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Bama lands Avery Johnson

Started by jbcarol, April 04, 2015, 07:09:02 pm

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jbcarol

AL.com sports ‏@aldotcomSports  36m36 minutes ago
In his first year at #Alabama, Avery Johnson is making a case for #SEC coach of the year: http://ow.ly/Yeq6x 



QuoteScarblog: The basketball program with the longest current winning streak in the SEC at three straight victories was picked to finish 13th in the 14-team conference.

The program with more wins over ranked opponents this season than anyone else in the SEC hasn't taken down four ranked teams in a season in 14 years.

The program that's put itself in position two weeks into February to make a late postseason push hasn't played in the NCAA Tournament in four years and hasn't won a game there in a decade.

Is there any question Alabama's Avery Johnson deserves serious consideration for SEC coach of the year in his first year on the job?
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jbcarol

https://twitter.com/ByCasagrande/status/698646824316497920

Kevin Brockway ‏@gatorhoops 2m2 minutes ago Hollywood, FL

...Gators up 37-36.
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jbcarol

Jon Rothstein ‏@JonRothstein 14h14 hours ago

Alabama beat Florida at Florida. Crimson Tide are now 6-6 in SEC play. Going to be real interesting when Avery Johnson gets players.
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jbcarol

SEC Network ‏@SECNetwork 14h14 hours ago

Roll Tide Roll!

@AlabamaMBB wins 61-55 over the Gators, their 1st win in Gainesville since 1995.

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jbcarol

Jenna Ladd ‏@jenna_ladd  Feb 13
Avery Johnson sent Shannon Hale over to the Rowdies post game to apologize & shake hands with fans he cursed at during the game. #Gators
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jbcarol

Michael Casagrande ‏@ByCasagrande 14h14 hours ago

Alabama basketball's RPI jumps to top 40, enters NCAA bracket projection. http://ow.ly/YjJmj

QuoteAlabama continues to improve its chances of playing in March. A 61-55 win at Florida was the fifth in the last six games ― significant beyond breaking the 21-year losing streak in Gainesville.

It further enhanced an NCAA tournament résumé in a season that wasn't supposed to include such talk. Alabama's projected RPI rating is as high as No. 34, according to one calculation.

-- No. 34 ESPN

-- No. 37, Yahoo

-- No. 37, CBSSports

Holding that ranking should put the Crimson Tide (15-9) in good position for a surprise trip to the tournament in Avery Johnson's first season. The CBSSports bracket projection's Sunday update had Alabama as a No. 10 seed...

RPI No. 37 on http://www.ncaa.com/rankings/basketball-men/d1/ncaa-mens-basketball-rpi
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jbcarol

AL.com sports ‏@aldotcomSports 18m18 minutes ago

Expert: If #Alabama can avoid bad losses, it will make the tournament: http://ow.ly/YrvJu 



QuoteWith a first-time college coach and a roster that on paper looked depleted, Alabama was picked by the media to finish 13th in the Southeastern Conference.

Now, as long as Alabama doesn't tank the rest of its schedule, it should make the NCAA Tournament, according to a leading bracket prognosticator.

Patrick Stevens, who projects the tournament for The Washington Post, regularly finishes with better projections than ESPN's Joe Lunardi and CBS' Jerry Palm, according to the Bracket Matrix. Stevens currently has Alabama as a 10-seed in his NCAA Tournament projections and believes the Crimson Tide is in good shape to partake in March Madness.

"They have a couple of good wins and they really haven't done anything terrible outside of that loss to Auburn which isn't that great," Stevens said. "They've played a good schedule; they've won games away from home. It's actually a really solid profile."
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jbcarol

 Matt Zenitz ‏@mzenitz 2h2 hours ago

After meeting with Avery Johnson, Alabama co-captain Jimmie Taylor 'coming into his own' http://s.al.com/QcKwQGg



QuoteAvery Johnson and Jimmie Taylor met during the buildup to Alabama's game against Mississippi State earlier this month.

