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 Now, get ready to roll, Shoals, Decatur, Athens and all of Northwest Alabama and Southern Tennessee.

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 It's time for the Valley's exclusive FM Sports Voice.

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 The Boomo Bugg Show.

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 Your exclusive inside track to the Tigers, Tennessee and the rest of the SEC.

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 Now, your host, Harold Bugg on 93.9 The Score.

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 Good afternoon and welcome in to the Boomo Bugg Show.

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 I'm Harold Bugg alongside Brett Beaird.

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 Thank you so much for giving us free ride around the Tennessee Valley.

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 Brett Beaird, welcome in.

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 It's time to find out the latest rocking at the regionals and baseball fans, two words, play ball.

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 Good afternoon, welcome in and how are you?

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 Happy Friday to you and the listeners.

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 Tough losses, Harold, to our area teams.

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 The Florence girls played very well.

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 I thought this would be a close game, but they lose one to Hillcrest Tuscaloosa this morning.

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 You may have heard that game on 93.9.

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 The Score is 69-62.

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 Last night, Muscle Shoals had a 45-38 lead over Lee entering the fourth quarter,

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 but ended up losing 62-57.

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 We'll review next week's schedule at Wallace.

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 That 93.9 The Score will broadcast a little bit later in the show.

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 But for now, Jimmy is here to recount the game of the ages between Alabama and Arkansas

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 and also look at the road ahead for Alabama Crimson Tide basketball.

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 And probably getting a new scoreboard.

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 I think they blew out all the circuits at the one that was there when the Hawks came a call in.

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 Jimmy Stein is co-host of Locked On Bama.

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 You guessed it, part of the Locked On Network.

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 Jimmy, welcome in.

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 Happy Friday to you.

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 How are you?

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 Oh, doing great.

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 Finally rested up after a late Wednesday night.

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 Where is that one in the annals of great record-season basketball games for Alabama?

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 And we live in an era where the latest is always the greatest.

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 We don't have all the numbers in front of us, but it's got to be right there amongst them.

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 Would you agree, Jimmy?

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 Yeah, I think especially it depends on how you look at it.

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 If you look at it in terms of what is the most entertaining, fun basketball win

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 and Alabama basketball history in Coleman, that would have to rank at or near the top

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 because the overall number of points scored is stunning.

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 You had the two unbelievable individual performances by Darius A. Cuff from Arkansas and LeBaron Filon from Alabama.

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 You did have two good basketball teams who were playing for a lot here.

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 I mean, these weren't just two bad teams playing an entertaining game.

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 These are two high-level teams, NBA players all over the floor.

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 How about this?

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 Getting ahead of myself here, but how about two Hall of Fame coaches?

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 Yeah, I'm getting ahead of myself there, but I'll set it.

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 Two Hall of Fame coaches.

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 You add up all that, and it's probably the most fun, entertaining win in the history of Alabama basketball.

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 I just use that, I put it that way because there's been other games where Alabama has won in exciting fashion and accomplished more, you know, in terms of like SEC regular season championship, beating the number one team in the nation, that sort of thing.

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 Alabama's done those things in the past, and I don't want to diminish any of that.

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 And the other thing, too, Jimmy, you mentioned it there, entertaining, yes, but the fact that Alabama came against a top-ranked team, in the top 20, that is, not once but twice, been being 14 points down.

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 And on top of that, they are playing for that coveted number three seed.

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 It's a big difference if you make that tourney as a number three seed as opposed to number five, and you've got to face that dreaded number 12.

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 That's right.

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 A five, not only is that a tough spot because you play that crazy five-twelve game, you also get a four seed early, and then you're in the bracket with a one.

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 The five seed seems like it has a difficult matchup every time out.

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 So a three is big, and Alabama can still do those things, I think in part, because I don't know that Alabama's going to beat anybody else in the regular season that has more weight than beating Arkansas.

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 I mean, maybe Tennessee, certainly in the conversation, but Auburn, Georgia, and Mississippi State are just, you know, bubble teams or just not in the same air as Arkansas and Tennessee.

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 So, so huge for Alabama to actually pull off the win.

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 And it's easier for Alabama fans and Alabama supporters to love what happened Wednesday night because they're on the winning end.

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 It could have so easily gone the other way.

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 I would remind people that while you give up that amount of points, obviously you struggle defensively, and obviously they had no answer whatsoever for A-Cup.

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 However, when you come back down 14 twice, you've made some big defensive stops.

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 You can't come back down from 14 without making some big defensive stops.

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 So they did at times do enough, and obviously all that matters is the game's over and Alabama's up by two.

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 Yeah, Alabama held Arkansas, Jimmy, to four points during an eight-minute stretch or seven-minute stretch in the second half.

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 Finelon gets a lot of the headlines, and it's certainly merited.

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 But, Jimmy, Aiden Shirell may be one of the most improved players in the SEC.

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 26 points and 13 rebounds, and to Marty Allen with another double-double.

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 He is just a double-double machine.

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 I guarantee you Alabama doesn't win that game without the contributions from those two.

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 Oh, no question that's true.

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 And I'm not making this comparison because they're different players,

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 but watching Aiden Shirell grow up in front of our eyes,

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 it reminds me a little bit of an old-timer in Alabama named Rory Rogers.

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 Absolutely.

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 You might remember Rory Rogers.

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 Rory was a decent freshman and a slightly better sophomore and a slightly better junior.

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 And then in his final year at Alabama was just this triple-double monster.

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 I mean, where he was blocking 10 shots a night and scoring.

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 It took him four years, but then he was scoring.

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 He'd always been a presence as a defender.

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 And then Rory Rogers, you know, different era of basketball.

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 Then he wakes up, and he's a first-round pick, you know, an NBA draft.

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 I think Shirell's development, you know, reminds me of the story of Rory Rogers.

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 I mean, in terms of these huge guys that step off the bus and their defensive presence,

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 minute number one, just from Shire's side alone and some athletic ability.

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 But we're watching him develop into a real basketball player,

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 and I think should his development continue into an NBA basketball player.

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 I mean, I think that's what, you know, the greatest contribution that Charles Bediaco can make to Alabama this year

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 wasn't those three wins that he helped Alabama secure.

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 It's that Shirell gets to practice against him now and in practice even to this day as Bediaco continues to work with the team.

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 And the advice, because, you know, without being privy to the conversation, you can bet Bediaco has told him,

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 boy, you're a lot like me as a sophomore.

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 I went pro too early and paid for it.

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 You need to stick around.

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 And, boy, that advice would really benefit Aiden Shirell.

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 He's on the right track.

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 Just don't jump off the track too soon.

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 That's a good point, Jimmy.

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 Jimmy's down and locked on Bama.

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 Jimmy, I saw a report.

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 You mentioned Bediaco, and you can confirm or whatever what I saw, if it's how true and accurate it is.

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 But a lot of wins blowing early on that maybe the NCAA selection committee might penalize Alabama for the tenure of Bediaco.

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 And what I read this morning, at least my interpretation, I'll leave it there.

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 That's not necessarily totally conclusive.

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 Is that not bad?

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 That was the end.

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 This is now.

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 Let's move on.

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 Yeah, I'm going to be surprised if Alabama's seeding is affected in any way.

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 I'm going to be surprised.

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 But I am not ruling it out.

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 I'm not telling you there is no way that's going to happen.

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 Not in 2026.

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 There is a way it's going to happen.

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 And that's because many people, rightly or wrongly, were inflamed by what Nate Oates and Alabama was trying to accomplish.

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 There are some really harsh opinions.

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 I've read opinions from AP writers who have votes in AP Top 25 polls who say,

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 I'm not voting for Alabama anymore.

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 They played an ineligible player, which is, A, not true.

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 I mean, Bediaco was not ineligible until the final hearing.

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 He was pending.

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 That's the key word, pending, at that point.

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 Yeah, he was eligible, pending a final decision.

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 Eligible, pending a final decision.

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 But because I've seen and read so many opinions, I think we'd be crazy as Alabama fans not to expect that there's some anti-Alabama sentiment in the room over the Bediaco thing.

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 So I'm not going to sit here and say there's no way that's going to happen or by rule it can't happen.

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 I'm not expecting it to happen.

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 I'll be surprised if it happens.

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 But, yeah, it could.

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 Jimmy, Bama's got five games remaining.

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 The big one you alluded to, Tennessee and Knoxville.

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 And I'm sure Nate Oates wants that game.

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 He has a beat in Tennessee and Rick Barnes in five games.

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 If Alabama goes 4-1 and they win one game in Nashville in the SEC tournament, is this a three-seed?

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 I mean, I want to say yes.

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 And I'll say yes because, yes, that's a resume of a three-seed.

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 And when you look at Alabama's metrics are better than their rankings.

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 I think people don't need to look at the AP poll or coaches poll and try to figure out where Alabama's being seeded based on that.

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 You need to look at the net.

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 And you need to look at what Joe Lenardi is saying and, you know, all the guys that are credible bracket projection guys.

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 It would be the resume of a three-seed.

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 But it's never just about what you've done.

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 It's what you've done compared to everyone else.

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 So it's hard to say without knowing what the resumes are for everyone else that, you know, feels they're worthy of a three-seed or better.

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 So, but it would be resume worthy.

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 Jimmy, you and Luke Robinson do a tremendous job every day with podcasts.

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 And I know you've got more coming out pre-game, post-game for Alabama.

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 And next time we turn around, spring football practice is going to get here before we know it.

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 Jimmy, where can we get the best podcast on the planet about Alabama sports?

153
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 Yeah, Brett got me excited just by mentioning spring football practice, which starts just two weeks from Monday.

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 Just two weeks.

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 Wow.

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 Got it.

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 And it's going to be one of the most fun spring practices ever because there's so many vacant jobs.

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 So much competition for all of those vacant jobs.

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 And so we'll have spring football practice covered really well, locked on Bama.

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 You can find us on YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts.

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 We have minimum six new shows a week.

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 We might ramp it up during spring football practice.

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 But right now we're talking a lot about recruiting, the 2027 class.

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 And, of course, we have a basketball segment just about every day as well.

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 Two weeks to spring football.

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 In the meantime, Jimmy, enjoy some spring-like weather.

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 Have a safe weekend.

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 Thanks so much for your time today.

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 Hey, appreciate it, guys.

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 Thank you, Jimmy.

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 There you have it.

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 The one, the only, Jimmy Stein.

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 He is locked on Bama.

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00:12:16,840 --> 00:12:19,980
 Blayton Lovell is locked on the entire SEC.

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 And he's next on the Boomo Bugg Show.

176
00:12:25,980 --> 00:12:29,520
 There are many advantages of doing business with an independent insurance agent.

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 Or in Tuscumbia, see Page Borden Insurance at 111 East 3rd Street or call 256-381-1334.

181
00:12:55,980 --> 00:12:58,620
 This is Miranda Haddock with the Florence Education Foundation.

182
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 We invite you to support our Friends of the Foundation campaign.

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 As a friend of the Foundation, you can contribute any amount to help fund classroom needs in Florence City Schools.

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 Switching to progressive is a game-winning call.

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 And that reminds us of other game-winning calls in the history of sports.

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 So it was the fourth quarter and we're down by five.

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 Sweat pouring down my face.

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 Suddenly it hit me.

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 If only I could wrap part of the towel around my forehead.

228
00:15:32,540 --> 00:15:35,480
 And that's how I became the first basketball player to wear a headband.

229
00:15:36,100 --> 00:15:39,440
 Okay, not really a game-winning call, but it was a good call.

230
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 You can make one too.

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 Progressive Casualty Insurance Company and affiliates not available in all states.

233
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 From the University of Alabama, this is Crimson Tide Today.

234
00:15:54,840 --> 00:15:57,900
 It's a daily update on PAMA Sports and it's brought to you by the Good Feet Store.

235
00:15:58,220 --> 00:16:00,560
 Start your journey today at goodfeet.com.

236
00:16:00,760 --> 00:16:01,420
 Hello again, everybody.

237
00:16:01,580 --> 00:16:02,380
 I'm Roger Hoover.

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00:16:02,720 --> 00:16:05,400
 On Thursday's edition of Crimson Drive, driven by NASCAR,

239
00:16:05,520 --> 00:16:08,780
 we were joined by Alabama women's basketball senior, Carly Weathers.

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00:16:09,060 --> 00:16:10,980
 Can we continue to do those things?

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00:16:11,440 --> 00:16:14,760
 I don't think it's something where there should create a panic or anything like that

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00:16:14,760 --> 00:16:17,280
 because we're still competing and we're competing hard.

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 It's just we're not making some plays down the stretch.

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 And, you know, we were doing that early in the season.

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00:16:23,880 --> 00:16:27,360
 And so if we can get back to where we were making big plays,

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00:16:27,500 --> 00:16:29,400
 I think that we're going to continue to be successful.

247
00:16:29,640 --> 00:16:33,060
 But I definitely don't think it's something to get negative about

248
00:16:33,060 --> 00:16:34,940
 because there is so much basketball left to play

249
00:16:34,940 --> 00:16:39,820
 that if you begin to get negative, that leaks into the next game and the next and the next.

250
00:16:39,900 --> 00:16:41,240
 And then you're looking at a worse situation.

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00:16:41,800 --> 00:16:45,600
 And so I think that our team has done a phenomenal job of just building one another up

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00:16:45,600 --> 00:16:47,980
 and just continuing to pour into each other.

253
00:16:48,140 --> 00:16:49,200
 I'll have more in a moment.

254
00:16:49,200 --> 00:16:51,280
 This is Christian Miller for the Good Feet Store.

255
00:16:51,400 --> 00:16:56,380
 I know from playing football at Alabama and in the NFL that if you have foot, knee, hip, or back pain,

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263
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 Roll to victory at goodfeet.com.

264
00:17:16,660 --> 00:17:17,980
 That's goodfeet.com.

265
00:17:18,200 --> 00:17:18,700
 Roll Tide.

266
00:17:18,980 --> 00:17:22,240
 We've got you covered for a busy weekend of basketball here on the network.

267
00:17:22,240 --> 00:17:26,640
 On Saturday, the men's basketball team travels to Baton Rouge to take on the LSU Tigers.

268
00:17:27,020 --> 00:17:29,900
 Tip-off at 5, and our coverage on the network starts at 4 p.m.

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00:17:30,220 --> 00:17:34,340
 Then on Sunday, Alabama women's basketball faces the Florida Gators in Gainesville

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00:17:34,340 --> 00:17:39,160
 with tip-off at 11 a.m. Central, and our coverage on the network starting at 10.45 a.m.

271
00:17:39,560 --> 00:17:42,060
 Crimson Tide Today is brought to you by the Good Feet Store.

272
00:17:42,440 --> 00:17:46,160
 Crimson Tide Today is a production of the Crimson Tide Sports Network from Learfield.

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 The score.

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00:17:48,540 --> 00:17:53,320
 Now, back with Boomo Bugg on 93.9, the score.

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00:17:53,960 --> 00:17:54,240
 The score.

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00:17:54,260 --> 00:17:54,900
 Welcome back in.

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00:17:54,960 --> 00:17:59,680
 Talk about a man with an eagle eye when it comes to following ASCC basketball teams

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00:17:59,680 --> 00:18:01,060
 from the Alpha to the Omega.

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00:18:01,240 --> 00:18:05,160
 That's why I call him the boss at Southeastern 16.

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00:18:05,300 --> 00:18:06,700
 Blake Lovell, welcome in today.

281
00:18:06,800 --> 00:18:07,580
 How are you?

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00:18:08,100 --> 00:18:08,820
 Doing well, guys.

283
00:18:08,880 --> 00:18:09,800
 Good to talk to you, as always.

284
00:18:09,880 --> 00:18:10,140
 Hey, man.

285
00:18:10,600 --> 00:18:12,880
 Blake, did you see that game between Alabama and Arkansas?

286
00:18:13,020 --> 00:18:14,440
 And if you did, how would you describe it?

287
00:18:15,300 --> 00:18:17,160
 Yeah, it was quite a game.

288
00:18:17,160 --> 00:18:19,640
 I think that's the best game we've seen all season.

289
00:18:19,840 --> 00:18:21,380
 I don't think there's much debate about that.

290
00:18:21,380 --> 00:18:25,320
 And, I mean, sometimes when you get, I always think it's interesting, and, like, we'll see

291
00:18:25,320 --> 00:18:28,680
 this this weekend when, like, Duke and Michigan and Houston and Arizona play.

292
00:18:29,080 --> 00:18:35,060
 Anytime you get, like, two teams that I think are very high caliber, sometimes it's like, who's

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00:18:35,060 --> 00:18:38,720
 going to be able to win out in terms of, like, the style and how the game's going to go?

294
00:18:38,800 --> 00:18:43,100
 And is it going to be one where, like, they just can't both possibly keep playing at the

295
00:18:43,100 --> 00:18:45,800
 same type of pace and the game slows down a little bit?

296
00:18:45,880 --> 00:18:46,560
 Well, that didn't happen.

297
00:18:47,240 --> 00:18:51,680
 It was about what you could have predicted when it comes to just these two playing such

298
00:18:51,680 --> 00:18:56,020
 an up-tempo type game, and you just had a million possessions in this one.

299
00:18:56,500 --> 00:18:58,880
 And, yeah, I mean, it's kind of a tale of two halves.

300
00:18:59,000 --> 00:19:00,480
 Arkansas couldn't miss in the first half.

301
00:19:00,580 --> 00:19:04,060
 Alabama's shooting 84% at one point deep into the second half.

302
00:19:04,720 --> 00:19:08,840
 And then, you know, eventually Arkansas, I think, just runs out of gas, runs out of

303
00:19:08,840 --> 00:19:12,220
 players, runs out of gas, and, you know, that's just the way it works sometimes.

304
00:19:12,380 --> 00:19:16,640
 So I don't think anybody's coming out of that game feeling worse off for either team, and

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00:19:16,640 --> 00:19:19,960
 if anything, I think both of them feel like, hey, we can do this.

306
00:19:20,300 --> 00:19:21,680
 We're going to be just fine in the tournament.

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00:19:22,220 --> 00:19:28,940
 You know, I was surprised that Calipari did, in a way, the heck off hit the tip of the

308
00:19:28,940 --> 00:19:33,640
 Stetson to him, because for him to stay in that game, with that pace, with only seven

309
00:19:33,640 --> 00:19:35,640
 available players, that says a lot.

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00:19:35,860 --> 00:19:40,160
 I kept waiting for Alabama to pound it inside and try to get this team in foul trouble early,

311
00:19:40,640 --> 00:19:45,740
 but it also shows they are sold on keeping the pedal to the metal no matter what.

