Bama in the News

November 15 - 21, 2007

• 11.15.07 Andre Smith • Crimson Tradition (Members Only)
Andre talks about the upcoming Louisiana Monroe game.

• 11.15.07 Wallace Gilberry • Crimson Tradition (Members Only)
Wallace talks about the upcoming Louisiana Monroe game.

• Brown Ready For Playoffs • BamaMag (for members only)
Mississippi's top prep football prospect, DeAndre Brown, will begin what he expects to be a deep run in the state playoffs this Friday night.

• Top Ten Tiders • BamaOnLine  (for members only)
Each Week, BamaOnline's Matt Scalici lists his top 10 Tide performers. In effect, the list serves as a week-to-week ranking of Alabama's most valuable players.

• Alabama Women’s Basketball Inks Four Standouts • RollTide.com
Third-year head coach Stephany Smith announced today that four preps signed commitments to play for the Alabama women's basketball program in 2008-09.

• Tide's Gottfried to be on "Tommy Wilcox Outdoors Show" • Tuscaloosa News
TUSCALOOSA | Mark Gottfried has made a success of reeling in huge catches in basketball recruiting. But recently the University of Alabama basketball coach experienced a sporting first when he lured...

• Senior Highlights: John Michael Boswell • BamaOnLine  (for members only)
Crimson Tide commitment John Michael Boswell has helped Tuscaloosa County to another successful season thanks to his tough, physical play on the offensive line.

• Tide Volleyball Takes on No. 7 Florida and South Carolina in SEC Season Finale • RollTide.com
The University of Alabama volleyball team heads on the road for its final conference matches of the season as the Tide takes on No. 7 Florida Friday, Nov. 16 at 7:00 p.m. ET, before heading to South Carolina to take on the Gamecocks Sunday, Nov. 18 at 1:30 p.m. ET. The Tide's match with South Carolina is featured as the SEC Match of the Week and will air on FSN South. 

• ALABAMA FOOTBALL: Special Teams Notebook • RollTide.com
Sophomores Leigh Tiffin and Javier Areans have helped the Crimson Tide develop solid special teams play this season.

• Alabama-ULM: How they match up • BamaOnLine
Alabama plays its final non-conference game of the season Saturday as it hosts Louisiana at Monroe on Senior Day at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Meet star running back Calvin Dawson and the rest of the visiting Warhawks with BamaOnLine.com's matchup preview.

• Squared Away • BamaOnLine  (for members only)
A quick glance at the Alabama Crimson Tide's 2008 commitment list shows that Nick Saban has plans to rebuild the Tide starting with the defensive line and Houston defensive tackle Damion Square is a key part of those plans. Get the latest on Square and his future ...

• Warhawks' Dawson delivers • BamaOnLine  (for members only)
While fans may expect Alabama to have an easy time with heavy underdog Louisiana-Monroe, it's not likely to be a day in the sun for the UA run defense. Check the Ultimate Ticket for more on ULM's Calvin Dawson, one of the nation's most productive running backs. 

• Talented Tennessee junior likes Alabama • Tider Insider (for members only)
"He's been down there a few times already. He was down there for the LSU game a few weeks ago. He's real impressed with Alabama." 

• Nico Johnson Taking One Game at a Time • BamaMag (for members only)
Nico Johnson, Scout.com National 100 junior linebacker from Andalusia, (Ala.), is holding steady with five major offers and is focused on leading his team in the state play-offs. Johnson took a recent unofficial visit to Alabama.

• Dont'a Hightower Talks of Decision • BamaMag (for members only)
Alabama landed another commitment from the state of Tennessee when Marshall County's (Lewisburg) defensive end Dont’a Hightower committed to the University of Alabama. The Scout.com four-star defensive prospect plays both ways for his high school squad. His coach, Don Thomas, and Dont'a both spoke with Scout.com after the announcement. 

• Alabama notes • Press-Register
LOUISIANA-MONROE (4-6) at ALABAMA (6-4) 1:30 p.m. Saturday Bryant-Denny Stadium, Tuscaloosa -- LINE: Alabama by 25. 

• Bama signs trio, class rated 10th • Press-Register
TUSCALOOSA -- There were no surprises or anxious moments. 

• Departing senior class has mixed feelings about legacy • Press-Register
TUSCALOOSA -- Zeke Knight isn't ready to leave Alabama yet. 

