Saban has been doing a little bit of everything. 

• Mississippi star visits Bama today • Tider Insider (Subscribers Only)
"It was a good time. I got to check out the dorm rooms, the weightroom and talk to some of the coaches. I talked to Coach Saban and Coach [Bo] Davis." 

• Saban talks Spring • BamaOnLine (Subscribers Only)
Alabama coach Nick Saban spoke about the progress of offseason workouts Wednesday, as well as a few position experiments in store for spring drills beginning March 13. 

• Saban confirms Scott's move to DB • Crimson Confidential (Subscribers Only)
Alabama coach Nick Saban has confirmed that rising sophomore B.J. Scott will move from wide receiver to defensive back when spring practice begins on March 13, though he stressed the move is merely "an experiment."

• Video Feature: Gymnastics Floor Setup • RollTide.com
Watch as the floor of Coleman Coliseum is transformed into its gymnastics setup before last week's Pink Meet.

• Women's Basketball Begins SEC Tournament Play Against Tennessee on Thursday • RollTide.com
The women's basketball team will open up SEC Tournament play Thursday, March 5 when it takes on Tennessee. Tipoff is slated for 6:30 p.m. (CST). 

• Tide Baseball Team Travels to Whataburger Classic • RollTide.com
Alabama heads to the Lone Star state this weekend to play in the fourth annual Whataburger College Classic at Whataburger Field in Corpus, Christi, Texas. The Crimson Tide will be joined in the fi... 

• Ian R. Rapoport: Want to watch video of Alabama coach Nick Saban accepting his first Iron Bowl trophy? • al.com
We know by reading this and this that Alabama coach Nick Saban has accepted his first Iron Bowl trophy. It came at halftime of this hoops game. But do you want to see the ceremony? Check out my video:

• Gentry Estes: UA's Wendell Hudson: "I've been real pleased with the strides this team has made" • al.com
TUSCALOOSA - Alabama's Wendell Hudson doesn't sound like a coach whose team has only won one conference game all season.

• TI TV for March 3 • WVUA-TV
See it on WVUA7.com, the home of Tider Insider TV. 

• Florida athlete talks in-depth of choices • 'BamaMag  (Subscribers Only)
Roy Finch, a sensational athlete from Niceville, Fla., is pursued by schools across the country. Finch has received six early scholarship offers and preparing for a second Junior Day this Saturday. 

• Tide offers other half of Manning duo • BamaOnLine (Subscribers Only)
After extending an offer to elite Manning (SC) cornerback John Fulton, the Crimson Tide entered the mix for his equally lauded teammate on Tuesday - a 6-foot-7, 235-pound defensive end with a world of upside. 

• Robinson hoping for Alabama offer • Crimson Confidential (Subscribers Only)
Winter Haven (Fla.) Lake Region safety Marvin Robinson has offers from some of the elite schools around the country. But it's the three schools that haven't offered yet that Robinson is keeping close tabs on. 

• Men's Basketball:
Tuesday Night - Auburn 77, Alabama 73

• Baseball:
Tuesday Night - Troy 6, Alabama 2

• Bama in the NBA - March 3rd Game Stats:
Check to see how the former players did

• Men's Basketball Loses to Auburn, 77-73 • RollTide.com
The University of Alabama men's basketball team fell to Auburn 77-73 in a hard-fought game at Coleman Coliseum Tuesday night. 

• Alabama Falls at Troy, 6-2 • RollTide.com
Troy scored three runs in both the fourth and fifth innings, scoring four runs against the Alabama bullpen, en route to a 6-2 win in front of near record 2,413 fans at Riddle-Pace Field on a chilly... 

• Tigers get sweep • Tuscaloosa News
TUSCALOOSA | If Omicron Delta Kappa awarded its trophy based on foul shooting instead of football, the University of Alabama would have had nothing at all to show for Tuesday night.

• UA's Montalvo playing up to All-America expectations • Tuscaloosa News
TUSCALOOSA | ESPN will televise the University of Alabama's annual A-Day Game.

• TideSports Video: • Tuscaloosa News
A long awaited homecoming
University of Alabama football coach Nick Saban accepts the Iron Bowl trophy during halftime of the Alabama/Auburn basketball game Tuesday night.

• TideSports Video: • Tuscaloosa News
Alabama vs. Auburn Basketball
Alabama lost to Auburn in the Tuesday night basketball game at Coleman Coliseum.

• Christopher Walsh: Another look at some of last season's numbers • Tuscaloosa News
It'll be interesting to check out the reaction to Nick Saban's statement Tuesday night while picking up the FOY-ODK Sportsmanship Trophy, which goes to the winner of the Alabama-Auburn football game.

