Tag Archives: Trevor Lacey

Notebook: Trevor Lacey’s parents initiated transfer conversations

Posted on April 26, 2013 by | Comments Off

Former Alabama guard Trevor Lacey was released from his scholarship and has elected to transfer elsewhere. (AP photo)

Former Alabama guard Trevor Lacey was released from his scholarship and has elected to transfer elsewhere. (AP photo)

Countless times after the season is over, players declare their intentions to leave their schools: for the NBA Draft, for higher competition in a better conference, for more playing time at a lower level, a multitude of reasons.

For former Alabama guard Trevor Lacey, it was none of the above.

“Probably about a week ago, two weeks ago, his mom and dad came in and met with me and expressed a desire for him to have that option to transfer,” Alabama head coach Anthony Grant said. “So, I talked to them and they expressed, for them, where he was in terms of the opportunities that he had here, where he was in terms of his overall development.

“After I met with them, Trevor came in and we all met together and I think his thing was he understood where his parents were coming from….this past weekend, they met as a family and he came back on Tuesday and said that, as a family, that’s what they thought was in their best interest.”

Grant wished Lacey the best as he goes for an undetermined location.

“I think, for some of them, the opportunity to see it all from a different perspective helps, so I hope that’s what happens for him and I certainly wish him the best of luck,” Grant said.

Filling in

The search for the replacements, however, is one Grant foresees going well.

“I think any time you have change, there’s a chance for a guy to step up,” Grant said.

In the frontcourt, all signs point to center Carl Engstrom, who’s recovery from a torn ACL in early December got high remarks from Grant on his recovery.

“The doctors said that Carl’s ability to get himself back to get ready to play is probably top five that they’ve seen coming off of the injury that he had: not top five percent, top five period,” Grant said. “That’s a testament to his work ethic. By our last team workout, he was able to go through contact drills with our guys. That’s remarkable.

“When you look at him and Nick Jacobs in the frontcourt, plus the new guys we’re bringing in, Jimmie Taylor and Shannon Hale, I think it gives us a nice nucleus in the frontcourt.”

The clear candidate to fill the empty minutes in the backcourt was the Most Improved Player as voted by the coaches, Retin Obasohan, but as the leader of a committee.

“I thought by the end of the year, Retin Obasohan had really stepped up to the opportunity given to him,” Grant said. “We’ve got a guy like Rodney Cooper, who had to play a lot of four last year, and now he can swing back to more of his natural position on the wing.”

Now hiring

It has been more than just players leaving the Crimson Tide program in the five weeks that have passed since the end of the season, Alabama lost an assistant coach as well.

“We lost a staff member, and a dear friend of mine, a guy that is very, very dear to me in Dan Hipsher,” Grant said. “He got an opportunity to be the head coach at Texas-Pan American and on one hand you’re very happy for him and excited for the opportunity he has, but on the other hand, it’s almost like losing a family member.”

Hipsher’s four years on Grant’s staff was a reunion for the two, after Hipsher recruited Grant to the Dayton Flyers out of high school.

“For me, personally, he’s a guy that gave me an opportunity when I was a 16-year-old kid down in Miami when he was an assistant coach at Dayton when he came down and recruited me,” Grant said. “He gave me an opportunity to play college basketball and get an education and that was something I was always thankful for.”

The search for Hipsher’s replacement has not been a priority of Grant’s, as one of the heaviest recruiting seasons has taken priority.

“We’ve been pretty hectic since the season ended,” Grant said. “What I’ve done right now is kind of put that on hold. I think we’ve got enough in the office that we can manage what we’re doing right now.

“We’re very fortunate with the staff we have in right now, so I feel like I can kind of take my time to make the right decision so we get the right piece in.”

Filling out the 2013-2014 slate

Looking away from the future roster and towards the rosters to be faced, Grant laid out a pretty impressive lineup of teams Alabama will be battling in next season’s Preseason NIT: Duke, Arizona and Rutgers.

Grant said the rest of the schedule is rather fluid, with some exceptions like a return trip from Texas Tech, but some other games have yet to be filled.

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Alabama grants release to Trevor Lacey

Posted on April 23, 2013 by | Comments Off

Guard Trevor Lacey had his request for release from scholarship granted and will transfer away from the Tide. (AP photo)

Guard Trevor Lacey had his request for release from scholarship granted and will transfer away from the Tide. (AP photo)

A statement from the University of Alabama confirmed that Alabama men’s basketball coach Anthony Grant allowed sophomore guard Trevor Lacey a release from his scholarship with his intent to transfer elsewhere.