312
00:19:46,420 --> 00:19:51,700
 Yeah, and I think that's just, again, how they're going to probably have an advantage over

313
00:19:51,700 --> 00:19:56,240
 a lot of teams that they play, and there's just not a lot of, I mean, teams out there.

314
00:19:56,320 --> 00:20:00,300
 Again, if you're Alabama and you're thinking, well, we gave up 115, but that's fine, but

315
00:20:00,300 --> 00:20:03,180
 like, there's not a lot of, there's not a lot of teams like Arkansas out there.

316
00:20:03,280 --> 00:20:07,260
 I mean, these two teams are now, when you look at it, I mean, these are two of the top

317
00:20:07,260 --> 00:20:12,280
 five offensive teams in the country, and so sometimes, like, great offense is just going

318
00:20:12,280 --> 00:20:14,160
 to win out, and that's exactly what happened here.

319
00:20:14,240 --> 00:20:18,680
 There's just so many skilled offensive players, and yeah, it just became something where both

320
00:20:18,680 --> 00:20:23,040
 teams said, hey, we're going to keep leaning in on what we think our strengths are.

321
00:20:23,200 --> 00:20:27,040
 Even if other things are available, we're just going to keep playing to our strengths, and

322
00:20:27,040 --> 00:20:29,480
 you know, it winds up being that kind of game, so.

323
00:20:30,680 --> 00:20:36,000
 One of the marquee games tomorrow is, of course, Kentucky coming to Auburn.

324
00:20:36,260 --> 00:20:41,400
 Kentucky had a tough loss to Florida, but a lot of people are going to lose to Florida.

325
00:20:42,040 --> 00:20:49,800
 Josh Hubbard goes nuts and scores 46 points with a record 10 three-pointers, 35 points in

326
00:20:49,800 --> 00:20:50,540
 the first half.

327
00:20:50,680 --> 00:20:56,460
 Auburn has a seven-point lead, I believe, with three and a half minutes to go when they come

328
00:20:56,460 --> 00:20:56,940
 back.

329
00:20:57,420 --> 00:20:59,160
 I say it comes back and wins the game.

330
00:20:59,280 --> 00:21:01,260
 This is a must win for Auburn.

331
00:21:01,420 --> 00:21:03,620
 Keyshawn Hall got out of the doghouse.

332
00:21:04,400 --> 00:21:07,480
 Came in, scored 29-10 against Mississippi State.

333
00:21:07,620 --> 00:21:13,060
 Hedford scored 21, but this is a key game, I know, for both teams, but in particularly

334
00:21:13,060 --> 00:21:15,340
 for Auburn, it's nearly a must win.

335
00:21:15,940 --> 00:21:18,100
 Your thoughts on Kentucky at Auburn?

336
00:21:19,140 --> 00:21:21,140
 Yeah, it feels like a must win.

337
00:21:21,260 --> 00:21:25,900
 I know a lot of people just still have been asking the question, probably the question I've

338
00:21:25,900 --> 00:21:29,620
 been asked more than any over the past week and a half is, how is Auburn still on the field?

339
00:21:29,720 --> 00:21:30,700
 I think it's very simple.

340
00:21:30,840 --> 00:21:32,180
 It's not complicated at all.

341
00:21:32,580 --> 00:21:34,100
 Auburn's lost five games in a row.

342
00:21:34,460 --> 00:21:35,280
 They're 14-12.

343
00:21:35,480 --> 00:21:40,140
 They're 5-8 in the SEC, but they played the toughest strength of schedule, and they did

344
00:21:40,140 --> 00:21:45,200
 not have a bad loss that the committee's going to view as a bad loss until Wednesday.

345
00:21:45,620 --> 00:21:50,400
 Like, of their 11 other losses, none of those are going to be viewed as bad losses.

346
00:21:50,960 --> 00:21:54,560
 And yes, like that one is going to be looked at a little bit differently because Mississippi

347
00:21:54,560 --> 00:21:57,800
 State is much lower in the rankings and analytics and all that stuff.

348
00:21:57,800 --> 00:22:02,680
 But if you look at it from that perspective, a team that's played a tough schedule and, yes,

349
00:22:02,740 --> 00:22:06,720
 has quite a few losses, well, that's the same formula that's gotten Alabama in in recent

350
00:22:06,720 --> 00:22:10,620
 years, Vanderbilt in in recent years with 14 losses, 13, whatever it was.

351
00:22:11,220 --> 00:22:16,760
 Like, that's just how it works because you're not comparing your resume to your own self.

352
00:22:16,840 --> 00:22:20,480
 You're comparing your resume to the teams that are around you, and Auburn's resume is still

353
00:22:20,480 --> 00:22:25,140
 significantly better than some of the agency teams that they're being compared to and some

354
00:22:25,140 --> 00:22:28,280
 of the teams and the bottom tier teams of the Big Ten and all that.

355
00:22:28,460 --> 00:22:33,580
 So I say all that to say it's carried them to this point, but now they've reached the

356
00:22:33,580 --> 00:22:35,020
 point where they have to start winning games.

357
00:22:35,240 --> 00:22:41,220
 And this is one where I think if they lose this game tomorrow, I don't really see a scenario

358
00:22:41,220 --> 00:22:44,720
 that looks that great for Auburn to make the tournament because what they're going to

359
00:22:44,720 --> 00:22:49,500
 have after that are three games that aren't going to help them and will, in fact, hurt them

360
00:22:49,500 --> 00:22:54,140
 a little bit, in Oklahoma, Ole Miss, and LSU, and then you've got to somehow find a way

361
00:22:54,140 --> 00:22:58,020
 to go win in Alabama on March the 7th, which obviously they could do, but I wouldn't be

362
00:22:58,020 --> 00:22:58,560
 betting on it.

363
00:22:59,080 --> 00:23:03,180
 So from that perspective, it is the biggest game of the season for Auburn, and you're

364
00:23:03,180 --> 00:23:05,880
 playing a Kentucky team that's all of a sudden dipped back a little bit.

365
00:23:06,200 --> 00:23:07,800
 So I just think they've got to come out.

366
00:23:07,860 --> 00:23:09,000
 They've got to play well here.

367
00:23:09,400 --> 00:23:12,100
 And I think their offense may be the key to doing that.

368
00:23:12,340 --> 00:23:16,660
 But, man, this is about as pressure-packed as it gets for Steven Pearlstein here.

369
00:23:17,320 --> 00:23:18,820
 Blade level, Southeastern 16.

370
00:23:18,920 --> 00:23:22,960
 What about the Battle of the Volunteer States when the Volunteers in Tennessee roll into

371
00:23:22,960 --> 00:23:25,160
 your backyard and take on Vanderbilt tomorrow?

372
00:23:26,060 --> 00:23:27,120
 Yeah, it should be a great game.

373
00:23:27,220 --> 00:23:30,260
 I think certainly the one thing to watch is whether Duke Miles is going to play for Vanderbilt.

374
00:23:30,260 --> 00:23:34,920
 It sounds like there's a decent chance that he could be back tomorrow.

375
00:23:35,020 --> 00:23:38,200
 And if that's the case, then, I mean, that's significant.

376
00:23:38,340 --> 00:23:42,160
 He was one of the top probably seven players in the SEC at the end of December.

377
00:23:42,160 --> 00:23:46,340
 Like, he was playing that well, him and Tyler Tanner as a duo, or one of the best backcourt

378
00:23:46,340 --> 00:23:47,220
 duos in the country.

379
00:23:47,660 --> 00:23:50,020
 But he's, you know, been out for a bit with the knee thing.

380
00:23:50,140 --> 00:23:53,280
 And so now I think if he comes back, it makes this game a lot different.

381
00:23:53,280 --> 00:23:56,660
 Because the thing is, Tennessee is terrible at taking care of the ball.

382
00:23:57,100 --> 00:24:00,780
 They are the worst team at the SEC when it comes to turnovers right now.

383
00:24:01,120 --> 00:24:04,440
 And Vanderbilt forces turnovers about as well as anybody.

384
00:24:04,720 --> 00:24:08,500
 So that is a big area to look at, especially if Miles plays in this game.

385
00:24:09,020 --> 00:24:11,980
 Even if he does, though, I think the one edge that Tennessee's going to

386
00:24:11,980 --> 00:24:14,480
 is going to have is kind of the same one they've had against a lot of teams.

387
00:24:14,920 --> 00:24:16,240
 And that's their offensive rebounding.

388
00:24:16,360 --> 00:24:18,880
 They're still the best team in the country in that category.

389
00:24:19,120 --> 00:24:21,820
 Vanderbilt has had some issues on the glass.

390
00:24:22,620 --> 00:24:26,840
 And so I think Tennessee probably has a good chance to win this game.

391
00:24:26,920 --> 00:24:29,920
 Because I think guarding Nate Amon will be tough for Vanderbilt.

392
00:24:30,000 --> 00:24:31,980
 Because remember, too, that's a team that gets in foul trouble.

393
00:24:32,080 --> 00:24:34,180
 And Tennessee gets the free throw line quite a bit.

394
00:24:34,300 --> 00:24:35,560
 So I'm curious.

395
00:24:35,680 --> 00:24:36,780
 This feels like a toss-up.

396
00:24:37,020 --> 00:24:41,000
 But, yeah, I wouldn't underestimate Tennessee going in and finding a way to win this game.

397
00:24:41,600 --> 00:24:44,340
 Let me ask you before we go to the Olympic break.

398
00:24:44,440 --> 00:24:49,140
 To me, the most improved team in the league at least to date may be Texas.

399
00:24:49,640 --> 00:24:53,020
 I was wondering when Sean Miller was going to get them turned around.

400
00:24:53,540 --> 00:24:56,160
 Nine out of 12, they've won their last six.

401
00:24:57,060 --> 00:24:58,640
 Yeah, Texas has been fantastic.

402
00:24:58,880 --> 00:25:03,880
 I mean, they've done themselves more favors than anybody when it comes to their NCAA tournament hopes right now.

403
00:25:04,580 --> 00:25:09,360
 And, you know, they've got a tough schedule at Georgia, Florida, A&M, Arkansas, Oklahoma.

404
00:25:09,860 --> 00:25:10,740
 But Texas is in.

405
00:25:11,000 --> 00:25:12,380
 And they're an offensive team, too.

406
00:25:12,440 --> 00:25:13,500
 Top ten in the country, guys.

407
00:25:13,580 --> 00:25:14,880
 I don't know how they've done it, but there they are.

408
00:25:17,200 --> 00:25:17,560
 Absolutely.

409
00:25:17,960 --> 00:25:20,860
 Listen, where can we get online to get all the great stuff, my friend?

410
00:25:21,120 --> 00:25:22,160
 Yeah, I appreciate it, guys.

411
00:25:22,340 --> 00:25:23,380
 Southeastern 16 on YouTube.

412
00:25:23,580 --> 00:25:25,420
 Find us there for all of our reaction stuff tomorrow.

413
00:25:25,580 --> 00:25:27,280
 And, yeah, it should be a fun day of basketball.

414
00:25:28,080 --> 00:25:29,620
 Yeah, have a fun weekend, Blake.

415
00:25:29,980 --> 00:25:30,580
 There you have it, Blake.

416
00:25:30,620 --> 00:25:31,680
 Love us, Southeastern 16.

417
00:25:31,820 --> 00:25:33,260
 Quickly, baby, our hearts are heavy.

418
00:25:33,520 --> 00:25:37,040
 Lost not only a pro in this business, but a personal friend.

419
00:25:37,580 --> 00:25:41,060
 John Malone, a radio TV icon in the North Alabama area.

420
00:25:41,920 --> 00:25:45,280
 Passing away yesterday at the much-too-young age of 62 years old.

421
00:25:45,280 --> 00:25:47,720
 I worked with John at WBHB.

422
00:25:47,840 --> 00:25:50,360
 He went on to become the GM at WSM in Nashville.

423
00:25:50,940 --> 00:25:51,800
 Came back to Huntsville.

424
00:25:51,940 --> 00:25:54,000
 Bought two stations after that in Fayetteville.

425
00:25:54,500 --> 00:25:57,980
 But a class act, a pro, and more than that, a fine gentleman, BB.

426
00:25:58,380 --> 00:25:59,340
 Yeah, God bless him.

427
00:25:59,400 --> 00:26:02,360
 I worked with him, Harold, for years when I was a junior achievement.

428
00:26:03,080 --> 00:26:05,080
 A great pro, but a better person.

429
00:26:05,560 --> 00:26:07,040
 Rest in peace, John Malone.

430
00:26:07,500 --> 00:26:12,520
 Coming up, the very latest from Italy at the Olympics here on 93.9, The Score.

431
00:26:12,520 --> 00:26:26,340
 Westwood One Sports presents this special update on the 2026 Winter Games.

432
00:26:26,500 --> 00:26:31,820
 Canada is on to the gold medal game in men's hockey as Nathan McKinnon scored with 35 seconds

433
00:26:31,820 --> 00:26:34,680
 left in regulation to beat Finland 3-2.

434
00:26:35,060 --> 00:26:40,080
 Canada was down 2-0, and they rallied without Captain Sidney Crosby, who didn't play because

435
00:26:40,080 --> 00:26:41,120
 of a lower body injury.

436
00:26:41,520 --> 00:26:45,500
 The other semifinal, Team USA and Slovakia, set for 3-10 Eastern.

437
00:26:46,060 --> 00:26:50,780
 All four Americans qualified for the men's free ski half-pipe final, which is about to start.

438
00:26:51,120 --> 00:26:56,080
 Nick Gepper and Alex Ferreira, who went silver and bronze respectively, four years ago, and

439
00:26:56,080 --> 00:26:57,880
 then also Hunter Hess and Burke Irving.

440
00:26:58,440 --> 00:27:02,360
 Norway won its 17th gold medal, a record for one Winter Olympics.

441
00:27:02,360 --> 00:27:06,040
 That coming in the biathlon, 15K mass start.

442
00:27:06,400 --> 00:27:09,100
 It breaks its own record of 16 gold set in Beijing.

443
00:27:09,640 --> 00:27:12,300
 Norway has 37 medals total to lead the way.

444
00:27:12,660 --> 00:27:14,320
 The U.S. is second with 27.

445
00:27:14,880 --> 00:27:17,980
 With this Winter Games update, I'm Brad Heller, Westwood One Sports.

446
00:27:21,280 --> 00:27:22,340
 It's game day.

447
00:27:22,340 --> 00:27:27,340
 Are your moderate to severe Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis symptoms keeping you from

448
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 the action?

449
00:27:28,800 --> 00:27:32,500
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 Skyrizi is proven to help people feel significant symptom relief, achieve remission, and visibly

451
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452
00:27:43,640 --> 00:27:46,260
 Skyrizi is a prescription injection medicine for adults.

453
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 Don't use if allergic to Skyrizi.

454
00:27:48,720 --> 00:27:52,980
 Serious allergic reactions, increased infections, or lower ability to fight them may occur.

455
00:27:53,380 --> 00:27:55,860
 Before treatment, get checked for infections and tuberculosis.

456
00:27:56,460 --> 00:27:58,860
 Tell your doctor about any flu-like symptoms or vaccines.

457
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 Liver problems leading to hospitalization may occur when treated for Crohn's or ulcerative

458
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459
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460
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 Ask your doctor about Skyrizi, the number one prescribed biologic in Crohn's and ulcerative

461
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 colitis combined.

462
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463
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473
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 Hi, this is Ike Fowler with Alabama Health Guidance.

474
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475
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476
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484
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485
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510
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 Progressive presents the Sports Flash on 93-9.

511
00:31:29,840 --> 00:31:30,520
 The score.

512
00:31:30,880 --> 00:31:36,960
 South Alabama fell in overtime yesterday as they lost to Texas State 90-82 in the loss.

513
00:31:37,080 --> 00:31:40,280
 Chaz Harris had 28 points, 8 assists, 3 steals.

514
00:31:40,460 --> 00:31:44,260
 South Alabama's 19-9 on the year, 96 in the Sun Belt.

515
00:31:44,420 --> 00:31:46,440
 The Jaguars will host Troy tomorrow.

516
00:31:46,580 --> 00:31:50,200
 Trojans are 10-5 in the Sun Belt, 18-10 overall.

517
00:31:50,580 --> 00:31:52,040
 North Alabama's on the road tomorrow.

518
00:31:52,140 --> 00:31:53,100
 They'll play at Lipscomb.

519
00:31:53,180 --> 00:31:54,920
 The Lions are 3-12 in the A-Sun.

520
00:31:55,300 --> 00:31:57,840
 25th-ranked Alabama's on the road tomorrow at LSU.

521
00:31:58,020 --> 00:32:01,340
 Crimson Tide, 19-7 on the year, 9-4 in the SEC.

522
00:32:01,600 --> 00:32:04,300
 LSU is 2-11 in conference play.

523
00:32:04,620 --> 00:32:07,440
 Auburn Tigers are back home tomorrow as they play host to Kentucky.

524
00:32:07,560 --> 00:32:09,180
 The Wildcats are 8-5 in the SEC.

525
00:32:09,780 --> 00:32:12,460
 Auburn is 5-8 in conference play.

526
00:32:12,780 --> 00:32:17,000
 Bundle auto and home, renters or condo, and save with Progressive.

527
00:32:17,160 --> 00:32:22,560
 I'm John Thayer with the Sports Flash presented by Progressive on 93.9, The Score.

528
00:32:27,440 --> 00:32:28,660
 It's game day.

529
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536
00:33:03,400 --> 00:33:05,840
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537
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540
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541
00:33:26,860 --> 00:33:27,800
 The Score.

542
00:33:28,720 --> 00:33:32,800
 Now, back with Boomo Bugg on 93.9, The Score.

543
00:33:34,340 --> 00:33:35,060
 Welcome back in.

544
00:33:35,120 --> 00:33:38,180
 It is an absolute pleasure for us to welcome in.

545
00:33:38,440 --> 00:33:40,900
 And it's safe to say, BB, welcome back.

546
00:33:41,160 --> 00:33:45,360
 The man you hear on 93.9, The Score when Alabama plays some basketball.

547
00:33:45,360 --> 00:33:48,560
 He's Brian Pasek on the Alabama Crimson Tide Network.

548
00:33:48,680 --> 00:33:49,400
 Brian, welcome in.

549
00:33:49,440 --> 00:33:49,920
 How are you?

550
00:33:50,780 --> 00:33:51,780
 Doing great, guys.

551
00:33:51,840 --> 00:33:52,340
 How are y'all?

552
00:33:52,500 --> 00:33:52,860
 Good, man.