Taylor had reached a low point after what had already been an uneven and frustrating first two-plus months of the season for one of the Tide's two team captains.

After scoring just one point, grabbing only one rebound and playing just 11 minutes during Alabama's win over Tennessee Jan. 26, the 6-foot-10 junior forward fouled out without scoring a single point during the Tide's loss to South Carolina.

"It's like a marriage, and it's a give and take," Johnson, the Tide's coach, said the day before Alabama faced Mississippi State. "It's not a one way deal. I am going to do more to try to help him be more productive because I'm the coach. But it's give and take. We need more energy, more passion. There's some more blocked shots and rebounds that I think were left on the board in South Carolina. He's a great kid, and I think his heart's good, so we had a little bit of a talk about it, and I hope that we see some improvement tomorrow night (vs. Mississippi State)."

On Alabama's first possession against Mississippi State, Johnson ran a play for Taylor, one Johnson used to run for standout center Brook Lopez when he coached the New Jersey/Brooklyn Nets.

Michael Kessens got the ball inside to Taylor. He finished with a dunk.

"I said, 'This is your play. You're gonna own it, OK? It's your play. It's not for anybody else.' We ran it for him and he got a dunk. First play of the game," Johnson said Tuesday. "From that point on, it just seems like it's just been clicking."
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Frontrowhog

Huge win for Avery Johnson and the Crimson Tide. They are one step closer to making the NCAA tournament in Johnson's first season.

jbcarol

Matt Zenitz ‏@mzenitz  3m3 minutes ago
Final: Alabama 76, LSU 69. Big time win for Alabama

Retin Obasohan finished with 35 points. Justin Coleman had 21. Riley Norris only had two points, but had 16 rebounds

LSU was an eight point favorite.
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jbcarol

Matt Zenitz ‏@mzenitz 4h4 hours ago

Avery said: "Unbelievable victory for us ... on the road against a team that's obviously been at the top of the SEC" http://www.al.com/alabamabasketball/index.ssf/2016/02/alcom_instant_analysis_retin_o.html ...

QuoteRetin Obasohan maneuvering around and through LSU's defense to score yet again led to one of the SEC Network announcers making a statement that was true throughout Alabama's 76-69 win over LSU Wednesday night: "They can not stop Retin Obasohan."

"He looked like one of the best players in the country, and he's definitely one of the most improved players in college basketball," coach Avery Johnson said, via Alabama.

"Unbelievable victory for us tonight on the road against a team that's obviously been at the top of the SEC, a terrific team led by a young man, Ben Simmons, who is tough to cover," Johnson said. "But we hung in there, and I felt good about where we were at halftime, only being down by five. Our energy wasn't where it should have been and our concentration. But recently, we've become a pretty good second half team. We seem to get better and better as the game wears on. We had great sustainable energy in the second half, focus, attention to detail."
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jbcarol

Matt ZenitzVerified account@mzenitz
http://AL.com  instant analysis: Ugly loss to Mississippi State weakens Alabama's NCAA tournament resume http://s.al.com/29VVHcB



QuoteThe crowd inside Coleman Coliseum let out a collective sigh when the shot went in, a contested mid-range jumper at the shot clock buzzer from Mississippi State guard I.J. Ready that essentially sealed the Bulldogs' win over Alabama.

The Tide was in a great position to make the NCAA tournament after a win at LSU on Wednesday, its fifth straight victory. Essentially, all Alabama had to do to guarantee itself a spot in the tournament was avoid a bad loss during the final five games of the regular season and in the SEC tournament.

This was a bad loss, a 67-61 defeat on Saturday at the hands of a team that entered 11-14 and just 4-9 in SEC play.

As well as the Tide played during its five-game winning streak, it struggled throughout the game Saturday.

Alabama went scoreless for long stretches, made only 6 of 21 3-pointers and was just 11 of 21 from the free throw line.

