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 Now, get ready to roll, Shoals, Decatur, Athens, and all of Northwest Alabama and Southern Tennessee. It's time for the Valley's exclusive FM Sports Voice.

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 The Boomo Bugg Show. Your exclusive inside track to the Tigers, Tennessee and the rest of the SEC. Now your host, Harold Bugg on 93.9 The Score.

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 Good afternoon and welcome in to the Boomo Bugg Show. I'm Harold Bugg alongside Brett Beaird. Thank you so much for giving us a free ride around the Tennessee Valley. Brett Beaird, welcome in where the Tide and Tigers and the portal party on the hardwoods while Arma gets ready for a spring fling this weekend. Good afternoon, welcome in and how are you?

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 Happy Friday to you and the listeners. The Madison City Council has officially approved the SEC Softball Tournament to be played at Toyota Field in Madison, Alabama beginning next season through 2030. That is an incredible addition as far as an athletic event for North Alabama.

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 Alabama and Auburn, as you alluded to, pick up a basketball transfer order out of the portal. Jimmy is here right now to recap Alabama A-Day and the basketball portal for the Tide.

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 Jimmy is Jimmy Stein, co-host of Locked On Bama, part of the Locked On Network. Jimmy, welcome in. How are you?

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 Oh, doing great, guys.

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 Hey, Jimmy.

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 Appreciate you taking time out, Jimmy. Last weekend, Alabama had your spring game. Auburn's got there this weekend.

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 Are you going to go down there since you love spring games? Are you going to Auburn this weekend to witness that one, Jimmy?

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 Oh, I can't be late to the Morgan Wallen show Saturday night.

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 I'm just going to have to read about what happened.

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 All right. There you go. Give you a rain check on that one and hope it doesn't rain for the concert.

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 Jimmy, let's talk a little bit about the Tide spring game. What did you learn from it?

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 Obviously, the big story was quarterback. Keelan Russell played extremely well.

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 You know, there's three scrimmages in the spring. First scrimmage, second scrimmage. The third one is A-Day.

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 And I think what you can see is an absolute clear progression here, whereas per observers that were there, of course, I was not.

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 Scrimmage number one, Austin Mack, had maybe a better day than Keelan. And that's to be expected, right?

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 I mean, it's the fourth or fifth practice of the spring. Austin's an older kid. We're just getting started.

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 Second scrimmage, Keelan probably catches him or passes him a little bit.

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 I mean, most people felt from the second scrimmage that Keelan had the better day.

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 But it was certainly closer than it was scrimmage one. Now, scrimmage three, Keelan had a monster day.

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 The best day of any of the quarterbacks in all three scrimmages.

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 And at the same time, to be fair, Austin was dinged up.

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 We know this from the amount of reps he took, which were less than Keelan for the first time.

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 And then Keelan DeBoer tells the assembled media when A-Day is over that Austin was dinged up.

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 And that's why he didn't finish the scrimmage and maybe why he struggled just a bit.

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 But Keelan had a monster day, regardless of Austin Mack's day.

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 So you can see that clear progression where Keelan started out maybe a little behind, catches him, then passes him.

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 And this is basically, I would say, obvious that it was going to happen.

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 I wouldn't go as far to say it's obvious it was going to happen this quickly.

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 But it appeared to happen sort of quickly.

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 Now, no one is naming Keelan Russell the starter.

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 It's not fair to do that to Austin Mack, who was dinged up, you know, in that final week.

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 And I don't think the fans that were there at A-Day got to see Austin Mack at full go.

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 And he's been good this spring.

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 So it's going to carry over into the fall.

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 But it sure feels like Keelan is advancing rapidly.

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 He's playing really well.

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 And the Keelan Russell we saw in A-Day is going to be very difficult for Austin Mack to beat out this fall.

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 Jimmy, let me ask you about the offensive line.

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 There are quite a few of these position groups that had a very positive day.

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 The offensive line had mixed reviews.

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 We know it's still a work in progress.

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 This defensive front seven that Alabama has, I believe, is depth-wise and talent-wise has improved very significantly.

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 But across the front, Jackson Lloyd, William Sanders, again, we'll see how that goes at left guard.

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 Others have worked there during the spring.

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 Rayson Delgani, Michael Carroll at right guard, and Javon James at right tackle.

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 Jimmy, your thoughts on the progress of the offensive line through the spring?

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 Well, it wasn't great on A-Day, but I don't know that that was a fair expectation.

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 I think what everyone should look for or hope for this fall for Alabama is improvement over last year.

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 The idea that they're going to have all these brand-new parts and a lot of young guys.

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 For instance, there are 16 offensive linemen on scholarship at Alabama right now, and zero of them are seniors.

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 I mean, so this is a fairly young group, and this is their first time playing together.

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 I think expectations can get completely out of whack when that's the case.

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 But I also think it's fair to want to see and expect to see a line that performs a little better than last year's group did.

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 And I think they're on track for that.

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 I think the positive take, guys, is that these spots that were up for grabs have been won even before we get out of the spring.

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 I know myself, speaking for myself, I assumed, much like quarterback, that three or four offensive line spots, there would be competition that extended into fall camp.

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 I don't think that's the case here at all.

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 I think Jackson Lloyd is nailed down left tackle.

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 Del Gotti is nailed down center.

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 We know Michael Carroll is going to start at either right guard or right tackle.

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 And while the other two spots, to me, sort of remain up in the air a little bit, I mean, you're 60% of the way towards solving this thing.

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 And there's some pretty good evidence as to who's going to win these other spots.

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 We haven't even seen Will Sanders.

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 And the staff believe, even before you go through a spring without him, the staff believe he's a likely starter.

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 We haven't even seen him yet.

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 So there's a lot of reason for optimism.

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 But I think the expectation should be set at just being better than they were a year ago.

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 Jimmy's time to lock down.

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 Well, Jimmy, we have the privilege of talking to a lot of folks at the SEC, and almost without exception, when you ask the biggest concern for Team X, Y, or Z, it's the offensive line.