553
00:33:53,060 --> 00:33:58,180
 Is it true that you're buying mouthwash now by the case after that game against Arkansas?

554
00:34:00,340 --> 00:34:01,120
 Oh, man.

555
00:34:02,080 --> 00:34:03,440
 I don't know about that.

556
00:34:03,500 --> 00:34:08,820
 But I know that that was one of the best college basketball games that I've ever witnessed.

557
00:34:09,500 --> 00:34:14,420
 And I've been doing this a while, and I've seen a bunch of good ones, and they just don't

558
00:34:14,420 --> 00:34:15,580
 get any better than that.

559
00:34:15,700 --> 00:34:18,560
 What an incredible game, incredible performance.

560
00:34:19,280 --> 00:34:22,820
 Two great teams, great atmosphere, and the good guys won.

561
00:34:23,020 --> 00:34:25,840
 So, it was an awesome night in Coleman Coliseum.

562
00:34:26,420 --> 00:34:27,260
 Brian, talk to us.

563
00:34:27,320 --> 00:34:29,900
 We know, obviously, the things that are obvious.

564
00:34:30,060 --> 00:34:34,440
 The win is always important, especially against the top 20 teams, especially at home.

565
00:34:34,860 --> 00:34:40,340
 But as far as the other part, the psychology, between the ears, as we mentioned earlier,

566
00:34:40,420 --> 00:34:45,580
 they came back from being 14 down, not once, but twice, against the top 20 or so team.

567
00:34:46,200 --> 00:34:49,880
 Talk to us about, as a former player, what that does going forward, because basically,

568
00:34:50,460 --> 00:34:52,640
 in effect, it puts you in fireproof suit, does it not?

569
00:34:52,680 --> 00:34:55,360
 No matter how hot it gets, you know you can still survive.

570
00:34:57,040 --> 00:35:02,720
 Well, the way that Alabama plays, and Arkansas, for that matter, even though both teams don't

571
00:35:02,720 --> 00:35:08,380
 do it exactly the same way, the pace is going to be one of the fastest in the country when

572
00:35:08,380 --> 00:35:10,020
 those two teams meet up.

573
00:35:10,520 --> 00:35:17,260
 And so, you know that down double digits, up double digits, there's going to be so many

574
00:35:17,260 --> 00:35:20,880
 possessions in that game that you're going to have a chance to make a run.

575
00:35:21,240 --> 00:35:28,520
 And we talked about it throughout the broadcast, that when Alabama was down 10, 12, 14 points,

576
00:35:28,940 --> 00:35:32,360
 that you don't have to be great defensively, but if you could,

577
00:35:32,720 --> 00:35:38,000
 just be kind of decent for a few minutes, you're going to get back in the game.

578
00:35:38,760 --> 00:35:43,540
 And listen, and no knock on Alabama's defense, Arkansas was spectacular.

579
00:35:44,000 --> 00:35:51,480
 They made open shots, they made contested shots, and everything in between, they were incredible.

580
00:35:51,960 --> 00:36:00,200
 But there was a stretch in the game, midway through the second half, can't remember exactly how much

581
00:36:00,200 --> 00:36:06,300
 time was left, but I think it was about a two-minute scoring drought for Arkansas, and

582
00:36:06,300 --> 00:36:08,820
 it went from 14 to bam out one.

583
00:36:09,040 --> 00:36:11,680
 It was right around that 17-2 run.

584
00:36:12,420 --> 00:36:18,100
 And you just felt like if you could just put a few stops together, you're going to be right

585
00:36:18,100 --> 00:36:19,700
 back in this game and have a chance to win it.

586
00:36:19,800 --> 00:36:25,460
 That turned out to be the case, and it ended up being an epic win for the Crimson Tide.

587
00:36:26,240 --> 00:36:29,080
 We talked about this a little bit earlier in the show.

588
00:36:29,240 --> 00:36:34,020
 I think Sherell, to me, is one of the most improved players in the league.

589
00:36:34,540 --> 00:36:37,140
 26 points, 13 rebounds.

590
00:36:37,360 --> 00:36:41,640
 Phylon, it's not a pick-and-roll, but it's kind of a give-and-go.

591
00:36:42,200 --> 00:36:45,620
 Phylon caught him, he must have had five dunks.

592
00:36:46,740 --> 00:36:54,820
 What also impressed me, he was 6 of 7 from the free-throw line, and he played two overtimes

593
00:36:54,820 --> 00:36:58,500
 with four fouls without fouling out.

594
00:36:58,700 --> 00:37:05,900
 We know he can hit the three, but he just dominated the middle, and Arkansas just could

595
00:37:05,900 --> 00:37:07,300
 not really guard him.

596
00:37:08,100 --> 00:37:13,360
 But talk about the progress, the improvement of Aiden Sherell.

597
00:37:14,240 --> 00:37:19,300
 Yeah, he's one of the most improved players in the SEC, especially on the defensive end.

598
00:37:19,400 --> 00:37:26,520
 I mean, he's become really a guy as a freshman that was solid defensively, but certainly wasn't

599
00:37:26,520 --> 00:37:27,260
 a rim protector.

600
00:37:27,980 --> 00:37:31,060
 And he's led the league in blocked shots most of the year.

601
00:37:31,120 --> 00:37:33,740
 I think he's now in second in blocked shots.

602
00:37:33,740 --> 00:37:36,920
 So he's really improved on that end of the floor.

603
00:37:37,840 --> 00:37:41,940
 Offensively, he came on so strong late last season, knocking down shots.

604
00:37:42,340 --> 00:37:47,220
 He's got a high basketball IQ, got a great feel for the game, great hands, great feet,

605
00:37:47,320 --> 00:37:48,020
 under control.

606
00:37:48,680 --> 00:37:54,220
 He was incredible, career high, and so many different categories on Wednesday night, including

607
00:37:54,220 --> 00:37:55,900
 minutes, which is a key.

608
00:37:56,280 --> 00:38:02,500
 He's gotten in a lot better shape in his sophomore season and had the ability to go 39 minutes

609
00:38:02,500 --> 00:38:05,960
 of intense basketball and play really well on both ends.

610
00:38:06,460 --> 00:38:08,100
 And listen, you mentioned his free throw shooting.

611
00:38:08,560 --> 00:38:12,940
 I think he's top five, top seven in the SEC in free throw percentage.

612
00:38:13,480 --> 00:38:14,100
 Wow, bigger.

613
00:38:14,680 --> 00:38:21,520
 6'11", 255-pound senior to be one of the best free throw shooters in the SEC is so important,

614
00:38:21,600 --> 00:38:24,100
 especially in a game like that that goes into double overtime.

615
00:38:24,400 --> 00:38:27,720
 Every point mattered, obviously, in that one.

616
00:38:28,180 --> 00:38:33,280
 And HRL, 26, 13, what a performance by the Bama big man.

617
00:38:34,420 --> 00:38:37,620
 Brian Passick, Crimson Tide, the network, obviously Sherell.

618
00:38:37,700 --> 00:38:38,840
 We know about Phylon.

619
00:38:38,980 --> 00:38:40,060
 We know about Holloway.

620
00:38:40,180 --> 00:38:47,180
 But, Brian, it's safe to say that maybe AA, Mr. Allen, is maybe the X factor with his team

621
00:38:47,180 --> 00:38:47,700
 this season.

622
00:38:47,780 --> 00:38:48,620
 It's always fun.

623
00:38:49,140 --> 00:38:53,340
 The other side of the coin is a lot of these kids come out of high school and they're five stars

624
00:38:53,340 --> 00:38:54,980
 and they can't miss and then they miss.

625
00:38:55,460 --> 00:39:00,460
 And then the guy comes out with a lot of love and he actually exceeds the expectations from high school.

626
00:39:00,640 --> 00:39:03,680
 Is it safe to say that Mr. Allen may fit that description?

627
00:39:04,720 --> 00:39:05,940
 Yeah, no doubt about it.

628
00:39:06,080 --> 00:39:11,640
 And in a long line of Alabama freshmen under Nate Oates to exceed expectations.

629
00:39:11,940 --> 00:39:18,480
 And that's a big reason why he's been able to sign guys like Brandon Miller and Noah Clowney

630
00:39:18,480 --> 00:39:25,340
 and some of these other high-profile freshmen, including Amari Allen, who's gone from, you

631
00:39:25,340 --> 00:39:31,480
 know, a good, solid recruit to a potential one-and-done and first-round black pick.

632
00:39:31,720 --> 00:39:36,620
 There were, I think, 27, 28 NBA scouts at the game Wednesday night.

633
00:39:36,940 --> 00:39:42,920
 And yes, they were there to see Darius Acuff and LeBaron Phylon, but they were also there

634
00:39:42,920 --> 00:39:48,680
 to see Amari Allen because he shot up the draft boards at 6'8", has point guard skills,

635
00:39:49,260 --> 00:39:55,320
 can play power forward if you need him to, can play one of the top five rebounders in the

636
00:39:55,320 --> 00:39:58,580
 SEC and can handle the ball, does it all.

637
00:39:58,880 --> 00:40:02,660
 One of those guys that just makes a difference on both ends of the floor.

638
00:40:03,060 --> 00:40:09,660
 He, along with LeBaron Phylon and Aiden Sherrell, terrific in that game.

639
00:40:09,780 --> 00:40:11,400
 His stock just continues to rise.

640
00:40:11,760 --> 00:40:17,320
 And I agree, he's such an important part of this Alabama team because he can score, and

641
00:40:17,320 --> 00:40:20,340
 you need that, but you've got other guys that can put the ball in the basket.

642
00:40:20,900 --> 00:40:25,640
 They need his defense and rebounding and playmaking skills, and they're getting all those in a big

643
00:40:25,640 --> 00:40:25,900
 way.

644
00:40:27,180 --> 00:40:33,980
 Nate Oates made the comment earlier this year, or last year, that Houston Millett, he

645
00:40:33,980 --> 00:40:35,260
 enjoys coaching him.

646
00:40:35,360 --> 00:40:38,400
 He's one of the most coachable players he's ever had.

647
00:40:38,960 --> 00:40:44,580
 He only had two baskets, but they were two of the biggest baskets in the game, one in each

648
00:40:44,580 --> 00:40:45,180
 overtime.

649
00:40:46,180 --> 00:40:51,720
 He has no problem diving on the floor for a loose ball.

650
00:40:51,720 --> 00:40:57,440
 He's a magician at calling timeout with a loose ball as he's going out of bounds.

651
00:40:57,620 --> 00:40:59,160
 I don't know how he does that.

652
00:40:59,900 --> 00:41:04,840
 And quite frankly, I know a lot of fans would like to see him make some more shots, but you

653
00:41:04,840 --> 00:41:12,620
 talk about a guy who is the, quote, emotional leader of a team and what he does with his

654
00:41:12,620 --> 00:41:15,320
 enthusiasm and just straight out hustle.

655
00:41:15,940 --> 00:41:17,180
 It's Houston Millett.

656
00:41:18,180 --> 00:41:19,900
 Yeah, I was so happy for him.

657
00:41:20,420 --> 00:41:27,360
 Listen, I don't know if I'm supposed to have favorite players, but between us, Houston Millett,

658
00:41:27,520 --> 00:41:29,180
 he's my favorite player.

659
00:41:29,560 --> 00:41:32,280
 And it's more than just what he does on the court.

660
00:41:32,380 --> 00:41:34,080
 He's just a great guy, a great teammate.

661
00:41:35,420 --> 00:41:36,260
 He's a winner.

662
00:41:36,900 --> 00:41:37,920
 His teammates love him.

663
00:41:38,760 --> 00:41:43,400
 And I was so happy for him because he deserves to make those threes.

664
00:41:43,400 --> 00:41:49,860
 He does so many things for this team that may go unnoticed by the fans and the media, but

665
00:41:49,860 --> 00:41:53,420
 they certainly don't go unnoticed by his teammates and the coaching staff.

666
00:41:53,580 --> 00:41:55,180
 He is all those things you mentioned.

667
00:41:55,680 --> 00:41:57,600
 And a pretty good basketball player, by the way.

668
00:41:57,640 --> 00:42:03,880
 He has the ability to knock down shots and to make those in those situations, those two

669
00:42:03,880 --> 00:42:06,520
 threes in overtime, absolutely enormous.

670
00:42:06,740 --> 00:42:10,460
 He can't overstate the importance of the magnitude of those shots.

671
00:42:10,940 --> 00:42:17,900
 But he's just a guy that doesn't need to start, doesn't need shots, doesn't care if he scores

672
00:42:17,900 --> 00:42:18,500
 or not.

673
00:42:18,560 --> 00:42:19,520
 He just wants to win.

674
00:42:20,100 --> 00:42:21,900
 And he makes winning plays.

675
00:42:22,360 --> 00:42:29,000
 And, you know, when Arkansas goes on runs and we've seen the opponents go on runs over the

676
00:42:29,000 --> 00:42:35,640
 course of the season, you hear the fans and on Twitter, why don't Danos call timeouts?

677
00:42:35,800 --> 00:42:37,940
 And I know that fans get frustrated with that.

678
00:42:38,160 --> 00:42:45,480
 Well, he's saving him for Houston Millette to die on a loose ball and be coming out of bounds

679
00:42:45,480 --> 00:42:49,300
 and save a possession because he seems to do that two or three times a game.

680
00:42:50,020 --> 00:42:55,600
 But, you know, terrific player, terrific young man, and so glad he's in crimson and white

681
00:42:55,600 --> 00:43:01,220
 and healthy, which he wasn't last year, and it's why he's back for this, his fifth year

682
00:43:01,220 --> 00:43:02,660
 in an Alabama uniform.

683
00:43:02,960 --> 00:43:08,800
 He's a huge part of the success of this team, no matter what the stat sheet says.

684
00:43:09,540 --> 00:43:14,700
 Ryan, we talked with Blake Love, you know, may know Blake, he follows ACC basketball all

685
00:43:14,700 --> 00:43:16,620
 over the place, all 16 teams.

686
00:43:16,700 --> 00:43:20,460
 He brought up a good point about Alabama that you don't hear a whole lot about, but I'm,

687
00:43:21,000 --> 00:43:24,900
 as a guy who's been, has been a while, the X factors are always huge.

688
00:43:24,900 --> 00:43:29,120
 And the point I'm trying to make is he brought up that Bediaco, yes, he is not playing, but

689
00:43:29,120 --> 00:43:34,860
 he's still practicing and basically a big brother mentor to Sherell, amongst other things, making

690
00:43:34,860 --> 00:43:40,060
 him tough in practice to get ready for other big guys down the road, but also advising not

691
00:43:40,060 --> 00:43:45,100
 only Sherell, but others, you may not want to jump out of the college ranks just yet.

692
00:43:45,220 --> 00:43:47,000
 Take it from a guy who's been there and done that.

693
00:43:47,560 --> 00:43:52,380
 Go ahead and let the grapes marinate a little bit and age, and then at the right time, pull

694
00:43:52,380 --> 00:43:56,920
 the trigger, your thoughts just about the X factor that Bediaco is still playing perhaps

695
00:43:56,920 --> 00:43:57,600
 on this team.

696
00:43:58,380 --> 00:43:59,940
 Yeah, I think it's a great point.

697
00:44:00,120 --> 00:44:05,400
 And I think it's an underrated aspect of what he brings to this team on the practice

698
00:44:05,400 --> 00:44:07,220
 floor in the locker room.

699
00:44:07,320 --> 00:44:11,220
 And I think it's so cool that he is still a part of this team.

700
00:44:11,600 --> 00:44:14,980
 You know, it's not something that I necessarily anticipated.

701
00:44:14,980 --> 00:44:20,020
 I know that the players and coaches wanted him around, but I didn't know if Charles would

702
00:44:20,020 --> 00:44:20,520
 stick around.

703
00:44:20,660 --> 00:44:25,540
 And I love the fact that he's going to class, that he's part of the team, and he helps you

704
00:44:25,540 --> 00:44:26,620
 in so many different ways.

705
00:44:26,800 --> 00:44:28,540
 So I wish he was on the floor.

706
00:44:29,400 --> 00:44:34,280
 But that's not the case from a playing depth standpoint.

707
00:44:35,080 --> 00:44:40,060
 The timing is good that this team seems to be getting a little closer to full health with

708
00:44:40,060 --> 00:44:43,280
 the guys that they anticipate having the rest of the way.

709
00:44:43,940 --> 00:44:48,640
 And also, I thought it was important for Alabama to win this game for a lot of reasons.

710
00:44:48,820 --> 00:44:52,860
 One is, you know, you're still trying to compete for an SEC title.

711
00:44:52,980 --> 00:44:54,940
 Now, you're going to need some help with that.

712
00:44:55,120 --> 00:44:57,900
 Florida's still a game ahead, and you don't play them again.

713
00:44:58,980 --> 00:45:04,880
 But you're also trying to get a top-four seed in the SEC tournament, which is huge to get

714
00:45:04,880 --> 00:45:06,720
 the double bottom in Nashville.

715
00:45:06,960 --> 00:45:14,860
 And then that game has gone and will go a long way in getting a top-four seed nationally,

716
00:45:15,420 --> 00:45:21,620
 or, you know, one of the four in that top-16 nationally and top-four seed in the NCAA tournament.

717
00:45:22,020 --> 00:45:27,960
 And, you know, you did it without Charles Mediaco, which Alabama has won a bunch of big games

718
00:45:27,960 --> 00:45:28,440
 without him.

719
00:45:28,620 --> 00:45:33,220
 But for some reason, that's become a big narrative around college basketball is, you know,

720
00:45:33,240 --> 00:45:34,360
 what can Alabama do without him?

721
00:45:34,420 --> 00:45:36,540
 Well, you know, we've played 20 games without him.

722
00:45:36,880 --> 00:45:42,960
 There's kind of a sample size, but it was good to get a huge win on that stage.

723
00:45:44,060 --> 00:45:47,960
 You and the guys are flying to Baton Rouge either today or tomorrow.

724
00:45:48,200 --> 00:45:51,140
 LSU gave Texas fits the other night.

725
00:45:51,140 --> 00:45:57,400
 Max McKinnon came back from an injury and went nuts in the second half.

726
00:45:57,660 --> 00:46:00,020
 And Texas is one of the hottest teams in the league.

727
00:46:00,140 --> 00:46:03,060
 They've won six in a row and nine out of 12.

728
00:46:03,880 --> 00:46:08,640
 You can't have a humongous win and then go down to Baton Rouge.

729
00:46:10,080 --> 00:46:12,260
 And, look, LSU's had injuries.