"We didn't have our best game, and Mississippi State had a lot to do with that," Tide coach Avery Johnson said. "We weren't as sharp as we've been on both ends of the floor, and we weren't as consistent as we've been in certain situations."
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jbcarol

Matt Zenitz ‏@mzenitz Feb 21

What they're saying nationally following Alabama's 'crushing loss' http://s.al.com/Iaj1ZSg

QuoteAlabama lost to Mississippi State Saturday, ending the Tide's five-game winning streak and weakening Alabama's NCAA tournament resume.

Though the Bulldogs had won of their previous three games, they entered just 11-14 overall and 4-9 in SEC play. In addition, they were playing without standout freshman guard Malik Newman.
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jbcarol

Matt Zenitz ‏@mzenitz Feb 21

Where Alabama's NCAA tournament hopes stand after loss to Mississippi State http://s.al.com/GHEZ0Ja

QuoteEven after losing to Howland and Mississippi State Saturday, Howland said he believes the Tide will still make the NCAA tournament.

Why?

"Because of how they played in getting road wins at Florida, getting another really great road win at LSU, beating Texas A&M at home," Howland said. "Those are quality wins. They're deserving. They played a great non-conference schedule. They have, I think, four wins over top-25 opponents. That's what I think."

A home loss to Mississippi State weakens Alabama NCAA tournament resume.

ESPN's Joe Lunardi has Alabama among his last four in.

Tide plays at No. 14 Kentucky Tuesday before facing Auburn and Arkansas at home and Georgia in Athens.

"I wouldn't want to be playing them now coming off a loss," Howland said. "I hate playing a good team coming off of a loss. I don't even know who they play next, but I wouldn't want to be them because I know they'll come back and play great."
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jbcarol

Michael Casagrande ‏@ByCasagrande  1h1 hour ago
Avery Johnson: Alabama had worst SEC performance at Kentucky, still likes Tide's heart. http://ow.ly/YGfXs

QuoteKentucky pulled away for the 78-53 win in Rupp Arena as the Crimson Tide struggled to find much outside of Retin Obasohan' s 29 points.

"This was probably our worst performance in the SEC," coach Avery Johnson said. "For our team, they have a lot of character, a lot of heart. I know when we get back to practice, they'll bounce back."

Alabama (16-11, 7-8 SEC) had won three straight road games before taking the 25-point beating Tuesday night. Johnson said he didn't see the same energy in his team in Rupp Arena.  That, he said, was "a little bit" surprising.

"But you know, this team has been giving me all that they have all year," he said. "So we're not going to get to a situation where we undervalue how good of a season this team is having. They work hard. I love my guys. They just didn't have it tonight."
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jbcarol

Cecil Hurt ‏@CecilHurt  24m24 minutes ago
FINAL: Alabama 65, Auburn 57. Alabama now 17-11, 8-8 SEC
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jbcarol

Quote from: jbcarol on February 27, 2016, 06:31:03 pm
Cecil Hurt ‏@CecilHurt  24m24 minutes ago
FINAL: Alabama 65, Auburn 57. Alabama now 17-11, 8-8 SEC

Kevin Scarbinsky ‏@KevinScarbinsky  3h3 hours ago
Not Obasohan's best game, but he's been the best player on the floor when it mattered most.
Curated SEC Infotainment and aggregated college sports updates where it just means more on Hogville.net

jbcarol

https://twitter.com/AlabamaMBB/status/703736104160256000

Drew Franklin ‏@DrewFranklinKSR  15h15 hours ago
Drew Franklin Retweeted Alabama M Basketball
Avery Johnson is the man.
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jbcarol

SEC Network ‏@SECNetwork  2h2 hours ago
2015-16: 4 wins vs AP Top 25 Opponents
2011-15: 0 wins vs AP Top 25 Opponents

One Difference: Avery Johnson

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jbcarol

Say UAB and Alabama meet in the postseason - who wins?

QuoteIt could happen because the Blazers and the Crimson Tide both notched critical victories Saturday. UAB outlasted Western Kentucky 71-67 to clinch the No. 1 seed in the C-USA Tournament and at least a share of the regular-season title. Alabama survived Auburn 65-57 to keep its NCAA Tournament at-large hopes alive.