• Sanderson to speak at 1st and 10 Club meeting tonight • Press-Register
Former University of Alabama head basketball coach Wimp Sanderson will be the guest speaker at tonight's Cellular South 1st and 10 Club meeting at Heron Lakes Country Club. The meeting will start at 5:30 p.m. 

• Pass-rushing prospect commits to Bama • Press-Register
TUSCALOOSA -- As one might imagine, Alabama coach Nick Saban doesn't take kindly to interruptions while scanning tape with his coaches.

• Sports Soundoff • Press-Register
Thursday, November 15, 2007

• Following the Future • BamaOnLine  (for members only)
St. Paul's wide receiver Destin Hood had a huge game this week leading his teammates to a playoff win. Find out more about how Love and the rest of the Tide's 22 commitments faired in their senior high school seasons with our weekly Following the Future update...

• Tide facing Monroe's versatile back • The Decatur Daily
Dawson averages 125 yards on ground for visiting Warhawks

• COLLEGE FOOTBALL NOTEBOOK • The Decatur Daily
Alabama

• Mark McCarter: Joyful memory at odds with painful news • The Huntsville Times
He wanted to be on television. He was a high school kid who figured he could go be a college football star, then maybe go into the pros, then make a living looking into a camera and talking about players. 

• Alabama's hoops class rated No. 10 • The Huntsville Times
Three top commitments sign their letters of intent

• Why does Bama keep bumbling? • The Huntsville Times
Lack of execution so late in season confounds players 

• Alabama notebook • The Huntsville Times
Tennessee linebacker commits to Tide 

• SEC's move to level playing field caused shift in Iron Bowl • The Birmingham News
TUSCALOOSA -- It started with a plea for fairness. The Southeastern Conference wanted to level the playing field.

• Bama in the NBA -  November 14 ---> Stats:
Check out how the former Alabama players are doing.....

• Tide Defense Preps for Talented Running Back • RollTide.com
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - The University of Alabama football team practiced for two hours in full gear Wednesday afternoon as preparations continue for Saturday's non-conference home game against Louisiana Monroe. The Tide defense has spent the week working against an offense that features a dual threat quarterback and one the nation's top running backs. 

• Tiffin builds confidence with nine straight field goals • Tuscaloosa News
TUSCALOOSA | The difference between Leigh Tiffin and his teammates on the University of Alabama football team is the same as the difference between a sniper and a soldier.

• Tide hopes to have suspended players back by Auburn game • Tuscaloosa News
TUSCALOOSA | University of Alabama football coach Nick Saban is hoping to have a definitive ruling on the five players who were suspended during the school’s investigation into textbook disbursement...

• Alabama lands DE commitment • Tuscaloosa News
LEWISBURG, Tenn. | The University of Alabama landed another prospect from the state of Tennessee on Wednesday when Marshall County defensive end Dont’a Hightower committed to the Crimson Tide.

• Cecil Hurt: Tide can’t change just for the sake of changing • Tuscaloosa News
It’s been consistently true, even in those years when the Alabama football team played on Astroturf. The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence.

• UA women land Jaguars’ Ericka Russell • Tuscaloosa News
TUSCALOOSA | Ericka Russell, a Northridge High School senior, received her reward for perseverance. 

• 2007 SEC Football Coaches Press Conference • SEC Sports
2007 SEC Football Coaches Press Conference

• Saban updates textbook suspensions • BamaOnLine  (for members only)
Although he gave no assurances, Alabama coach Nick Saban said Wednesday that the school's internal review of textbook distribution procedures, which stemmed from the suspension of five players, may soon be coming to a close. 

• Wednesday notes • Tider Insider (for members only)
"Jimmy Johns has done a good job this week," Nick Saban noted following Wednesday's practice. "We'll possibly play him some with Terry Grant."

• A Tale Of Two Running Games • BamaMag (for members only)
Alabama started the 2007 season seemingly well-stocked at tailback. Even though three-year starter Kenneth Darby had graduated, running back looked like a strength of the offense. No more.

• Volleyball:
Florida 3, Alabama 0

• Women’s Golf Signs Brooke Pancake • RollTide.com
Third-year head women's golf coach Mic Potter has announced the signing of Brooke Pancake from Chattanooga, Tenn. Pancake will begin her Alabama career in the 2008-09 season.

• Men’s Cross Country Coach Joe Walker Named NCAA South Region Coach of the Y.. • RollTide.com
The United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) announced today that Alabama men's cross country coach Joe Walker has been selected as the NCAA South Region Coach of the Year. 