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 So the point being, I think Alabama is facing a lot of unknowns, but it's all equal.

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 I think there's going to be some exceptions that don't come to mind right off the top of my head.

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 But for the most part, most teams have, because let's face it, they're a premium.

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 Everybody's shopping.

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 So even if they're good, they're probably going to be new to your system.

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 So that's going to be across the board there.

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 But, Jimmy, your thoughts about back to reality, as they say, the show has to go on with or without Noah Carter.

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 Obviously, he's good.

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 I think we'd be naive to say it's not going to have an impact.

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 But you look down the line and open up some opportunities this past weekend for some of those young guys, and I think they answered the bell.

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 Jimmy, where are you with the wide receiver spot, at least for, looks like anyway, a pretty big chunk of the season without Noah Carter?

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 Yeah, even with Noah out, I still like the first five guys, and that's based on everything we've seen from them to this point, including A-Day,

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 where Cedarian Borgen, the freshman from Alexander City, and Derek Meadows, a sophomore from Las Vegas,

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 they had exceptional A-Days, capping good springs for both.

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 Alabama's got five guys that look really good, even without Noah.

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 That's obviously Ryan Coleman-Williams, Lotseer Brooks, to Darren Morgan, Derek Meadows, and Rico Scott, who was really a first-team player a year ago.

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 Those five, when you're like, gosh, that's only five, that is thin.

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 It sounds thin, and it is thin, but realize that last year's sixth receiver was Cole Adams.

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 He caught five balls for the whole year.

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 So you can play with five.

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 I think where Noah's injury is scary is don't lose any of those five.

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 Thank you.

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 Now you've got a problem.

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 If there's one more loss, you've got a problem.

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 As is, they're in good shape.

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 Noah might be able to return halfway or later in the season, maybe, but you can't count on that.

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 What you can count on is the guys that are there, and those five look like really good ballplayers, and they really only used five a year ago, with Rico Scott being the fifth guy, and he caught just 11 balls a year ago.

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 So especially in a season, guys, where I'm expecting, it's not going to look like 2021 because it's a different situation, but in 2021, Jamison Williams and John Mechie, it seems, caught every ball from that Tidewater team group.

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 It's not going to look like that, but I do think Ryan Coleman Williams and Lachier Brooks are going to be targeted far more frequently than the others, and I think both are primed to have monster years, both of them.

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 Jimmy, as we alluded to at the top of the show, Nate Owens has picked up two, not one, but two transfer portal dudes in the last couple of days.

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 Jamarian Davis Fleming, who Alabama actually scored 10 points, I believe, against Alabama, had a really good game in Tuscaloosa earlier in the season,

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 but they picked up Cole Cloyer, I believe, C-L-O-E-R, transferred, he got hurt in high school, enrolled early at North Carolina State with Will Wade, did not play last year,

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 but all the clips I've seen of him, he's 6'7", has an impressive skill set, but the one thing Nate Owens said, we want to get bigger.

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 I mean, the final night of the press conference against Michigan, we want to get bigger.

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 Well, he started to do that.

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 Brandon Garrison is 6'10", Davis Fleming, 6'10", Cloyer is 6'7", and these three phenoms he's got coming in,

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 Samuels at 6'5", Bowie at 6'6", and Jackson Richardson at 6'6", too.

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 We'll see the transfer portal deadline is next Tuesday.

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 Still a lot of stuff going on here, Jimmy, but your thoughts so far as far as getting bigger?

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 Yeah, it's a long, long team.

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 I wonder if Stanford will let Alabama borrow their tree mascot next year for basketball season,

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 because it's going to look like a bunch of trees out there for the tide.

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 I mean, this is going to be a long, tall basketball team.

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 Still, I think, first of all, these pickups were exactly what Nate said he would do.

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 He said, we need to be bigger and more physical.

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 That was his diagnosis following the Michigan law, and they immediately went and got two 6'10",

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 250-pound guys that are big and physical, so he did exactly what he said he would do.

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 Cole Cloer is more in line of what Nate has always thought, which is athletic wings who are long, who can shoot.

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 That's what Nate signed from day one.

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 So it's more of the same with Cole Cloer, and it's exactly what Nate said he was going to do

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 the night of the Michigan loss with the Kentucky kid and the Mississippi State kid that are just bigger guys.

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 Now, I think right now when you're talking about the roster next season, so much of it hinges on two guys

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 that as of today, you don't know whether they're going to be there, and that's obviously Aiden Holloway

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 and his legal situation and Amari Allen and his NBA situation.

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 You don't know today whether you have them for sure, but if you do get both of them back

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 and have these additions from the portal and this freshman class and Cloer, it looks like another really good roster.

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 Now, if you don't get Holloway or Amari Allen back, particularly if you don't have both,

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 Alabama has more work to do to get the roster better.

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 So I think we've kind of reached that fulcrum, really, where this is big.

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 It's like, well, if you have Holloway and Allen, you're good with what you've got today.

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 But if you don't have them, you need another add or two, and it needs to be difference makers,

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 because there's no doubt that Holloway and Amari Allen are difference makers.

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 If those two are back next year, you could be talking about maybe, arguably,

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 the best backcourt in college basketball with Holloway and Amari Allen at the one and the two.

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 But without both of them, boy, you've got more work in the portal.

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 So it's real tricky for Nate going forward.

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 Absolutely.

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 I know they're also looking at Alex Wilkins, a freshman 6'5 guard from Furman who averaged 17 points last year.

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 We'll see where that goes.

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 Jimmy, great stuff.

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 Football, basketball, you name it.

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 You and Luke Robinson have got it covered every day.

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 Recalp of spring basketball portal.

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 Jimmy, where can we get online to get the best coverage of Alabama sports on the planet?

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 Yeah, thanks, Brett.

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 Locked on Bama.

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 You can find us on YouTube if you want to watch the show.

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 Or you can just listen on audio wherever you get your podcast.