• Ian R. Rapoport: Philip Pearson: "It was a missed opportunity for us." • al.com
The crowd was hyped and actually, ya know, in the building. The Alabama basketball team was sharing the ball, shooting efficiently and in the process of taking a commanding lead by halftime. Then came Alabama coach Nick Saban, the Iron Bowl trophy, and a ton more cheers. 

• Ian R. Rapoport: Nick Saban: • al.com
It's an honor to receive the Iron Bowl trophy this year... "And for many years to come."
Alabama coach Nick Saban: "This is an honor to have this (Iron Bowl) trophy in our possession for this year... and for many years to come.''

• Ian R. Rapoport: Auburn spoils Alabama's senior night, three-game win streak • al.com
TUSCALOOSA -- The largest home crowd of the season, senior night, a three-game winning streak, shiny new trophy and a halftime address from the reigning college football coach of the year weren't enough.

• Gentry Estes: Alabama's Nick Saban welcomes back Iron Bowl trophy for "Many years to come" • al.com
Flanked by former left tackle Andre Smith, former quarterback John Parker Wilson and a large group of current players, Alabama coach Nick Saban accepted the Foy-ODK Sportsmanship Trophy for the program's first Iron Bowl victory over Auburn since 2001.

• Auburn mounts rally to beat Alabama, earns bye in SEC Basketball Tournament • The Birmingham News
TUSCALOOSA - Auburn worked hard enough in the second half to deserve a rest. Now, the Tigers will get it. 

• ESPN to televise Alabama's A-Day • The Birmingham News
TUSCALOOSA - Alabama coach Nick Saban hopes to fill the stands for the annual A-Day game, if for no other reason than to allow a national audience to view the spectacle.

• Auburn veterans answer challenge with two different comebacks • The Birmingham News
TUSCALOOSA - Rasheem Barrett and his veteran teammates played it cool down the stretch against its biggest rival Tuesday night. 

• Alabama, Nick Saban hopes to receives Iron Bowl trophy for first time in seven years • The Birmingham News
TUSCALOOSA - Alabama football coach Nick Saban looked around at a packed Coleman Coliseum and described the act of accepting the trophy for winning the Iron Bowl as an honor.

• Auburn overcomes 13-point deficit, Alabama crowd to beat Tide 77-73 • Press-Register
TUSCALOOSA - The smiles and hugs spilled from the court to the tunnel to the locker room, and this time even Auburn's normally straight-laced coach joined in the exuberance.

• Alabama A-Day game to get ESPN coverage • Press-Register
TUSCALOOSA - For the first time, a national television audience will get to watch Alabama's A-Day game. 

• Sports Soundoff • Press-Register
Wednesday, March 04, 2009
This is Sports Sound Off, where you can speak your mind on anything you wish. Because of the large number of calls received, not all can be published. 

• Alabama A-Day game to be televised by ESPN • The Huntsville Times
TUSCALOOSA - For the first time, a national television audience will get to watch Alabama's A-Day game. 

• Auburn rallies from 13 points behind on road • The Huntsville Times
TUSCALOOSA - The smiles and hugs spilled from the court to the tunnel to the locker room, and this time Auburn's normally straight-laced coach even joined in the exuberance.

• Tide's senior night spoiled • The Huntsville Times
TUSCALOOSA - The largest home crowd of the season on senior night, a three-game winning streak, a shiny new trophy and a halftime address from the reigning college football coach of the year wasn't enough.

• Auburn Rallies to Beat Alabama, 77-73 • SEC Sports
Auburn Rallies to Beat Alabama, 77-73

• SEC Baseball Roundup - Tuesday, March 3rd • SEC Sports
SEC Baseball Roundup - Tuesday, March 3rd

• AU rallies to earn SEC bye • Montgomery Advertiser
TUSCALOOSA -- There was a time not long ago when a 13-point hole would have ended Auburn's day.

• Tide's Pearson makes positive first impressions • Montgomery Advertiser
TUSCALOOSA -- The whistle blew, stopping play at a recent Alabama practice.

• ALABAMA-AUBURN NOTEBOOK: Alabama accepts Iron Bowl trophy • Montgomery Advertiser
TUSCALOOSA -- Football coach Nick Saban made a rare appearance at an Alabama bas­ketball game, accepting the Foy ODK Sportsmanship Trophy at halftime as he was surrounded by members of his team at mid­court.

• COLLEGE FOOTBALL: Alabama's A-Day game on ESPN • Montgomery Advertiser
Alabama's annual spring game isn't just at­tracting huge crowds. Now the Crimson Tide's A-Day game will have a national television audience.

• AU rally trims Tide • Decatur Daily  (Subscribers Only)
TUSCALOOSA — When the clock struck zero, Auburn guard Rasheem Barrett …

• Tigers lean on veterans to win on road in SEC • Decatur Daily  (Subscribers Only)
TUSCALOOSA — Tuesday night’s game against Alabama was exactly the kind …

• Trojans beat Bama in baseball • Dothan Eagle
TROY — All of the second-largest crowd to ever watch a Troy home game left cold. Most of them left happy. 