• FRIDAY FOOTBALL FLASHBACK: • RollTide.com
Upchurch Scores Twice in Tide Win over UL Monroe, 41-7

• Crimson Tide Announces Baseball Signing Class • RollTide.com
The University of Alabama has signed 13 players during the Nov. 14-21, 2007, signing period that will join the Crimson Tide program for the 2008-09 academic year, according to an announcement today by head baseball coach Jim Wells. 

• Nine-Time National Champion Set to Join the Crimson Tide Distance Program ...• RollTide.com
University of Alabama head women's track and field coach Sandy Fowler announced today that Junior College All-American Betty Rotich will join the Crimson Tide distance program for track and cross country teams at the start of the spring semester in January. 

• Mike and Jay's College Picks • BamaMag
I'm trying to be an optimist at this point. I tell myself, "well, usually by this point in the season we've eliminated ourselves from bowl contention already, so you should be happy that we're still within striking distance of a winning season and bowl game with two games to go!"

• Staley Resigns as Crimson Tide Women's Soccer Head Coach • RollTide.com
University of Alabama women's soccer head coach Don Staley announced his resignation Friday, effective immediately. Staley led the Crimson Tide program for 14 seasons, accumulating a record of 135-128-12 at the Capstone. 

• UA basketball notes • Tuscaloosa News
University of Alabama men’s basketball coach Mark Gottfried said on Friday that freshman point guard Rico Pickett would be available to play in Monday’s game against Belmont. 

• The Bulletin Board: • BamaOnLine  (for members only)
Need a little extra motivation for this weekend's matchup against Louisiana Monroe? For that we bring you the BamaOnline Bulletin Board, an exclusive feature compiling all the quotes, notes and facts you need to know to get you even more hyped up for the Crimson Tide's upcoming clash with the Warhawks. 

• New attitude helps kicking game • BamaOnLine  (for members only)
With his duties confined to a rather non-physical specialty duty, the placekicker has seldom struck fear in the hearts of opposing players. Nick Saban's approach to the position might just change that perception. 

• Don'Ta Hightower Senior Video • BamaOnLine  (for members only)  
Marshall County linebacker Don'Ta Hightower saw his recruitment pick up during his senior season before committing to the Alabama Crimson Tide earlier this week. See why some of the nation's top programs were after the versatile athlete with our exclusive senior video ... 

• Pete’s Pigskin Prognostications • BamaMag
I surprised myself last week by picking 5 of 6. This week should be as good or better, as there is only one game which seems to hang in the balance, and that on isn’t really a close pick.

• Alabama's Hall begins doing the right things off the football field • The Birmingham News
TUSCALOOSA - Two people were asked about the same issue. They answered it nearly identically. 

• College beat • The Birmingham News
ALABAMA-Stadium expansion talk heats up: 

• BOL Panel predictions • BamaOnLine
BamaOnLine.com puts its own staff as well as other state media representatives to the test with BOL Panel Predictions. Each week this football season, media members will pick their winners for key games both around the SEC and the nation. This is a free BOL feature. 

• Bama in the NBA -  November 15 ---> Stats:
Check out how the former Alabama players are doing.....

• 11.15.07 Crimson Tide This Week • Crimson Tradition (Members Only)
Catch up on all the latest in Alabama athletics.

• November improvement a trademark of WarHawks • Tuscaloosa News
TUSCALOOSA | It might sound funny, but the University of Alabama football team might be catching the Louisiana-Monroe WarHawks at the wrong time.

• CRIMSON TIDE NOTEBOOK: Volleyball team ends season on the road • Tuscaloosa News
The University of Alabama volleyball team heads on the road for its final conference matches of the season, taking on No. 7 Florida at 6 tonight before heading to South Carolina to take on the...

• Alabama signs TCHS’ Jazlyn Lunceford • Tuscaloosa News
NORTHPORT | To play against SEC competition, all Jazlyn Lunceford has to do is finish her senior season at Tuscaloosa County High School and cross the Black Warrior River. 

• Alabama women's basketball team signs four players • Tuscaloosa News
TUSCALOOSA | Third-year head coach Stephany Smith announced that four preps signed commitments to play for the Alabama women’s basketball program in 2008: Ericka Russell (Tuscaloosa), Carmen McCoy...

• Alabama, Clemson could meet • Press-Register
TUSCALOOSA -- Alabama and Clemson are closing in on agreement to open next football season with an Aug. 30 game at Atlanta's Georgia Dome.

