Monday, May 21, 2007

• Alabama Women Remain in 23rd Place at NCAA Championship • RollTide.com
The University of Alabama women's golf team got off to a better start in the second round of the 2007 NCAA Championship but was unable to maintain its momentum, as the Tide shot 319 on the day to remain in 23rd place at the LPGA International Legends Course in Daytona Beach, Fla. 

• Hog-tied in hoover • Tuscaloosa News
HOOVER | Less than two weeks ago, University of Alabama hitters had all the answers against Nick Schmidt.

• Tide’s Murphy had a shot at Huskies head job • Tuscaloosa News
TUSCALOOSA | If Patrick Murphy had elected to pursue the position, he might be coaching the Washington Huskies against the University of Alabama this weekend in the NCAA Softball Tournament.

• Saban may have violated NCAA recruiting rules • Tuscaloosa News
According to reports, University of Alabama coach Nick Saban may have violated NCAA rules when he talked to recruits during last week’s trip to South Florida.

• Ray Melick: Uneasy Tide riding NCAA tourney bubble • The Birmingham News
Somebody is going home today.

• Schmidt two-hits Tide in SEC opener • The Birmingham News
The word spread in the Alabama dugout, though one only needed to glance at the Regions Park scoreboard to see what was happening.

• Tide officials mum on possible Saban recruiting violations • The Birmingham News
TUSCALOOSA - University of Alabama officials had no response to Florida media reports that Crimson Tide football coach Nick Saban may have committed an NCAA violation.

• An ill Schmidt has Tide batters feeling the blahs • The Birmingham News
Arkansas pitcher Nick Schmidt felt sick to his stomach. Then he turned in a record-setting masterpiece. 

• BEST AND WORST OF SEC BASEBALL TOURNAMENT • The Birmingham News
Worst day - Florida third baseman Jon Townsend would be wise to forget Wednesday. He went 0-for-5 as the No.5 hitter, with three strikeouts and five left on base, and committed an error in the Gators' loss to South Carolina. Worst timing - Sprinklers briefly soaked despondent Florida pitcher David Hurst after he allowed the game-winning hit to South Carolina. Way to kick a guy when he's down. The sprinklers also went off while Arkansas and Alabama shook hands. Note to grounds crew: Wait a couple minutes. Worst letdown - The Price wasn't right. Many folks were disappointed to learn Vandy's David Price wasn't starting Wednesday night. He is scheduled to pitch today to stay closer toward his normal pitching routine. Jon Solomon --

• SEC TOURNAMENT NOTES • The Birmingham News
Alabama's Smith out following surgery: 

• Hogtied • Press-Register
HOOVER -- Both Alabama coach Jim Wells and outfielder Emeel Salem predicted Tuesday that Arkansas pitcher Nick Schmidt would throw an excellent game on Wednesday in the SEC tournament opener.

• SEC BASEBALL TOURNAMENT: Hogs' Schmidt silences Tide • Montgomery Advertiser
Wednesday's 10 a.m. start might have been too early for Alabama's baseball team.

• SEC NOTEBOOK: Schmidt shakes off poor night's sleep • Montgomery Advertiser
HOOVER -- It became obvi­ous pretty quick that Nick Schmidt was doing something special.

• Tide's Paiml comes home • Montgomery Advertiser
HOOVER -- The Southeastern Conference baseball tournament means a little more to Greg Paiml.

• Sports Soundoff • Press-Register
Thursday, May 24, 2007

• Cormier helps Braves beat Biscuits  • Montgomery Advertiser
Former Alabama star Lance Cormier threw five shutout innings and received offensive support from Matt Esquivel and Clint Sammons -- who both homered -- as the Mississippi Braves beat the Montgomery Biscuits 4-3 on Wednesday night in Pearl, Miss.

• Tide still struggling in Hoover • Press-Register
HOOVER -- Alabama's flailing offense against Nick Schmidt on Wednesday at the SEC tournament might have seemed like a one-game power outage for the Crimson Tide.

• Tired Schmidt • The Decatur Daily
HOOVER — The night before Arkansas' 6-0 drubbing of Alabama in the first round of the SEC baseball tournament, Razorbacks starter Nick Schmidt couldn't sleep. 