• Three & Out: SEC Thoughts, News & Notes 3/3 • College Football News
Barrett Sallee gives three off-season thoughts, comments or observations about anything and everything in the world of the SEC.

• Spring Preview 2009 - The SEC • College Football News
The SEC might have been down last season, but now the conference will be better with improved teams and stars like Greg Hardy of Ole Miss, USC's Stephen Garcia, and LSU's Jordan Jefferson ready to shine. Just as spring ball gets underway, here are the big questions, the most important positions and more for each SEC team in the CFN Spring Preview. 

• 2009 Spring Preview - Is A Playoff Coming? • College Football News
Ready to get fired up for the 2009 season that's still six months away? As spring ball kicks in, here's part three of the 20 big off-season questions. Are we any closer to a college football playoff, and what's going to happen that will make you even more grouchy?

• Georgia OL talks recruiting • Tider Insider (Subscribers Only)
Year in and year out, the state of Georgia is always blessed with talented prospects along the offensive line. One of the best in the 2010 class is Norcross tackle Max Garcia, a 6-5, 273-pounder who already claims offers from Alabama, Maryland, South Carolina and Vanderbilt.

• Missed free throws equal blown game as Tide falls to AU • Tider Insider (Subscribers Only)
They held a trophy presentation and a basketball game broke out Tuesday night at Coleman Coliseum. And, had the home team made more than 52 per cent of it's free throws, things might have turned out differently. The storyline of Auburn 77, Alabama 73 was simple: the Tide clanged all but 15 of its 29 free throw attempts, sending a crowd of 13,265 home scratching heads and wondering what might have been.

• Louisiana star discusses Tide offer • Tider Insider (Subscribers Only)
It was Super Tuesday for Ronnie Vinson. The two-way standout from New Orleans-Newman, LA picked up three huge offers on the day. "Colorado, Alabama and Michigan all offered me today." 

• Florida athlete talks in-depth of choices • 'BamaMag  (Subscribers Only)
Roy Finch, a sensational athlete from Niceville, Fla., is pursued by schools across the country. Finch has received six early scholarship offers and preparing for a second Junior Day this Saturday. 

• Florida four-star increases list • 'BamaMag  (Subscribers Only)
"I want to be around a really good team."

• Alabama WR collects SEC offer • 'BamaMag  (Subscribers Only)
Accolades in abundance for 2010 prospect.

• Solomon Patton's double digit offfers • 'BamaMag  (Subscribers Only)
Elite wide receiver is skyrocketing.

• Texas QB latest Tide target • BamaOnLine (Subscribers Only)
Alabama is furiously searching the country far and wide for quarterback prospects in the 2010 class, handing out seven early offers to prospects from California to Iowa to Colorado. The latest target is a 6-foot-4 signal-caller with six early offers.

• Tide falls at home to Tigers • BamaOnLine (Subscribers Only)
Alonzo Gee and the Alabama basketball team struggled at the free throw line Tuesday in a 77-73 loss to Auburn that snapped the Crimson Tide's three-game SEC win streak.

• Recruiting process heating up for Brown • Crimson Confidential (Subscribers Only)
Sometimes it seems that there aren't enough minutes or hours in the day for Corey Brown. From rehabbing a knee injured last fall during his junior year at Springfield, Pa./Cardinal O'Hara to working on all aspects of improving his game to becoming a polished, respected team leader, Brown's days are a whirlwind of activity.

• Alabama falls apart late, loses to Auburn • Crimson Confidential (Subscribers Only)
What was shaping up as a perfect night for the Alabama athletic program fizzled in 15 minutes of clock time Tuesday.

• VIDEO — Iron Bowl trophy presentation • Crimson Confidential (Subscribers Only)
Coach Nick Saban and the Alabama football team accept the ODK Sportsmanship Trophy from Auburn for winning last... 

• Vinson picks up Alabama offer • Crimson Confidential (Subscribers Only)
Louisiana DB visited Tide's junior day 

• Women's Tennis Hosts a Pair of SEC Matches This Weekend • RollTide.com
The 37th-ranked women's tennis team (8-0) kicks off SEC play this weekend, hosting No. 28 Arkansas (5-2) and No. 18 LSU (7-2). The Crimson Tide faces off against the Razorbacks on Friday, March 6 b...

• Men's Track and Field has Five Named to All-SEC Team • RollTide.com
The Southeastern Conference announced the 2009 SEC Indoor Track and Field honors Thursday and the Alabama men's track and field team had five All-SEC performers. 

• Men's Track Sends Five to • RollTide.com
The men's track and field team is headed to the Alex Wilson Invitational this weekend for the athlete's last chance to qualify for the NCAA Indoor Championships next weekend. The University of Notr... 