730
00:46:12,540 --> 00:46:15,640
 We know that they have struggled this year.

731
00:46:15,720 --> 00:46:19,440
 A lot of rumors about the coaching situation down there.

732
00:46:19,560 --> 00:46:21,800
 But, once again, you've got to keep going.

733
00:46:21,960 --> 00:46:25,300
 And this is a place that Alabama has shot the ball well.

734
00:46:25,880 --> 00:46:32,600
 I remember years ago, Alabama made lowered, I think, 25 to 28 threes.

735
00:46:32,980 --> 00:46:35,720
 But, once again, I know LSU is down.

736
00:46:36,300 --> 00:46:38,040
 But they've got some guys back.

737
00:46:38,220 --> 00:46:40,220
 And Alabama needs to be ready tomorrow.

738
00:46:41,360 --> 00:46:44,260
 Yeah, they're down in terms of their record.

739
00:46:45,540 --> 00:46:46,720
 But they're solid.

740
00:46:47,100 --> 00:46:48,560
 And they're talented.

741
00:46:49,100 --> 00:46:53,780
 And they have been right on the verge of being some of the better teams in this league.

742
00:46:54,500 --> 00:46:57,060
 And they're a little healthier than they've been.

743
00:46:57,540 --> 00:46:58,840
 And you look at their record.

744
00:46:58,980 --> 00:47:00,960
 You see where they're ranked in the SEC.

745
00:47:01,240 --> 00:47:08,680
 And I think it's one of the reasons why the SEC is still considered the deepest league in college basketball.

746
00:47:09,180 --> 00:47:13,940
 It's because of teams like LSU that are down near the bottom of the league standing.

747
00:47:14,240 --> 00:47:16,920
 But right around top 50 in Ken Palm.

748
00:47:17,460 --> 00:47:22,780
 And if you're top 50 Ken Palm, you're a pretty good basketball team with a chance to compete, especially at home.

749
00:47:23,160 --> 00:47:28,540
 Alabama coming off of an incredible game, an emotional win on Wednesday night.

750
00:47:29,000 --> 00:47:33,180
 You're going to go into a building that's probably going to be half full at best.

751
00:47:33,740 --> 00:47:37,600
 Not going to be the atmosphere that they've been used to playing in.

752
00:47:37,960 --> 00:47:43,460
 And if you're not ready to play and you don't play well, LSU is very capable of upsetting Alabama.

753
00:47:43,800 --> 00:47:46,580
 So it's a huge game for so many reasons.

754
00:47:47,000 --> 00:47:52,720
 And this is one that the coaching staff will be doing a great job of.

755
00:47:52,720 --> 00:47:54,380
 And hopefully the guys will be listening.

756
00:47:54,380 --> 00:48:00,300
 And you've got to be ready to go because LSU is absolutely capable of beating some of the top teams in this league.

757
00:48:00,440 --> 00:48:03,080
 Which, thankfully, Alabama is one of those top teams.

758
00:48:03,820 --> 00:48:06,000
 Let me ask you before we let you go.

759
00:48:06,200 --> 00:48:12,900
 You were part of the Whip Sanderson team in the early 90s in Nolan 40 Minutes of H*** Richardson.

760
00:48:13,400 --> 00:48:15,600
 Those were some classic games.

761
00:48:15,700 --> 00:48:16,980
 I remember two in particularly.

762
00:48:17,980 --> 00:48:22,060
 January the 8th, 92, 65-63 Bama.

763
00:48:22,680 --> 00:48:25,820
 March 14th, 92 in the SEC tournament.

764
00:48:26,020 --> 00:48:27,780
 90-89 Bama.

765
00:48:28,360 --> 00:48:30,720
 Those were some of the greatest games.

766
00:48:31,320 --> 00:48:36,020
 And, again, of course, some of our audience is too young to know this.

767
00:48:36,140 --> 00:48:40,720
 But those games between Whip and Nolan Richardson were incredible.

768
00:48:41,860 --> 00:48:42,920
 Absolutely incredible.

769
00:48:43,220 --> 00:48:46,860
 And that year was Arkansas' first year in the SEC.

770
00:48:47,800 --> 00:48:51,560
 And all three of those games were so good that year.

771
00:48:51,800 --> 00:48:58,220
 The game in Fayetteville at the old Barnhill, which is a tiny little building that was rocking.

772
00:48:58,600 --> 00:49:00,740
 And, of course, the one you mentioned in Coleman Coliseum.

773
00:49:00,960 --> 00:49:08,760
 But the game that I compared Wednesday night to was that 92 SEC tournament semifinal in Birmingham.

774
00:49:10,120 --> 00:49:15,320
 And, listen, for those that are a little younger and haven't seen it, it is on YouTube.

775
00:49:15,540 --> 00:49:21,280
 You can pull it up, 92 SEC tournament, and you will witness one of the great games.

776
00:49:21,280 --> 00:49:25,840
 Listen, when I think of some of the best games I've ever witnessed, that was one.

777
00:49:26,560 --> 00:49:27,860
 And Wednesday night was another.

778
00:49:28,560 --> 00:49:34,060
 But you had, on the Arkansas side, you had Todd Day, Lee Mayberry, Oliver Miller, all great NBA players.

779
00:49:34,820 --> 00:49:38,800
 On the Alabama side, Robert Ory, Latrose Freewell, Hollywood Robinson.

780
00:49:39,460 --> 00:49:41,080
 It was back and forth.

781
00:49:41,760 --> 00:49:49,600
 The intensity in that game, the crowd was into it the whole time on every play.

782
00:49:49,600 --> 00:49:53,820
 There was a great crowd from Arkansas and, of course, Alabama and Birmingham.

783
00:49:54,560 --> 00:49:57,060
 Just a spectacular game.

784
00:49:57,380 --> 00:50:05,920
 And it's really the first time that I've even compared another game to it, which was Wednesday night in another epic Alabama-Arkansas game.

785
00:50:06,880 --> 00:50:07,360
 Wonderful.

786
00:50:07,620 --> 00:50:10,060
 Well, I appreciate you letting us reminisce with that.

787
00:50:10,120 --> 00:50:11,700
 I remember that game very well.

788
00:50:11,840 --> 00:50:13,500
 That was absolutely incredible.

789
00:50:14,200 --> 00:50:17,500
 Safe travels to Red Stick, young man.

790
00:50:18,380 --> 00:50:23,600
 I know Chris will be asking you the keys to the game, and you've just gone over some of those with us.

791
00:50:23,940 --> 00:50:24,800
 Have a safe trip.

792
00:50:24,900 --> 00:50:26,700
 Let's do this again real soon.

793
00:50:27,400 --> 00:50:28,400
 I always enjoy it.

794
00:50:28,440 --> 00:50:29,560
 I appreciate you guys having me.

795
00:50:30,260 --> 00:50:31,340
 There you have it, Brian.

796
00:50:31,480 --> 00:50:33,840
 Passick on the Alabama Crimson Tide Network.

797
00:50:33,960 --> 00:50:37,760
 And, B.B., I appreciate for all of us, the younger generation, reminding us of those games.

798
00:50:37,880 --> 00:50:39,780
 We can call them back there on YouTube.

799
00:50:40,000 --> 00:50:41,560
 Quickly, baseball this afternoon.

800
00:50:41,820 --> 00:50:45,620
 U-N-A over at the new Mike D. Lane Stadium.

801
00:50:46,300 --> 00:50:47,660
 And they take on St. Louis.

802
00:50:47,800 --> 00:50:48,200
 Get this.

803
00:50:48,240 --> 00:50:56,140
 It's a three-game series today at three, tomorrow at two, and you guessed it, Sunday at one.

804
00:50:56,600 --> 00:51:00,700
 Coming up the next hour, some sad news from Tennessee off the field.

805
00:51:00,820 --> 00:51:06,620
 Ryan Callahan on that, Justin Ferguson talking to Auburn, and Mike Heugan talking about it all straight ahead of the Boomwell Bunk Show.

806
00:51:06,700 --> 00:51:07,260
 Stay with us.

807
00:51:07,260 --> 00:51:33,780
 Hank Williams, Tammy Wynette, Lionel Richie, The Swampers, Riley Green, Jamie Johnson, Ella Langley.

808
00:51:34,180 --> 00:51:36,600
 What do all these great music icons have in common?

809
00:51:36,600 --> 00:51:39,200
 Well, they're all from right here in Sweet Home, Alabama.

810
00:51:39,580 --> 00:51:47,940
 At the Alabama Music Hall of Fame, they invite you to come take a journey to see all the great music legends and future music makers that make us all so very proud.

811
00:51:48,380 --> 00:51:52,460
 The Alabama Music Hall of Fame, located on Highway 72 West in Tuscumbia.

812
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813
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814
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815
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817
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818
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820
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 Winter is in full swing, and Aleve is here to keep you moving.

821
00:52:29,060 --> 00:52:32,740
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824
00:52:43,560 --> 00:52:49,800
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825
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826
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827
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 Smalls here.

828
00:52:55,760 --> 00:52:56,760
 Life is full of choices.

829
00:52:56,900 --> 00:52:57,960
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830
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831
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834
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835
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836
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837
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838
00:53:24,740 --> 00:53:25,740
 Rich Eisen here.

839
00:53:25,920 --> 00:53:28,020
 For small businesses, every hire counts.

840
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841
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842
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843
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844
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845
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 Post your job and get $100 off towards your job post at linkedin.com slash Eisen.

846
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847
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848
00:53:56,000 --> 00:53:57,300
 1819 News.

849
00:53:57,880 --> 00:54:03,000
 The Alabama Senate has passed two bills that deal with religious instruction and sex education.

850
00:54:03,280 --> 00:54:06,420
 Both bills were sponsored by State Senator Shea Shelnut.

851
00:54:06,420 --> 00:54:12,660
 The first one would provide extracurricular religious classes at schools that parents and students can opt to take.

852
00:54:12,860 --> 00:54:19,900
 The classes would be sponsored by a church or faith-based organization and would not interfere with core instructional time at that school.

853
00:54:20,220 --> 00:54:27,100
 The second bill would require public schools to teach sexual risk avoidance and abstinence within the sex education curriculum.

854
00:54:27,100 --> 00:54:32,600
 The bill also prohibits this type of sex education being taught to students in fourth grade or below.

855
00:54:32,820 --> 00:54:36,120
 The two bills are headed over to the Alabama House for consideration.

856
00:54:36,640 --> 00:54:38,980
 I'll be back with more Alabama stories after this.

857
00:54:39,380 --> 00:54:41,720
 Are you enjoying 1819 News?

858
00:54:41,880 --> 00:54:45,080
 If so, consider joining 1819 News as a member.

859
00:54:45,400 --> 00:54:49,740
 As a non-profit news organization, we depend on the support of Alabamians like you.

860
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 Memberships start out as little as $5 a month and you'll get access to exclusive content only offered to our members.

861
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 You'll be supporting independent journalism done by people who cherish Alabama values.

862
00:55:00,260 --> 00:55:04,420
 Become a member today by visiting 1819news.com and clicking Become a Member.

863
00:55:04,620 --> 00:55:07,900
 That's 1819news.com and click Become a Member today.

864
00:55:08,780 --> 00:55:14,020
 Alabama lawmakers are proposing another annual sales tax holiday for firearms and ammunition.

865
00:55:14,360 --> 00:55:19,780
 HB 360 has already been passed out of a House committee and will be debated by the full Alabama House.

866
00:55:19,980 --> 00:55:28,980
 The bill proposes that the state sales tax holiday occur in August with municipalities and counties having the option to participate in waiving their taxes as well.

867
00:55:28,980 --> 00:55:33,020
 This weekend is a state sales tax holiday for severe weather supplies.

868
00:55:33,260 --> 00:55:38,540
 From Friday to Sunday night, emergency items that are used in cases of severe weather will be exempted

869
00:55:38,540 --> 00:55:43,920
 from the state sales tax so families can stock up with things on their emergency preparedness list.

870
00:55:44,080 --> 00:55:53,120
 For more news affecting Alabamians, go to 1819news.com and while you're there, subscribe to the daily newsletter.

871
00:55:55,760 --> 00:56:03,540
 Valley Broadcasting Corporation, WITK FM, Rogersville, Athens, Decatur, The Shores, Sports Radio 93.9, The Score.

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875
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876
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 Westwood One Sports presents this special update on the 2026 Winter Games.

877
00:56:26,320 --> 00:56:28,140
 More drama in men's hockey.

878
00:56:28,340 --> 00:56:35,600
 Canada got a power play goal from Nathan McKinnon with 35 seconds left in regulation to stun Finland 3-2.

879
00:56:35,940 --> 00:56:39,100
 That was after three overtime games in the quarterfinals.

880
00:56:39,560 --> 00:56:48,180
 Canada rallied from 2-0 down and didn't have Captain Sidney Crosby, who will play the winner of the U.S. and Slovakia for gold.

881
00:56:48,280 --> 00:56:51,240
 That second semifinal will start at 3-10 Eastern.

882
00:56:51,820 --> 00:56:53,680
 Men's free ski half-pipe final.

883
00:56:53,820 --> 00:56:57,240
 American Alex Ferreira is third after the first of three runs.

884
00:56:57,340 --> 00:57:01,100
 He's looking for his third consecutive medal in this event, but first gold.

885
00:57:01,620 --> 00:57:07,580
 American speed skater Brittany Bowes' last-ever Olympic race is a fourth-place finish in the 1,500 meters.

886
00:57:07,580 --> 00:57:15,380
 Her third fourth-place finish at these games, but the 38-year-old did get engaged earlier this week to women's hockey captain Hillary Knight.

887
00:57:15,660 --> 00:57:18,800
 With this Winter Games update, Brad Heller, Westwood One Sports.

888
00:57:22,440 --> 00:57:24,740
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889
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890
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891
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892
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893
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895
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896
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 We have a simple management fee based on the value of your portfolio.

898
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899
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900
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901
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902
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904
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 Sounds like Fisher Investments has everything we need.

905
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907
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 Investing in securities involves the risk of loss.

908
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909
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 My husband, Ryan, died.

910
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 We never thought we'd ever have to use life insurance, but the unexpected happened.

911
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916
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 That's ethos.com slash game.

917
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 Paid spokesperson.

918
00:58:48,580 --> 00:58:49,560
 Time spent on application may vary.

919
00:58:49,640 --> 00:58:50,620
 Online health questions required.

920
00:58:51,300 --> 00:58:52,500
 Tide fans.

921
00:58:52,600 --> 00:58:53,580
 Here comes the Tide.

922
00:58:53,820 --> 00:58:54,720
 Let's roll.

923
00:58:54,920 --> 00:58:55,520
 At one.

924
00:58:55,620 --> 00:58:56,160
 For the win.

925
00:58:56,480 --> 00:58:57,300
 Ball game.

926
00:58:57,540 --> 00:58:58,440
 Ball game.

927
00:58:58,700 --> 00:58:59,520
 Ball game.

928
00:58:59,780 --> 00:59:00,560
 And the wins.

929
00:59:01,280 --> 00:59:05,040
 Grab your hard hats and tune in for blue-collar basketball.

930
00:59:05,680 --> 00:59:11,160
 With the Crimson Tide all season long, on your home for Alabama basketball.

931
00:59:11,720 --> 00:59:15,040
 This Saturday, Alabama goes on the road to take on the LSU Tigers.

932
00:59:15,340 --> 00:59:19,000
 Airtime is 4 p.m. with a tip at 5, here on 93.9 The Score.

933
00:59:19,960 --> 00:59:21,500
 Brought to you locally in part by

934
00:59:21,500 --> 00:59:25,000
 Nationwide Insurance Agents Michael Noe and Bill Cochran.

935
00:59:25,540 --> 00:59:26,600
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936
00:59:27,220 --> 00:59:28,780
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937
00:59:29,300 --> 00:59:30,340
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938
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939
00:59:34,660 --> 00:59:35,420
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940
00:59:35,900 --> 00:59:37,720
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941
00:59:38,240 --> 00:59:39,040
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942
00:59:39,500 --> 00:59:41,160
 And Elliott Johnson Insurance.

943
00:59:42,080 --> 00:59:43,320
 Alabama and LSU.

944
00:59:43,660 --> 00:59:46,600
 This Saturday afternoon at 4 on 93.9 The Score.

945
00:59:48,920 --> 00:59:51,260
 93.9 The Score weather.

946
00:59:51,800 --> 00:59:53,780
 Today sunny with a high around 70.

947
00:59:54,480 --> 00:59:58,200
 Tonight cloudy with an 80% chance of showers overnight at a low near 50.

948
00:59:58,960 --> 01:00:03,320
 Tomorrow mostly sunny with a 20% chance of midday showers and a high around 65.

949
01:00:04,140 --> 01:00:06,460
 Tomorrow night partly cloudy with a low near 30.

950
01:00:06,460 --> 01:00:09,660
 And for your Sunday sunny with a high around 50.

951
01:00:10,200 --> 01:00:13,020
 Your weather from 93.9 The Score.

952
01:00:13,020 --> 01:00:25,520
 Now, get ready to roll, Shoals, Decatur, Athens, and all of northwest Alabama and southern Tennessee.

953
01:00:26,180 --> 01:00:29,520
 It's time for the Valley's exclusive FM sports voice.

954
01:00:32,520 --> 01:00:35,020
 The Boomo Bugg Show.

955
01:00:35,400 --> 01:00:37,480
 Your exclusive inside track to the Tide.

956
01:00:37,640 --> 01:00:40,600
 Tigers, Tennessee, and the rest of the SEC.

957
01:00:41,460 --> 01:00:46,800
 Now, your host, Harold Bugg on 93.9 The Score.

958
01:00:47,480 --> 01:00:48,120
 Welcome back in.

959
01:00:48,180 --> 01:00:49,380
 I want you to the Boomo Bugg Show.

960
01:00:49,480 --> 01:00:50,960
 I'm Harold Bugg alongside Brett Beaird.

961
01:00:51,060 --> 01:00:53,920
 Thank you so much for giving us three rides around the Tennessee Valley.

962
01:00:54,060 --> 01:00:55,000
 Can't wait to get to Mike.

963
01:00:55,060 --> 01:00:56,180
 Tuganen on deck, BB.

964
01:00:56,440 --> 01:01:00,900
 But first, an update from the regionals, if you will.

965
01:01:01,320 --> 01:01:08,460
 Well, you may have heard the game this morning, but the Florence girls, I thought this was going to be a close game with Hillcrest, Tuscaloosa.

966
01:01:08,460 --> 01:01:21,520
 And it was Florence got close several times in the fourth quarter, but Hillcrest would make a play and eventually pulled away to beat Florence girls 69 to 62.