•  Josh Cooper: SEC offers some of the best baseball • The Decatur Daily
HOOVER — The banner curling around the left and right field walls says "SEC, The best College Baseball in the Country."

• Former Dora star hopes to make an instant impact • Tider Insider (for members only)
"I like the new defense," says Bama incoming freshman linebacker Chavis Williams. "It gives me a chance to play quicker. It would have taken me a while to get up to defensive end size, but I can play outside linebacker right now."

• Coaches are in line for Peterson • BamaMag (for members only)
Bayou State wide out can't keep up with all of the offers.

• The top six five-stars for 2008 released  • BamaOnLine
These are the big ones. The true franchise players. Today, Rivals.com's release of the five-star prospects finishes up as we unveil the nation's top six prospects. Do-everything quarterback Terrelle Pryor is No. 1 and will be at the top of the first ranked Rivals100. 

• Bama in the NBA: May 24 --->game stats:
Antonio McDyess scored 4 points

• Buikema/Thibaudeau Fall Short Against Illinois Pair in NCAA Doubles Tournament • RollTide.com
The University of Alabama men's tennis top doubles tandem of Dan Buikema and Mathieu Thibaudeau fell to Ryan Rowe and Kevin Anderson of Illinois in a tight match, 7-6 (7-3), 7-5, in the first round of the NCAA Division I doubles tournament.

• Kelly Kretschman Invited to USA Softball Women’s National Team Selection Camp • RollTide.com
Former Alabama standout Kelly Kretschman is one of 37 players from around the country invited by USA Softball to participate in the Women's National Team Selection Camp June 11-15 at the Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, Calif.

• Andrew Bone: College coaches expected in Atlanta this weekend • Tuscaloosa News
The Scout.com Southeast Elite will come together for a camp at Georgia Tech

• Neal McCready: Tide plays way out of NCAA bid • Press-Register
HOOVER -- At least Alabama fans can take solace today.

• Kevin Scarbinsky: Tide baseball another sport down the drain • The Birmingham News
Pat Murphy may not see it this way, but the Alabama softball coach is lucky. His team gets to play its NCAA Super Regional series against Washington, starting today, in Seattle. 

• Two and out for Tide • The Birmingham News
As far as Alabama coach Jim Wells is concerned, the conclusions are not hard to draw. Simply do the math.

• Bama's Praytor back in Northwest wearing crimson • The Birmingham News
Before the Alabama softball team left for its Super Regional, Jordan Praytor went shopping. The junior hit three stores in Tuscaloosa searching for shirts. Lots of shirts. Crimson shirts, more specifically.

• BEST AND WORST OF SEC BASEBALL • The Birmingham News
Worst news for Hoover - Alabama and Mississippi State, the two biggest draws in Hoover, were the first two teams eliminated. Attendance will surely suffer for a tournament already without Auburn and LSU. Worst time for a slump - Alabama leadoff hitter Emeel Salem went 0-for-8 during the Tide's first two-and-done SEC Tournament since 1994. Salem entered the week on a 13-game hitting streak with seven multi-hit games. Alabama badly needed him on base. Worst letdown - Three SEC pitchers in the first two days took no-hitters (or in David Price's case, a perfect game) into the seventh inning. There's a reason no-no's are tough to get. One of these days the SEC Tournament may see its first. Too bad it hasn't happened yet. Jon Solomon --

• Alabama out in two games • Press-Register
HOOVER -- Alabama entered SEC tournament play growling and on the hunt with three key series wins in the past month.

• Bama plans response on allegations • Press-Register
HOOVER -- The University of Alabama will submit a report to the Southeastern Conference office regarding possible NCAA recruiting transgressions by first-year coach Nick Saban in southern Florida, a source close to the university athletic department said Thursday.

• SEC NOTEBOOK: Wells mum on Tide's chances • Press-Register
HOOVER -- Alabama baseball coach Jim Wells was in no mood to discuss his team's NCAA regional possibilities after the Crimson Tide was swept from the SEC tournament with a 3-2 loss to Florida on Thursday.