• Nicole Okolo Named to SEC All-Freshman Team • RollTide.com
The Southeastern Conference announced the 2009 SEC Indoor Track and Field honors Thursday and the Alabama women's track and field team was represented by Nicole Okolo. 

• Women's Track Sends Four to • RollTide.com
The women's track and field team is headed to the Alex Wilson Invitational this weekend for the athlete's last chance to qualify for the NCAA Indoor Championships next weekend. The University of No...

• No. 5 Gymnastics Takes on No. 3 Stanford Friday • RollTide.com
Stanford is the fifth top-5 and the tenth top-20 team Alabama has faced since the season began in early January 

• No. 1 Softball Prepares for the Easton Challenge • RollTide.com
No. 1 Alabama will Face No. 1 Washington 

• Women's Cross Country Named to USTFCCCA All-Academic Team • RollTide.com
Alabama Boasts the Second Highest Team GPA of 3.751 

• Ian R. Rapoport: Upon further review... What did we learn from our reading? • al.com
Hello again in a day filled with textbook-related stuff. There was this post, then this one, then this last one with a whole bunch of documents. That's what I've been reading for the last several hours. Before I sit down to write my story for tomorrow... 

• Gentry Estes: Updated story: NCAA alleges potential "major" violations in Alabama textbook investigation • al.com
Here is the Press-Register's latest story updating earlier news regarding NCAA allegations of potentially "major" violations at Alabama. ...

• What’s in a name? Tai-ler Jones is no ‘everyday Joe’ • AJC
Sooner or later, the question comes when a recruiter makes his first call to the home of Gainesville wide receiver Tai-ler Jones, one of the state’s top-rated football prospects for 2010.

• NCAA Infractions Case Is Back  • 'BamaMag  (Subscribers Only)
Why would The University of Alabama issue a statement that raises more questions than it answers? And why would The University wait months to address a situation that it knew would be public? That’s what happened Thursday afternoon as a release from The University reported a recent meeting of Alabama officials with the NCAA Committee on Infractions.

• BOL Spring Countdown: Right guard • BamaOnLine (Subscribers Only)
BamaOnLine.com is priming subscribers for spring football practice with a daily countdown of the Crimson Tide's key position battles. The 10-part series continues with a close look at David Ross and the candidates at right guard.

• Men's Tennis Opens SEC Play This Weekend • RollTide.com
The 20th-ranked men's tennis team (9-1) opens up SEC play this weekend on the road, traveling to No. 56 Arkansas (6-3) on Friday, March 6 and No. 30 LSU (4-2) on Sunday, March 8. 

• Media Statement Regarding Status of Inquiry Into Textbooks Case of 2007 • RollTide.com
The University of Alabama appeared before the NCAA's Committee on Infractions on Friday, February 20, 2009, regarding fall 2007 violations of the NCAA's policies regarding textbooks for student-ath... 

• UA meets with NCAA over textbook matter • Tuscaloosa News
TUSCALOOSA | Representatives of the University of Alabama met with the NCAA Committee on Infractions last month to address allegations concerning the textbook violations which sidelined five football players in the 2007 season, The News has learned.

• TideSports Video: • Tuscaloosa News
2008 Rewind : Win over Georgia
A game-by-game look at the undefeated Tide regular season.

• Ian R. Rapoport: Everything you need to know about Alabama, the NCAA and textbooks... • al.com
By now, you know that Alabama officials met with the NCAA Committee on Infractions in San Diego and that the NCAA alleges "failure to monitor" on textbook-related issues. But do you want to read all the nitty gritty details? 

• Ian R. Rapoport: NCAA alleges -- and Alabama admits -- "failure to monitor" textbook disbursement policies... • al.com
Alabama self-reported its own violation of textbook disbursement policy and then punished the wrong-doers. Will that be enough for the NCAA?

• Ian R. Rapoport: Alabama to acknowledge NCAA meeting regarding textbooks... • al.com
Here's one to look for soon...

• Ian R. Rapoport: Nick Saban: It's "important (Andre Smith) has good people around him." • al.com
While the Andre Smith saga was running wild, from the agent issue to the Combine disaster to the disclosure of what really happened with his suspension, not everyone was talking. Alabama coach Nick Saban had yet to meet with the media, so he hadn't weighed in. 

• Gentry Estes: NCAA is investigating the University of Alabama's textbook scandal of 2007 • al.com
TUSCALOOSA -- The University of Alabama could face additional penalties from the NCAA in regards to the textbook investigation that sidelined five UA football players for four games during the 2007 season.

• Michigan standout hopes to visit UA • Tider Insider (Subscribers Only)
One of Michigan's top prospects for 2010 is William Gholston of Southeastern HS in Detroit. The 6-7, 241-pounder, who stars at tight end and defensive end, is expected to play on defense in college. Gholston has already reeled in double-digit offers, including ones from... 