“I enjoyed having the opportunity to coach Trevor for the two years he was here,” Grant said. “We certainly wish him the best of luck as he continues to pursue his education and his basketball career.”

Lacey said his decision to leave the Crimson Tide for other opportunities was a, “family decision.”

“This definitely was not an easy decision to make,” Lacey said. “It’s been great at Alabama during my two years. It was tough my freshman year coming off surgery and having to work my way back. I wanted to improve during my sophomore season and I thought I did that.

“I want to thank the coaches and staff, my teammates and all the fans for their support.”

Lacey averaged 11.3 points per game as a sophomore last season, with 3.8 rebounds per game, 3.2 assists per game and 1.4 steals per game.

In the two years that Lacey was with the Crimson Tide, he led the team in the following stats over that span:

– Three-point shots attempted (269)
– Three-point shots made (93)
– Assists (174)
– 2nd in points (646)*
– 2nd in field goals attenpted (535)*
– 2nd in field goals made (214)*

* All behind point guard Trevor Releford.

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AP Story: Alabama’s late three-pointers not enough to beat Ole Miss

Posted on March 6, 2013 by | Comments Off

Marshall Henderson scored 24 points for Ole Miss in Alabama's loss to the Rebels. (AP photo)

Marshall Henderson scored 24 points for Ole Miss in Alabama’s loss to the Rebels. (AP photo)

Here is the Associated Press story from Alabama’s 87-83 loss to Ole Miss Tuesday night. At the bottom of the post are links to the box score for the game.

——

OXFORD, Miss. — Marshall Henderson scored 24 points, LaDarius White added 17 and Mississippi beat Alabama 87-83 on Tuesday night.

Ole Miss (22-8, 11-6 Southeastern Conference) won eight of nine home games in conference play. The Rebels never trailed after the opening minutes and held a double-digit advantage for almost the entire game until Alabama made a late charge.

Henderson bounced back after a terrible shooting performance on Saturday in a loss to Mississippi State. The 6-foot-2 guard made 6 of 13 shots from the field and 9 of 11 free throws. Jarvis Summers added 14 points for the Rebels.

Alabama (19-11, 11-6) had a huge 41-25 rebounding advantage but allowed Ole Miss to shoot 55.1 percent (27 of 49) from the field. Trevor Lacey led the Tide with 19 points while Nick Jacobs added 18.

Both teams came into the game with NCAA resumes that put them squarely on the bubble. They are also fighting for spots among the top four teams in the SEC, which would guarantee a first-round bye in the league tournament next week.

Ole Miss had lost six out of 10 coming into Tuesday’s game — including a disastrous loss to last-place Mississippi State on Saturday — but played inspired basketball from the opening tip. Guard Nick Williams and forwards Reginald Buckner and Murphy Holloway were celebrating senior night and combined to score 21 points.

But it was the younger guys who provided the biggest plays. The Rebels pushed out to an early 24-10 lead on a 3-pointer by freshman Derrick Millinghaus and never relinquished control on the way to a 37-25 halftime advantage.

White, a sophomore, made 5 of 9 shots from the field and 6 of 6 free throws. He also added four rebounds, two assists and steals.

Alabama didn’t make things interesting until the final minutes, when the Tide made six out of seven 3-pointers, capped by Lacey’s with 8 seconds left to pull the Tide within 86-83. But Ole Miss made most of its free throws down the stretch and Alabama ran out of time.

The Tide made 12 of 21 (57.1 percent) from 3-point range. Alabama had 17 turnovers.

Here’s the boxscore

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Full Story: Two key runs pace Alabama in win over South Carolina

Posted on February 17, 2013 by | Comments Off
Trevor Releford led the Crimson Tide with five assists and also contributed nine points, three rebounds and two steals in the win. (AP photo)

Trevor Releford led the Crimson Tide with five assists and also contributed nine points, three rebounds and two steals in the win. (AP photo)

Here’s the story Daily Bama Blog contributor Brett Hudson sent for print publication in Sunday editions across the state, with press conference video at the bottom.

—–

One day before a pivotal home game against South Carolina, Alabama coach Anthony Grant said he did not care that his team was averaging only 54.25 in its last four games, but that his team had won four out of its last five.

Grant got both a win and improved offense in Alabama’s 68-58 win over South Carolina.