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 Locked on Bama, part of the Locked On Sports Network.

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 Jimmy, enjoy yourself some concerts this weekend there in Tuscaloosa, okay?

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 I will, guys.

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 Y'all have a great weekend, too.

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 All right.

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 Jimmy Dine, co-host of Locked On Bama, part of the Locked On Network.

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 Coming up all over the SEC, watch, shaking, blatant love with the latest.

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 Switching to progressive is a game-winning call.

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

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 And that's how I became the first basketball player to wear a headband.

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 Okay, not really a game-winning call, but it was a good call.

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

234
00:18:54,780 --> 00:18:57,900
 It's a daily update on Bama Sports and it's brought to you by the Good Feet Store.

235
00:18:58,260 --> 00:19:01,520
 Helping people get back to the life they love without their feet getting in the way.

236
00:19:01,840 --> 00:19:04,160
 Start your journey today at GoodFeet.com.

237
00:19:04,460 --> 00:19:05,120
 Hello again, everybody.

238
00:19:05,300 --> 00:19:06,120
 I'm Roger Hoover.

239
00:19:06,120 --> 00:19:12,880
 On Thursday's edition of Crimson Drive, driven by NASCAR, we were joined by Alabama baseball outfielder Sam Christensen.

240
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 But no, it was fun.

241
00:19:14,220 --> 00:19:18,580
 When I got here in Alabama, it was kind of just like, Alabama is just a cool place to be at.

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 So I was like, this is cool.

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 And then me and my teammates, we'd walk around the campus and stuff.

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 And the facilities at the baseball field were sweet.

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 And I was just like, dang, this place is awesome.

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00:19:27,980 --> 00:19:31,920
 And I remember playing, I told the coaches this on my visit when I was playing here.

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 I remember just like sitting in my dugout and then looking over and seeing Rob and Mo and, and all these coaches just like kind of like firecrackers.

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 Like they were just like, as in do it as everyone else was.

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 And I was like, that kind of fires me up a little bit.

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 And I remember just like getting to the point last year when I was planning on hitting the portal, I was like, Alabama is where I wanted to go.

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 So I was very fired up when they gave me a call.

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 I'll have more in a moment.

253
00:19:56,240 --> 00:19:57,860
 This is Christian Miller for the Good Feet Store.

254
00:19:58,000 --> 00:20:04,300
 I know from playing football at Alabama and in the NFL that if you have foot, knee, hip, or back pain, it can be a huge challenge.

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 Stop in for a free personalized fitting today.

259
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 Roll to victory at goodfeet.com.

260
00:20:23,580 --> 00:20:24,920
 That's goodfeet.com.

261
00:20:25,160 --> 00:20:25,680
 Roll Tide.

262
00:20:26,180 --> 00:20:30,520
 Crimson Tide softball team is at home all weekend against the Kentucky Wildcats at Rhodes Stadium,

263
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 while baseball will play Friday through Sunday against the Texas Longhorns in Austin.

264
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 Crimson Tide Today is brought to you by the Good Feet Store.

265
00:20:37,740 --> 00:20:41,740
 Crimson Tide Today is a production of the Crimson Tide Sports Network from Learfield.

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 The Score.

267
00:20:44,180 --> 00:20:49,000
 Now, back with Boomo Bugg on 93.9 The Score.

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 Welcome back in to be in Blake Stans.

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 We're busy.

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 Blake Lovell got the entire Southeastern Conference covered there at Southeastern 16 as your book is called Blue Ribbon and his podcast, Establish the Past.

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 Blake Lovell, welcome in.

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00:21:04,240 --> 00:21:05,040
 Happy Friday to you.

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 How are you?

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 Yeah, doing well, guys.

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00:21:07,080 --> 00:21:08,000
 Good to talk to you as always.

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 Hey, Ben.

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 Got a lot rocking and rolling.

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 Going to get some basketball hopefully in a short.

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 But football, spring flings all over the place, including your backyard, the up-and-coming Vanderbilt Commodores.

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 Is it true that Diego will show up with his grandkids for his ninth season of eligibility for that game?

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 I know.

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 It's going to be an unusual sight for many people when they look out there and they're just like, he's got to be there somewhere, right?

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 He's got to switch numbers.

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 He's playing a different position.

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 He's got to be on the field somewhere.

286
00:21:37,020 --> 00:21:38,880
 So, no, but it will be interesting.

287
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 Obviously, we've talked about it before.

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 You know, when you have a Jared Curtis stepping in, you know, it's not every offseason we're talking about Vanderbilt flipping a top quarterback from Georgia or anything like that.

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 And so, I think that that's where, you know, all the attention is going to turn to because as good as Pavia was, I mean, that was the thing.

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 It's like Vanderbilt has sort of kind of revamped the quarterback position.

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 And they've proven that with their coaching staff, they know what it takes to get the most out of the most important position on the field.

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 And so, I think it's going to be a lot of anticipation to see what it looks like for Curtis and company.

293
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 Let me ask you this.

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 Obviously, the joke back in the day was the visiting team always had more fans in the stands, it seemed, than the home team Vanderbilt.

295
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 Will they ever get done, at least for the foreseeable future, repaying, Diego?

296
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 I think the buzz is back.

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 Your thoughts, what are you hearing from just a business standpoint of what this man has meant for this program?

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 Yeah, I mean, he certainly, you know, meant a lot.

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 And I think just having more eyeballs, I mean, that is something where, again, yes, you're going to.

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 You're going to take the good with some of the controversy that came along with it.

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 But, I mean, at the same time, I mean, it is just a program that needed something, I mean, for the longest time, right?

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 I mean, decades upon decades, like they needed a different energy.

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 And I think, you know, whenever we knew that we were about to start moving towards, you know, paying players and all that kind of model in college sports, I mean, it was easy just to sit there and say, well, Vanderbilt's going to be in trouble, right?

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 I mean, they've got no chance because they're going to place all this focus on academics and they're not going to put the resources they need to, from a financial standpoint, to be competitive.

