Its Monday, so here are a few items and links to kill time at work.
First, the basketball program got “bad†news as Ronald Steele announced he would test the NBA draft. Steele isn’t projected very high, and most likely won’t be taken in the NBA’s first round. I was told Steele has tons of work to do before NBA teams would take a risk. That means he should return next year. However, it also means the basketball team faces a potential nightmare next season if Hendrix and Steele bolt.
Mark Gottfried also suspended freshman guard Rico Pickett for violation of team rules.
TUSCALOOSA—University of Alabama freshman guard Rico Pickett has been suspended indefinitely from all basketball-related activities for failure to comply with team rules, according to Crimson Tide head coach Mark Gottfried in a statement issued Sunday night.
“We have standards and levels academically as well as athletically that our student-athletes need to meet, and there are consequences when they fail to do that,” said Gottfried.
The Decatur native was a starter in 20 of the 29 games he played this past season and averaged 5.9 points.
More notes from spring practice
Here are a few items from the Montgomery Advertiser:
“We’re certainly not satisfied with where we are in any phase and I think every player knows that they can improve. And I think if anybody is thinking about how many practices we have until spring practice is over, that’s not what we want them to be thinking about.” …
Experiemental moves: Saban made two experimental moves last week in practice and got to see the results of one as fullback-turned-linebacker Baron Huber participated in Saturday’s scrimmage. …
The other experiment was moving former nose guard Brian Motley back to his old position on the offensive line. Motley, who fractured a finger last week in practice, went through warmups with his new teammates on the offensive line, but did not participate in Saturday’s scrimmage.
Roll Bama Roll continues its exhaustive daily look at practice happenings.
One of the best SEC blogs takes a look at the BS promulgated by the 40-yard dash times.
Eight in the Box posts about that NCAA “Preliminary Letter of Inquiry†heading toward Alabama.
People haven’t gotten the memo yet, Les Miles earns $1,000 more than Nick Saban
As much as Kansas would like to keep Self, matching Pickens’ offer and making Self the highest-paid coach in college athletics – Alabama football coach Nick Saban earns $4 million per year – would send the wrong message. At some point you have to do what makes the most business sense.