It's possible both teams could make it into the Big Dance at the same time for the first time since 2006. UAB (24-5, 14-2) will be the favorite to win its second straight C-USA Tournament and an NCAA automatic bid at the Legacy Arena in Birmingham...

If the NCAA bubble bursts, both teams could find themselves in the NIT. That's where they met in their one-and-only matchup in 1993, UAB winning 58-56 in Tuscaloosa.
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jbcarol

John Talty ‏@JTalty 11h11 hours ago

Barring an SEC Tournament championship, that loss destroys Alabama's NCAA Tournament chances.

Retin nails a buzzer beater ... but Alabama was down 4. Arkansas 62, Alabama 61. Final.



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jbcarol

Kevin Scarbinsky ‏@KevinScarbinsky 2h2 hours ago

Alabama's bubble pops, but the future's still bright with Avery Johnson. http://ow.ly/Z1JNe  8)

QuoteScarblog: That sad sound you heard Wednesday night was Alabama's bubble popping. It came at the hands of the man the school should've hired years ago.

But if it took choosing Anthony Grant rather than Mike Anderson in 2009 to get to Avery Johnson today, the Crimson Tide likely wouldn't want to change the past. The future with Johnson looks that bright despite this turn-out-the-lights defeat.

In the precious present, Arkansas all but ended Alabama's run at an improbable NCAA Tournament trip by taking the lead for good with 1:44 left and holding on to win 62-61.
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jbcarol

Michael Casagrande ‏@ByCasagrande  10m10 minutes ago
Georgia 27, Alabama 25 (halftime).

Worth noting Retin Obasohan has only 2 points at halftime after being only offense in recent games. http://bit.ly/1M0kDSC


Had been carrying the team of late.
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jbcarol

SEC Verified account@SEC

2016 SEC Men's Basketball Scholar-Athlete of the Year:

Retin Obasohan, @AlabamaMBB
http://bit.ly/1Rysvwt 



Carried a heavy academic load and got a handle on it.
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jbcarol

Matt Zenitz ‏@mzenitz 11h11 hours ago

Final: Alabama 81, Ole Miss 73. Bama advances to face Kentucky in the SEC tournament quarterfinals tomorrow http://www.al.com/alabamabasketball/index.ssf/2016/03/live_updates_alabama_plays_ole.html ...

3-point shooting lifts Alabama to 1st SEC tournament win since 2013

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jbcarol

Tyler Thompson ‏@MrsTylerKSR 15h15 hours ago

Avery Johnson said he's expecting Kentucky to have another "home crowd" tomorrow

Avery Johnson said Alabama can't afford to let Tyler Ulis get a double-double tomorrow but "easier said than done"
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jbcarol

Kyle Tucker ‏@KyleTucker_CJ  24m24 minutes ago
FINAL: Kentucky 85, Alabama 59. Murray 23, Poythress 20, Ulis 17. Cats face UGA/USC winner in SEC semis. http://www.courier-journal.com/story/sports/college/kentucky/2016/03/11/live-updates-uk-vs-alabama/81662608/ ...
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jbcarol

AL.com sports ‏@aldotcomSports 13h13 hours ago

.@KevinScarbinsky says #Alabama needs to make an NIT run to properly end a promising season... http://ow.ly/ZppsS

QuoteScarblog: Avery Johnson set his goals admirably high when he arrived in Tuscaloosa and declared Duke as the standard for his program. Kentucky reminded him which shade of blue is the standard around here.

For all the good things Alabama has done this season, it still has miles to go to measure up. Even for 40 minutes.

By the numbers, Johnson's first year looks a lot like Grant's final campaign. The 8-10 SEC record is the same. The 10th-place SEC finish is one spot lower. This team won a game in the SEC Tournament while last year's team was one-and-done.

But this team did things Grant's teams hadn't done in a long time, like beating ranked opponents, or ever, like beating Florida. More importantly, there's no comparison in the new energy and excitement around the program.