967
01:01:21,760 --> 01:01:22,860
 And I mentioned this earlier.

968
01:01:23,500 --> 01:01:32,700
 Most of the Shoals had a lead over Lee Huntsville entering the fourth quarter, but the Trojans also lost last night 62 to 57.

969
01:01:32,920 --> 01:01:35,200
 Both teams having very good seasons.

970
01:01:35,480 --> 01:01:36,960
 Yeah, hats off to both teams.

971
01:01:36,960 --> 01:01:42,440
 It's Mike Huganen now joining us in the huddle, National College football slash basketball analyst.

972
01:01:42,640 --> 01:01:43,160
 Mike, welcome.

973
01:01:43,280 --> 01:01:48,920
 It's a great time of the year for high school teams once you get the postseason, whether it's here or in your backyard of Florida.

974
01:01:48,960 --> 01:01:49,520
 Would you agree?

975
01:01:50,040 --> 01:01:53,980
 Yeah, I'm a big, I still like high school sports.

976
01:01:54,120 --> 01:01:55,440
 My daughter's out of high school.

977
01:01:55,580 --> 01:01:58,460
 I still occasionally go to high school football games.

978
01:01:59,100 --> 01:02:01,980
 But yeah, high school basketball, I had a nephew who played.

979
01:02:03,660 --> 01:02:05,900
 He was a starting point guard at a school in Orlando.

980
01:02:05,900 --> 01:02:13,060
 And it was, it was, he said it was a lot, you know, like, you know, he's also a big NBA fan.

981
01:02:13,180 --> 01:02:18,260
 And he said the intensity definitely increases in the high school playoffs.

982
01:02:18,780 --> 01:02:23,640
 Because, you know, if you make a mistake in game seven of the year, okay, big deal.

983
01:02:23,640 --> 01:02:30,700
 If you make a mistake in a regional final or something, yeah, it could cause you, the season might be over.

984
01:02:30,880 --> 01:02:32,540
 So, he enjoyed it.

985
01:02:32,580 --> 01:02:38,040
 But yeah, it's fun to watch, especially when there are good players on view.

986
01:02:39,100 --> 01:02:47,640
 Speaking of basketball, Mike, are you ready for what I guess a lot of us may actively call a mini Final Four weekend?

987
01:02:48,260 --> 01:02:50,780
 Arizona to Houston, Michigan to Duke.

988
01:02:50,840 --> 01:02:53,100
 It's hard to get better than that for a Final Four, is it not?

989
01:02:53,600 --> 01:02:55,560
 Yeah, this is, this is a big time weekend.

990
01:02:55,700 --> 01:02:57,800
 And we're getting closer to the end of the season, obviously.

991
01:02:58,360 --> 01:02:59,780
 UConn Villanova's huge.

992
01:03:00,320 --> 01:03:02,580
 And the Big East, Tennessee Vandy in the SEC.

993
01:03:03,620 --> 01:03:08,200
 Iowa State's playing at BYU, which I think will help BYU.

994
01:03:09,460 --> 01:03:10,760
 Alabama's playing LSU.

995
01:03:10,920 --> 01:03:12,740
 That shouldn't be, LSU's bad.

996
01:03:13,080 --> 01:03:16,140
 But the Kentucky-Auburn game, to me, is vital for Auburn.

997
01:03:16,400 --> 01:03:19,660
 At some point, Auburn needs to win some games.

998
01:03:20,260 --> 01:03:27,020
 So, I know they have a, I guess, the toughest schedule in the country by Ken Palm, that analytic site.

999
01:03:27,020 --> 01:03:29,540
 But there are two games under .500 in the league.

1000
01:03:29,800 --> 01:03:34,020
 I think they need to, they need another marking win under their belt.

1001
01:03:34,800 --> 01:03:37,980
 Does anybody have, has had a tougher job than Stephen Pearl?

1002
01:03:38,140 --> 01:03:44,980
 Number one, you're trying to fill the shoes of a legendary coach who just also happens to be your dad.

1003
01:03:45,320 --> 01:03:50,020
 The expectations do not change, even though your position may change.

1004
01:03:50,420 --> 01:03:54,000
 Your thoughts, obviously, he has learned a lot this year.

1005
01:03:54,000 --> 01:03:57,600
 It's not as easy as it seems, because especially in the modern era,

1006
01:03:58,020 --> 01:04:02,980
 trying to sit here and massage all these kids' egos, an 18-, 19-year-old, let's face it, millionaire.

1007
01:04:04,440 --> 01:04:08,120
 It's been an on-the-job training supreme for Stephen Pearl, is it not?

1008
01:04:10,680 --> 01:04:16,100
 You know, and I think there are people out there who are, he did not really deserve the job,

1009
01:04:16,200 --> 01:04:21,100
 because he was his dad's main assistant, and he only got the job because of nepotism.

1010
01:04:21,100 --> 01:04:23,980
 And I think there is a little bit of truth to that.

1011
01:04:25,460 --> 01:04:30,600
 But this is, this is a, you know, Keyshawn Hall missed a game two games ago.

1012
01:04:30,780 --> 01:04:32,800
 He's, I think, the key player.

1013
01:04:33,260 --> 01:04:35,460
 Pettiford's played relatively well all season, though.

1014
01:04:35,540 --> 01:04:36,760
 He cannot hit a three-pointer.

1015
01:04:38,240 --> 01:04:41,680
 It's, you know, this team is not as good as last year's.

1016
01:04:41,920 --> 01:04:46,360
 I think people expected them to have a better record than 14-12 at this point.

1017
01:04:46,740 --> 01:04:51,780
 But again, they have played the toughest schedule in the nation by some of the analytics.

1018
01:04:52,480 --> 01:04:56,220
 They played pretty good basketball until this latest stretch.

1019
01:04:56,920 --> 01:05:01,240
 And losing five games in a row in February is not ideal,

1020
01:05:01,360 --> 01:05:04,240
 and that's why I think each of the next three games are,

1021
01:05:04,400 --> 01:05:07,280
 each of the next four, I think all five are winnable.

1022
01:05:07,520 --> 01:05:14,540
 But I would argue that they need to win at home if they want to get to the NCAA tournament.

1023
01:05:15,600 --> 01:05:22,260
 Mike, as you can guess, this state's still buzzing from one of the greatest games in the history of basketball,

1024
01:05:22,400 --> 01:05:27,640
 Wednesday night when Alabama held on to win 117 to 115.

1025
01:05:27,640 --> 01:05:34,340
 It reminded me of some of the Wilt Sanderson, Nolan Richardson games in the early 90s,

1026
01:05:34,380 --> 01:05:40,220
 and particularly the 90-89 game in 92 in Birmingham at the SEC tournament.

1027
01:05:40,920 --> 01:05:44,440
 Derry Sankoff, I mean, what can you say about 49 points?

1028
01:05:44,680 --> 01:05:47,940
 Phylon, Peyton Shirell has improved dramatically.

1029
01:05:48,580 --> 01:05:52,860
 Mike, Mike, your thoughts on a game for the ages in Tuscaloosa?

1030
01:05:54,640 --> 01:05:56,820
 A heck of a lot of fun if you didn't care who won.

1031
01:05:57,820 --> 01:05:59,320
 Acuff played all 50 minutes.

1032
01:06:00,600 --> 01:06:03,340
 49 points in a losing effort.

1033
01:06:03,520 --> 01:06:06,700
 Phylon, yeah, was tremendous.

1034
01:06:06,940 --> 01:06:08,520
 Aiden Shirell got it going in the second half.

1035
01:06:09,340 --> 01:06:11,640
 Both teams shot exceptionally well.

1036
01:06:11,760 --> 01:06:14,740
 I think a lot of that was pitiful defense.

1037
01:06:15,780 --> 01:06:21,780
 But at the same time, you had guys making shots, making their free throws,

1038
01:06:23,800 --> 01:06:26,080
 the fifth, there was some crisp passing.

1039
01:06:27,740 --> 01:06:32,280
 It was a heck of a game, a heck of a lot of fun to watch that game.

1040
01:06:33,360 --> 01:06:38,320
 And Alabama, you know, they trailed 13 points basically midway to the second half

1041
01:06:38,320 --> 01:06:40,400
 and found a way to claw back into it.

1042
01:06:41,460 --> 01:06:42,720
 Extremely impressive win.

1043
01:06:42,720 --> 01:06:44,500
 Again, and not much bench points.

1044
01:06:45,060 --> 01:06:46,840
 Alabama had 13 bench points.

1045
01:06:46,980 --> 01:06:48,060
 Arkansas had eight.

1046
01:06:48,780 --> 01:06:51,140
 And these teams both scored almost 120.

1047
01:06:51,680 --> 01:06:56,360
 So the starting five for both teams, Yeoman efforts.

1048
01:06:56,620 --> 01:07:01,680
 But, yeah, Phylon and Acuff especially were just tremendous.

1049
01:07:02,900 --> 01:07:04,640
 It's hard to believe, is it not, Mike?

1050
01:07:04,800 --> 01:07:08,560
 Basically, two weeks left in the regular season for ACC basketball.

1051
01:07:08,960 --> 01:07:10,180
 How does it finish?

1052
01:07:10,280 --> 01:07:14,740
 It looks like Tennessee, I'm sorry, Tennessee, Florida right now is the dog to catch.

1053
01:07:15,260 --> 01:07:19,780
 And talking about Alabama, will they hang on and get a double bye in a tournament,

1054
01:07:19,920 --> 01:07:20,800
 the SEC tournament?

1055
01:07:21,420 --> 01:07:24,820
 Your thoughts about the finish of these next two weeks across the league?

1056
01:07:26,680 --> 01:07:28,560
 Talking for positions still at the top.

1057
01:07:28,680 --> 01:07:32,180
 I mean, three teams tied at nine and four for second place.

1058
01:07:32,300 --> 01:07:35,460
 And you've got, I think it's five teams tied at eight and five.

1059
01:07:35,920 --> 01:07:39,720
 So there is a lot that can still happen in the final two weeks.

1060
01:07:40,000 --> 01:07:41,780
 It's going to be extremely entertaining.

1061
01:07:41,920 --> 01:07:47,180
 And I think that, you know, the double bye can be a positive.

1062
01:07:47,320 --> 01:07:48,140
 It can be a negative.

1063
01:07:48,300 --> 01:07:52,820
 If you're playing really good basketball and no injuries, I think a double bye actually

1064
01:07:52,820 --> 01:07:53,960
 can hurt a little bit.

1065
01:07:54,340 --> 01:08:00,160
 If you've got guys hurt, having a double bye makes a big difference.

1066
01:08:00,280 --> 01:08:04,980
 And in those situations also, if you have a double bye, you're hoping for chaos the first

1067
01:08:04,980 --> 01:08:05,680
 couple days.

1068
01:08:05,940 --> 01:08:09,680
 You want the better teams out before they have to play you.

1069
01:08:09,920 --> 01:08:15,180
 You know, I would think if I was a Florida, Tennessee, Arkansas, Alabama, man, I hope LSU

1070
01:08:15,180 --> 01:08:22,520
 goes on a run, or I hope South Carolina goes on a run, because those would be much easier

1071
01:08:22,520 --> 01:08:23,200
 to be.

1072
01:08:23,400 --> 01:08:23,800
 No question.

1073
01:08:24,500 --> 01:08:31,620
 Who are your, Bill Bender of the Sporting News, good friend of ours, and he does a, I

1074
01:08:31,620 --> 01:08:36,280
 think he's on 3.0 as far as projecting the NCAA field.

1075
01:08:36,860 --> 01:08:41,900
 He's got Michigan, Duke, Arizona, and I know the Wildcats have lost two games.

1076
01:08:41,900 --> 01:08:50,300
 That's late, Houston, and then I know UConn got upset by Creighton, Iowa State, Purdue.

1077
01:08:50,500 --> 01:08:51,860
 They've lost a couple of games.

1078
01:08:52,000 --> 01:08:52,940
 Illinois, Alexandra.

1079
01:08:53,680 --> 01:08:56,840
 Who are Mike Huguenin's number one seeds?

1080
01:09:00,040 --> 01:09:02,280
 That game tomorrow is obviously gigantic.

1081
01:09:02,600 --> 01:09:06,480
 It'll be extremely entertaining, but Michigan right now seems to be on a different level than

1082
01:09:06,480 --> 01:09:07,020
 everybody else.

1083
01:09:07,020 --> 01:09:07,180
 Yeah.

1084
01:09:07,980 --> 01:09:10,440
 I think they would be the overall number one seed.

1085
01:09:10,560 --> 01:09:12,140
 I can see Duke being a number one seed.

1086
01:09:12,420 --> 01:09:16,180
 I think the other number one seed is sort of up for grabs.

1087
01:09:16,980 --> 01:09:21,880
 I don't think UConn's going to get it because the Big East is not that strong.

1088
01:09:22,020 --> 01:09:25,780
 So you're looking at Arizona, Illinois, Houston, Iowa State.

1089
01:09:27,060 --> 01:09:31,500
 I think they're going to be, out of that group, they'll be the other number one seed.

1090
01:09:31,580 --> 01:09:36,940
 I think the question is, does Florida get a number two if they win the SEC regular season

1091
01:09:36,940 --> 01:09:39,220
 and make a nice run in the SEC tournament?

1092
01:09:39,600 --> 01:09:43,420
 I don't think any other SEC team has a chance to be a two.

1093
01:09:43,980 --> 01:09:48,520
 I think there could be a three and maybe even two fours from the SEC.

1094
01:09:48,520 --> 01:09:53,300
 But, yeah, the number one seed thing can be overrated a little bit.

1095
01:09:53,400 --> 01:09:56,420
 But last year, the entire Final Four was number one seed.

1096
01:09:57,720 --> 01:10:00,420
 Mike, you're going to National College Football slash Basketball.

1097
01:10:00,500 --> 01:10:02,480
 Analyst, you live, of course, in Orlando.

1098
01:10:02,800 --> 01:10:06,920
 Your reaction to the boys and girls' business in Tallahassee, the Florida Senate,

1099
01:10:06,920 --> 01:10:09,600
 passes the Teddy Bridgewater Act.

1100
01:10:10,000 --> 01:10:17,000
 Was that allowing K-12 coaches to use up to $15,000 of personal funds to, quote,

1101
01:10:17,120 --> 01:10:18,140
 assist players?

1102
01:10:18,320 --> 01:10:19,080
 Mike, your take.

1103
01:10:22,720 --> 01:10:31,060
 Florida, for all its high school football success, does not pay its coaches a lot of money.

1104
01:10:31,160 --> 01:10:33,880
 They get a stipend of less than $5,000.

1105
01:10:34,660 --> 01:10:38,440
 So, you know, I know Bridgewater got in trouble for that and left coaching.

1106
01:10:38,440 --> 01:10:40,840
 Well, Teddy Bridgewater is a multi-millionaire.

1107
01:10:41,460 --> 01:10:46,920
 I don't think there's a – well, actually, there's a couple of former NFL players

1108
01:10:46,920 --> 01:10:48,160
 who are high school football coaches.

1109
01:10:48,300 --> 01:10:54,960
 But for the most part, you know, the idea that you're going to help your kids with money,

1110
01:10:54,960 --> 01:10:56,780
 I think, is a pipe dream.

1111
01:10:57,600 --> 01:10:59,640
 You know, maybe booster clubs can raise money.

1112
01:10:59,840 --> 01:11:04,320
 But I'm not sure if that is allowed either.

1113
01:11:04,320 --> 01:11:10,000
 But, yeah, you know, in Georgia, in Texas, not a big deal because you've got coaches making

1114
01:11:10,000 --> 01:11:11,260
 six-year-old contracts.

1115
01:11:12,260 --> 01:11:20,280
 I know most high – I actually know a salary of a high school football coach in my area is

1116
01:11:20,280 --> 01:11:23,260
 about $61,000 because he's a veteran teacher.

1117
01:11:23,940 --> 01:11:24,540
 Wow.

1118
01:11:25,020 --> 01:11:26,860
 That's including the stipend.

1119
01:11:27,580 --> 01:11:27,740
 Wow.

1120
01:11:27,840 --> 01:11:31,580
 So, Florida high school – well, Florida teachers don't get paid a lot,

1121
01:11:31,780 --> 01:11:36,680
 and Florida high school football and basketball coaches are not raking it in like they're brethren

1122
01:11:36,680 --> 01:11:37,420
 nationwide.

1123
01:11:38,780 --> 01:11:39,680
 Goodness gracious.

1124
01:11:39,980 --> 01:11:42,180
 Listen, enjoy the weekend.

1125
01:11:42,320 --> 01:11:43,240
 Some great games.

1126
01:11:43,240 --> 01:11:43,500
 Yeah.

1127
01:11:43,600 --> 01:11:47,820
 Going down the stretch for college basketball.

1128
01:11:48,300 --> 01:11:50,680
 The weather has warmed up a little bit, thank God.

1129
01:11:51,280 --> 01:11:52,380
 Have a great weekend.

1130
01:11:52,520 --> 01:11:53,920
 Let's do this again next Friday.

1131
01:11:55,680 --> 01:11:56,860
 Mike, you're going to hook it up with us.

1132
01:11:57,000 --> 01:12:00,600
 National College football slash basketball analyst down in Orlando.

1133
01:12:00,820 --> 01:12:06,200
 Coming up, a mixed bag of emotions from Tennessee with Ryan Callahan on deck.

1134
01:12:06,300 --> 01:12:06,760
 Stay with us.

1135
01:12:11,460 --> 01:12:12,620
 Hey, Falcon fans.

1136
01:12:12,680 --> 01:12:14,580
 This is Keith at Cypress Creek Indoor Range.

1137
01:12:14,580 --> 01:12:17,620
 At Cypress Creek Indoor Range, we prepare you to provide your own safety.

1138
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 Cypress Creek Indoor Range team provides you with the knowledge and the right equipment

1139
01:12:21,500 --> 01:12:25,600
 to defend yourself and family, and our state-of-the-art indoor shooting range gives you the perfect

1140
01:12:25,600 --> 01:12:26,380
 place to practice.

1141
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 You can take your skills to the next level through our extensive training classes or private lessons.

1142
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 At Cypress Creek Indoor Range, your safety is our number one priority.

1143
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 5060, Highway 157, or on the web at cypresscreekrange.com.

1144
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 It's not March Madness.

1145
01:12:39,460 --> 01:12:42,660
 It's Mad Marchness at Sam's Sports Grill in Florence.

1146
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1147
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 fuel your picks with quality food, ice-cooled drinks, and game-day energy that hits harder than a full-court press.