“Today’s game, to me, was a game of spurts,” Grant said. “I didn’t like the way we finished the first half, but I thought we came out with better energy in the second half.”

Alabama had two big scoring runs in the first half that built an insurmountable lead: one 12-0 run to give Alabama a 17-4 lead with 12:37 in the first half and another 14-1 run to make for a 23-point lead with 5:55 left to go in the first half. Alabama knocked down five of nine three-point attempts in the two runs.

“We were able to, in the first half, penetrate and create help and they did a great job of moving the ball around,” Grant said. “I thought we had great looks. Even the ones that didn’t go in, I thought we had great looks and it was good to see our guys be aggressive.

“We had a spurt there where we were able to get the crowd back in the game and flip the momentum.”

Trevor Lacey led the Tide with 17 points, six of which coming from behind the three-point line. Redshirt freshman guard Retin Obasohan also added two three-point baskets and ended with eight points, nearly a career-high.

Lacey also contributed four assists, one below junior guard Trevor Releford for the team lead.

“My teammates are always on me about shooting more,” Lacey said. “I just like getting my teammates involved in some looks. I just try to let the shots come to me that I feel comfortable with.”

Alabama’s defense was an instigating force, also, forcing 18 turnovers. Sophomore guard Levi Randolph led the way with four steals, while Lacey, Releford and forward Nick Jacobs all had two each.

“We expected them from a defensive standpoint to really get after it and we knew we had to bring that energy, too,” Grant said. “We felt like we could have success with the press and certain halfcourt situations if we locked in and did it right.”

The win puts the Crimson Tide alone in second place in the SEC and making believers out of the competition.

“They’re in it, they aren’t going anywhere,” South Carolina coach Frank Martin said, a longtime friend of Grant’s. “A team that plays the kind of defense they play, with the unity and passion they play, they’re in it.”

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Quick Story: Alabama runs away from South Carolina

Posted on February 16, 2013 by | Comments Off

Alabama kicked South Carolina while it was down, running away with a 68-58 win. South Carolina (12-13, 2-10 SEC) lost its sixth game in-a-row while Alabama (17-8, 9-3 SEC) won the first of a two-game homestand.

Alabama held its second-largest halftime lead of the season at 35-24, led by Trevor Lacey’s 10 first half points on 4-7 shooting. The Crimson Tide took a 13-point lead with 12:37 left in the first half on a 12-0 run in which the Gamecocks were held to 0-5 shooting and committed three turnovers. Another 14-1 run in 3:51 left Alabama with a 23-point lead and 5:55 remaining until halftime.

The last 3:30 of the first half saw the Gamecocks put together a 11-0 run, seven points from Bruce Ellington, to cut the deficit to 11. Ellington ended the half with a game-high 11 points and ended the game with 11 points, four rebounds, three assists and two steals.

Nick Jacobs tallied all 10 of his points in the second half, also adding two rebounds, both offensive, in the second half to end the game with four.

Alabama’s next game will be in Coleman Coliseum against Mississippi State (7-16, 2-9 SEC) on Wednesday. Alabama won the last meeting between the two 75-43 in Starkville.

Levi Randolph led the Tide with 18 points and Nick Jacobs contributed a double-double, 16 points and 11 rebounds. Lacey and Trevor Releford also scored in double-digits. Mississippi State’s only double-digit scorer was Fred Thomas off-the-bench. The Tide won the second half 45-21 by shooting 67.9 percent from the floor.

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Alabama ends 23-year drought at Vanderbilt

Posted on February 2, 2013 by | Comments Off

Alabama overcame a 13-point deficit in the final seven minutes to beat Vanderbilt in Nashville’s Memorial Gymnasium for the first time since 1990.

The Crimson Tide scored a 58-54 win, despite trailing 51-40 at one point. Alabama didn’t lead until Trevor Lacey‘s 3-pointer put the Tide head 56-54 with 56 seconds to play.

“It was a growth moment for our team,” Alabama coach Anthony Grant said. “Coming out of half, we understood this could be the most important 20 minutes of the game.”

Lacey finished with 17 points, including nine during that game-winning 18-3 run to close out the game. Senior guard Andrew Steele finished with a season-high 13 points, including three 3-pointers.

“Our biggest problem has been when we go into those scoring droughts,” Lacey said. “We had that today. Some guys were missing some point-blank shots, getting frustrated, not defending. Coach Grant told us to stay the course. We just stayed the course and kept working.”