A year ago, the final 19-15 record felt like a sad slog through muddy water. This year's 18-14 mark feels like a hopeful jog through partly cloudy skies with periods of intense sunshine.

Given the teams Alabama's already beaten this season, there's no reason this team couldn't make a run to New York.
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jbcarol

AL.com sports ‏@aldotcomSports 2h2 hours ago

First practice fight of season lets @CoachAvery6 Johnson know that #Alabama ready for #NIT http://ow.ly/ZtT5B



QuoteBefore leaving for the 8 p.m. Tuesday game at Creighton, Johnson said the Crimson Tide had its first practice dust up of the season.

"I enjoyed it. I enjoyed it," Johnson said with a grin. "I was just hoping ... because I was on the floor trying to break them up, I was just hoping I didn't get punched in the eye. Because if I would have gone home with a black eye, it wouldn't have been nice."

Johnson wouldn't reveal who did the scrapping, but said it was a good sign. He said his really good teams had three or four of those in a season.

No. 5 seed Alabama (18-14) will face the Bluejays on Tuesday night after both teams lost to eventual conference champions in their respective leagues.
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jbcarol

Michael Casagrande ‏@ByCasagrande 3h3 hours ago

Alabama basketball season ended last night, ICYMI. http://ow.ly/ZxnLs

QuoteWhat started with low expectations, a seat belt and a surprise February run ended Tuesday night in Nebraska.

Alabama's sixth loss in eight games put a bow on Avery Johnson's first season of a reenergized program. Creighton delivered the final blow with a 72-54 win in the opening round of the NIT.

The Bluejays controlled the tempo all evening as the Tide offense went long stretches without any production.

Alabama (18-15) shot a season-low 28.3 percent from the field while being outrebounded 45-32.

Alabama coach Avery Johnson told a postgame radio audience he saw a lack of energy from his team Tuesday night.

"This team, I basically haven't seen since Dayton," Johnson said referencing an 80-48 loss in the second game of the season.

It was the final performance from Alabama's fifth-year senior Retin Obasohan. The first-team All-SEC performer started slow to finish with 13 points on a night dominated by the hosts. He checked out with 1:01 left to hugs from teammates.

"We weren't here today," Johnson said, "in a lot of ways."
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jbcarol

Avery Johnson Retweeted
Retin Obasohan ‏@Oballsohard  Mar 15 Omaha, NE
I want to thank @CoachAvery6 for being one of the best coaches I've ever played for. Your influence on my life will transcend basketball.
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jbcarol

Michael Carvell ‏@Carvell_AJC 15h15 hours ago

Alabama coach Avery Johnson releases statements on two players transferring http://sec.news/22PYJhU

QuoteFollowing Justin Coleman and Michael Kessens' announcements to transfer, Alabama coach Avery Johnson released statements confirming the news.

Coleman played in all 33 games and made seven starts as a sophomore last season. He averaged 7.8 points and a team-high 3.3 assists per game while leading the Tide in free throw percentage (.890).

"Justin and I met this afternoon and discussed his future with our program," Johnson said in the statement. "After talking it over with his family, Justin felt it is in his best interest to transfer from the University of Alabama. Justin is a terrific young man and I wish we had the opportunity to work with him more. I would like to thank him for all the hard work he has put in during the past year and want to wish him the best of luck."

Kessens, who is scheduled to graduate in May with a degree in business administration, played in all 33 contests and made 21 starts as a junior. He posted 3.7 points and 3.5 rebounds in 16.6 minutes per game.

"Mike is set to graduate this May with an undergraduate degree from the University of Alabama and will explore his options of either playing professionally in Europe or use his fifth year of eligibility at another school," Johnson said. "I loved his energy he gave us throughout the season and he was a joy to coach. We certainly wish him the best in whatever career path he chooses."
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jbcarol

AL.com sports ‏@aldotcomSports 15h15 hours ago

Under Avery Johnson, #Alabama transfers have more freedom to go where they want, at least outside of the  #SEC: http://ow.ly/10c676

Not like Beilein



Scarblog:
QuoteBama basketball program under Avery Johnson has become more open-minded and less restrictive when it comes to dictating where its players can transfer.