• AD Links Tradition To Future Success • 'BamaMag
Who is Mal Moore, and what does he mean to the University of Alabama? When someone mentions Alabama's athletics director's name, many college football fans might draw a blank. Even a few Alabama fans have little knowledge of Mal Moore's long history with the Crimson Tide. 

• UA, NCAA meet on textbook case • BamaOnLine (Subscribers Only)
The NCAA's Committee on Infractions met with Alabama officials last month to discuss 2007 violations of textbook policy, which resulted in the suspension of Antoine Caldwell and others. 

• UA releases documents from internal investigation of 2007 textbook scandal • Crimson Confidential
The University of Alabama released several documents today from its internal investigation into a textbook scandal that caused the suspension of five football players in 2007.

• Baseball preview: Alabama in Whataburger Classic • Crimson Confidential (Subscribers Only)
WHEN: Alabama vs. Texas A&M-Corpus

• Softball:
Wednesday Night: Alabama 8, UAB 1

• Bama in the NBA - March 4th Game Stats:
Check to see how the former players did

• No. 1 Softball Downs UAB 8-1 • RollTide.com
The No. 1 ranked Alabama softball team defeated UAB 8-1 Wednesday night at the Alabama Softball Complex. The Crimson Tide was once again efficient at the plate, scoring eight runs on seven hits en ... 

• Trio of School Record Holders Earn Bids to NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships • RollTide.com
A trio of Alabama school record holders earned bids to the NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships it was announced Wednesday. 

• Riding the next wave • Tuscaloosa News
Alabama ready to experiment in spring drills

• After a slow start, Bama comes alive to drill Blazers • Tuscaloosa News
TUSCALOOSA | The No. 1-ranked University of Alabama softball team tuned up for this weekend’s showdown with the nation’s other top-ranked team with Wednesday’s efficient 8-1 victory over UAB at the Alabama Softball Complex.

• Tide’s Jenkins wants to keep season going a little longer • Tuscaloosa News
TUSCALOOSA | The shot was just the way she wanted it, but bounced around the rim numerous times before falling out and being grabbed by an opposing player. The look on her face told it all. It just wasn’t going to be her day or the University of Alabama women’s basketball team’s.

• Women’s golf ranked fifth in Golfweek poll • Tuscaloosa News
TUSCALOOSA | The University of Alabama women’s golf team is ranked fifth in the latest Golfweek/Sagarin Performance Index and sixth in the first Golf World/NGCA Coaches’ Poll of the spring.

• Cecil Hurt: Entire spring won’t revovle around QBs • Tuscaloosa News
There are quarterbacks and then there are starting quarterbacks.

• TideSports Video:  • Tuscaloosa News
Softball vs. UAB (March 4, 2009)
UAB visited Tuscaloosa two days before a weekend with Baylor and Washington (produced by Cory Pennington).

• Ian R. Rapoport: Why did Nick Saban alter Alabama's spring practice dates? Easter! • al.com
Remember when we got a release about the spring practice dates? This is when you learned practice began on March 23 and ended with A-Day on April 18. Then, a few days later, we found out that practice really begins on March 13. 

• Gentry Estes: Nick Saban: No timetable on Alabama's spring QB competition • al.com
TUSCALOOSA -- Alabama coach Nick Saban is not determined to name a starting quarterback to replace departed senior John Parker Wilson before the end of spring practice.

• Saban advises Andre Smith to have good people around him • The Birmingham News
TUSCALOOSA - Alabama football coach Nick Saban speaks with former left tackle Andre Smith on a regular basis, providing him with positive feedback and advice he considers essential.

• Alabama women's basketball has its one shot tonight against UT • The Birmingham News
TUSCALOOSA - Alabama women's basketball coach Wendell Hudson loves tournament play. 

• Saban says he won't influence Alabama basketball coaching search • Press-Register
TUSCALOOSA - Some are speculating that Alabama head football coach Nick Saban will have influence on the selection of the Crimson Tide's new basketball coach.

• Alabama women long shots at tourney • The Huntsville Times
Last-seeded Tide draws Tennessee in SEC opener 

• Alabama women to face off with Vols • Montgomery Advertiser
Alabama coach Wendell Hudson isn't looking for any miracles, but the first-year Crimson Tide coach hopes his team will continue its late-sea­son trend of playing hard and eliminating mistakes.

• A lesson learned • Decatur Daily  (Subscribers Only)
TUSCALOOSA — When former Alabama left tackle Andre Smith has asked for help and guidance, Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban has been there to give it to him. “I talk to Andre quite a bit,” …

• College Football Notebook • Decatur Daily  (Subscribers Only)
Alabama TUSCALOOSA — Alabama has a new safety and a new inside linebacker — sort of. Former wide receiver B.J. Scott and outside linebacker Jerrell Harris have moved to safety and … 

• Virginia lineman expects Tide offer • Tider Insider (Subscribers Only)
"My coach told me that Alabama is planning to offer. I talked to Coach [Sal] Sunseri on Tuesday night, and we were talking about recruiting. We talked about where I'm at with everything..."

