Happy Friday, everyone. The Alabama women played Florida in the first round of the SEC Tournament last night and did about as well as the men against them.
“I think on a night like tonight, instead of coming in and talking about all the things that we didn’t do, you just have to credit your opponent,” Curry said after the game. “Thought Florida played great, played with a lot of energy, was more aggressive, and attack mentality than we were.”
Florida led by eight points with 49 seconds left, and yet Alabama had a chance to win with the ball on the final possession. Some missed free throws by Florida and clutch 3s by Zaay Green and Sarah Ashlee Barker cut the Gator lead to 62-61 with 16 seconds left.
I’m sure Curry doesn’t want to talk about the things she didn’t do after she sat on her hands and watched Florida point guard Liv McGill completely take over the game in the second half without doing anything to try and get the ball out of her hands. In any case, they still have a shot to host a NCAA tournament game but it’s now far from guaranteed.
Hey, football practice notes!
– When the QBs took turns going through drills, the order of operations seemed to be Simpson first, followed by Mack and Russell.
– During the seventh period, the quarterbacks went through handoff drills and were not throwing. Simpson first handed off to Jam Miller, Mack to Richard Young and Russell to Daniel Hill, with other running backs cycling through the drill behind them.
– When throwing in drills, all three quarterbacks looked generally sharp and accurate, albeit without a defense on the field. Russell, in his first time throwing in front of reporters, looked to have a smooth throwing motion.
+ Fifth-year defensive back DaShawn Jones, who warmed up with the cornerbacks last season, was working with the safeties and new position coach Jason Jones while reporters were present. That could be a hint that Jones is viewed as a top option at Husky, a position that safety DeVonta Smith occupied last season until his transfer. Jones stepped into that role for the bowl game.
+ Sophomore Red Morgan, another option at Husky, worked with the cornerbacks while reporters were present. With Domani Jackson (arm) out for the spring and freshman Chuck McDonald not arriving until this summer — and Jaylen Mbakwe having moved to wide receiver — that position was thinner on scholarship numbers. Only four in Zabien Brown, Utah transfer Cameron Calhoun, freshmen Dijon Lee Jr. and Morgan.
Not much to see at this stage, obviously.
Everyone is saying the right things this spring about getting things turned around in year two.
“I think guys had a kind of bad taste in their mouth after last year,” Morgan said. “Guys understand we didn’t play to our standard. We’re not using Year 1 as an excuse. These kids are used to winning. Coach DeBoer and myself coming in, we’re used to winning. So no one in that building is satisfied.
“The players, that locker room after the ReliaQuest Bowl was not a great feeling. So I think people have a chip on their shoulder.”
Bernard pointed to a theme when reflecting on his decision to return to school in 2025: unfinished business. He’s one of about 10 NFL draft-eligible juniors who decided to return with a legitimate belief that the team can go on a championship run.
“ I think that it’s been a lot more togetherness,” Bernard said. “I think that we revisit the standard. We know what it is going to take to uphold that standard, and I think that Ballou and his staff have been doing a great job of doing everything they can to get us in the right shape, the right mindset just to be able to come together and have a great outcome going into the season.”
Last season, Bernard led the team with 50 receptions and finished second behind Ryan Williams in receiving yards with 794 and three total touchdowns. Bernard and Williams are expected to be the leaders among a young wide receiver group this season.
We shall see.
Last, Blake Sims is joining Scott Cochran at West Alabama.
Scott Cochran is getting the band back together at West Alabama.
The former Alabama football strength and conditioning coach has hired Blake Sims to be the Tigers’ receivers coach, the program announced Thursday. Sims played for Alabama from 2010-14, starting 14 games at quarterback in 2014.
“Blake Sims, as everyone knows, was an electric player for us at Alabama, but what he brought off the field is why he’s perfect for this Wide Receiver position,” Cochran said in a statement announcing the hire. “His energy, his enthusiasm to help young men develop is going to be his biggest attribute to this organization.”
We may have to adopt them this year.
That’s about it for today. Have a great weekend.
Roll Tide.