At least that's the case for Justin Coleman and Michael Kessens.

They're free to transfer to any school of their choice outside the Southeastern Conference, Alabama senior associate athletics director Doug Walker told AL.com Friday.
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jbcarol

Michael Carvell ‏@Carvell_AJC 1h1 hour ago

Avery Johnson makes change to Alabama basketball coaching staff http://sec.news/22dqE5S

QuoteAlabama assistant basketball coach Scott Pospichal won't return to the Crimson Tide's staff.

John Pelphrey is scheduled to interview for a job on Johnson's staff. Pelphrey, who was the head coach at Arkansas from 2007-11, has been an assistant coach at Florida since 2011.
Curated SEC Infotainment and aggregated college sports updates where it just means more on Hogville.net

jbcarol

Michael Casagrande ‏@ByCasagrande 13h13 hours ago

Avery Johnson reflects on Year 1 at Alabama on anniversary of hiring. http://ow.ly/10nCim

QuoteNews broke a year ago Wednesday night.

The brief flirtation between the University of Alabama and Avery Johnson grew into a long-term relationship. Exactly two minutes before Duke and Wisconsin tipped off in Indianapolis for the NCAA championship, an emailed statement from Alabama athletics director Bill Battle made it official.

Johnson hopped on a plane the next day. He hasn't stopped moving since.

Johnson won't deny the 2015-16 season exceeded his initial impressions. Though it ended with six losses in the final eight games, the 18-15 record wasn't on the table a year ago. There's internal satisfaction with the foundation if not the final result.

"We never expected to be a part of any bubble talk or tournament talk," Johnson told AL.com. "But to just go through that experience and have an opportunity to make it into the tournament was an achievement within itself."

There were upset wins over the likes of Wichita State, Notre Dame, South Carolina and Texas A&M. Those put Alabama in position to beat preseason expectations that Johnson hopes will ramp up in years to come. A few programs are used as the model for where the Tide aims moving forward.

Building a basketball power in the heart of football country isn't without precedent.

"That's why I'm excited about Oklahoma," Johnson said...
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jbcarol

https://twitter.com/Carvell_AJC/status/720327830798618626

Quote"I am very excited to welcome coach John Pelphrey, his wife Tracy and his entire family to the Alabama men's basketball program," Johnson said in a university news release. "John brings a wealth of coaching experience to our program, and we are fortunate to have someone of his caliber join our staff. We are glad he is back in the Southeastern Conference where he has spent a majority of his career as a player and a coach. He has a vast amount of knowledge about the game, is a very good teacher of the game and will be a great fit in our program."

During his time at Arkansas, Pelphrey led the Razorbacks to a 69-59 record and one trip to the NCAA tournament. Arkansas finished 18-13 in his final season. In all, Pelphrey is 149-126 for his career as a head coach which includes five seasons at South Alabama.

"My family and I are very humbled and excited about the opportunity to be a part of Avery Johnson's basketball staff and family," Pelphrey said in a university news release. "I have so much respect and admiration for Avery and the approach he took to get to know us. He really made my wife Tracy and I feel wanted. I am looking forward to serving and supporting coach Johnson, our staff and the student-athletes in any way that I can to help this program keep moving forward. The University of Alabama is a wonderful institution with a proud tradition. It is an honor to now be a part of it and the Tuscaloosa community. Roll Tide and Buckle up!"
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jbcarol

Marq Burnett: Alabama basketball held its annual awards banquet on Thursday night inside Coleman Coliseum.

It was both a celebration of Avery Johnson's first year in Tuscaloosa


QuoteJohnson reflected on how far that squad came throughout the season en route to earning multiple wins vs. Top 25 teams as well as a victory in the SEC tournament for the first time since 2013.

Bill Battle praised Johnson and the team for their accomplishments.