• Tide pursuing Texas LB • Tider Insider (Subscribers Only)
The Tide staff prefers jumbo linebackers for its 3-4 defensive scheme. Shaun Lewis, 6-0, 210-pound from Fresno, Texas, doesn't have ideal size. But he has outstanding talent. 

• Demarcus Milliner is the real deal • 'BamaMag  (Subscribers Only)
Stanhope Elmore High head man Jeff Foshee has seen a lot of football players in his day. He has worked with some of the best athletes in the state, and has much experience in evaluating players throughout his storied career. Prep standout Demarcus Milliner has been a major asset for Foshee’s Mustangs of Millbrook. Foshee states, "Is the fastest kid I have ever put a clock on." 

• Alabama linebacker taking visits • 'BamaMag  (Subscribers Only)
Owens discussed newest offer, Junior Day trips.

• Malcolme talks Bama • BamaOnLine (Subscribers Only)
With five offers on the table in the early recruiting stages of the 2010 class, Southwest DeKalb running back Kendrum Malcolme has begun to look into his options. Recently the powerful 6-foot, 213-pound athlete visited the Capstone. 

• White to visit Alabama A-Day • BamaOnLine (Subscribers Only)
When it comes to fast, athletic receivers, there are not many, if any, in front of Galena Park North Shore receiver DeAndrew White. The 6-foot, 170-pound speedster has some visits planned - including one to Alabama in the near future. 

• BOL Spring Countdown: Tight ends • BamaOnLine (Subscribers Only)
BOL's spring football preview continues with a look at Brad Smelley and the tight ends. 

• Georgia running back high on Tide • Crimson Confidential (Subscribers Only)
Decatur (Ga.) Southwest Dekalb's Kendrum Malcolme is one of the top running backs in the southeast, and colleges are starting to notice.

• Softball:
Alabama 6, Washington 0

• Softball wins battle of No. 1s • Crimson Confidential (Subscribers Only)
Not only did the match-up of pitching aces not materialize, but Friday night's No. 1 vs. No. 1 showdown at the Alabama Softball Complex wound up not being much of a contest at all.

• Men's Tennis Wins SEC Opener at Arkansas 6-1 • RollTide.com
The 20th-ranked men's tennis team opened up SEC play with a 6-1 win at No. 56 Arkansas on Friday at the George M. Billingsley Tennis Center. With the win, the Crimson Tide improves to 10-1 on the s... 

• Andrew Bone: Recruiting chat transcript part ll • Tuscaloosa News
Chat transcript part ll (3-4-09)

• Women's Golf Opens Spring Season at UCF Challenge • RollTide.com
The No. 5 University of Alabama women's golf team tees off its spring season against a formidable field at the University of Central Florida Challenge on the par-72, 6,301-yard tract at the Red Tai... 

• TideSports Video: • Tuscaloosa News
2008 Rewind : Win over Kentucky
A game-by-game look at the undefeated Tide regular season.

• Tommy Deas: True nature of NCAA revealed • Tuscaloosa News
Lost in the wave of panic that engulfed the Alabama Crimson Tide nation with the revelation that the school had again been called before the NCAA's Committee on Infractions was another instance of the true nature of the organization that rules collegiate athletics being revealed.

• Ian R. Rapoport: How much is a scholarship at Alabama worth? • al.com
Yesterday, because of the issues relating to Alabama's violation of textbook disbursement policy, we received a ton of paperwork. More than 60 pages of it was Alabama's response to questions from the NCAA. But in that mess was an interesting nugget of info. 

• Ian R. Rapoport: What's at stake for Alabama basketball? • al.com
Following Alabama's tough loss to Auburn on Tuesday, the Crimson Tide has four full days off before Sunday's game at Tennessee. Meanwhile, the football team has yanked the spotlight. But let's get back to hoops for a second. 

• Dennis Pillion: NCAA puts Alabama on double-secret probation • al.com
FADE IN: INT. OFFICE OF PAUL DEE. DEE AND SMARMY ASSISTANT ARE DISCUSSING WAYS TO BE JERKS.

• Bama going after Florida standout • Tider Insider (Subscribers Only)
"He's a wonderful, great athlete," his high school coach says. "He's been a three-year starter for us. He's started at wide receiver, cornerback, safety, and he's played quarterback." 

• Film Analysis: Wilson Love • 'BamaMag  (Subscribers Only)
Closer look at Mountain Brook, Ala. offensive lineman.