• Mild-mannered Tiffin develops assassin attitude • The Huntsville Times
Sophomore closing in on Tide kicking record 

• Sports Soundoff • Press-Register
Friday, November 16, 2007

• John Hinds: National Preview: • Tide Fans
We've moved into the playoff phase of the college football season.

• Hendrix dominating out of the gates • Crimson White
Men's basketball notebook

• Crimson Tide place-kicker Tiffin turns fortunes around • Montgomery Advertiser
TUSCALOOSA -- Arkansas giveth, Arkansas taketh away.

• Pirates' star, Steele headline Tide class • Montgomery Advertiser
TUSCALOOSA -- JaMychal Green, Andrew Steele and Tony Mitchell all signed letters of intent with Alabama on Wednesday, giving the Crimson Tide one of the top men's basketball recruiting classes in the nation.

• BASKETBALL SIGNING DAY: • Montgomery Advertiser
St. Jude's Green goes with Crimson Tide

• COLLEGE FOOTBALL NOTEBOOK • The Decatur Daily
Alabama 

• Mark Edwards: Look for UA reserves to see action • The Decatur Daily
Alabama faces a bit of a break Saturday when it hosts Louisiana-Monroe. 

• Josh Cooper: Tide seniors can't image losing to ULM • The Decatur Daily
TUSCALOOSA — Could there be a worse way to send out the senior class at home than with a loss to Louisiana-Monroe? 

• Bama seniors want to win home finale • The Dothan Eagle
TUSCALOOSA — Alabama will honor its 22 seniors before Saturday’s game against the University of Louisiana at Monroe.

• Lewis finishes stellar season • BamaOnLine  (for members only)
One of the Tide's earliest 2008 commitments, defensive end Brandon Lewis, recently closed the book on a terrific senior campaign, and though his high school squad missed the playoffs, the 6-foot-3, 265-pound star is now looking forward to his career at the Capstone. Find out more by checking the Ultimate Ticket for details.

• Davidson juniors turning heads • BamaOnLine  (for members only)
The Mobile area will no doubt be a hot location for college football recruiters who are working on their 2009 classes, and one of the most popular stops in the city will be Davidson High School which will feature at least three Division I prospects. 

• Tide can't afford to look ahead • Tider Insider (for members only)
After back-to-back losses, Alabama (6-4, 4-3 SEC) returns home in an attempt to put the pieces back together on Senior Day. The Tide's opponent will be the Warhawks of Louisiana-Monroe (4-6, 3-3 Sun Belt), coached by Charlie Weatherbie. ULM comes in with a losing record and was trounced by the Tide last fall, but this Alabama team isn't playing well enough to overlook anyone right now.

• BamaMag.com: Is this the Class 2008? • BamaMag
I have been following this class going on two years now, and it is finally here. The 2008 in-state crop is the best class of prospects since 2004. In the 2004 class, Alabama nabbed only one of those top prospects. That was the all-important Ron Steele. The rest of those prospects, some of them McDonald All-Americans, went on to out-of-state schools.

• Football:
Louisiana-Monroe 21, Alabama 14

• SEC Scores:
Georgia 24, Kentucky 13

• GAMEDAY CENTRAL: Alabama vs. Louisiana Monroe • RollTide.com
The University of Alabama football plays its final home game of the 2007 season on Saturday, Nov. 17, with a non-conference game against Louisiana Monroe at Bryant-Denny Stadium. The kickoff time is set for 1:30 p.m. (CST) and there will be no live television for this game. 

• Tide Seniors Play Final Home Game • RollTide.com
The Louisiana Monroe game marks the final home game for 22 Crimson Tide seniors. The senior class will be honored in a pregame ceremony prior to the ULM game. 

• PDF: Gameday front page • Tuscaloosa News
GAMEDAY T-NEWS PAGES:

• PDF: Team rosters • Tuscaloosa News
GAMEDAY T-NEWS PAGES:

• PDF: Statistics • Tuscaloosa News
GAMEDAY T-NEWS PAGES:

• PDF: Team photo 
GAMEDAY T-NEWS PAGES:

• T-News staff picks • Tuscaloosa News
It's pretty much the same across the board for the Tuscaloosa News picks this weekend. Do you think 'Bama will win big? Check out the picks.

• Bama in the NBA -  November 16 ---> Stats:
Check out how the former Alabama players are doing.....