• Sports Soundoff • Press-Register
Friday, May 25, 2007

• Saban may have broken minor rules • The Huntsville Times
Tide coach's talks with recruits may be too in-depth

• Tide's outta there • The Huntsville Times
Alabama's NCAA hopes take hit with second SEC tourney loss 

• Tide's NCAA tournament chances fade • Montgomery Advertiser
HOOVER -- Alabama coach Jim Wells didn't feel much like talking after watching his baseball team drop a 3-2 decision to Florida in the Southeastern Conference Baseball Tournament at Regions Park on Thursday.

• Bama seniors fall short in possible final games • Montgomery Advertiser
HOOVER -- Alabama's senior class won't be remembered for its final performance in the Southeastern Conference Baseball Tournament at Regions Park.

• Tide softball coach familiar with Huskies' ace • Montgomery Advertiser
Alabama softball coach Pat­rick Murphy doesn't need a scouting report for the NCAA Super Regional. He knew Washington pitcher Danielle Lawrie before she ever set foot on a college campus.

• Kretschman earns invite for Team USA softball • Montgomery Advertiser
TUSCALOOSA -- Former Alabama standout Kelly Kretschman is one of 37 players from around the country invited by USA Softball to participate in the Women's National Team Selection Camp June 11-15 at the Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, Calif.

• Gators knock out Tide  • The Decatur Daily
After falling from SEC tournament, Alabama left to wait and wonderabout NCAA bid

• UA mum on possible  • The Decatur Daily
HOOVER — Alabama officials would not comment on whether head football coach Nick Saban broke any NCAA recruiting violations.

• Burton Scott talks about favorites • Tider Insider (for members only)
Burton Scott has long been considered one of the south's top prospects. But with recent offers from the likes of Southern Cal, Miami, Florida, FSU, Tennessee and LSU, the Prichard-Vigor star is now emerging as one of the nation's hottest prospects. In this in-depth interview with TI, Scott shares the latest news about his recruitment. 

• 2007-2008 Early Bowl Projections  • CollegeFootballNews.com
The way-too-early projections and predictions for all the non-BCS bowl games.

• Harbin shows off versatility in scrimmage. • BamaOnLine  (for members only)
While most of the buzz surrounding the Foley Spring Jamboree last weekend was centered around Julio Jones, another one of the top prospects in the southeast was also on display as McGill-Toolen's Glenn Harbin showed off his versatile athleticism during the ...

• Tolliver Has A Timeline • BamaMag (for members only)
This summer could be critical in the hunt for Chris Tolliver.

• Alabama’s Season Comes to a Close With 7-5 Loss in NCAA Super Regionals • RollTide.com
The Crimson Tide softball team saw its remarkable season come to a close when they fell to the University of Washington, 7-5, on Saturday in the NCAA Super Regionals in Seattle, Wash. 

• SEC Spring Review: Arkansas • BamaOnLine  (for members only)
As we look forward to the 2007 football season, BamaOnline decided to take a look back at how the rest of the SEC faired during spring practice. BOL spoke with Trey Biddy of HawgSports.com for a full review of the Arkansas Razorbacks' spring practice and what it means for the upcoming season...

• Quiet spring for Boswell • BamaOnLine  (for members only)
The afternoon of Alabama’s historic A-Day scrimmage that saw 92,000 pack Bryant-Denny Stadium, the Tide picked up a huge commitment from a huge prospect in mammoth offensive lineman John Michael Boswell. Since his verbal pledge, what has the 6-foot-6, 290-pound athlete been up to? 

• Miruna Mataoanu Wins the NCAA Mideast Regional High Jump Championship • RollTide.com
Alabama senior Miruna Mataoanu rewrote the history books at the 2007 Mideast Regional in Columbia, Missouri Friday afternoon. With her height of 6-02.75 in the high jump she broke her on NCAA Mideast regional record, the University of Alabama School record, the University of Missouri's Audrey J. Walton Stadium record and her own personal record. 

• Men’s Track Concludes First Day at NCAA Mideast Regional • RollTide.com
Alabama's men track and field team opened competition at the 2007 Mideast Regional at Audrey J. Walton Stadium on the campus of the University of Missouri in Columbia, Mo. 

• Crimson Tide in a must-win situation • Tuscaloosa News
SEATTLE | Alabama has been here before. 