Alabama (15-7, 6-2 SEC) did it without leading scorer Trevor Releford, who scored four points and didn’t play the final four minutes. Grant said Releford got hit near his eye, and a TV replay showed Releford grabbing the side of his head after a battle for a loose ball.

The rally began when Nick Jacobs hit a basket, drew a foul and made the foul shot. That cut Vanderbilt’s lead to 51-43 with 6:31 to play. After getting the ball back, Steele sank a 3-pointer to trim it to 51-46.

Eventually, Alabama earned a 53-53 tie, and after a Vanderbilt foul shot, the Tide missed two chances to go ahead. Lacey’s basket fix that, putting the Tide up for good.

Afterward, Grant praised Steele for his contribution Saturday. Just a year ago, Steele thought his career was finished and he was working as a student assistant for Grant. When Steele was cleared to play 13 months ago, Grant allowed him to return to the team, and since then, he has given the Tide a boost off the bench.

Steele missed seven games this year with a sports hernia, and the Tide was 2-5 in those games. Alabama is 12-2 when Steele plays.

“Can’t say enough about Andrew’s leadership,” Grant said. “In the first half, he was talking to the guys and getting us back.”

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Alabama vs. Vanderbilt, basketball game information

Posted on February 2, 2013 by | Comments Off
Alabama forward Nick Jacobs (15) and Andrew Steele (22) after the Tide beat Arkansas on Thursday. (AP photo by Vasha Hunt of AL.com)

Alabama forward Nick Jacobs (15) and Andrew Steele (22) after the Tide beat Arkansas on Thursday. (AP photo by Vasha Hunt of AL.com)

When: 3 p.m. today

Where: Memorial Coliseum in Nashville, Tenn.

Records: Alabama 13-7, 5-2 SEC, Vanderbilt 8-11, 2-5.

TV: SEC Network.

Alabama lineup: G Trevor Lacey, 6-3, So., 12.2 ppg., 4.1 rpg., 3.6 assists; G Trevor Releford, 6-0, Jr., 15.9 ppg., 2.6 assists; F Levi Randolph, 6-5, So., 8.1 ppg., 3.8 rpg.; F Rodney Cooper, 6-6, So., 10.6 ppg., 4.1 rpg.; C Moussa Gueye, 7-0, Jr., 1.5 ppg., 4.4 rpg.

Vanderbilt lineup: G Kendren Johnson, 6-4, So., 14.8 ppg., 3.7 rpg., 3.2 assists; G Kevin Bright, Fr., 6-5, 6.6 ppg., 5.7 rpg.; G Dai-Jon Parker, So., 6-3, 6.1 ppg., 2.8 rpg., 2.1 assists; F James Siakam, So., 6-7, 2.3 ppg., 2.3 rpg.; F Rod Odom, Jr., 6-9, 9.3 ppg., 4.0 rpg.

Noteworthy: Alabama’s RPI according to ESPN.com is 63rd, while Vanderbilt is No. 138. … Clay Matvick and Joe Dean will call the game for the SEC Network. … Releford leads the SEC in free throw shooting (.854), is fourth in field goal percentage (.495) and sixth in scoring. … Alabama is getting 60 percent of its scoring from its sophomore class, which includes five players. … Releford needs four points to pass Jimmy Hollon (1970-72) for 43rd on the school’s all-time scoring list. Releford has 1,077 points, while Hollon had 1,080. … Alabama has won 12 of 20 jump balls, including seven when Gueye was jumping at the center circle. … The Tide has lost 11 straight games when playing the Commodores at Memorial Gymnasium. The last Alabama victory in Nashville came Feb. 3, 1990, when Wimp Sanderson coached the Crimson Tide to a 65-56 victory. … Vanderbilt’s SEC wins have come at home over Auburn and on the road at South Carolina.

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Tide wins another close one at home

Posted on January 31, 2013 by | Comments Off
Alabama's Rodney Cooper (21) and Levi Randolph (20) pressure Arkansas forward Marshawn Powell (33). (AP photo by Michelle Lepianka Carter of The Tuscaloosa News)

Alabama’s Rodney Cooper (21) and Levi Randolph (20) pressure Arkansas forward Marshawn Powell (33). (AP photo by Michelle Lepianka Carter of The Tuscaloosa News)

TUSCALOOSA, Alabama — Another home game, another close, low-scoring game.