Outstanding freshman: Donta Hall

Most Improved: Arthur Edwards

Outstanding Defensive Player: Riley Norris

Outstanding Offensive Player: Retin Obasohan
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jbcarol

AL.com sports ‏@aldotcomSports 19h19 hours ago

Grad transfer Corban Collins 'fills a need' for #Alabama and @CoachAvery6: http://ow.ly/4nngFR



QuoteAlabama had been in search of a proven option, a graduate transfer that can score and help upgrade the Tide's 3-point shooting.

That's what Alabama is getting in graduate transfer point guard Corban Collins, a second-team All-Ohio Valley Conference selection as a redshirt junior at Morehead State last season.

Collins visited Alabama with his family this past weekend, committed Sunday night and signed with the Tide Monday.

"We are thrilled to have Corban Collins join our program," UA coach Avery Johnson said in a statement of Collins, who began his college career at LSU. "We had a great time getting to know Corban and his family over the weekend, and they will fit right in with our basketball family. Corban is a terrific young man, a good teammate and fills a need for us in terms of someone who can really score the basketball. He is familiar with the SEC having played in the conference already, and I expect him to have a seamless transition to our program."

The 6-foot-3, 190-pound Collins transferred from LSU to Morehead State in 2013 following his freshman season.

A starter each of the last two years for Morehead State, Collins averaged a team-best 11.0 points per game last season while making 43 percent of his 3-point attempts.

Aided by Collins, the Eagles finished 23-14.

The North Carolina native scored a career-high 28 points during an overtime loss to Eastern Illinois, going 10 of 16 from the floor and 5 of 8 on 3-pointers.
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jbcarol

Michael Carvell ‏@Carvell_AJC 8 seconds ago

Alabama basketball adds 6-10 transfer from Ohio State

QuoteAlabama basketball received some good news on Sunday morning as Ohio State transfer Daniel Giddens announced his commitment to the Crimson Tide on Twitter.

Giddens, a 6-foot-10 center, picked Alabama over Georgia, TCU and Pittsburgh.

"I want to say thank you to (Ohio State) Coach Thad Matta and his entire Ohio State University basketball staff from this past year. Thank you for the opportunity that allowed me to participate in your basketball program and to attend such a highly respected academic institution. After much thought and prayer, I have decided to attend The University of Alabama. RTR," Giddens wrote in a statement posted to his Twitter account.
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jbcarol

Cecil Hurt ‏@CecilHurt 23h23 hours ago

The ties that Daniel Giddens had to new @AlabamaMBB assistant coach @johnpelphrey were a big factor in his decision to choose UA.
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jbcarol

https://twitter.com/aldotcomSports/status/732651936235819008

QuoteAlabama announced the addition of former top-50 recruit Daniel Giddens on Tuesday.

Giddens, a 6-foot-10, 230-pound center/forward, spent his freshman season last year at Ohio State.

"We are pleased to welcome Daniel to the University of Alabama men's basketball family," Alabama coach Avery Johnson said in a statement. "We're excited to add someone who has great character and a high competitive spirit. He will sit out a year in which he can learn more about our system while also expanding his game on the court.

"We want to thank his family, his dad, Harvey, his mom, Wendy, and his little brother, David, for having the confidence in our program that we would be the best fit for Daniel on the court and in the classroom."
Curated SEC Infotainment and aggregated college sports updates where it just means more on Hogville.net

jbcarol

Curated SEC Infotainment and aggregated college sports updates where it just means more on Hogville.net

jbcarol

Curated SEC Infotainment and aggregated college sports updates where it just means more on Hogville.net

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https://twitter.com/aldotcomSports/status/736353877784723456

QuoteAvery Johnson knows a little something about the NBA.

Johnson is best known for his time with the Spurs from 1994 to 2001, and particularly his role in the 1998-99 NBA championship.

He broke down both the Eastern Conference and Western Conference Finals series on Friday.

But where he got most animated was when he was told callers always suggest the NBA is fixed after the Warriors won Game 2 by 27 points, but the Thunder took Games 3 and 4 by 28 and 24 points, respectively.