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 And what's happened, right?

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00:23:12,780 --> 00:23:14,240
 I mean, winning changes a lot of that.

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 And all of a sudden, you go out and you put the money into it and you start winning games.

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 And, again, you're not going to all of a sudden say, well, you know, we need to start spending less money.

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00:23:24,140 --> 00:23:39,220
 And give credit to Candace, Story Lee, and everyone, like just from an administrative standpoint at Vanderbilt, who have really understood the value of having someone like Diego Pavia and really trying to just change the entire image of not only just the football program, but just the school in general.

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 And, like I said, winning helps a lot of that.

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 Before we get into basketball and portaling, Texas, I haven't heard a lot about them.

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 They've been, of course, with Goalich at Auburn.

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 They've got spring game tomorrow.

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00:23:53,760 --> 00:24:00,960
 They've upgraded their rushing attack with Relique Brown, Hollywood Smothers, who was in Alabama for about 12 hours.

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 And, of course, Arch is going to be the summer of Arch, but Will Muschamp is back.

316
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 Now, I don't know if he's going to put his hand through a whiteboard on the sidelines like he's done before, but at least for Texas, they've kind of been in the background a little bit this spring.

317
00:24:18,280 --> 00:24:22,080
 It's going to be interesting to see what they do, what they show tomorrow.

318
00:24:23,020 --> 00:24:33,260
 Yeah, and like you said, I think it's always, of course, it's kind of the way we've adjusted the schedules when it comes to the spring games, and now we're just calling them open practices and all this kind of stuff.

319
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 Like, you just, you never really know exactly what you're going to get out of some of these, but what you can't deny with Texas is the talent is there.

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 And, you know, it's never really been a question in this era, again, where we're paying guys, and we know that Texas has plenty to go around.

321
00:24:47,480 --> 00:24:56,500
 And like you mentioned, I mean, I think the biggest storylines are having Will Muschamp back in the mix to kind of revamp what you're going to do, you know, on that side of the ball.

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 And, of course, we know kind of the role he played in helping Georgia, you know, several years ago, just kind of, again, really establish what they can do on the defensive side of the ball.

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00:25:05,300 --> 00:25:15,180
 But then, you know, you're certainly looking at, you know, the storyline of Arch and what that looks like, but you're adding Cam Coleman, and, you know, you're adding a really good running back group, I think.

324
00:25:15,180 --> 00:25:24,300
 And so, there's a lot of those things where I'd be surprised, honestly, if Texas is not right there as, you know, kind of a top five team regularly throughout the season.

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00:25:24,460 --> 00:25:27,020
 I mean, that's where they should be based on the strength of this roster.

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00:25:27,660 --> 00:25:35,380
 And so, yeah, I think that the biggest eyeball is, like you mentioned, they're on the defense, under Muschamp, and really just seeing how many of these new playmakers they add to the mix.

327
00:25:35,380 --> 00:25:42,180
 It can make, the expectation is that they're going to help them make a big jump and be way more consistent offensively.

328
00:25:42,580 --> 00:25:45,320
 Get it all with Blake, Blake Love, Southeastern 16.

329
00:25:45,420 --> 00:25:48,300
 Let's talk Auburn, which is going to be bigger, Blake?

330
00:25:48,480 --> 00:25:55,240
 The eyes on a new era of Auburn football with the spring game this weekend, or Auburn's basketball lineup going forward next year.

331
00:25:55,300 --> 00:26:01,740
 They're fresh from adding a 7-1 tree from what Santa Clara, Bucky, or Boy, if I pronounced it right.

332
00:26:01,740 --> 00:26:04,780
 That's after getting a seven-footer from over, across the pond.

333
00:26:05,920 --> 00:26:08,860
 I want the Kroger mill budget on this thing.

334
00:26:09,340 --> 00:26:10,540
 They said get bigger.

335
00:26:10,680 --> 00:26:13,040
 I think Stephen Pearl took them literally, didn't he?

336
00:26:13,600 --> 00:26:25,700
 I was going to say, man, it's like, you know, we knew this would be the offseason of size, and I think one of our commenters in Southeastern 16 is sort of named the era of bigflation is what it is, because he's a big man.

337
00:26:25,700 --> 00:26:38,740
 But yeah, Auburn's got one of the biggest teams in the country right now, when you look at their front line there, and yeah, just adding more seven-footers to the mix and all that.

338
00:26:38,780 --> 00:26:42,340
 Not many teams can say that right now in terms of their overall roster.

339
00:26:42,340 --> 00:26:48,020
 But as we mentioned, too, you know, I mean, I think for them to play the way they did in the NIT, they're building some momentum as a program.

340
00:26:48,420 --> 00:26:49,580
 You've got plenty of new pieces.

341
00:26:49,820 --> 00:26:53,540
 Now you're keeping some of those guys for next year, so I think they're off to a good start.

342
00:26:53,900 --> 00:26:55,960
 But, you know, again, we're talking about new, right?

343
00:26:55,980 --> 00:27:10,460
 And, I mean, that's where you look at the Auburn football scenario under Alex Golesh, and I think there's plenty of intrigue now as you start to really look at this group and know that they're hiring this guy to really see if he can, you know, be the answer offensively.

344
00:27:10,460 --> 00:27:14,060
 And I think, you know, like we said, there have been promises that have been fulfilled.

345
00:27:14,200 --> 00:27:20,840
 Some have not been fulfilled for Auburn fans when it comes to what their offense can be and will be as a program.

346
00:27:20,980 --> 00:27:24,820
 And I think that's where you're going to see, like, as, you know, what does the defense look like?

347
00:27:24,860 --> 00:27:28,920
 Of course, that's going to be a big thing, too, in terms of, you know, the passing defense and all that.

348
00:27:29,040 --> 00:27:32,500
 But I think that, you know, as we mentioned, sometimes it's just easy.