• Sack specialist lands UA offer • BamaOnLine (Subscribers Only)
One of the most productive pass-rushers in the southeast resides in the state of Alabama, and on Friday afternoon, Jess Lanier linebacker Ladarius Owens received some big news from the Crimson Tide.

• BOL Spring Countdown: Third corner • BamaOnLine (Subscribers Only)
BOL's spring preview continues with a look at Marquis Johnson and the candidates for UA's nickel package.

• Huge pass-rusher plans Alabama visit • Crimson Confidential (Subscribers Only)
Detroit (Mich.) Southeastern junior linebacker and defensive end William Gholston is big in more than one way.

• Baseball:
Thursday Night: Alabama 10, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi 2

• Women's Basketball:
Thursday Night: SEC Tournament - Tennessee 68, Alabama 49

• Tide Swats Three Home Runs in 10-2 Win • RollTide.com
Alabama hit three solo home runs en route to a 10-2 win over Texas A&M-Corpus Christi on Thursday night in the first round of the 2009 Whataburger Classic at Whataburger Field in Corpus Christi, Te... 

• Women's Basketball Ends Run at SEC Tournament with a 68-49 Loss to Tennessee • RollTide.com
The women's basketball team led at the half, but a second-half run by Tennessee helped the Lady Vols to a 68-49 victory on Thursday in the first round of the SEC Tournament. With the loss, the Crim... 

• No. 1 vs. No. 1 • Tuscaloosa News
Top-ranked Crimson Tide, Huskies set to play in Easton Challenge

• Hoffman bounces back in a big way • Tuscaloosa News
TUSCALOOSA | Since her return, Kayla Hoffman’s scores have been about as typical as the University of Alabama gymnastics team attracting a serious number of fans at Penn State last Sunday, while it snowed back home at the Capstone.

• Saban: No help on basketball coach • Tuscaloosa News
TUSCALOOSA | Nick Saban is optimistic that he’ll work well with the next University of Alabama men’s basketball coach, but as for having any say on who that may eventually be, well, let’s just say he has enough to worry about with spring practice beginning next week.

• UA releases 160 pages detailing its response to NCAA • Tuscaloosa News
TUSCALOOSA | The NCAA found “potential for major violations” in the University of Alabama’s student-athlete textbook scandal and Alabama’s response “substantially admits that the infractions occurred,” according to documents released by UA on Thursday.

• Home runs power Tide to 10-2 victory • Tuscaloosa News
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas | The University of Alabama hit three solo home runs en route to an 10-2 win over Texas A&M-Corpus Christi on Thursday night in the first round of the Whataburger Classic.

• Ian R. Rapoport: The full story: NCAA says Alabama's violations 'potentially major' • al.com
It's been a long day filled with more textbook disbursement knowledge than I ever wanted to gather. There were plenty of posts (like this, this, this, and this) and in the end, a long story. Want a sneak peak?

• Gentry Estes: No. 1 Alabama awaits No. 1 Washington • al.com
TUSCALOOSA -- Alabama's softball team traveled more than 2,600 miles to unearth a special gem for its fans back home.

• Gentry Estes: What is Alabama's potential punishment for the textbook infractions? • al.com
Now that UA has revealed the details of its internal textbook investigation, finally released those self-reported documents and made known the subsequent allegations from the NCAA, a big question looms in the coming weeks: What will happen to Alabama's football program?

• Kevin Scarbinsky: Open window as repeat violator leaves a chill • The Birmingham News
Put them and their transgressions together, and Alabama football's Textbook Five don't add up to Albert Means. 

• NCAA alleges Alabama committed major violations ... • The Birmingham News
...because of violations of its textbook disbursement policy
TUSCALOOSA - The NCAA alleged that the University of Alabama committed "potentially major" rules violations by "failing to monitor" its student-athlete textbook distribution system, and UA officials agreed.

• Rejuvenated Morgan Dennis leads Alabama against Stanford • The Birmingham News
TUSCALOOSA - There were times when the experienced Morgan Dennis would channel her younger self. She couldn't help but look back at a simpler time when she was just a freshman phenom for the Alabama gymnastics team.

• UA Women end season, but had a memorable first half against powerhouse Tennessee • The Birmingham News
NORTH LITTLE ROCK - Alabama's tough season ended Thursday night, but at least coach Wendell Hudson can take a memorable first half of tournament basketball to the offseason.

• Violations `potentially major' • The Birmingham News
TUSCALOOSA - The NCAA alleged that the University of Alabama committed "potentially major" rules violations by "failing to monitor" its student-athlete textbook distribution system, and UA officials agreed.

• Alabama in trouble with NCAA again • Press-Register
TUSCALOOSA - An investigation triggered almost 17 months ago by a female student-athlete has the University of Alabama's football program in hot water again with the NCAA.

• Good things come in threes during Tide's 8-2 win over Texas A&M • Press-Register
Staff report CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas ? Jake Smith, Ross Wilson and Taylor Dugas all homered for Alabama in an 8-2 win over Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Thursday night in the Whataburger Classic.