Alabama continues to keep any hopes of staying in the Southeastern Conference race by winning tight games inside Coleman Coliseum. This time, the Crimson Tide beat Arkansas 59-56 on Tuesday night.
Alabama has won its last four home games by a combined 11 points.

The win put the Crimson Tide (13-7, 5-2 SEC) into a tie with Kentucky for third place in the league standings. The game drew an announced attendance of 11,132, but unlike when Alabama beat Kentucky at home nine days earlier, the fans didn’t show much life until the final minute, standing and cheering as the Tide closed out the win.

Alabama won it by nailing its foul shots late, including 9 of 10 in the final 3:11.

Tide guard Trevor Lacey provided the turning point when he hit two free throws to tie it 52-52 with 3:11 left. Then he stole a pass and got the ball to teammate Trevor Releford, who drew a foul and hit two more foul shots for a 54-52 lead.

Lacey finished with 14 points to lead Alabama, while Releford added 12.

The Crimson Tide retained the lead the rest of the way. Nick Jacobs, who had 10 points, made two foul shots. Lacey made one, putting Alabama ahead 57-54. Arkansas’ B.J. Young dunked with 4.7 seconds left to slide it to 57-56, but Levi Randolph made two free throws with 4.2 seconds to play.

The Razorbacks’ Young launched a 30-footer just before the buzzer sounded, but it didn’t hit the rim.

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Alabama vs. Arkansas, basketball game information

Posted on January 31, 2013 by | Comments Off
Alabama head coach Anthony Grant and his team will face Arkansas tonight. (AP photo by Vasha Hunt of AL.com)

Alabama head coach Anthony Grant and his team will face Arkansas tonight. (AP photo by Vasha Hunt of AL.com)

When: 8 p.m. today

Where: Coleman Coliseum in Tuscaloosa

Records: Alabama 12-7, 4-2 SEC; Arkansas 12-7, 3-3.

TV: ESPN2.

Alabama lineup: G Trevor Lacey, 6-3, So., 12.1 ppg., 3.9 rpg., 3.6 assists; G Trevor Releford, 6-0, Jr., 16.1 ppg., 2.3 rpg.; F Levi Randolph, 6-5, So., 8.0 ppg., 3.8 rpg.; F Rodney Cooper, 6-6, So., 11.2 ppg., 4.2 rpg.; C Moussa Gueye, 7-0, Jr., 1.4 ppg., 4.2 rpg., 1.5 blocks.

Arkansas lineup: G Rickey Scott, 6-3, Jr., 5.2 ppg., 2.2 rpg.; G B.J. Young, 6-3, So., 16.4 ppg., 4.2 rpg.; G Fred Gulley III, 6-2, Jr., 2.0 ppg., 1.6 rpg.; F Coty Clarke, 6-7, Jr., 6.9 ppg., 4.9 rpg.; F Marshawn Powell, 6-7, Jr., 15.7 ppg., 5.8 rpg.

Noteworthy: Alabama graduate Rece Davis and former coach Bobby Knight, who took Indiana to three national titles, will serve as ESPN2′s announcers for tonight’s game. … Alabama’s RPI rating according to ESPN.com is 63rd, while Arkansas’ is 82nd. … The Crimson Tide lost to Arkansas in both meetings between the two teams last year. … The Razorbacks are 0-4 on the road this year, losing by an average of 16 points a game to Michigan, Texas A&M, Ole Miss and South Carolina. … In the SEC, Arkansas has beaten Auburn, Mississippi State and Vanderbilt and lost to Texas A&M, South Carolina and Ole Miss. … In the last three games combined, Gueye has 10 points, 10 rebounds and 10 blocked shots while commiting only five fouls. … Releford has led Alabama in scoring in nine of the Tide’s 18 games, while Lacey has led in assists 14 times. … The combined winning percentage of the seven teams that have beaten Alabama is 69.1 percent. … Releford ranks fifth in the SEC in scoring, second in free throw percentage (84.9), fifth in steals (2.0) and fifth in field goal percentage (49.4).

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Controversial no-call denies Tide in Knoxville

Posted on January 26, 2013 by | Comments Off

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Alabama couldn’t manage another close win Saturday, falling by a point, 54-53, to rival Tennessee.

The Crimson Tide had the ball and a chance in the final seconds, but a controversial no-call denied Alabama, which entered with a four-game win streak, including three by four points or fewer.

