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re: Tide Hoops | Recruiting
Posted on 1/23/25 at 7:59 pm to Glorious
Posted on 1/23/25 at 7:59 pm to Glorious
One of the most tragic parts of Auburn being a title contender, if not the clear favorite right now, is not being able to lord Holloway's transformation from bust to beast over them. Hopefully he rains 3s down on them like Brother Hugh slinging singles at the titty bar.
1
Posted on 1/23/25 at 8:07 pm to Robot Santa
quote:
One of the most tragic parts of Auburn being a title contender, if not the clear favorite right now, is not being able to lord Holloway's transformation from bust to beast over them.
Nah, they know it. The stats tell the story. No need to fly a plane over their campus to remind them.
Plus, i have a feeling he will have a good game against them.
Posted on 1/23/25 at 10:24 pm to SECSolomonGrundy
Posted on 1/24/25 at 7:08 am to Alabama_Fan
quote:
Tide Hoops History@BamaHistory
For the newest generation of @AlabamaMBB
fans basking in the success of these last five years, mentioning the name Leon Marlaire might not resonate with the same reverence as Brandon Miller, but to Baby Boomers he is remembered as a hardwood legend.
Thursday morning Alabama basketball lost a member of its family when Marlaire passed away at the age of 90. Almost 70 years ago, he played on the “Rocket Eight” team that finished 21-3 overall and reached No. 5 in the final AP Poll of 1956. It is the only Crimson Tide team to go unbeaten in SEC play with a 14-0 record.
Marlaire along with Jerry Harper, George Linn, Dennis O’Shea and Dick Gunder were from the Midwest and all had been rejected after summer tryouts for Notre Dame where Johnny Dee had been an assistant in 1953. When Dee became the Alabama head coach just a few months later, he contacted all five and convinced them to follow him to the Deep South. Sadly Marlaire, originally from Illinois, had been the last remaining survivor of that famous group until Thursday.
The five Midwestern transplants became the nucleus of the legendary “Rocket Eight.” The 1955-56 team had been nicknamed by “Birmingham News” sports editor Benny Marshall, who compared the team to a smooth-riding and powerful Oldsmobile V8 engine.
The only disappointment for the team was due to all five playing as freshmen, they would be ineligible to participate in the 1956 NCAA Tournament. At that time the NCAA only allowed players to have three years of eligibility so most coaches did not play freshmen. Led by Bill Russell, San Francisco won the national championship that season. Many longtime Alabama basketball fans still think about a possible matchup between the “Rocket Eight” and San Francisco.
As the 6-foot-1 point guard, Marlaire orchestrated the offense for Dee, culminating with the historic run his senior season. Over four years, he earned multiple nicknames like “Alabama’s Hardwood Quarterback”, “Mr. Outside” and “Mr. Long Distance.” He finished with 833 points and 420 rebounds. Unfortunately assists did not become an official NCAA statistic until the 1983-84 season.
Years after his collegiate playing career had ended, Marlaire helped found the Greater Birmingham Tip off Club in 1974 and also served as its first president. The
@BhamTipOffClub
announced his passing yesterday afternoon via X.
The SEC honored Marlaire in 2008 as part of that season’s SEC Basketball Legends Class. He was an All-SEC team selection in 1954 and averaged 9.2 points and 4.6 rebounds during his career.
Posted on 1/24/25 at 11:00 am to Alabama_Fan
Those dudes dropped a century on UK on the road like it was nothing.
Posted on 1/24/25 at 12:27 pm to RollTide4Ever
It seems like Sears just sort of wears his man down late in the game. He usually starts a little slow but late in the game he just out physicals his man and the other team and just takes over. He has good endurance and finishes strong.
There were some really good Alabama players in the early 70s. Leon Douglas, who was recently introduced at half time. Reggie “Mule King”, TR Dunn, Wendell Hudson, and several other guards like Ennis Whatley. KY was the number one team and came to Tuscaloosa we had Mule King who was 6-6 and four guards. Ky had 6 super players and was the eventual champion. The ball never touched the floor when we had it. If KY scored Mule would grab it and throw the ball the length of the court over and over. We killed them. A couple of years before that we had Douglas, TR Dun, Mule, Charles Cleveland, Anthony Murray and Hudson and I think Ray Odums. There were only 16 teams in the ncaa tournament and we played undefeated Indiana early. Sports Illustrated had called that Indiana team the greatest team of all time. We had them beat late but the refs wouldn’t let it happen. Bobby Knight said later that Alabama was the best team they played that year.
Ray Odums wasn’t a great shooter but he was a 6-2 point guard that could fly.
He played defensive back in the Canadian football league for years. All those were Alabama kids, before drugs and guns and gangs.