1148
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 From crave-worthy favorites to unbeatable drink specials, Sam's is where Florence comes to watch, cheer, and win.

1149
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 So grab your crew, lock in your bracket, and experience Mad Marchness the Sam's way.

1150
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 Make our place your place.

1151
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 Getting the kids to practice on time.

1152
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 Remembering if it's your day to bring snacks.

1153
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1154
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 Why are simple things sometimes so complicated?

1155
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 Thankfully, with auto owners, insurance doesn't have to be one of them.

1156
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 Auto owners works with independent agents who answer when you call, so you can worry about more important things,

1157
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 like whether your kid is going to run toward first or third base.

1158
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 That's simple human sense.

1159
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 In Florence, see Luke Brown at Henniker Johnson & Layton Insurance.

1160
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 Call 256-764-8682.

1161
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 At Bob's Tire & Alignment, we've been keeping the shoals rolling for 49 years.

1162
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 From tires to alignment for cars and trucks up to 550s, we'll keep your ride game day ready.

1163
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 And don't forget free tire rotations and fast oil changes with whatever you need, conventional, blend, or full synthetic.

1164
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1165
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 Bob's Tire & Alignment, Jackson Highway, and Sheffield, where every drive is a winner.

1166
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 This is the story of the one.

1167
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 As an HVAC technician, he and his digital multimeter are in high demand.

1168
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 So when a noisy office HVAC turns out to be a failing blower motor, he doesn't break a sweat.

1169
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 With Grainger's easy-to-use website and product information, he selects the product he needs to keep everything humming right along.

1170
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 Call 1-800-GRAINGER, click grainger.com, or just stop by.

1171
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 Grainger, for the ones who get it done.

1172
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 America, look around.

1173
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 Everywhere you go, prices are still high, rates have been whipsawing markets, and the debt and spending don't exactly scream stability.

1174
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 Experts say diversifying with intention is the number one secret account that all American smart money uses to hedge against instability.

1175
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 Monetary Gold has been around since 2000, witnessing multiple economic setbacks.

1176
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 If you call now, Monetary Gold will cover up to a lifetime of your IRA fees on qualified accounts.

1177
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1178
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1179
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 Performance may vary.

1180
01:15:02,940 --> 01:15:04,620
 You should always consult your financial and tax professional.

1181
01:15:05,040 --> 01:15:06,000
 Rich Eisen here.

1182
01:15:06,120 --> 01:15:09,820
 As you all know, I care deeply about pediatric cancer research and awareness.

1183
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 That's why I'm proud to talk about Hyundai Hope on Wheels.

1184
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 For over 27 years, every Hyundai sold has helped fund life-saving pediatric cancer research.

1185
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 Together with over 850 dealers nationwide, they've raised more than $277 million, supporting over 25,000 kids in their fight against cancer.

1186
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 At Hyundai, hope isn't optional.

1187
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1188
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 Visit HyundaiUSA.com and search Hyundai Hope on Wheels to learn more.

1189
01:15:34,960 --> 01:15:35,680
 M-Power!

1190
01:15:36,600 --> 01:15:38,280
 Tim collects bobbleheads.

1191
01:15:38,620 --> 01:15:40,000
 A lot of bobbleheads.

1192
01:15:40,400 --> 01:15:41,460
 Baseball bobbleheads.

1193
01:15:41,780 --> 01:15:43,020
 Race car bobbleheads.

1194
01:15:43,360 --> 01:15:44,800
 Little chihuahua bobbleheads.

1195
01:15:44,880 --> 01:15:47,840
 He's got an entire room strictly for bobbleheads.

1196
01:15:48,260 --> 01:15:49,020
 Does he need them?

1197
01:15:49,200 --> 01:15:49,480
 No.

1198
01:15:49,700 --> 01:15:50,840
 Is his wife mad about it?

1199
01:15:50,900 --> 01:15:51,600
 A little.

1200
01:15:51,600 --> 01:15:54,440
 But Tim works with M-Power, and he got good at money.

1201
01:15:54,720 --> 01:15:56,080
 So he can be a little bad.

1202
01:15:56,360 --> 01:15:57,880
 Ooh, horse bobblehead.

1203
01:15:58,180 --> 01:15:59,060
 Classy, Tim.

1204
01:15:59,740 --> 01:16:00,180
 M-Power.

1205
01:16:00,480 --> 01:16:01,240
 Invest well.

1206
01:16:01,500 --> 01:16:01,920
 Live a little.

1207
01:16:02,220 --> 01:16:03,940
 Start today at M-Power.com.

1208
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1209
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1210
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1211
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1213
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1214
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1215
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1216
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1217
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1218
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1220
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1221
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1222
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1223
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1224
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1225
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1226
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1227
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1228
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1229
01:17:04,380 --> 01:17:06,240
 The score.

1230
01:17:06,660 --> 01:17:11,480
 Now, back with Boomo Bugg on 93.9 The Score.

1231
01:17:11,980 --> 01:17:12,940
 Welcome back in.

1232
01:17:13,080 --> 01:17:15,220
 It is a pleasure for us to say hello to Ryan Callahan.

1233
01:17:15,380 --> 01:17:17,960
 Busy following Tennessee there at Go Vols 24-7.

1234
01:17:18,120 --> 01:17:19,380
 Ryan, welcome in.

1235
01:17:19,460 --> 01:17:20,240
 How are you?

1236
01:17:21,120 --> 01:17:21,420
 Okay.

1237
01:17:21,460 --> 01:17:21,920
 How are you guys?

1238
01:17:22,540 --> 01:17:22,840
 Hey, boo.

1239
01:17:22,960 --> 01:17:25,000
 Man, we are so melancholy today, Ryan.

1240
01:17:25,040 --> 01:17:25,660
 We talked earlier.

1241
01:17:25,760 --> 01:17:32,560
 We lost a colleague of ours, John Malone, long-time pro and one-time program director at WSM in Nashville.

1242
01:17:32,560 --> 01:17:36,840
 Of course, the legendary station and the only two stations in Tennessee down at Fayetteville.

1243
01:17:37,460 --> 01:17:39,040
 He passed yesterday.

1244
01:17:39,260 --> 01:17:41,620
 And then, Ryan, I took a double take this morning.

1245
01:17:41,780 --> 01:17:49,120
 I looked up and I saw the news about someone who you are, I'm sure, near and dear to or was.

1246
01:17:49,220 --> 01:17:53,140
 And that is Wes Rucker's shocking news for the Tennessee sports media.

1247
01:17:54,140 --> 01:17:56,040
 Yeah, it's been a tough day.

1248
01:17:56,720 --> 01:18:06,480
 Just stunned, obviously, when I heard the news yesterday and just heartbroken for his wife, his four-year-old son.

1249
01:18:06,560 --> 01:18:08,340
 He's got a daughter on the way.

1250
01:18:09,660 --> 01:18:11,820
 Just a devastating loss.

1251
01:18:11,820 --> 01:18:17,540
 And, yeah, he'd had some health problems years ago and overcame those.

1252
01:18:17,860 --> 01:18:28,340
 And it was just such a – I mean, it's been awesome to see such an outpouring of support and so many people sharing their memories of him.

1253
01:18:29,440 --> 01:18:31,540
 It's been a tough day.

1254
01:18:31,820 --> 01:18:37,020
 But, yeah, the amazing support and the way people respond has been amazing.

1255
01:18:37,200 --> 01:18:39,640
 They've got a – the GoFundMe, they started this morning.

1256
01:18:39,780 --> 01:18:42,380
 And last time I checked, it was already up over $200,000.

1257
01:18:43,020 --> 01:18:43,580
 Wow.

1258
01:18:43,680 --> 01:18:44,220
 For his family.

1259
01:18:44,620 --> 01:18:46,920
 So, Tennessee fans really rallied around it.

1260
01:18:47,100 --> 01:18:51,060
 And, yeah, it's just an awful, awful loss.

1261
01:18:51,740 --> 01:18:53,660
 And still doesn't seem real.

1262
01:18:53,920 --> 01:18:57,780
 But, yeah, he and I started Go Vols 24-7 basically together.

1263
01:18:57,980 --> 01:19:01,460
 Or we're hired to start it back in late 2010.

1264
01:19:01,800 --> 01:19:06,040
 And I probably wouldn't have gotten the job if it weren't for him, to be honest.

1265
01:19:06,040 --> 01:19:10,000
 And, yeah, so we – it was just me and him for the first six years.

1266
01:19:10,240 --> 01:19:14,960
 And then we finally started adding some people to the site and got to be a bigger staff.

1267
01:19:15,200 --> 01:19:17,900
 But, yeah, spent almost 15 years working with him there on the site.

1268
01:19:18,020 --> 01:19:20,920
 And it's not going to seem real for a while.

1269
01:19:20,980 --> 01:19:22,280
 I'm sure that he's gone.

1270
01:19:22,360 --> 01:19:25,360
 But just an unimaginable loss at only 43 years old.

1271
01:19:26,060 --> 01:19:26,260
 Wow.

1272
01:19:26,400 --> 01:19:33,600
 Wes, quickly, we understand it was a horrific crash there on I-41 just west of Knoxville.

1273
01:19:34,100 --> 01:19:37,320
 Yeah, kind of on the west side of Knoxville, just getting out of town.

1274
01:19:37,420 --> 01:19:39,880
 I think he was on his way to pick up his son.

1275
01:19:40,420 --> 01:19:44,300
 So the only saving grace there is at least his son was not involved.

1276
01:19:44,940 --> 01:19:47,540
 But, yeah, just – yeah.

1277
01:19:47,840 --> 01:19:49,720
 I mean, I had just done a show earlier.

1278
01:19:49,940 --> 01:19:55,820
 He's been working with the NBC affiliate in Knoxville, WBIR, the last several months.

1279
01:19:55,820 --> 01:20:00,080
 And has an afternoon show that goes from 3 to 4 and I think was on his way from there

1280
01:20:00,080 --> 01:20:03,420
 or shortly after being there on his way to pick up his son.

1281
01:20:03,600 --> 01:20:12,000
 So, yeah, horrible crash and just obviously one of those unfortunate reminders that we get in life

1282
01:20:12,000 --> 01:20:15,460
 that it's so fleeting and can be taken away at any moment.

1283
01:20:15,740 --> 01:20:17,580
 And, yeah, just hard to believe.

1284
01:20:18,440 --> 01:20:20,860
 Yeah, our prayers are certainly with his family.

1285
01:20:20,980 --> 01:20:25,720
 I saw an avalanche on social media about that last night.

1286
01:20:25,720 --> 01:20:30,880
 But on a little bit of a brighter note, Tennessee routes Oklahoma 89 to 66.

1287
01:20:31,240 --> 01:20:33,320
 Nate, Amy, it keeps doing his thing.

1288
01:20:34,120 --> 01:20:37,060
 Twenty-nine points to Kobe Gillespie, 16.

1289
01:20:37,160 --> 01:20:41,400
 Dwayne Brown from River, Alabama, shipped in 13.

1290
01:20:42,520 --> 01:20:44,420
 Big game with Vandy tomorrow.

1291
01:20:44,720 --> 01:20:47,120
 Your thoughts of where Tennessee is right now?

1292
01:20:47,920 --> 01:20:49,360
 Yeah, playing pretty well.

1293
01:20:49,480 --> 01:20:53,220
 They've won eight of their past ten games and seem to have, you know,

1294
01:20:53,220 --> 01:20:54,860
 as we've kind of talked about here the past few weeks,

1295
01:20:54,940 --> 01:21:00,160
 they seem to have really, you know, kind of found the sweet spot of how they need to play.

1296
01:21:00,420 --> 01:21:03,460
 And they were sort of searching for that the first half of the season.

1297
01:21:03,620 --> 01:21:05,020
 They've really found it here lately.

1298
01:21:05,840 --> 01:21:09,480
 You know, they're still a different kind of team where they don't have, you know,

1299
01:21:09,480 --> 01:21:11,840
 just a consistently amazing outside presence.

1300
01:21:12,100 --> 01:21:17,640
 But they find ways to get offense, and Nate Amitt has kind of become the straw that stirs the drink.

1301
01:21:17,880 --> 01:21:24,700
 And their post presence is definitely, you know, for such a game that's become so guard-oriented in recent years.

1302
01:21:24,860 --> 01:21:30,100
 You know, they're a bit of a change-up for most teams that they're not used to seeing with all their post players

1303
01:21:30,100 --> 01:21:31,100
 that they can throw at you.

1304
01:21:31,100 --> 01:21:35,020
 And, you know, even without J.P. Estrella the other night against Oklahoma,

1305
01:21:35,200 --> 01:21:39,400
 still playing pretty well inside and dominating the boards in most games.

1306
01:21:39,640 --> 01:21:42,200
 So, yeah, we'll see how they fare against Vanderbilt.

1307
01:21:42,320 --> 01:21:43,420
 That's a big game for them.

1308
01:21:43,500 --> 01:21:46,900
 They've got a chance to improve their seed here maybe down the stretch.

1309
01:21:48,180 --> 01:21:51,160
 They've kind of gotten some five- and six-seed projections lately.

1310
01:21:51,340 --> 01:21:56,120
 They could easily climb into the four or potentially even three range if they play well down the stretch

1311
01:21:56,120 --> 01:21:57,640
 with some bigger games still to come.

1312
01:21:58,180 --> 01:22:00,420
 Alabama next weekend comes to Knoxville.

1313
01:22:00,420 --> 01:22:04,500
 So, still some big games out there that could help their resume quite a bit.

1314
01:22:04,600 --> 01:22:09,340
 But they've been playing well, and there's reason to think they could maybe climb up a little bit higher in the rankings.

1315
01:22:10,260 --> 01:22:16,760
 Your thoughts about the matchup with Vandy and Rick Barnes, 250 wins at Tennessee.

1316
01:22:17,560 --> 01:22:19,640
 Ryan, the Tennessee fans appreciate this, man.

1317
01:22:20,540 --> 01:22:25,200
 I think they do, but, you know, you're reminded every mark that it's probably not enough

1318
01:22:25,200 --> 01:22:32,000
 because, you know, he's a guy that's taken a beating after some of their, especially their earlier exits in the NCAA tournament.

1319
01:22:32,000 --> 01:22:38,400
 And, obviously, it's a product of his own success that fans have almost been let down that they can't get past B-8.

1320
01:22:38,800 --> 01:22:43,520
 But, yeah, I've talked to some other people in this market about it.

1321
01:22:43,960 --> 01:22:50,000
 I think the people who can see it objectively, I think, believe he's the best coach Tennessee's ever had at this point

1322
01:22:50,000 --> 01:22:51,360
 with what he's accomplished.

1323
01:22:51,740 --> 01:22:54,040
 And, obviously, Ray Mears was well thought of years ago.

1324
01:22:54,520 --> 01:23:00,460
 Bruce Pearl did a pretty amazing job to bring the program back from the dead, essentially, in the 2000s.

1325
01:23:00,580 --> 01:23:02,540
 But, you know, he was there for six years.

1326
01:23:02,600 --> 01:23:08,580
 And even at the end of his time there, they weren't quite at the same level as where he was his first couple years.

1327
01:23:08,580 --> 01:23:13,160
 So, yeah, they just – he's been remarkably consistent.

1328
01:23:13,660 --> 01:23:18,580
 And, yeah, like you said, 250 wins to do that at two different schools, that's a remarkable accomplishment.

1329
01:23:18,900 --> 01:23:22,360
 And he's done it in a much shorter time than I would have expected based on his first couple years.

1330
01:23:22,680 --> 01:23:26,020
 It started off slow, but once he got it going, man, it's been consistent.

1331
01:23:26,200 --> 01:23:29,280
 And they're a team that every year you think of as a possible Sweet 16 team.

1332
01:23:30,500 --> 01:23:34,960
 I don't know how many times we've talked with you in the last five years that Tennessee,

1333
01:23:34,960 --> 01:23:41,900
 either in the second round or the Sweet 16, they have that game to where they have an offensive lull.

1334
01:23:42,600 --> 01:23:48,080
 And Tennessee can't score and they get behind and they come back and they just can't win

1335
01:23:48,080 --> 01:23:50,520
 and get to the lead eight or the final four.

1336
01:23:50,820 --> 01:23:55,520
 But I think that's what Tennessee fans remember more than anything else.

1337
01:23:55,600 --> 01:23:56,740
 But you're exactly right.

1338
01:23:56,840 --> 01:24:00,080
 He has been very consistent in the regular season.

1339
01:24:00,340 --> 01:24:03,540
 I know they've had some losses in the SEC tournament,

1340
01:24:03,540 --> 01:24:09,900
 but they always remember that one loss where they have an offensive lull in the NCAA tournament.

1341
01:24:10,260 --> 01:24:12,320
 Well, and they've had some tough matchups.

1342
01:24:12,460 --> 01:24:21,260
 Let's not forget they lost to a Purdue team a couple years ago that obviously had a remarkable big man to everyone have to deal with.

1343
01:24:21,260 --> 01:24:25,560
 Yeah, and Houston last year, a team that nearly wins the national championship.

1344
01:24:25,980 --> 01:24:30,480
 So they've run into some really good teams that have been difficult matchups for everybody, basically,

1345
01:24:30,720 --> 01:24:32,800
 and lost some tough ones to those teams.

1346
01:24:32,900 --> 01:24:34,880
 They didn't play their best game against Houston last year.

1347
01:24:34,960 --> 01:24:37,580
 But yeah, as you said, offense has often been their problem.

1348
01:24:37,700 --> 01:24:41,360
 They've had a little bit more firepower the last couple years with guys like Dalton Kinect and Chaz Lanier.

1349
01:24:41,800 --> 01:24:42,940
 This team's built a little differently.

1350
01:24:43,040 --> 01:24:43,380
 We'll see.

1351
01:24:43,500 --> 01:24:44,920
 You know, he's had some different ways of doing it.

1352
01:24:44,980 --> 01:24:46,140
 Rick Barnes has at Tennessee.

1353
01:24:46,420 --> 01:24:51,820
 This team is a little interesting because they don't rely on the three-point shot nearly as much,

1354
01:24:51,820 --> 01:24:53,480
 but they can do that on some days.

1355
01:24:53,760 --> 01:24:56,020
 They've got to take a little better care of the basketball.

1356
01:24:56,160 --> 01:24:58,800
 That's been an issue for them this year, too many turnovers in too many games.

1357
01:24:58,960 --> 01:25:03,700
 But if they can keep things under control in that way, they're a pretty fascinating team,

1358
01:25:03,740 --> 01:25:05,360
 and they've always played good defense under him.