The Crimson Tide had possession of the ball with 11.4 seconds left and ran a play for guard Trevor Lacey. Working off a screen, Lacey moved into the left corner and while trying to take a shot, he made contact with Tennessee defender Jarnell Stokes. Lacey couldn’t get the shot off, no call was made and the final seconds ticked off the clock.

Alabama coach Anthony Grant, who smiled in disbelief as Tennessee celebrated on the court, said Lacey had the option of shooting or passing inside to post player Nick Jacobs.

“(Lacey) felt like he could get one off against Stokes, but it just didn’t go our way,” Grant said.

Grant didn’t point to that play as costing Alabama the win but instead mentioned two factors — the Tide made only 5 of 11 foul shots and got outrebounded 37-22 as Stokes led the Vols with 18 rebounds.

“The foul shooting and the rebounding, that was the difference in the game,” Grant said. “Stokes came out and put his foot print on the game. He dominated inside.”

Alabama (12-7, 4-2 SEC) led most of the way and had a 46-39 advantage with six minutes to go. But Tennessee (10-8, 2-4) went on an 11-1 run to take a 50-47 lead.

Lacey nailed a 3-pointer with 1:56 to play to tie the game 50-50. But Tennessee’s Jordan McRae answered with a basket with 1:06 to play, and the Vols led 52-50.

Alabama’s Rodney Cooper missed the front end of a one-and-one, while Tennessee’s Trae Golden made two foul shots with 31.4 to play. Trevor Releford made a 3-pointer with 18.5 seconds left, and after the Vols’ Golden missed a foul shot, the ball went out of bounds on Tennessee after a scramble for the rebound. That set up Alabama’s final play.

Releford finished with 18 points and five steals for Alabama, while Lacey had 11. McRae had 17 points for Tennessee, while Stokes added 15 points.

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Alabama vs. Tennessee, basketball game information

Posted on January 26, 2013 by | Comments Off
Alabama guard Trevor Releford (12) scores on a fast break during a home win over Tennessee two weeks ago. (AP photo by Vasha Hunt of AL.com)

Alabama guard Trevor Releford (12) scores on a fast break during a home win over Tennessee two weeks ago. (AP photo by Vasha Hunt of AL.com)

When: 1 p.m. today

Where: Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville, Tenn.

Records: Alabama 12-6, 4-1 SEC, Tennessee 9-7, 1-3.

TV: ESPN2.

Alabama lineup: G Trevor Lacey, 6-3, So., 12.2 ppg., 3.9 rpg., 3.6 assists; G Trevor Releford, 6-0, Jr., 16.0 ppg., 2.4 rpg.; F Levi Randolph, 6-5, So., 8.4 ppg., 4.0 rpg.; F Rodney Cooper, 6-6, So., 11.3 ppg., 4.2 rpg.; C Moussa Gueye, 7-0, Jr., 1.2 ppg., 4.3 rpg., 1.4 blocks.

Tennessee lineup: G Skylar McBee, 6-3, Sr., 5.4 ppg., 3.1 rpg.; G Jordan McRae, 6-5, Jr., 14.5 ppg., 3.3 rpg.; G Josh Richardson, 6-6, So., 8.4 ppg., 4.8 rpg.; F Jarnell Stokes, 6-8, So., 10.9 ppg., 7.5 rpg.; F Kenny Hall, 6-9, Sr., 6.2 ppg., 5.7 rpg.

Noteworthy: Alabama beat Tennessee 68-65 at home Jan. 12, which was the Tide’s third straight win over the Vols and fourth win in the last six games vs. Tennessee. … Alabama is riding a four-game win streak that includes victories over Tennessee, Mississippi State, Texas A&M and Kentucky. … Tennessee ranks seventh nationally in home attendance with 16,686 a game, while Alabama is averaging 11,856, which is fourth in the SEC behind Kentucky, Tennessee and Arkansas. … Alabama is alone in third place in the SEC standings at 4-1, while Florida and Ole Miss are both 5-0. … Counting only statistics from conference games, Releford ranks third in scoring (17.3 points a game) and first in free throw percentage (90.9). … Some unusual statistics: Lacey has scored first for Alabama in six games this year, Nick Jacobs was first off the bench in 10 games, and Releford leads the team by drawing a foul while hitting a basket 11 times. He made the foul shot 10 times. … Alabama is 2-2 with the starting lineup of Releford, Cooper, Lacey, Randolph and Gueye.