• Sports Soundoff • Press-Register
Friday, March 06, 2009
This is Sports Sound Off, where you can speak your mind on anything you wish. Because of the large number of calls received, not all can be published. 

• Bad book smarts • The Huntsville Times
TUSCALOOSA - An investigation triggered almost 17 months ago by a female student-athlete has the University of Alabama's football program in hot water again with the NCAA.

• 2009 SEC Women's Basketball Tourney - Day One • SEC Sports
2009 SEC Women's Basketball Tourney - Day One

• SEC Baseball Roundup - Thursday, March 5th • SEC Sports
SEC Baseball Roundup - Thursday, March 5th

• University, NCAA discuss textbook case • The Crimson White
The University of Alabama and NCAA officials met last month regarding the textbook incident in 2007 when five football players were suspended during the season, the University confirmed Thursday.

• Battle of top teams highlights weekend tourney • The Crimson White
Following an 8-1 victory over University of Alabama-Birmingham on Wednesday, the top-ranked Alabama softball team is preparing for strong competition as the host of the Easton Challenge this weekend.

• A fresh path to the top • The Crimson White
A national championship contender rarely relies on freshmen talent in any sport on the collegiate level, but the Alabama gymnastics team would likely be buried in the rankings without its first-year help.

• UA meets with NCAA over textbook violations • Montgomery Advertiser
University of Alabama offi­cials released documents on Thursday as part of an 18-month investigation into a textbook scandal that sidelined five foot­ball players in 2007.

• SEC WOMEN'S BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT: Lady Vols turn Tide in 2nd half • Montgomery Advertiser
NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark. -- Alabama shot its way to a halftime lead against defending national champion Tennessee Thursday.

• NCAA: ‘Potential major violations’ • Decatur Daily  (Subscribers Only)
Alabama’s athletics program is waiting to hear its NCAA fate. The school completed its investigation into the …

• Alabama self-reports violations • Dothan Eagle
Alabama football coach Nick Saban met with reporters on Wednesday in Tuscaloosa, but didn’t disclose the university’s recent appearance before the NCAA’s Committee on Infractions.

• Oklahoma OL interested in Bama • Tider Insider (Subscribers Only)
The Crimson Tide is making a run at a top offensive lineman from Oklahoma. Three weeks ago, Bronson Irwin, a 6-5, 315-pounder from Mustang, picked up an offer from Alabama head coach Nick Saban.

• Tide in good position with GA receiver • Tider Insider (Subscribers Only)
College coaches began noticing Julian Horton of Greater Atlanta Christian HS in Norcross when he exploded for nearly 1,000 receiving yards as a sophomore. Since that time, the 6-1, 192-pound standout has picked up scholarship offers from Alabama, Arkansas, Maryland, Nevada, North Carolina and UCF. 

• ScoutTV: John Fulton Highlights • 'BamaMag  (Subscribers Only)
Junior season highlights of Manning (S.C.) defensive back

• Florida safety getting lots of offers • 'BamaMag  (Subscribers Only)
Read on to see what S Brian Robinson is saying.

• The Video Mailbag • 'BamaMag
Week Three of the Video Mailbag includes over 200 videos from some of the nation's best prospects.

• UA Recruiting Notebook • BamaOnLine (Subscribers Only)
With Alabama sending off a substantial number of out of state offers for 2010, many of the targeted prospects are planning visits to the Capstone in the coming weeks. In this UA Recruiting Notebook, get the latest on upcoming visits from Keiwone Malone and other prospects. 

• Montana hopes to visit UA • BamaOnLine (Subscribers Only)
Having a father who is one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history can put a lot of pressure to succeed in football. But Nick Montana is making a name for himself as one of the top quarterbacks in the 2010 class.

• Hurst has UA ties • BamaOnLine (Subscribers Only)
Offensive line prospect James Hurst has offers piling up it seems overnight, so many that he's having a hard time keeping up. One school that has a great early shot is Alabama due to family ties.

• The textbook investigation: a quick primer • Crimson Confidential (Subscribers Only)
Analyzing 215 pages of investigative and legislative documents is not the easiest task in the world, particularly having to do so over the course of one afternoon.

• Tide set for No. 1 vs. No. 1 match-up • Crimson Confidential (Subscribers Only)
It's not every day you see a match-up of No. 1 vs. No. 1 — in any sport

• Baseball:
Alabama 16, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi 2

• Softball:
Alabama 4, Baylor 0

• Softball:
Washington 6, Alabama 0

• Baseball:
Friday Night: Alabama 14, Texas Pan-American 1

• Gymnastics:
Friday Night: Alabama 197.150, Standord 196.775

• Bama in the NBA - March 6th Game Stats:
Check to see how the former players did