And before you say what about Avery Johnson, you're right. He had never been a college head coach before Alabama hired him in 2015. But as an NBA head coach, he had won 23 playoff games, three playoff series and a Western Conference finals.

So Mark Pope has never won a conf RS or tnmt title or an NCAAT game as HC. Hmmm.

The last coach Alabama hired that didn't check any of those boxes: David Hobbs in 1992. He'd never been a HC.

The last coach Auburn hired with all those holes on his resume: Sonny Smith in 1978.

John Calipari (!?!) to Arkansas.
Mark Pope (!???!) to Kentucky.
So everything has changed there.
Nothing has changed here.
Alabama and Auburn still have better basketball coaches than the Hogs or the 'Cats.
Carry on.

Anything a basketball coach wants to do, he can do it at Alabama Men’s Basketball and Auburn Basketball. Nate Oats and Bruce Pearl have proven it. Only one step up the ladder remains. Read it in the Lede.
al.com/sports/2024/04…

Speaking of basketball, Gary has ...

8. Auburn
10. Alabama

Commence the debate.

Just did it.
Auburn will be a Nike school.

A Streetcar Named UConn

So well done. This Auburn Basketball team finished 27-8, tied for second place one game behind in the regular season, won the SEC Tournament and earned a No. 4 seed. One bad loss doesn't cancel all the good things. It was literally a banner season worthy of celebration.

Basketball heaven. Right here in Alabama.

NEXT!

These things are sillier than ever given the transfer portal, but Alabama at 2 and Auburn at 11 shows the growing respect for hoops in this state. Left out UAB, though. Don't sleep on next season's Blazers.

Lotta Mark Sears and Alabama love. Plus the Grant Nelson tomahawk. But no A.J. Staton-McCray. Cowards.

We riot.

Interestingly, it has happened to Auburn four times.
1986 Louisville Elite Eight
1987 Indiana Round 2
2003 Syracuse Sweet 16
2019 Virginia Final Four

The last to cut down nets back-to-back goes to you UConn Men's Basketball, congrats on the achievement!

You’ve joined an elite club 🏆🏆

UConn now has more national titles than Duke. 6-5. Wow.

Looking good, Dr. Charles McClelland. Repping the SWAC and the state well.

Largest collective point differential in NCAA Tournament history?

UConn not be serious.

All credit to Danny Hurley and the Huskies. They were just too good.

Only drama left is the number of One Shining Moment highlights featuring teams from this state. The Grant Nelson throw-down dunk on UConn and the A.J. Staton-McCray #AllBall chase-down block vs. Kansas are a given.

Any others?