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Some thoughts about Alabama’s win over Kentucky

Posted on January 22, 2013 by | Comments Off
Alabama center Moussa Gueye (14) shoots over Kentucky forward Nerlens Noel (3) during the first half. (AP photo by Michelle Lepianka Carter of The Tuscaloosa News)

Alabama center Moussa Gueye (14) shoots over Kentucky forward Nerlens Noel (3) during the first half. (AP photo by Michelle Lepianka Carter of The Tuscaloosa News)

TUSCALOOSA, Alabama — The game is finished, the fans have gone home, and the coaches and players from both schools are done with their news conferences. We’re still here in the Coleman Coliseum media room, and here are some final thoughts about Alabama’s 59-55 win over Kentucky before I head home:

–Trevor Lacey went down with about four minutes to go, and while he appeared to be in great pain, it wasn’t serious. Alabama coach Anthony Grant said Lacey had cramps in both legs. With about two minutes to go, I saw Lacey running in the hall next to where we sit in the media section during the games.

–I know we poke a little fun from time to time over 7-foot-0 junior Moussa Gueye not scoring, but he certainly deserves credit for how hard he plays, especially in this one.

Facing maybe the best post player in the league, Kentucky 6-10 freshman Nerlens Noel, Gueye managed four points, five rebounds and five blocked shots in 18 minutes of play. Noel had eight points, 13 rebounds and seven blocked shots — a little below his scoring average, and a little higher in rebounds and blocks. But Gueye proved himself an asset Tuesday night.

–Senior guard Andrew Steele had only four points and two rebounds, but he has a knack for making big plays, which we wrote about more than week ago after Alabama beat Tennessee. Expect to read the same story online from several of my colleagues who have noticed how important Steele is to the team.

–Trevor Releford has done awfully well in not forcing his shot so much. He is taking what the defense gives him, and they seem to lose track of him at critical times. He finished with 13 points and made 4 of 10 from the field.

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Alabama vs. Kentucky, basketball game information

Posted on January 22, 2013 by | Comments Off
Anthony Grant upset at a referee. (AP photo by Rogelio V. Solis)

Anthony Grant upset at a referee. (AP photo by Rogelio V. Solis)

When: 8 p.m. today

Where: Coleman Coliseum in Tuscaloosa

Records: Alabama 11-6, 3-1 SEC, Kentucky 12-5, 3-1.

TV: ESPN.

Alabama lineup: G Trevor Lacey, 6-3, So., 12.5 ppg., 3.9 rpg., 3.6 assists; G Trevor Releford, 6-0, Jr., 16.2 ppg., 2.6 assists; F Levi Randolph, 6-5, So., 8.3 ppg., 4.1 rpg.; F Rodney Cooper, 6-6, So., 11.6 ppg., 4.1 rpg.; C Moussa Gueye, 7-0, Jr., 1.0 ppg., 4.3 rpg.

Kentucky lineup: G Ryan Harrow, 6-2, So., 10.4 ppg., 2.7 rpg.; G Archie Goodwin, 6-4 1/2, Fr., 15.0 ppg., 4.9 rpg., 3.4 assists; G Julius Mays, 6-2, Sr., 8.4 ppg., 2.6 rpg., 2.9 assists; F Nerlens Noel, 6-10, Fr., 10.8 ppg., 9.2 rpg., 4.1 blocks; F Alex Poythress, 6-7, Fr., 13.1 ppg., 6.4 rpg.

Noteworthy: In the SEC, Kentucky has lost at home to Texas A&M and beaten Tennessee at home and Auburn and Vanderbilt on the road. … Kentucky 7-foot-0 freshman Willie Cauley-Stein (7.6 ppg., 5.8 rpg.) missed Saturday’s game because of a knee procedure Thursday and will sit out tonight’s game, too. He did not make the trip to Tuscaloosa. … The Wildcats’ Harrow spent his freshman season at North Carolina State before transferring and sitting out last year. … Kentucky’s Mays spent two years at N.C. State, two years at Wright State and has joined the Wildcats this season as a graduate student. … Alabama has won three straight, beating Tennessee, Mississippi State and Texas A&M and shooting 62.7 percent combined in the second halves of those games. … In the Ratings Percentage Index figures compiled by KenPom.com, Alabama is No. 70 nationally, while Kentucky is No. 16. … Alabama ranks second in the SEC by allowing 59.1 points a game. … Lacey leads the SEC in 3-point percentage at 45.5 percent this season.