349
00:27:32,720 --> 00:27:39,240
 Like, you don't have to think too much about these, but really just where does the offense stand, I think, is the biggest, you know, question you have for Auburn.

350
00:27:39,580 --> 00:27:41,440
 Heading into this portion of the year.

351
00:27:41,680 --> 00:27:46,240
 And, you know, under Alex Golesh, I think there's just a lot of optimism as to what they're going to be able to do there.

352
00:27:47,000 --> 00:27:49,420
 Let me close with Tennessee basketball.

353
00:27:50,220 --> 00:27:52,580
 Rick Barnes lost about seven players.

354
00:27:53,440 --> 00:27:56,880
 Brown from Hoover is about the only one who stayed.

355
00:27:57,140 --> 00:27:59,880
 And people are wondering what in the world Rick Barnes is going to do.

356
00:28:00,080 --> 00:28:05,420
 Well, he's gone out and got Day Day Ames from California, 17 points a game.

357
00:28:05,540 --> 00:28:08,560
 Jalen Harrison from Notre Dame, 16 a game.

358
00:28:09,100 --> 00:28:12,560
 Tyler Lundblade from Belmont, 16 a game.

359
00:28:13,420 --> 00:28:16,540
 Miles Rubin from Loyola, Chicago.

360
00:28:16,940 --> 00:28:20,020
 Terrence Hill has been visiting from VCU.

361
00:28:20,860 --> 00:28:24,200
 But, once again, Rick kind of outsmarts a lot of people.

362
00:28:24,340 --> 00:28:28,360
 He's got a pretty good port of class already and wants to add to it.

363
00:28:29,220 --> 00:28:29,480
 Yeah.

364
00:28:29,620 --> 00:28:36,640
 You know, Tennessee was the team that was hit the most by the transfer portal at the start in terms of having really key guys exiting.

365
00:28:36,880 --> 00:28:40,120
 And a lot of pieces that were on that Elite Eight roster are not going to be there next season.

366
00:28:40,120 --> 00:28:45,000
 But, I think if you look at how quickly they've replaced these guys, I mean, they are moving fast.

367
00:28:45,360 --> 00:28:51,980
 And, you know, we even did our kind of, of course, just for fun, we're like, okay, where would you rank teams in the SEC right now so far?

368
00:28:52,000 --> 00:28:57,120
 If you're having to pick at this moment, we're like, well, I believe they don't even have a roster right now, so you can't put them in the mix.

369
00:28:57,280 --> 00:29:03,400
 But, if you want to pick the teams that have made additions, like, I think Tennessee is no worse than, you know, second or third right now.

370
00:29:03,440 --> 00:29:08,960
 When you look at Florida being the number one team, given their retention and the guys they're going to have, you know, coming in as well.

371
00:29:09,060 --> 00:29:13,520
 But, you look at Tennessee and the way they've quickly been able to revamp this thing, it's been very impressive.

372
00:29:13,740 --> 00:29:21,880
 And I mentioned to you guys a couple weeks ago, I mean, there were some theories out there that maybe Tennessee did not have the NIL that people thought they have, or we're going to put that into it.

373
00:29:22,000 --> 00:29:24,960
 But, I think they're starting to prove that wrong here with this group they've put together.

374
00:29:26,000 --> 00:29:27,060
 Yes, they do.

375
00:29:27,640 --> 00:29:31,160
 Or, they whipped the credit card out, and believe me, it's working.

376
00:29:31,640 --> 00:29:33,220
 Great stuff, as always.

377
00:29:33,620 --> 00:29:38,680
 One at a time of the year, football, basketball, NFL draft next week.

378
00:29:38,680 --> 00:29:41,720
 Baseball, I know Chris Lee and his folks are doing it.

379
00:29:42,140 --> 00:29:47,100
 Where can we get online and get the absolute incredible podcast for all three sports?

380
00:29:47,820 --> 00:29:48,840
 Yeah, I always appreciate it, guys.

381
00:29:48,920 --> 00:29:50,320
 Check us out over at Southeastern 16.

382
00:29:50,520 --> 00:29:53,120
 Yeah, lots of SEC basketball transfers, stuff, baseball.

383
00:29:53,340 --> 00:29:55,700
 We're doing football win total, so you can find it all there.

384
00:29:55,920 --> 00:29:58,960
 And everything else, yeah, follow me on Twitter, slash, X, that's the Blake Lovell.

385
00:30:00,100 --> 00:30:00,960
 That's great, Blake.

386
00:30:01,060 --> 00:30:03,740
 Listen, stay safe out there, and have a great weekend, all right?

387
00:30:04,340 --> 00:30:04,860
 Thanks, guys.

388
00:30:04,900 --> 00:30:05,220
 You, too.

389
00:30:05,720 --> 00:30:06,300
 Thank you, buddy.

390
00:30:06,480 --> 00:30:07,120
 Blake Lovell, welcome.

391
00:30:07,260 --> 00:30:08,500
 Well, this is Southeastern 16.

392
00:30:08,720 --> 00:30:11,400
 So, is the new home for baseball the state of Georgia?

393
00:30:11,580 --> 00:30:13,560
 What about the Georgia Bulldogs in college?

394
00:30:13,900 --> 00:30:17,160
 And, oh, by the way, those Atlanta Braves in the MLB?

395
00:30:17,840 --> 00:30:20,400
 Mr. Georgia himself, Bill Shanks, on deck.

396
00:30:20,460 --> 00:30:20,900
 Stay with us.

397
00:30:25,400 --> 00:30:28,800
 At First Metro Bank, we're more than just a place to keep your money.

398
00:30:29,140 --> 00:30:33,940
 We're a proud part of this community, committed to helping you achieve your dreams.

399
00:30:34,480 --> 00:30:38,480
 Whether you need a mortgage, a car loan, or just some sound advice,

400
00:30:38,680 --> 00:30:41,820
 we're here to offer a friendly face and a helping hand.

401
00:30:42,340 --> 00:30:46,060
 Come see us at First Metro Bank, where your neighbors are your bankers.

