Allstate Sugar Bowl

Alabama gets physical in practice
TUSCALOOSA–The Alabama Crimson Tide has used four practice sessions in three days as a way of getting the rust off following a long layoff; the Tide did not practice following the SEC Championship Game (held Dec. 6) until Thursday, Dec. 18. Since then it has been a physical three days of practice.

“We have really stressed the fundamentals in these first four practices since we came back,” Alabama right tackle Drew Davis said following Saturday’s workout. “We have just worked on getting back to the basics, making sure we cover everything, because you just can’t get away from the basics if you want to be a good football team. It has been a very physical week with a lot of hitting.”

Alabama holds three more practice sessions before Christmas break.

Injury update
According to a report from al.com, senior receiver Will Oakley will not be available for the Sugar Bowl due to an injury. Oakley’s senior season was beset by injuries. First a foot injury during the summer kept Oakely limited during fall camp and the first two games. An injured shoulder now keeps Oakely out of the Sugar Bowl.

Gottfried’s last stand?
Mark Gottfried’s career at Alabama could be nearing an end. But when will Athletic Director Mal Moore pull the plug? End of the season? Some of the most passionate Alabama basketball fans want an end sooner rather than later.

A post at Bama Hoops pled with Moore to fire Gottfried now–before Alabama enters SEC play. Why ask for such a fast end? The program is in a dire skid that requires something drastic to save it. Just how bad are things?

“They say players take the attitude of their coach. Take a good look at our current roster and tell me this isn’t true. Heck, I’ll be even more direct… take a look at Alonzo Gee. He was phenomenal his freshman year… played defense, took the ball to the basket, had a decent mid range jumper and the most important part… he busted his ass. Look at him now… he’s not the same player.”

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