There were some really good Alabama players in the early 70s. Leon Douglas, who was recently introduced at half time. Reggie “Mule King”, TR Dunn, Wendell Hudson, and several other guards like Ennis Whatley. KY was the number one team and came to Tuscaloosa we had Mule King who was 6-6 and four guards. Ky had 6 super players and was the eventual champion. The ball never touched the floor when we had it. If KY scored Mule would grab it and throw the ball the length of the court over and over. We killed them. A couple of years before that we had Douglas, TR Dun, Mule, Charles Cleveland, Anthony Murray and Hudson and I think Ray Odums. There were only 16 teams in the ncaa tournament and we played undefeated Indiana early. Sports Illustrated had called that Indiana team the greatest team of all time. We had them beat late but the refs wouldn’t let it happen. Bobby Knight said later that Alabama was the best team they played that year.
Ray Odums wasn’t a great shooter but he was a 6-2 point guard that could fly.
He played defensive back in the Canadian football league for years. All those were Alabama kids, before drugs and guns and gangs.
Posted on 1/24/25 at 2:44 pm to IB4bama
Posted on 1/24/25 at 3:21 pm to IB4bama
I was in grad school during that era. Took my dad to that KY game on a student guest ticket. He was a big fan and that was the only game he ever got to attend in person. TR and Amp were IMO the best guard tandom we ever had. Their double teams were suffocating. Coach Newton said Amp could guard Godzilla.
Posted on 1/24/25 at 4:26 pm to Alum69
Murray could just take is man out of the game by denying the ball. Quickest player I have ever seen. He had the game vs Indiana won. Stole the ball with just a little time remaining. He went half way to the goal before the ref blew his whistle because the game was over if he scored. They couldn’t let that happen.
Posted on 1/24/25 at 5:16 pm to IB4bama
Did anyone see the article on ESPN ranking the top 15 coaches for coach of the year at midseason? I'm not smart enough to link it but it mentioned SIX coaches from the SEC and none of them were Nate Oats!! How is that even possible?!?!
Posted on 1/24/25 at 5:19 pm to ss4bama12
Those awards are usually for overachieving, not doing what you were expected to.
Posted on 1/24/25 at 5:41 pm to Alabama_Fan
quote:I sold cokes and peanuts at those games at Fosters Auditorium at them. If you'll check, I think that you'll find that the powers that be wouldn't allow Alabama to participate in integrated sporting events back then, and that killed it.
The only disappointment for the team was due to all five playing as freshmen, they would be ineligible to participate in the 1956 NCAA Tournament. At that time the NCAA only allowed players to have three years of eligibility so most coaches did not play freshmen.
Posted on 1/24/25 at 6:27 pm to coachcrisp
I've been watching some of this Columbus/Monteverde game. And Jaxon Richardson is legit as hell. He's an incredible athlete that can leap like his dad. Haven't seen many jump shots but he's elite at the rim.
And Duke is gonna be good again next year. The house Boozer twins are legit. Cam Boozer is a monster. He would be amazing in a fast tempo offense. His passing skills are gonna be wasted on Duke's slow game.
And Duke is gonna be good again next year. The house Boozer twins are legit. Cam Boozer is a monster. He would be amazing in a fast tempo offense. His passing skills are gonna be wasted on Duke's slow game.
This post was edited on 1/24/25 at 6:33 pm
Posted on 1/24/25 at 7:02 pm to Robot Santa
quote:
Those awards are usually for overachieving, not doing what you were expected to.
I get that but this was part of the article when they were talking about who to consider:
And finally, we have the coaches on the best teams. There's still something to be said for getting a talented team to live up to expectations, buy in and win games.
Posted on 1/24/25 at 7:42 pm to ss4bama12
I was looking forward to watching Purdue/Michigan tonight. Not much of a game with Purdue currently up 30 in the 1st half 
Posted on 1/25/25 at 9:34 am to Bryant91092
Posted on 1/26/25 at 10:36 am to TideSaint
Did anyone else notice Oats rip Sears a new one on the sideline with roughly 6 minutes left in the game?
Philon had driven to the basket and tried a terrible shot. Oats then proceeded to start screaming at Sears while pointing wildly at the floor. I would go back and clip it but my phone won't let me on YTTV. I got the distinct impression he was telling him they needed him on the floor.
Philon had driven to the basket and tried a terrible shot. Oats then proceeded to start screaming at Sears while pointing wildly at the floor. I would go back and clip it but my phone won't let me on YTTV. I got the distinct impression he was telling him they needed him on the floor.
Posted on 1/26/25 at 2:40 pm to VaBamaMan
quote:I'm wondering if Philon's second half slump will slide him far enough down the draft boards to come back next year to work on his shooting.
Philon had driven to the basket and tried a terrible shot.
Posted on 1/26/25 at 2:47 pm to TideCPA
He’s gone from making everything in the paint to seemingly hitting 10%. Hopefully he finds it but still returns next year
Posted on 1/26/25 at 2:57 pm to Bryant91092
Tough loss for the ladies just now. That’s not a game you can lose if we were serious about getting a top 4 big dance seed.
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