402
00:30:46,600 --> 00:30:48,200
 First Metro Bank, member FDIC.

403
00:30:50,980 --> 00:30:52,380
 Well, good morning, kiddo.

404
00:30:53,100 --> 00:30:55,000
 I love that you're home from college.

405
00:30:55,260 --> 00:30:56,360
 I've missed you.

406
00:30:56,360 --> 00:30:58,300
 Still taking your nature-made vitamins?

407
00:30:58,760 --> 00:30:59,520
 Every day.

408
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461
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 The Atlanta Braves are back in action tonight with the Braves play on the road in Philadelphia against the Phillies.

462
00:34:00,800 --> 00:34:02,800
 The Braves are 12-7 on the year.

463
00:34:03,160 --> 00:34:04,960
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464
00:34:05,040 --> 00:34:07,440
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465
00:34:07,600 --> 00:34:09,460
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466
00:34:09,920 --> 00:34:13,080
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467
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 Auburn Tigers fell in Gainesville yesterday on the baseball field.

468
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469
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470
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471
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473
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474
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475
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498
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 The Score.

499
00:35:53,760 --> 00:35:58,560
 Now, back with Boomo Bugg on 93.9 The Score.

500
00:35:59,080 --> 00:35:59,800
 Welcome back in.

501
00:35:59,860 --> 00:36:04,060
 Time to check in with the king of radio in the state of Georgia.

502
00:36:04,160 --> 00:36:07,440
 Bill Shanks, host of The Bill Shanks Show on 93.1 FM in Macon.

503
00:36:07,560 --> 00:36:12,120
 Online at thesuperstations.com and on the tube at 41NBC.

504
00:36:12,340 --> 00:36:13,020
 Bill, welcome in.

505
00:36:13,100 --> 00:36:14,020
 Happy Friday to you.

506
00:36:14,060 --> 00:36:14,540
 How are you?

507
00:36:15,380 --> 00:36:16,340
 I'm doing great.

508
00:36:16,400 --> 00:36:16,980
 How are y'all?

509
00:36:17,340 --> 00:36:17,660
 Hey, buddy.

510
00:36:17,720 --> 00:36:18,420
 Yeah, we're doing all right.

511
00:36:18,480 --> 00:36:19,200
 Bill, we're confused.

512
00:36:19,300 --> 00:36:22,160
 You got Georgia baseball, Atlanta Braves baseball.

513
00:36:23,400 --> 00:36:27,020
 Does Georgia still have any talk when it comes to football this spring?

514
00:36:27,020 --> 00:36:30,800
 What can you tell us about the Dawgs spring 2026, Bill Shanks?

515
00:36:31,400 --> 00:36:33,440
 G-Day game tomorrow at 1 o'clock.

516
00:36:33,580 --> 00:36:35,100
 You're hearing all the superstations.

517
00:36:35,740 --> 00:36:39,940
 And, you know, we're looking forward to seeing what all happens in that game.

518
00:36:40,200 --> 00:36:43,480
 And they already had a couple of injuries they've had to deal with.

519
00:36:43,620 --> 00:36:46,840
 We had a transfer from Auburn that tore his knee.

520
00:36:47,060 --> 00:36:49,480
 I really kind of think it's a plant from Auburn.

521
00:36:49,560 --> 00:36:51,020
 I don't trust them people over there.

522
00:36:51,920 --> 00:36:54,180
 I don't know what could have happened.

523
00:36:54,180 --> 00:36:57,140
 But, you know, they're just taking our money and getting hurt and leaving.

524
00:36:57,440 --> 00:37:04,380
 It's a big injury because he was probably the biggest name from the portal

525
00:37:04,380 --> 00:37:05,500
 that they were able to get.

526
00:37:05,740 --> 00:37:08,460
 And so that's quite a shame, unfortunately.

527
00:37:08,780 --> 00:37:10,620
 But they've got a couple of teams.

528
00:37:10,900 --> 00:37:12,060
 And, you know, they're going to be careful.

529
00:37:12,180 --> 00:37:13,340
 They're not going to do very much.

530
00:37:13,420 --> 00:37:14,620
 They're not going to show a whole lot.

531
00:37:14,700 --> 00:37:16,360
 I mean, we don't see very much.

532
00:37:16,720 --> 00:37:17,500
 It's just a scream.

533
00:37:17,520 --> 00:37:18,820
 It's kind of a glorified scream.

534
00:37:18,940 --> 00:37:20,380
 So we'll see how it goes tomorrow.

535
00:37:21,480 --> 00:37:24,780
 Bill, talk to us about Kirby's approach to this modern era of football.

536
00:37:24,900 --> 00:37:27,160
 We know he's still got a lot of nick in him.

537
00:37:27,160 --> 00:37:28,620
 And we know what that means.

538
00:37:29,000 --> 00:37:31,980
 But what you hope is he doesn't have a lot of dabble in him.

539
00:37:32,240 --> 00:37:33,480
 Where is the right balance?

540
00:37:33,580 --> 00:37:38,300
 Where's Kirby trying to adjust to college football 2026 going forward?

541
00:37:39,440 --> 00:37:45,600
 Well, I mean, I think he knows that the support's always going to be there.

542
00:37:46,220 --> 00:37:48,040
 You know, like the basketball coach in Georgia.

543
00:37:48,300 --> 00:37:54,200
 I mean, he's pretty confident that when the people in this state are going to be asked about

544
00:37:54,200 --> 00:37:59,680
 giving money, they're going to know what account to put it in, so to speak.

545
00:38:00,240 --> 00:38:07,300
 And, you know, so, I mean, I think that's a pretty good feeling for a head coach to know

546
00:38:07,300 --> 00:38:13,380
 what the priority is at your university compared to others, that maybe there's some ambiguity

547
00:38:13,380 --> 00:38:14,300
 about that.

548
00:38:14,420 --> 00:38:18,120
 But I think he's trying to navigate through it.