• SEC making its mark in the NFL • Tuscaloosa News
Amos Jones would like everyone in Tuscaloosa to know he’s alive and well in Pittsburgh, where he’s helping the Steelers prepare for the upcoming NFL season as a special teams coach.

• Backs against the wall • The Birmingham News
SEATTLE - The NCAA Super Regional didn't turn out like it was supposed to Friday for the big-hitting Alabama softball team in a 4-3 loss to the Washington Huskies.

• Paul Finebaum: Slive puts polish on SEC image • Press-Register
Five years ago, the guessing game was on for who would replace Roy Kramer as SEC commissioner. Many of the usual suspects were mentioned and when someone called late one night and said that Mike Slive had emerged from the pack, my first reaction was: "You must be kidding. Good guy, but he'll never fit in."

•  Neal McCready: SEC bears arms • Press-Register
The knock on college baseball has always come from purists who don't like the ping of aluminum bats and the excess of crooked numbers on the scoreboard. 

• Sports Soundoff • Press-Register
Saturday, May 26, 2007

• Young Tide team regroups for next year • Tuscaloosa News
SEATTLE | The fifth-ranked University of Alabama softball team’s season ended abruptly with two weekend NCAA Super Regional losses to the Washington Huskies, leaving the Crimson Tide to ponder what it accomplished in the 2007 season, and what might have been.

•  Kevin Scarbinsky: Florida president sees some merit in football playoff • The Birmingham News
Something very strange is going to happen at the SEC's annual meeting this week. Stranger than Nick Saban and Les Miles sitting down in the same room at the same time. 

• Seven's a lucky number for Tide • The Birmingham News
There are two perspectives from which to judge the Alabama baseball team, players and coaches figure. 

• Bama wondering if it did enough to make NCAA tournament • Montgomery Advertiser
Alabama entered the Southeastern Conference baseball tournament uncertain of whether it had accomplished enough during the regular season to earn a berth in the NCAA tournament.

• Tide waits for possible NCAA berth • The Decatur Daily
Committee will reveal bids at 11:30 a.m.

• Griffin hopes to help rekindle Bama's winning tradition • Tider Insider (for members only)
"I never lost a game in high school, so maybe some of that will rub off on Alabama…"

• MDC: Andrew Steele Spotlight • BamaMag (for members only)
NASHVILLE, Tenn. --- With the addition of Larry Drew to North Carolina’s 2008 recruiting class, is there room for Andrew Steele? The 6-foot-3 guard talked at the Memorial Day Classic about his favorites schools following a big win for his Alabama Challenge squad.

• Bama in the NBA: May 28 --->game stats:
Robert Horry scored 2 points and...

• Tide's Youngest Golfer A Veteran of Major Amateur Events • RollTide.com
Matthew Swan is Alabama's lone sophomore among four juniors competing at the NCAA championships this week, but this young talent comes with experience in some of amateur golf's biggest events. 

• Tide not bitter about missing NCAA tourney • Tuscaloosa News
TUSCALOOSA | There was no joy at the University of Alabama baseball offices on Monday morning -- but there was no anger, either.

•  Andrew Bone: Top prospects playing the waiting game • Tuscaloosa News
The Southeast Hot 150 prospects, ranked by Scout.com, have a large number of recruits with Alabama scholarship offers and have been in Tuscaloosa for unofficial visits or plan to camp in Tuscaloosa...

• Tide misses out on NCAA berth • The Birmingham News
TUSCALOOSA - The University of Alabama baseball team had the opportunity to play its way into an NCAA regional. All it needed to do was win a game or two in the Southeastern Conference tournament.

• SEC likely to discuss playoff • Press-Register
A possible college football playoff system, the effects of the recent Academic Performance Ratings (APR) scores and television contracts are expected to be hot topics at this year's SEC spring meetings beginning today at Florida's Sandestin Beach Hilton.

• Sports Soundoff • Press-Register
Tuesday, May 29, 2007

• Bubble bursts for Tide's NCAA hopes • The Huntsville Times
Alabama misses tourney for first time since 2004  

• Crimson Tide left out of NCAAs • Montgomery Advertiser
Alabama's baseball players didn't meet as a team to watch the NCAA baseball tournament selection show on Monday morning.