"That is absolutely outrageous to think the NBA is fixed," the former NBA coach told WNSP-FM 105.5's The Opening Kickoff. "That's just absurd. There are cycles of a game. Games take on personalities of their own. Look at how the Spurs dominated Oklahoma City in Game 1. (They) beat them by 30 points. Oklahoma City settled into that series. Games started every other day, which hurt the Spurs because they couldn't rest like they did during the regular season. Oklahoma City ended up winning that series.

"Games just take on a life of their own. ... Nothing is fixed. These players are the best in the world. Certain momentum swings happen that you can't explain."
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Curated SEC Infotainment and aggregated college sports updates where it just means more on Hogville.net

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Avery Johnson updates Alabama roster, injuries, recruiting

Quote-- Dazon Ingram "is looking good." They hope to have "full clearance" by Thursday.

-- Shannon Hale is still recovering from offseason surgery. He's still in a hard cast for another week.

-- One scholarship spot remains open for the 2016-17 team right now. It might stay open unless another fifth-year transfer comes available.

-- Recruiting went well in Year 1, but Johnson thinks they're about to make a jump to a higher level. "One of our recruits decided to go in another direction," Johnson said, indirectly referencing former commit Terrance Ferguson who landed at Arizona.
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Curated SEC Infotainment and aggregated college sports updates where it just means more on Hogville.net

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Curated SEC Infotainment and aggregated college sports updates where it just means more on Hogville.net

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Avery Johnson hopeful Retin Obasohan goes late in NBA draft first round

Experts are not certain if his senior season will carry him to a guaranteed contract


QuoteGuard Retin Obasohan, the Belgian import does not appear on any of the main experts' projections for the 60-pick draft.

very Johnson is confident he'll hear Obasohan's name called.

"I'm hoping he can sneak into the late, late first round or somewhere in the second round," Johnson said Tuesday. "But even if he doesn't get drafted, his phone is going to be blowing off the hook and we'll have five or seven teams that are going to want to get him on their summer league team, hopefully singing a one- or two-year contract with the option of also playing overseas."

Obasohan was a relative unknown on the NBA level before his senior season. After scoring 6.2 points a game as junior, Obasohan went for 17.6 a night in his breakout season. Averages for assists, rebounds and steals also bumped higher as he took on a leadership role in his final collegiate season.

Johnson, a 16-year NBA veteran as a player who spent at least parts of seven years as a head coach in the league, said he didn't want to give many details about discussions he's had with coaches scouting Obasohan.

"There were some folks that didn't really know much about him," Johnson said...
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https://twitter.com/KyleTucker_AJC/status/751867253478555649

QuoteBama coach Avery Johnson should have a chat with Michigan State's Tom Izzo while he's here at Peach Jam this weekend. Johnson is trying to do what Izzo did last year: fend off John Calipari for a top in-state recruit that Kentucky's coach wants.

Izzo and his staff shadowed 5-star forward Miles Bridges on the AAU circuit last summer, making sure he never had trouble finding them on the sideline at a game. That and a successful stay-home-and-win sales pitch paid off, as the Spartans signed Bridges despite intense interest from Calipari.

Now Johnson is doing the same for 5-star shooting guard and Huntsville, Ala., native John Petty. Every time Petty plays, Johnson (and usually at least one assistant) is front and center. The Wildcats countered Saturday with Calipari and two staffers on the baseline as Petty and his team advanced to the Peach Jam semifinals.

"They're working pretty hard," Petty said of Kentucky. "Alabama offered me first, but that's when coach – what's his name? – coach (Anthony) Grant was there. Then Kentucky offered and Coach Avery came in and he really had to catch up."

Unlike Izzo, who has led Michigan State to seven Final Fours and a national championship, Johnson doesn't have a rich Crimson Tide tradition to sell. He does have impressive NBA credentials: a title as a player and later a Coach of the Year award.

"I just like that he's been to the next level," Petty said. "He knows what he's talking about."
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