549
00:38:18,380 --> 00:38:24,860
 I think he's tried, at least for this year, to truly invest in the players that he originally

550
00:38:24,860 --> 00:38:25,500
 brought in.

551
00:38:25,680 --> 00:38:29,820
 And, you know, there were some players that you'd ask me in November.

552
00:38:30,240 --> 00:38:32,340
 Are they going to be with Georgia in 2026?

553
00:38:32,560 --> 00:38:35,220
 I might have said, no, there's no way.

554
00:38:35,320 --> 00:38:39,020
 They're going to probably leave and jump in the portal.

555
00:38:39,760 --> 00:38:41,400
 And, you know, they didn't.

556
00:38:41,620 --> 00:38:44,260
 They were kept, and they were a priority.

557
00:38:44,260 --> 00:38:51,360
 And it was made sure by the coaching staff that several of those kind of players were kept

558
00:38:51,360 --> 00:38:54,260
 and developed and prepared for the next step.

559
00:38:54,400 --> 00:38:58,680
 So, I think he's taking the approach of, all right, if we get these kids out of high

560
00:38:58,680 --> 00:39:06,300
 school, we truly see that there is potential moving forward for the long term, not just

561
00:39:06,300 --> 00:39:07,160
 in year one.

562
00:39:07,300 --> 00:39:08,500
 We're going to invest in them.

563
00:39:09,100 --> 00:39:10,840
 And, you know, that may bite him a little bit.

564
00:39:10,900 --> 00:39:11,460
 We don't know.

565
00:39:11,740 --> 00:39:16,520
 You've got to kind of play with it to see what works for your own program.

566
00:39:16,920 --> 00:39:21,080
 And some are going to say, no, if we don't see it in the first year, we're cutting bait

567
00:39:21,080 --> 00:39:22,360
 and going in another direction.

568
00:39:22,580 --> 00:39:26,900
 And Kirby's saying, no, I'm going to, you know, see what these kids can do and develop

569
00:39:26,900 --> 00:39:28,080
 them and go from there.

570
00:39:29,140 --> 00:39:39,520
 Mark Slabock of ESPN had his annual way too early top 25 and mentioned Georgia has 17 starters

571
00:39:39,520 --> 00:39:45,660
 returning this fall, which quite frankly, in this day and age of football is remarkable.

572
00:39:45,660 --> 00:39:55,760
 And that's a credit to the staff and the checkbook that talk about that, being able to get that

573
00:39:55,760 --> 00:39:56,680
 many coming back.

574
00:39:57,180 --> 00:40:04,880
 And Georgia's got a defensive tackle by the name of Valdine Son or Soni from Sweden.

575
00:40:05,600 --> 00:40:07,920
 I'm not talking about Sweden, Georgia.

576
00:40:08,340 --> 00:40:09,640
 I'm talking about the country.

577
00:40:10,360 --> 00:40:17,920
 6-3, 3-15, another one of these Georgia defensive tackles that is going to play in the NFL.

578
00:40:18,940 --> 00:40:22,920
 Confirmed that 17 number and tell us about your Swedish boy.

579
00:40:23,660 --> 00:40:28,500
 Well, he's gotten a little buzz at spring practice, which is good.

580
00:40:29,500 --> 00:40:32,000
 He's had people talking about him a little bit.

581
00:40:32,000 --> 00:40:38,360
 And he seems to be the type of freshman that you can perhaps look to and say, well, he's

582
00:40:38,360 --> 00:40:39,520
 got a chance to contribute.

583
00:40:40,240 --> 00:40:45,760
 You know, I think that's one of the fun parts of spring practice is that you want to have

584
00:40:45,760 --> 00:40:51,440
 the opportunity to have some people who can kind of generate a little bit of buzz going

585
00:40:51,440 --> 00:40:55,660
 into the summertime, even as true freshmen, because the freshmen come in today, I'm early

586
00:40:55,660 --> 00:40:56,200
 now, right?

587
00:40:56,300 --> 00:40:57,720
 That's kind of part of it.

588
00:40:57,840 --> 00:41:01,480
 We used to have like one or two early enrollees.

589
00:41:01,580 --> 00:41:04,020
 Now, if you're not an early enrollee, what's wrong with you?

590
00:41:04,360 --> 00:41:08,720
 So it's going to be interesting to see if he can contribute.

591
00:41:09,020 --> 00:41:09,540
 And you know what?

592
00:41:09,620 --> 00:41:14,980
 Look, that's the other thing about it is that if you get a kid in there that does make an

593
00:41:14,980 --> 00:41:20,220
 impression on you, even in his first spring practice, maybe before he's even taken a class

594
00:41:20,220 --> 00:41:25,320
 for all we know, you know, you got you got to give him a shot because if not, he'll be

595
00:41:25,320 --> 00:41:26,380
 gone by the end of the year.

596
00:41:26,540 --> 00:41:26,860
 Absolutely.

597
00:41:27,120 --> 00:41:31,100
 You know, and so he has generated a buzz.

598
00:41:31,200 --> 00:41:32,660
 He does look like a big kid.

599
00:41:33,200 --> 00:41:39,480
 And so it's going to be interesting to see come August if he continues to be in that discussion.

600
00:41:39,740 --> 00:41:45,400
 And, you know, Kirby Smart has shown in his 10 years that he'll play young players.

601
00:41:45,400 --> 00:41:50,940
 And so that's another calling card for him to be able to attract a talent like this kid.

602
00:41:51,940 --> 00:41:54,280
 You know, change these two prestations dot com.

603
00:41:54,380 --> 00:42:00,020
 Let's stay with Georgia baseball going jeopardy on you, Bill.

604
00:42:00,120 --> 00:42:03,980
 Name the top team in the SEC baseball standings right now.

605
00:42:04,160 --> 00:42:05,700
 And what's the secret of the sauce?

606
00:42:06,840 --> 00:42:07,920
 Well, it's Georgia.

607
00:42:08,060 --> 00:42:13,820
 They got beat last night by Arkansas in the first game of a three game set, six to three.