• Alabama baseball season is over • The Decatur Daily
NCAA panel not impressed with Tide

• Gibson set to report • Tider Insider (for members only)
"I want to go in and prove myself and see where I stand," says Tide incoming freshman WR Brandon Gibson. The 6-1, 193-pounder will report to Tuscaloosa on…

• Cousins looking hard at UA • BamaOnLine  (for members only)
One of the most high profile recruits in the 2009 class is 5-star Birmingham native DeMarcus Cousins, the nation's No. 3 overall player. This summer Cousins, 6-foot-9, 234-pounds, is staying relatively below the radar but the Mark Gottfried and the Crimson Tide haven't ...

• Talent Showcased at ScoutSouth.com Combine • BamaMag
The ScoutSouth.com combine brought several talented prospects to Hoover, (Ala.) Sunday, May 27 to compete on Memorial Day weekend. Alabama is not lacking for talent in the class of 2008, and the class of 2009 has prospects making a name as well.

• Big Names At First Scout.com Elite Camp • BamaMag
News and notes from the first annual Scout.com Elite Camp in Atlanta, Ga.

• Rodriguez Wilks Talks Scout.com Elite Camp • BamaMag
Recruit talks of camp.

• Offers Keep Coming For Bryce Ros  • BamaMag (for members only)
With several offers already under his belt, the Kennesaw Mountain ATH discusses his recruiting.

• Tide 12th of 30 After Opening Round at NCAA Golf • RollTide.com
Bama's Matthew Swan and Joseph Sykora led the Tide, shooting even par, 70, in the first of four rounds at the 2007 NCAA Men's Golf Championships in Williamsburg, Va.

• Parker, Rogers and Owens Named NFCA All-Americans • RollTide.com
Lauren Parker, Brittany Rogers and Chrissy Owens were all named All-Americans in an announcement by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) on Wednesday. 

• Tide signees stand out in All-Star practice • BamaOnLine  (for members only)
This Saturday, recently graduated high school players from Alabama and Mississippi will meet in Mobile’s Ladd-Peebles Stadium for the annual Alabama-Mississippi All Star Classic and included among the group of future college stars are several players slated to join the Crimson Tide this fall. 

• 5.28.07 Coach Seawell Day 1  • CrimsonTradition (Members Only)
05-30-2007: Coach talks about their first day at the NCAA championship.

• 5.29.07 Matthew Swan • CrimsonTradition (Members Only)
05-30-2007: Matthew Swan talks about Alabama's appearance at the NCAA championship.

• 5.29.07 Michael Thompson • CrimsonTradition (Members Only)
05-30-2007: Michael Thompson talks about being at the NCAA championships.

• 5.29.07 Coach Seawell Day 2 • CrimsonTradition (Members Only)
05-30-2007: Coach talks about their second day at the NCAAs.

• Joseph Sykora Has Helped Make Golf History at UA • RollTide.com
Bama's junior golfer has won a tournament championship and set the school's 54-hole record en route to helping power the team to this week's NCAA Championships finals. 

• Andrew Bone: An Alabama offensive lineman dominates Georgia camp • Tuscaloosa News
The Southeast Hot 150 camp in Atlanta saw a newcomer take control. 

• Washington D.C. star likes Bama • Tider Insider (for members only)
"My coach sent film to Alabama. They liked what they saw and offered me…"

• LB Hale discusses leaders • BamaOnLine  (for members only)
The Crimson Tide are on the look-out in 2008 for elite players in the defensive front. Now a five star linebacker has listed the Tide among his top 11 school choices.

• Jordan high on Bama • BamaOnLine  (for members only)  
Highly touted running back Chris Jordan took a visit to the Capstone earlier this summer and now the 6-foot-2, 210-pound standout and Rivals250 member out of Brentwood (TN) Brentwood Academy has plenty of nice things to say about the Alabama program. Jordan ... 

• Two Tide Games On Television • BamaMag
The first announcement of Southeastern Conference televised games has two Alabama SEC games announced for television. More games will be announced later, with many television selections coming within a week or two of kickoff.

• ScoutSouth.com Combine: Photo Gallery 1 • BamaMag (for members only)
Scenes from Hoover High School

• Bama in the NBA: May 29 --->game stats:
Antonio McDyess scored 12 points and..

<