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Thoughts and notes from Tide’s hoops win over the Aggies

Posted on January 19, 2013 by | Comments Off

Alabama head coach Anthony Grant with guard Levi Randolph (20) on Saturday. (AP photo by Dusty Compton of The Tuscaloosa News)

Alabama head coach Anthony Grant with guard Levi Randolph (20) on Saturday. (AP photo by Dusty Compton of The Tuscaloosa News)

TUSCALOOSA, Alabama — Just a few thoughts after watching Alabama beat Texas A&M 50-49 on Saturday:

–Alabama isn’t a great team, certainly, but can play like a good one on occasion, especially when it plays as hard as it did Saturday. Defense helps, as the Tide showed Saturday. Alabama had one steal in the first half when it fell behind 26-15 but nine in the second half when the Tide outscored A&M 35-23.

–The 50-49 score looks uglier than it actually was. Alabama and A&M didn’t shoot that poorly. The Tide made 44 percent and the Aggies 48, but Texas A&M was awfully deliberate on offense, making Alabama play defense for long stretches.

–Through 17 games, Trevor Lacey made 4 of 6 from 3-point range and has 35 treys for the year. He is shooting 45.5 percent from behind the arc. Last year, Lacey made 31 in 33 games and shot 30.1 percent.

–Alabama 7-foot-0 center Moussa Gueye looks more comfortable defensively and rebounding. He altered a couple of Texas A&M shots late. But it would be nice for Alabama if he could score a little more. He hasn’t scored in four straight games.

–Saturday’s game drew 13,741 to Coleman Coliseum, which is a little under the 13,912 Alabama’s gymnastics win over LSU drew the previous night. Tide home basketball tickets are $20 for adults, while the gymnastics seats are $10 for adults.

–This marked Alabama’s first win over the Aggies in any sport since Texas A&M joined the SEC.

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Releford brings the fire for Crimson Tide

Posted on January 19, 2013 by | Comments Off

Trevor Releford scored 15 points, including six in the final four minutes. (AP photo by Dusty Compton of The Tuscaloosa News)

Trevor Releford scored 15 points, including six in the final four minutes. (AP photo by Dusty Compton of The Tuscaloosa News)

TUSCALOOSA, Alabama – Apparently, fire in the eyes beats a bum ankle.

Alabama’s leading scorer, Trevor Releford, missed the last game and didn’t start Saturday’s 50-49 win over Texas A&M because of an injured ankle. Even so, he came off the bench against the Aggies and managed a game-high 15 points — all in the second half and all after Crimson Tide coach Anthony Grant noticed his star guard had a little too much energy to ignore.

“At the first timeout in the second half, I saw he had a fire and intensity in his eyes,” Grant said. “He didn’t come out of the game after that. … He was terrific.”

Releford managed six of his points in the final four minutes, and he also managed the game-clinching steal as Alabama (11-6, 3-1 SEC) secured its third straight victory.

“On Friday, I went to practice, and I felt good and that I could come out here and help the team,” said Releford, who entered with a 16.3-point average.

Alabama struggled to score all day, going through scoreless stretches of 9:54 and 2:36 in the first half and 6:50 in the second half.

But Grant said he thought the problems didn’t come from effort and instead “sometimes the ball just doesn’t go in the basket.”

Late in the second half, Alabama found some offense and managed to tough out a win in a way it didn’t in December when it lost four games by seven or fewer points.

Releford scored twice in the final four minutes when the Crimson Tide trailed by two. Then with 42 seconds left and Texas A&M leading 47-45, Andrew Steele made a layup, drew a foul and made the free throw for a 48-47 advantage.

After Texas A&M’s Fabyon Harris sank a basket with 19 seconds left, Alabama called timeout and drew up a play for either guard Trevor Lacey or post player Nick Jacobs in the middle of the floor. Lacey came off a double screen and found himself relatively free for a 17-foot jumper, which he sank with 8.3 seconds left.

The Aggies (12-5, 2-2) didn’t call timeout and instead tried to hurry up the floor. Freshman Alex Caruso took a pass at about midcourt and turned. Lacey was there in his way and tipped the ball away. Releford picked it up before Caruso could take it back. That sealed the win.

“They hit a big shot,” Texas A&M coach Billy Kennedy said. “We decided to attack after the shot and try to go the length of the floor. We got bumped, but you’re not going to get the ball in that situation. We lost the ball and unfortunately, we lost. But Alabama had a lot to do with that.”

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