• Women’s Basketball Returns Home to Face Arkansas State • RollTide.com
The University of Alabama women's basketball team (0-2, 0-0) returns to the friendly confines of Coleman Coliseum to host Arkansas State (1-1, 0-0). Tipoff is scheduled for Sunday, November 18 at 2 p.m. The Indians, a member of the Sun Belt Conference is coming off a 54-53 victory over BYU while the Tide was clipped by Samford 48-46. 

• Swimming and Diving Sophomore Shatters School Record against Auburn  • RollTide.com
Swimming and Diving sophomore Agustina de Giovanni shattered the school record in the 400 IM and posted a career-best mark in the 100 breaststroke on the way to winning both events against Auburn on the Plains Friday afternoon. 

• Volleyball Falls in Three Games to No. 7 Florida • RollTide.com
The University of Alabama volleyball team fell in three games to No. 7 Florida tonight at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center on the University of Florida campus. With the loss Alabama falls to 15-13 overall and 12-7 in the SEC. 

• Andrew Bone: Alabama All-Stars selected • Tuscaloosa News
Alabama-Mississippi All-Star game December 17. 

• UA coach Joe Walker is Region Coach of the Year • Tuscaloosa News
NEW ORLEANS | The United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association has selected University of Alabama men’s cross country coach Joe Walker as the NCAA South Region Coach of the...

• UA track team signs national champion • Tuscaloosa News
Junior College All-American Betty Rotich will join the Alabama distance program for track and cross country teams at the start of the spring semester in January, coach Sandy Fowler said...

• Bama women’s golf signs one • Tuscaloosa News
TUSCALOOSA | Third-year women’s golf coach Mic Potter announced the signing of Brooke Pancake from Baylor High School in Chattanooga, Tenn.

• Tide lands TA catcher Olivia Gibson • Tuscaloosa News
TUSCALOOSA | In the past four years, Olivia Gibson and her Tuscaloosa Academy teammates ended the softball season in the AISA Tournament at Montgomery.

• Alabama signs 13 in baseball • Tuscaloosa News
TUSCALOOSA | The University of Alabama has signed 13 players this week in the NCAA November signing period.

• Ray Melick: NCAA mistake might be more than `harmless' • The Birmingham News
The trial of disassociated Alabama booster Ray Keller vs. the NCAA is not getting much attention in Tuscaloosa. 

• Paul Finebaum: Iron Bowl of '82 start of new era • Press-Register
Next week's Iron Bowl will mark the 25th anniversary of Paul Bryant's final regular-season game in 1982 against Auburn. Does it seem possible that so much time has passed us by? 

• John Pruett: Should game be called Aluminum Foil Bowl this year? • The Huntsville Times
Friday potpourri: My friend Tony inadvertising says he has come up with a new name for next week's Iron Bowl. I bit and asked, "Oh, yeah? What?''

• 22 Tide seniors play at Bryant-Denny for last time • The Birmingham News
TUSCALOOSA - One by one, the University of Alabama seniors will hear their names called on the public address system at Bryant-Denny Stadium. They will walk to the middle of field, and along with their families, they will be recognized.

• TIDE BUZZ • The Birmingham News
1.If the starters are resting in the fourth quarter. If today goes the Crimson Tide's way, all the first-teamers will be done with 15 minutes to go. That will mean they pounded Louisiana-Monroe enough, and it's time to rest for the Tigers.

• Tide seeks memorable stretch run • Press-Register
TUSCALOOSA -- Today is a day that Bay Minette's Wallace Gilberry has dreaded since he came to Alabama as a lightly regarded, last-minute prospect.

• Sports Soundoff • Press-Register
Saturday, November 17, 2007

• Saban far from relaxed • Press-Register
Tide coach wary of Sun Belt foe Louisiana-Monroe

• COLLEGE FOOTBALL NOTEBOOK • The Decatur Daily
Alabama

• Senior Day emotions running high for Britt • BamaOnLine  (for members only)
More than 20 seniors will participate in the final home game of their Alabama careers Saturday on Senior Day against Louisiana-Monroe, but for offensive guard Justin Britt, the event will be more special than the others.

• BamaMag.com: Surprises of 2007 • BamaMag (for members only)
We’re one week away from the Iron Bowl, and while Alabama’s record is about where we thought it would be at this point, the road the Crimson Tide has taken to get here is wildly different than what we imagined. The same goes for a few key players on the Alabama roster.

• Neck and Neck • BamaMag
Glenn Harbin hasn't had time to set up trips yet but still hopes to decide by the end of the year.