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aztarheel · 01-16-2007, 11:19 AM

Steve Victory JOURNAL – Alabama Non-conference 2009-10

Steve Victory is amazed just how undisciplined and out-of-shape his new team is. “My old boys from Charleston would whip your tails,” he says during one summer workout. The new coach actually cuts one guy, wondering just how a 5-9, 143-pounder with absolutely NO skills ever got a scholarship to the University of Alabama.

Here’s the lineup as ‘Bama prepares for its season opener against UNC-Asheville.
PG: Sophomore Barry Seamon (decent assists man)
SG: Junior Maurice Cambridge (probably the best scorer)
SF: Sophomore Michael Cook (a converted PF, doesn’t look so good)
PF: Senior Dominque Little (too bad he’s not younger, OK ratings)
PG: Senior Daniel Starkey (good rebound potential)

The backups who’ll see some PT include PF Jimmy McArdle (senior) and SG Alex Knox (senior walk-on). The rest of the guys are there to keep the bench warm and hand out towels during timeouts. It’s a pretty sad state of affairs when a first-year senior walk-on (Knox) is listed as the sixth-best player on the team by the assistants!!

The opener actually goes better than Victory expects. Yet it wraps up with a familiar ending – a 60-59 loss (are 1-point losses to open the season programmed into Victory’s dynasty or what?). Cambridge scores 23 so that’s positive.

‘Bama drops a 61-55 decision to a solid Gonzaga team then gets thumped by Albany 66-42 (uggg!). Victory worries about losing by 50 at North Carolina in game number four, but the Tide actually shows up for this one. The Tar Heels, ranked in the top 35 in CRI, barely escape 74-68.

Just when he’s ready to repeat Bobby Knight’s famous words – “Are we ever going to win a game?” – Victory gets a victory in game number five. Of course, the opponent is hapless Maryland Eastern Shore (CRI 270), but the coach treats the 86-67 triumph like a win over the Maryland Terrapins. Dominque Little scores 23, and Maurice Cambridge adds 22.

Alabama gets a little win streak going, topping Norfolk State 73-65 and then grinding past Alcorn State 55-45. But a .500 record eludes the Tide and they drop their next four – to Bradley 64-59, Oklahoma 66-57, Radford 82-64 (yuk!) and Birmingham Southern 62-61 (ouch – we lose some more in-state credibility).

Fortunately, the non-conference slate draws to a close with an impressive 73-53 popping of Florida State (CRI 85). This team is capable of playing competitive hoops when they want to.

Victory makes one positive lineup change midway through the non-conference slate. Noticing that SF Michael Cook is averaging only 3 points and 3 rebounds per game, he shifts Jimmy McArdle into the three spot. McArdle responds with games of 12, 9, 16 and 22 points respectively. The coach hopes that pays more dividends when SEC play cranks up. It’s going to be tough. LSU (16th), Kentucky (6th) and Florida (19th) are all ranked by the pollsters. Mississippi State is coming off a national runner-up finish. Everyone’s CRI is 79 or better. Alabama’s CRI: well over 100.

01-16-2007, 11:19 AM	#53
aztarheel High School JV Join Date: Sep 2006	Steve Victory JOURNAL – Alabama Non-conference 2009-10 Steve Victory is amazed just how undisciplined and out-of-shape his new team is. “My old boys from Charleston would whip your tails,” he says during one summer workout. The new coach actually cuts one guy, wondering just how a 5-9, 143-pounder with absolutely NO skills ever got a scholarship to the University of Alabama. Here’s the lineup as ‘Bama prepares for its season opener against UNC-Asheville. PG: Sophomore Barry Seamon (decent assists man) SG: Junior Maurice Cambridge (probably the best scorer) SF: Sophomore Michael Cook (a converted PF, doesn’t look so good) PF: Senior Dominque Little (too bad he’s not younger, OK ratings) PG: Senior Daniel Starkey (good rebound potential) The backups who’ll see some PT include PF Jimmy McArdle (senior) and SG Alex Knox (senior walk-on). The rest of the guys are there to keep the bench warm and hand out towels during timeouts. It’s a pretty sad state of affairs when a first-year senior walk-on (Knox) is listed as the sixth-best player on the team by the assistants!! The opener actually goes better than Victory expects. Yet it wraps up with a familiar ending – a 60-59 loss (are 1-point losses to open the season programmed into Victory’s dynasty or what?). Cambridge scores 23 so that’s positive. ‘Bama drops a 61-55 decision to a solid Gonzaga team then gets thumped by Albany 66-42 (uggg!). Victory worries about losing by 50 at North Carolina in game number four, but the Tide actually shows up for this one. The Tar Heels, ranked in the top 35 in CRI, barely escape 74-68. Just when he’s ready to repeat Bobby Knight’s famous words – “Are we ever going to win a game?” – Victory gets a victory in game number five. Of course, the opponent is hapless Maryland Eastern Shore (CRI 270), but the coach treats the 86-67 triumph like a win over the Maryland Terrapins. Dominque Little scores 23, and Maurice Cambridge adds 22. Alabama gets a little win streak going, topping Norfolk State 73-65 and then grinding past Alcorn State 55-45. But a .500 record eludes the Tide and they drop their next four – to Bradley 64-59, Oklahoma 66-57, Radford 82-64 (yuk!) and Birmingham Southern 62-61 (ouch – we lose some more in-state credibility). Fortunately, the non-conference slate draws to a close with an impressive 73-53 popping of Florida State (CRI 85). This team is capable of playing competitive hoops when they want to. Victory makes one positive lineup change midway through the non-conference slate. Noticing that SF Michael Cook is averaging only 3 points and 3 rebounds per game, he shifts Jimmy McArdle into the three spot. McArdle responds with games of 12, 9, 16 and 22 points respectively. The coach hopes that pays more dividends when SEC play cranks up. It’s going to be tough. LSU (16th), Kentucky (6th) and Florida (19th) are all ranked by the pollsters. Mississippi State is coming off a national runner-up finish. Everyone’s CRI is 79 or better. Alabama’s CRI: well over 100.