1359
01:25:05,460 --> 01:25:10,200
 So that gives you a chance even on days where you don't have things completely firing on all cylinders offensively.

1360
01:25:10,840 --> 01:25:15,780
 Brian, quickly in 30 seconds, will we hear in the next 30 years the ruling from the judge on Joey Aguilar?

1361
01:25:16,480 --> 01:25:17,720
 I think it'll be pretty soon.

1362
01:25:17,800 --> 01:25:21,260
 He said a week ago during the hearing that it would be very soon or in very short order.

1363
01:25:21,420 --> 01:25:23,400
 So there's reason to think it'll be pretty soon.

1364
01:25:23,500 --> 01:25:24,000
 Well, we'll see.

1365
01:25:24,100 --> 01:25:25,580
 I thought there would be one this week, frankly.

1366
01:25:25,680 --> 01:25:29,180
 A little surprised there hasn't been one yet, but it should be any day now in theory.

1367
01:25:29,400 --> 01:25:32,000
 And, yeah, there's still some optimism, but after that hearing last week,

1368
01:25:32,040 --> 01:25:33,720
 a little less certainty about how it's going to go.

1369
01:25:34,820 --> 01:25:39,060
 Brian, listen, man, again, our thoughts and prayers with you and, of course, with Wes's family.

1370
01:25:39,240 --> 01:25:42,740
 I know it's a tough time for you right now, but hang in there, and thanks so much for your time today.

1371
01:25:43,520 --> 01:25:44,440
 Absolutely. Appreciate it, guys.

1372
01:25:45,000 --> 01:25:45,520
 Thank you, bud.

1373
01:25:45,520 --> 01:25:47,340
 Brian Callahan, Go Vols 24-7.

1374
01:25:47,420 --> 01:25:51,700
 Quickly, baby, for the folks who missed it, a tough morning for Florence Girls, Muscle Shoals, boys.

1375
01:25:52,040 --> 01:25:57,180
 Yeah, they lost 69-62 to Hillcrest, Tuscaloosa, and more.

1376
01:25:57,600 --> 01:26:02,280
 And Muscle Shoals lost to Lee last night, 62-57.

1377
01:26:03,520 --> 01:26:05,380
 Speaking of, the end is near.

1378
01:26:05,500 --> 01:26:10,320
 The Olympics are looking at the finish line, but not without some veins and fireworks.

1379
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 The very latest from Italy, straight ahead here on 93.9, the score.

1380
01:26:15,520 --> 01:26:26,940
 Westwood 1 Sports presents this special update on the 2026 Winter Games, sponsored by Grainger.

1381
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 Grainger for the ones who get it done.

1382
01:26:29,700 --> 01:26:35,260
 Men's hockey semifinals, Nathan McKinnon scored with 35 seconds left in regulation on the power play.

1383
01:26:35,260 --> 01:26:39,160
 And Canada beat Finland 3-2 after being down 2-0.

1384
01:26:39,620 --> 01:26:42,640
 Captain Sidney Crosby didn't play because of a lower body injury.

1385
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 No word yet on his status for Sunday's gold medal game against either the U.S. or Slovakia.

1386
01:26:48,260 --> 01:26:50,380
 Face-off for that one in about 45 minutes.

1387
01:26:50,500 --> 01:26:56,700
 The U.S. is in the semis for the first time since 2014 in Sochi and hasn't medaled since 2010.

1388
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 One more run to go in the men's free ski half-pipe final.

1389
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 Americans Alex Ferreira and Nick Gepper sit second and third, respectively.

1390
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 Women's curling semifinals.

1391
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 The U.S. lost to Switzerland 7-4 and will face Canada for bronze tomorrow.

1392
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1452
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 Are you 50 or older?

1453
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 This news is for you.

1454
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 The CDC recommends you get vaccinated against pneumococcal pneumonia.

1455
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 compared to adults 18 to 49.

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1461
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1480
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 Progressive presents the Sports Flash on 93.9.

1481
01:31:35,900 --> 01:31:36,580
 The score.

1482
01:31:36,940 --> 01:31:41,520
 In college baseball action today, the Alabama Crimson Tide back home to host Rhode Island.

1483
01:31:41,880 --> 01:31:44,260
 Crimson Tide is 4-1 on the season.

1484
01:31:44,740 --> 01:31:46,220
 North Alabama will host St. Louis.

1485
01:31:46,400 --> 01:31:48,060
 The Lions are 3-2 to start the year.

1486
01:31:48,480 --> 01:31:52,540
 South Alabama will play in South Carolina today against College of Charleston.

1487
01:31:52,960 --> 01:31:56,260
 South Alabama is 3-1 on the season.

1488
01:31:56,700 --> 01:31:58,060
 Troy Trojans back home tonight.

1489
01:31:58,140 --> 01:31:58,860
 They'll host Campbell.

1490
01:31:59,000 --> 01:32:00,340
 Troy is 1-3 on the year.

1491
01:32:00,440 --> 01:32:02,640
 Ninth-ranked Auburn is in Arlington, Texas.

1492
01:32:03,060 --> 01:32:05,180
 They'll take on unbeaten Kansas State tonight.

1493
01:32:05,580 --> 01:32:07,980
 Tigers are 3-1 on the season.

1494
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1515
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 The Score.

1516
01:33:35,800 --> 01:33:40,520
 Now, back with Boomo Bugg on 93.9 The Score.

1517
01:33:41,560 --> 01:33:44,340
 Welcome back here, time to take a little road trip down to Auburn.

1518
01:33:44,440 --> 01:33:45,520
 Say hello to Justin Ferguson.

1519
01:33:45,520 --> 01:33:47,580
 He's got it all covered there with the Auburn Observer.

1520
01:33:47,700 --> 01:33:48,740
 Justin, welcome in.

1521
01:33:48,840 --> 01:33:49,720
 How are you?

1522
01:33:50,540 --> 01:33:51,420
 I'm all right, here we go.

1523
01:33:52,040 --> 01:33:55,960
 You guys, you've been wearing a lot of hats as always, but especially, I guess, right now.

1524
01:33:56,080 --> 01:34:01,060
 I mean, for the weekend wardrobe or the upcoming wardrobe, do you have on a basketball?

1525
01:34:01,460 --> 01:34:02,400
 Do you have on a baseball?

1526
01:34:03,340 --> 01:34:05,100
 Are you getting ready to break out your football hat?

1527
01:34:05,140 --> 01:34:06,960
 You wear a lot of hats, do you not, Justin?

1528
01:34:08,260 --> 01:34:09,200
 Try to, at least.

1529
01:34:09,560 --> 01:34:12,160
 Yeah, basketball, obviously, taking center stage this weekend.

1530
01:34:12,160 --> 01:34:14,720
 Outlet game tomorrow night against Kentucky.

1531
01:34:15,360 --> 01:34:18,720
 Auburn, you know, in the midst of a pretty big losing streak right now.

1532
01:34:19,060 --> 01:34:22,740
 They've got to start winning to feel like they've got a good shot at making the NCAA tournament.

1533
01:34:22,980 --> 01:34:26,180
 So, it's going to be a big one here tomorrow night here in Neville Arena.

1534
01:34:27,000 --> 01:34:32,140
 The thing is, you bring up a good point, Justin, because this is, to say the least, what's the big word?

1535
01:34:32,700 --> 01:34:34,260
 Enigmatic, this team this season.

1536
01:34:34,380 --> 01:34:36,120
 Who's played a tougher schedule than Auburn?

1537
01:34:36,760 --> 01:34:42,460
 Yet, they're trying to avoid a streak that could jeopardize and put a pin in the bubble for the NCAA tournament.

1538
01:34:42,700 --> 01:34:51,340
 Is there any way of finding the right words as far as the importance of this game coming up tomorrow against a pretty good brand when it comes to college basketball?

1539
01:34:52,500 --> 01:34:52,760
 Oh, yeah.

1540
01:34:52,800 --> 01:34:54,740
 It's absolutely massive because Auburn lost.

1541
01:34:55,000 --> 01:35:00,560
 It's kind of room for error by losing to the state on Wednesday night the way they did, especially.

1542
01:35:00,980 --> 01:35:18,960
 Just a really frustrating game for Auburn because, you know, they let a guy score 35 in the first half and hit a ton of threes and still find a way to lead that game by seven late and then, obviously, let it go away and kind of blew that lead and then lost down the stretch.

1543
01:35:18,960 --> 01:35:24,200
 So, that was the first time Auburn really lost to a team that's, like, not really in the NCAA tournament picture this season.

1544
01:35:24,900 --> 01:35:27,840
 And that kind of had been a big strength of their resume.

1545
01:35:28,000 --> 01:35:33,220
 It's like, yes, they beat Florida on the road, they beat Arkansas the first time, they beat St. John's, they beat some good teams this season.

1546
01:35:33,540 --> 01:35:43,560
 But it was like, okay, Auburn has had a really, really tough schedule, and they played hard, and they haven't really gotten crushed, you know, in SEC play, and they've taken care of business against teams they should be taking care of business against.

1547
01:35:44,100 --> 01:35:45,820
 Well, that goes out the window on Wednesday night.

1548
01:35:46,040 --> 01:35:52,240
 So, now, moving forward, you've got to win because you don't want to be a team that continues to scuffle down the stretch of the season.

1549
01:35:52,980 --> 01:36:02,540
 So, tomorrow, against Kentucky, you know, of the quad one games Auburn has left this season, of the three that they have left in the regular season, this one is the only home one.

1550
01:36:02,860 --> 01:36:09,100
 So, you don't want to go out there and get it against this Kentucky team that's coming into this game, having lost back-to-back on their own.

1551
01:36:10,440 --> 01:36:13,920
 Quickly, before we move on, you mentioned the performance by Hubbard.

1552
01:36:14,460 --> 01:36:15,280
 I mean, that's amazing.

1553
01:36:15,380 --> 01:36:16,440
 That kid's phenomenal.

1554
01:36:17,180 --> 01:36:22,640
 The reason I bring it up, Justin, have you ever seen a bigger collection of guards in the SEC than you've got?

1555
01:36:22,680 --> 01:36:23,560
 You've got Hubbard there.

1556
01:36:24,060 --> 01:36:25,660
 Acuff at Arkansas is off the charts.

1557
01:36:25,800 --> 01:36:29,140
 Phylon's pretty good at Alabama, and that's just the beginning of it.

1558
01:36:29,200 --> 01:36:36,440
 Have you ever seen a bigger collection, and how would you like to be in charge of picking the top first-team All-ACC guards this season?

1559
01:36:37,280 --> 01:36:38,740
 Yeah, it's going to be extremely difficult.

1560
01:36:38,980 --> 01:36:42,100
 You know, I usually vote on the SEC awards at the end of the season, and I'm like,

1561
01:36:42,400 --> 01:36:47,200
 I was having a conversation the other day with somebody about just the first-team list,

1562
01:36:47,240 --> 01:36:50,500
 and I'm like, okay, well, I have, like, seven guards I can put on that list.

1563
01:36:50,640 --> 01:36:53,380
 Y'all got Tyler Tanner at Vanderbilt.

1564
01:36:54,080 --> 01:36:57,480
 You know, might have been having the best season of any of them right now.

1565
01:36:57,600 --> 01:37:01,920
 And so, you know, pretty much every team has a really, really good guard or two.

1566
01:37:02,060 --> 01:37:07,760
 I mean, Auburn has been struggling, but it's been Todd Pettiford's best stretch of maybe his career to this point in the last few games.

1567
01:37:07,760 --> 01:37:11,960
 So, it's like, yeah, I mean, this is a really guard-heavy league.

1568
01:37:12,340 --> 01:37:18,220
 You know, I think Florida might be the only team where you can feel like their front line is better than their backcourt.

1569
01:37:19,300 --> 01:37:21,460
 And it's a rare spot to be in.

1570
01:37:21,540 --> 01:37:24,300
 And Auburn's got, you know, tomorrow night against Kentucky.

1571
01:37:24,520 --> 01:37:26,780
 They get, you know, we mentioned all those guys.

1572
01:37:27,480 --> 01:37:31,440
 Otega Owe, the wing, comes in tomorrow night for Kentucky.

1573
01:37:32,020 --> 01:37:34,660
 He's got more 20-point games than anybody in the SEC this season.

1574
01:37:34,800 --> 01:37:35,160
 Wow.

1575
01:37:35,160 --> 01:37:39,680
 We mentioned all those guys, and no one has consistently scored as much as Otega Owe has.

1576
01:37:39,680 --> 01:37:42,240
 So, it's going to be a really tough matchup again for Auburn.

1577
01:37:43,020 --> 01:37:48,680
 One of the differences in your website than others is you travel all over the country.

1578
01:37:48,840 --> 01:37:50,100
 I know you've been to Arizona.

1579
01:37:50,840 --> 01:37:52,860
 You've been to Purdue, just to mention, too.

1580
01:37:53,000 --> 01:37:56,300
 And you've seen a lot of great players this year.

1581
01:37:56,440 --> 01:38:01,760
 And, again, I go back to Auburn's strength of schedule, which is number one or number two in the nation,

1582
01:38:01,920 --> 01:38:06,100
 which is why I keep saying if Auburn can win some games here down the stretch,

1583
01:38:06,720 --> 01:38:10,360
 that I think they're going to be in, whether it's an 8-9 or 10-speed.

1584
01:38:11,100 --> 01:38:14,160
 But, Hubbard is listed at 6 feet.

1585
01:38:14,600 --> 01:38:17,840
 I think he's probably closer to 5'9".

1586
01:38:17,840 --> 01:38:18,100
 Wow.

1587
01:38:18,480 --> 01:38:26,800
 Several people told me he made about four shots in that first half that are nearly inhumanly possible.

1588
01:38:27,740 --> 01:38:27,880
 Yeah.

1589
01:38:27,880 --> 01:38:32,540
 And he went off on Alabama and start the last year for 30-something.

1590
01:38:33,320 --> 01:38:41,280
 How would you describe his first-half performance in throwing up shots with guys all over him and they'd go in?

1591
01:38:42,140 --> 01:38:42,780
 Yeah, I know.

1592
01:38:42,840 --> 01:38:43,720
 It's remarkable.

1593
01:38:44,060 --> 01:38:47,980
 I mean, it's one of the best shooting performances I've ever seen because it didn't matter what was happening.

1594
01:38:48,160 --> 01:38:49,180
 It was just going to go in.

1595
01:38:49,660 --> 01:38:55,900
 I think from Auburn's perspective, they get really frustrated in this game because they let him get caught.

1596
01:38:56,260 --> 01:38:57,480
 And, like, you don't give up.

1597
01:38:57,720 --> 01:38:59,500
 You know, he hit nine threes in the first half.

1598
01:38:59,620 --> 01:39:00,160
 This is insane.

1599
01:39:00,540 --> 01:39:07,900
 Stephen Pearl told us today, he said, if you go back and watch, you know, if you go back and watch the film,

1600
01:39:08,220 --> 01:39:12,340
 more than half of those threes are because we did not do something correctly on defense

1601
01:39:12,340 --> 01:39:14,580
 and we gave him the room to hit those shots.

1602
01:39:14,840 --> 01:39:20,860
 Now, some of them, I can remember four of them in particular, where it's like it didn't matter if you had the whole team on it.

1603
01:39:21,020 --> 01:39:22,880
 That ball was going up and that was going in.

1604
01:39:23,360 --> 01:39:27,920
 So, I think for Auburn, it's just really, really frustrating for them to see a guy get caught like that

1605
01:39:27,920 --> 01:39:29,240
 because he was the top of the top of the court.

1606
01:39:29,740 --> 01:39:35,560
 And by not executing what they were supposed to do, they let him get caught.

1607
01:39:35,560 --> 01:39:41,980
 So, once a guy like that gets confidence, once a guy who is such, he's got the greenest light of anybody in the country,

1608
01:39:42,480 --> 01:39:46,700
 when he gets going, the rim looks like a hula hoop to him.

1609
01:39:47,000 --> 01:39:48,960
 It doesn't matter what you throw at him defensively.

1610
01:39:49,120 --> 01:39:52,260
 So, for Auburn, it's just, you know, that was what was really, really frustrating

1611
01:39:52,260 --> 01:39:58,160
 because, yes, he hit some shots that he might have been the only player in the country who could hit those shots on that night.

1612
01:39:58,420 --> 01:40:01,840
 But they felt like the majority of them was, okay, we let him get caught.

1613
01:40:01,840 --> 01:40:03,360
 And Auburn's had that happen to him this season.

1614
01:40:04,460 --> 01:40:10,080
 The only way to stop a guy like that is try to get him in foul trouble and get him out of the game as early as possible.

1615
01:40:10,480 --> 01:40:12,200
 Justin Ferguson, Auburn Observer.

1616
01:40:12,740 --> 01:40:15,600
 Justin, talk to us what Stephen Pearl's learned this season.

1617
01:40:16,140 --> 01:40:18,660
 Let's face it, he got in on that job late.

1618
01:40:19,400 --> 01:40:21,780
 He has to fill the big shoes of his papa.

1619
01:40:22,300 --> 01:40:24,660
 And he's had discipline issues on and off.

1620
01:40:25,340 --> 01:40:29,480
 It's been, I'm sure, he's obviously a different coach now than game one.

1621
01:40:29,480 --> 01:40:32,380
 And talk to us about the first year of Stephen Pearl.

1622
01:40:33,260 --> 01:40:34,720
 Yeah, I mean, it's been a difficult one.

1623
01:40:34,780 --> 01:40:35,680
 It's been a challenging one.

1624
01:40:35,740 --> 01:40:36,740
 There's no doubt about it.

1625
01:40:37,160 --> 01:40:40,240
 You know, it felt like Auburn has not caught a lot of breaks this season.

1626
01:40:41,100 --> 01:40:46,220
 You know, you've got two players you expected to be in your rotation who have been out pretty much all year with injuries.

1627
01:40:46,800 --> 01:40:53,180
 You've got two freshmen that were kind of put behind the eight ball early on and haven't been able to break into the rotation because of it.

1628
01:40:54,280 --> 01:41:01,900
 You've had, you know, had to, you know, put your foot down a little bit tighter on, you know, discipline issues this season with a brand new roster.

1629
01:41:02,560 --> 01:41:04,580
 I do think they've done a good job of showing resilience.

1630
01:41:04,860 --> 01:41:08,780
 This is a team that continues to fight back and, you know, come back.

1631
01:41:08,880 --> 01:41:13,900
 And it doesn't matter if they've been beaten before or what the losing streak is or what it does on the scoreboard.

1632
01:41:13,960 --> 01:41:14,520
 They're going to keep swinging.

1633
01:41:14,600 --> 01:41:16,900
 So I think that's a testament to what he's, you know, he's done.

1634
01:41:16,900 --> 01:41:24,440
 But I think Auburn's lack of depth this season has really put a strain on what Auburn wants to do.

1635
01:41:24,580 --> 01:41:26,420
 Stephen Pearl's a defensive guy, right?

1636
01:41:26,520 --> 01:41:29,160
 Like, that was his job at Auburn.

1637
01:41:29,840 --> 01:41:33,480
 It's hard to play defense the way Auburn wants to play defense if you only play in seven downs.

1638
01:41:33,880 --> 01:41:41,320
 And I think you're seeing that here in the stretch where Auburn has struggled to get stops and has really struggled defensively in this losing streak.

1639
01:41:42,140 --> 01:41:46,800
 What you have there is a situation where I think, yes, Auburn needs to play better with that guy.

1640
01:41:47,280 --> 01:41:47,600
 Absolutely.

1641
01:41:47,900 --> 01:41:52,200
 But also, you're deep into a season and you just don't have the depth that you're used to having.

1642
01:41:52,440 --> 01:41:54,400
 So, you know, you've still got to finish this season.

1643
01:41:54,540 --> 01:41:55,460
 You can still play better.

1644
01:41:55,600 --> 01:41:57,480
 You can still try to make your way into the NCAA tournament.

1645
01:41:57,820 --> 01:41:58,660
 Those would all be big.

1646
01:41:59,020 --> 01:42:03,000
 But I think moving forward, for Stephen Pearl, we start talking about year two for Auburn.

1647
01:42:03,000 --> 01:42:07,020
 I wouldn't be surprised when they look at the roster this year, bring back who they want to get.

1648
01:42:07,620 --> 01:42:12,720
 But I would think, you know, Auburn's going to try to get a more experienced and deeper roster out of the portal this upcoming season

1649
01:42:12,720 --> 01:42:16,120
 because, you know, that's the only way I think they can play defense the way they want to play.

1650
01:42:16,760 --> 01:42:22,580
 First things first, obviously, right now, people look at this situation tomorrow and it's doom and gloom for Auburn.

1651
01:42:22,660 --> 01:42:28,120
 The other way of looking at it, by the way, Kentucky fans say the Wildcats have had some bumping roads to this season.

1652
01:42:28,680 --> 01:42:28,820
 Yeah.

1653
01:42:28,900 --> 01:42:31,180
 Your thoughts as far as, it's all about matchups.

1654
01:42:31,180 --> 01:42:36,300
 Sometimes you can be the heavy favorite on paper and then you get into it and boom, you get yourself embarrassed.

1655
01:42:36,460 --> 01:42:41,500
 On the other side of the coin, sometimes fans can, other teams can take you lightly because you're riding this losing streak.

1656
01:42:41,640 --> 01:42:44,700
 Your thoughts realistically about the matchup of the Cats.

1657
01:42:45,560 --> 01:42:48,060
 I think both of these teams are pretty desperate at this point.

1658
01:42:48,400 --> 01:42:49,720
 Kentucky's lost back-to-back games.

1659
01:42:50,620 --> 01:42:53,060
 You know, they want to keep slipping down the stretch.

1660
01:42:53,540 --> 01:42:59,480
 And I think Auburn, obviously, is in a really tough spot with what has gone on these last few weeks playing at home.

1661
01:43:00,120 --> 01:43:01,660
 These teams are pretty balanced on paper.

1662
01:43:02,420 --> 01:43:07,280
 I think Auburn, not as good on defense as Kentucky is, but better on offense this season.

1663
01:43:07,700 --> 01:43:13,020
 I think if you look at stuff like Kim Hom and T-Rank and, you know, Nett and stuff like that, it's a pretty balanced matchup.

1664
01:43:13,320 --> 01:43:18,660
 That's why Auburn's a, you know, very slight home favorite, basically a home-court advantage favorite in this one tomorrow.

1665
01:43:18,840 --> 01:43:20,500
 So, you know, here's the thing.

1666
01:43:20,620 --> 01:43:25,120
 My thing about Kentucky is, you know, pretty sure they are fully capable of coming in here and beating Auburn.

1667
01:43:25,120 --> 01:43:26,040
 I think they're always great.

1668
01:43:26,220 --> 01:43:33,420
 Colin Chandler's, like, not missing any threes right now, which bodes pretty tough for Auburn's defense because they've really struggled against the three-point line.

1669
01:43:33,760 --> 01:43:35,960
 Denzel Aberdeen's played well on the road this season as well.

1670
01:43:37,180 --> 01:43:44,140
 You know, all that to say, this Kentucky team, I look at them, and I don't see something they're absolutely fantastic at.

1671
01:43:44,480 --> 01:43:48,780
 Like, I don't know what they have, like, are they elite in anything?

1672
01:43:50,160 --> 01:43:50,920
 Probably not.

1673
01:43:51,320 --> 01:43:54,620
 So, this isn't like the normal Kentucky team we see coming in here.

1674
01:43:54,620 --> 01:43:55,980
 I still think they're a good basketball team.

1675
01:43:56,380 --> 01:43:58,340
 I think they're kind of averaged by Kentucky standards.

1676
01:43:59,000 --> 01:44:01,940
 So, for Auburn, it's just, you have an opportunity here, right?

1677
01:44:01,940 --> 01:44:07,800
 This isn't, you know, this isn't the, you know, a team with five first-round NBA graphics.

1678
01:44:08,740 --> 01:44:09,420
 But it is a brand.

1679
01:44:09,620 --> 01:44:10,580
 It is a brand school.

1680
01:44:11,600 --> 01:44:15,740
 And it is a team that Auburn has done well at and get home here these last few seasons.

1681
01:44:15,960 --> 01:44:20,280
 They've done a good job of getting up for these games, and they've got to do that on Saturday night.

1682
01:44:20,380 --> 01:44:21,780
 It is a big game for sure.

1683
01:44:22,340 --> 01:44:24,540
 And Kentucky, you know what Kentucky's capable of.

1684
01:44:24,620 --> 01:44:25,920
 They beat Tennessee twice this season.

1685
01:44:26,120 --> 01:44:27,640
 They've got some really good wins on their resume.

1686
01:44:28,240 --> 01:44:30,340
 Auburn's got some really good wins on their resume, too.

1687
01:44:30,760 --> 01:44:32,060
 They've got to get back to playing that way.

1688
01:44:32,480 --> 01:44:36,240
 And I think the matchup at home, no time like the present.

1689
01:44:36,600 --> 01:44:39,160
 They've got to come out and play pretty desperately from the beginning.

1690
01:44:40,160 --> 01:44:46,260
 Yeah, unfortunately, for the next two and a half weeks, all we're going to hear is, well, is Auburn on the bubble?

1691
01:44:46,500 --> 01:44:48,020
 Are they in or they're out?

1692
01:44:48,700 --> 01:45:01,540
 And I keep saying their strength of schedule, with that matrix, the basketball selection committee actually put some emphasis on strength of schedule, unlike someone else.

1693
01:45:02,700 --> 01:45:05,940
 They've got the number one or number two strength of schedule.

1694
01:45:06,360 --> 01:45:11,500
 They've beaten a St. John's team that had run off 12 or 13 consecutive wins.

1695
01:45:11,620 --> 01:45:13,560
 North Carolina State, 8-3.

1696
01:45:14,420 --> 01:45:16,620
 Or they may have lost a game.

1697
01:45:16,720 --> 01:45:20,980
 But Arkansas, Florida, one-point loss to Houston.

1698
01:45:21,420 --> 01:45:28,740
 If they can pick up some wins down the stretch, I still say the strength of schedule and the quad one wins are going to get them in.

1699
01:45:29,700 --> 01:45:31,840
 Yeah, no, I mean, it's definitely possible, I think.

1700
01:45:31,920 --> 01:45:39,320
 I think you could have like an 8-10 SEC record with the strength of schedule Auburn has and still feel pretty good about your shot again in the tournament.

1701
01:45:39,680 --> 01:45:43,560
 Maybe you could help yourself out a little bit in Nashville at the SEC.

1702
01:45:43,900 --> 01:45:47,840
 So, yeah, it's a situation where you just got to go in there and take advantage, right?

1703
01:45:47,840 --> 01:45:50,560
 You have no more margin for error, but you're not done.

1704
01:45:50,680 --> 01:45:51,300
 You're not toast.

1705
01:45:51,420 --> 01:45:55,020
 You're not looking at it and saying, oh, Auburn's got to sweep the rest of the season to get in.

1706
01:45:55,480 --> 01:45:57,100
 No, the strength of schedule is big.

1707
01:45:57,220 --> 01:45:59,700
 And I think, you know, Auburn's lost 12 games this year.

1708
01:45:59,880 --> 01:46:05,360
 And there's not a team with double-digit losses in the country that has a resume like Auburn.

1709
01:46:05,520 --> 01:46:07,820
 I can basically sum it up like this.

1710
01:46:08,680 --> 01:46:12,200
 Would we, you know, five straight losses, yeah, it's tough.

1711
01:46:12,400 --> 01:46:16,640
 Like, Auburn fans would be mad about that and frustrated about that, and rightfully so with any of them.

1712
01:46:16,640 --> 01:46:19,560
 But what if this team was only at nine losses?

1713
01:46:19,940 --> 01:46:26,940
 And instead of going and playing Arizona and Michigan and Purdue, they played three paycheck games like some of these other teams the SEC has had.

1714
01:46:27,160 --> 01:46:28,400
 Well, it wouldn't have helped them any.

1715
01:46:28,660 --> 01:46:33,280
 It would be a better record, but their resume would look exactly the same, maybe not a little worse.

1716
01:46:33,660 --> 01:46:42,220
 So, I think for Auburn, it's just you've got to stay the course, and you've got to start with, because you don't want to be, every loss gets closer and closer to the bottom.

1717
01:46:42,420 --> 01:46:47,200
 So, if they want to stay on the right side of the bubble, they need to win tomorrow night and then keep going from there.

1718
01:46:47,260 --> 01:46:49,040
 Take one game at a time, because that's all you can do.

1719
01:46:50,180 --> 01:46:58,260
 I know football and basketball is yours especially, but Auburn baseball is in Arlington, Texas this weekend at Globe Life Field.

1720
01:46:58,400 --> 01:47:07,000
 I believe they've got Kansas State tonight, number nine Florida State tomorrow, and then Louisville either tomorrow or Sunday.

1721
01:47:07,180 --> 01:47:11,700
 Quite an opportunity for Auburn to find out a little bit more about how good they are.

1722
01:47:12,180 --> 01:47:16,300
 And, once again, if they win a couple of these games, it would really help them down the road.

1723
01:47:17,300 --> 01:47:18,480
 And they need to hit the ball.

1724
01:47:19,100 --> 01:47:21,260
 That has kind of been their problem so far this year.

1725
01:47:21,500 --> 01:47:26,020
 They got beat pretty badly in a midweek game to Cincinnati earlier this week.

1726
01:47:26,820 --> 01:47:34,420
 You know, they swept Youngstown to open the season last weekend, but two of those games, their first few, they could barely hit the ball at all.

1727
01:47:34,860 --> 01:47:36,480
 Had to win kind of late in those games.

1728
01:47:37,000 --> 01:47:40,560
 Game three, they kind of exploded and hit the ball really well.

1729
01:47:40,560 --> 01:47:51,240
 But, through four games, I think somebody was telling me today that if you take out that game three against Youngstown State, Auburn's batting less than 200 as a team in every other game.

1730
01:47:51,480 --> 01:47:59,240
 So, this is a good opportunity to kind of reset, refocus, get some bats going, get your offense kind of heated up a little bit.

1731
01:47:59,500 --> 01:48:01,860
 Auburn's pitching staff and defense has been great this start of the season.

1732
01:48:02,600 --> 01:48:08,680
 But, you know, you're going to play some more quality competition, get some better at bats together, and kind of push on from there.

1733
01:48:09,440 --> 01:48:14,220
 Because it's kind of funny, we thought that this Auburn team, their strength was going to be their offense.

1734
01:48:14,380 --> 01:48:17,540
 So far this season, it's been their pitching, which you can look at it one of two ways.

1735
01:48:18,060 --> 01:48:22,200
 The offense has got to bring it back up, but at least you may be a little bit ahead of schedule with that pitching and the defense.

1736
01:48:23,160 --> 01:48:33,360
 Yeah, I think they've given up four runs this season, again, in just that series, 2-1, 2-1, 17-2, which is not too bad.

1737
01:48:34,040 --> 01:48:40,940
 Again, you've got the e-mails on Wednesday morning, the mailbag on Friday, the podcast.

1738
01:48:41,440 --> 01:48:45,740
 I know you've got a lot of pre-game, post-game for the Cats.

1739
01:48:46,360 --> 01:48:48,320
 Where can we get online to get all of it?

1740
01:48:49,120 --> 01:48:50,880
 Yeah, AuburnObserver.com, check it out there.

1741
01:48:51,020 --> 01:48:57,120
 This morning we did a podcast, you know, talking about the Auburn-Mississippi State game, looking ahead to the Kentucky games.

1742
01:48:57,240 --> 01:49:01,600
 You can check that out tomorrow, I'll have a full preview of Auburn-Mississippi up on the Observer.

1743
01:49:02,220 --> 01:49:05,960
 So if you subscribe, you get everything sent to you, and you're e-mailing about a lot of basketball right now.

1744
01:49:06,260 --> 01:49:08,120
 But we're getting closer and closer to the start of football.

1745
01:49:08,620 --> 01:49:09,720
 Spring football will be coming up.

1746
01:49:09,860 --> 01:49:11,620
 We'll have a little bit more of that as time goes on.

1747
01:49:12,180 --> 01:49:14,060
 And, yeah, we will be carrying on.

1748
01:49:14,580 --> 01:49:19,540
 You know, it's kind of funny, I get back from Mississippi State yesterday and get back up here to the arena today

1749
01:49:19,540 --> 01:49:23,260
 and then have the game tomorrow night, and then I'm leaving for Oklahoma on Monday

1750
01:49:23,260 --> 01:49:24,820
 because they play on Tuesday night in Norman.

1751
01:49:24,820 --> 01:49:29,780
 So I'm constantly on the move, but, you know, that's what happens this time of year.

1752
01:49:29,900 --> 01:49:33,380
 So AuburnObserver.com, you can get all the stuff that we send out from here on the road.

1753
01:49:34,360 --> 01:49:37,340
 Another 10-pound of sugar and a 5-pound sack.

1754
01:49:37,440 --> 01:49:38,560
 Stay safe out there, Justin.

1755
01:49:38,620 --> 01:49:39,700
 Have a good weekend, all right?

1756
01:49:40,200 --> 01:49:40,900
 Yeah, y'all too.

1757
01:49:40,980 --> 01:49:41,340
 Appreciate it.

1758
01:49:41,780 --> 01:49:42,140
 Thank you.

1759
01:49:42,320 --> 01:49:43,740
 Justin Ferguson, the Auburn Observer.

1760
01:49:43,900 --> 01:49:45,540
 BB, you're talking about Jampak.

1761
01:49:45,640 --> 01:49:50,360
 Coming up this afternoon, 3 o'clock, baseball, UNA in St. Louis over at Mike D. Lane Field.

1762
01:49:50,660 --> 01:49:55,440
 Coming up tomorrow here on 93.9, the score at 11.55 pregame.

1763
01:49:55,560 --> 01:49:56,040
 You heard it right.

1764
01:49:56,140 --> 01:49:58,060
 The Braves and Raves.

1765
01:49:58,620 --> 01:50:03,400
 And then, of course, tomorrow afternoon we're at 4 o'clock, Alabama basketball against LSU.

1766
01:50:03,940 --> 01:50:09,340
 Then on Sunday, Alabama women's basketball with Florida 10.45 in the morning.

1767
01:50:09,760 --> 01:50:13,640
 Followed by Alabama baseball at 1 o'clock against Rhode Island.

1768
01:50:14,240 --> 01:50:16,620
 Brett Beaird, are you ready to rip the knobs off the sucker?

1769
01:50:16,620 --> 01:50:23,700
 Yeah, well, I was going to say, if you want to listen to a lot of entertaining games, just turn the Q&A to 93.9 to score.

1770
01:50:23,880 --> 01:50:28,860
 Monday, as far as the regional action, these are two night games.

1771
01:50:29,000 --> 01:50:31,160
 Wilson Girls versus Good Hope.

1772
01:50:31,660 --> 01:50:33,740
 Wilson beat West Morgan.

1773
01:50:33,880 --> 01:50:35,720
 Good Hope beat Destler Girls.

1774
01:50:36,240 --> 01:50:38,020
 That game is at 7.30.

1775
01:50:38,020 --> 01:50:43,140
 And following that, the Destler Boys versus West Morgan.

1776
01:50:43,140 --> 01:50:46,760
 That may tip off at 9.15 or 9.30.

1777
01:50:47,400 --> 01:50:52,940
 Ryan Pounder said, we tried to get the game earlier, and they did not want us to play then.

1778
01:50:53,480 --> 01:50:55,180
 And we'll talk about this on Monday.

1779
01:50:55,320 --> 01:50:56,320
 But yeah, two games.

1780
01:50:56,500 --> 01:51:01,820
 And then Lauderdale County Girls against the Mars Hill Boys on Tuesday at 4.

1781
01:51:02,600 --> 01:51:08,020
 The girls at 4, and then the boys in Morris Hill, Lauderdale County at 5.45.

1782
01:51:08,780 --> 01:51:10,140
 We'll go over that on Monday.

1783
01:51:11,120 --> 01:51:13,420
 In the meantime, have a safe weekend.

1784
01:51:13,540 --> 01:51:15,080
 We want to see you back here on Monday.

1785
01:51:15,480 --> 01:51:16,720
 It's going to take care of business now.

1786
01:51:16,820 --> 01:51:19,280
 On behalf of BB, Greg, James Blair, the entire crew here.

1787
01:51:19,360 --> 01:51:21,340
 Carol Buck, thank you just so much for your time today.

1788
01:51:21,440 --> 01:51:22,040
 Let's do it again.

1789
01:51:22,500 --> 01:51:24,360
 Noon to 2 Monday for the Boom on Buck Show.

1790
01:51:24,440 --> 01:51:26,820
 Back here on Sports Radio, 93.9 to score.

1791
01:51:32,600 --> 01:52:02,580
 We'll be right back.

1792
01:52:02,600 --> 01:52:03,620
 We'll be right back.