608
00:42:14,140 --> 00:42:15,900
 But they are a very good team.

609
00:42:15,960 --> 00:42:19,460
 And I mean, there's I don't know who the bad team is in the SEC.

610
00:42:19,460 --> 00:42:23,080
 I'm sure there is one of the 16, but not many of them are.

611
00:42:23,160 --> 00:42:24,900
 They're all really good, to be honest with you.

612
00:42:25,860 --> 00:42:27,860
 It's competitive every week.

613
00:42:27,980 --> 00:42:32,700
 You know, Georgia went to Mississippi State two weeks ago and swept them, which never happens.

614
00:42:32,800 --> 00:42:35,580
 They had lost the home game all year long, and they got swept by Georgia.

615
00:42:36,120 --> 00:42:38,660
 Georgia came back home, lost two or three from Florida.

616
00:42:39,140 --> 00:42:42,200
 Florida lost two or three the week before that from the Ole Miss.

617
00:42:42,880 --> 00:42:44,460
 Now Georgia's playing Arkansas.

618
00:42:44,460 --> 00:42:50,620
 And, you know, it's every week, you know, if the teams can get through this conference,

619
00:42:52,480 --> 00:42:57,040
 if Kirby Smart thinks the college football playoff stuff, he ought to be a baseball coach in the SEC.

620
00:42:58,100 --> 00:42:58,940
 It's brutal.

621
00:42:59,200 --> 00:43:05,360
 I mean, it's every one of these programs are so good and talented and deep and strong.

622
00:43:05,640 --> 00:43:07,360
 So Georgia's got a good team.

623
00:43:07,440 --> 00:43:09,100
 They've improved their pitching a little bit.

624
00:43:09,100 --> 00:43:13,840
 And, you know, they've got a coach that's a pitching coach in West Johnson who was at LSU

625
00:43:13,840 --> 00:43:17,660
 and also the big leagues as a pitching coach before he got back into college.

626
00:43:17,880 --> 00:43:22,940
 So that's what they hope can be the difference because they're scoring a lot of runs like a lot of teams are.

627
00:43:24,220 --> 00:43:25,800
 Let's switch to the Braves.

628
00:43:26,040 --> 00:43:27,700
 I know you've got to be happy.

629
00:43:28,480 --> 00:43:34,820
 The Braves, they've got the biggest lead of any division leader, three, in Major League Baseball.

630
00:43:35,180 --> 00:43:37,400
 The pitching has been out of sight.

631
00:43:38,060 --> 00:43:41,640
 They lead Major League Baseball in ERA at 2.93.

632
00:43:42,060 --> 00:43:44,780
 The National League at 2.84.

633
00:43:45,160 --> 00:43:49,980
 The four relievers, .86 ERA.

634
00:43:50,220 --> 00:43:51,000
 That's not bad.

635
00:43:51,640 --> 00:43:54,680
 Your favorite pitcher, Bryce Elder, and I told you yesterday,

636
00:43:54,780 --> 00:43:57,960
 I take back about half of everything, bad thing I've said about him.

637
00:43:58,960 --> 00:44:00,760
 0.77 ERA.

638
00:44:01,100 --> 00:44:04,820
 I mean, we could go on and on and on, but there is no question.

639
00:44:04,960 --> 00:44:08,140
 You talk about a difference a year makes, but it has.

640
00:44:09,380 --> 00:44:16,340
 Well, they were 6-13 going into game 20 a year ago, and now they're not.

641
00:44:16,460 --> 00:44:17,200
 They're much better.

642
00:44:17,440 --> 00:44:21,520
 They're 12-7, and they obviously are playing much better ball.

643
00:44:21,980 --> 00:44:28,340
 And it's a big deal because they couldn't recover from what happened last late March and early April.

644
00:44:28,540 --> 00:44:32,000
 And, of course, part of that was the suspension of Jerickson Profar.

645
00:44:32,160 --> 00:44:38,120
 But for them to get off to the good start, which follows up, by the way, as I said on this show and others,

646
00:44:38,680 --> 00:44:40,160
 you know, the great spring they had.

647
00:44:40,240 --> 00:44:45,040
 They were really successful in spring down the Grapefruit League, which I think was important.

648
00:44:45,040 --> 00:44:55,760
 I mean, they were able to really kind of set the tone for what they needed to do to not have the same type of beginning of the season they had a year ago.

649
00:44:56,140 --> 00:44:57,940
 And that made a huge difference for them.

650
00:44:58,060 --> 00:44:59,820
 I mean, there's no question about that.

651
00:45:00,040 --> 00:45:03,720
 And so it's been a good three weeks.

652
00:45:04,180 --> 00:45:05,500
 They play the Phillies tonight.

653
00:45:05,700 --> 00:45:07,340
 The Phillies are three back of Atlanta.

654
00:45:08,080 --> 00:45:09,040
 Mets are tumbling.

655
00:45:09,700 --> 00:45:10,760
 They've lost eight in a row.

656
00:45:10,880 --> 00:45:12,100
 They're five back of Atlanta.

657
00:45:12,900 --> 00:45:18,860
 So that's always – that's why the sky is real blue today is because God don't like the Mets.

658
00:45:19,020 --> 00:45:21,740
 And he's made sure that the sky is real blue.

659
00:45:21,920 --> 00:45:24,280
 So, you know, it's a really good start.

660
00:45:24,360 --> 00:45:27,320
 That pitching has been really the surprise to me.

661
00:45:27,480 --> 00:45:31,200
 I mean, I thought they were going to score some runs, Brad, and I'm not surprised about that.

662
00:45:31,600 --> 00:45:35,020
 But, boy, that pitching has just been a great thing for sure.

663
00:45:36,300 --> 00:45:37,540
 Bill Shane's taking up with us.

664
00:45:37,560 --> 00:45:39,000
 You know what's refreshing about that?

665
00:45:39,000 --> 00:45:41,280
 The Mets and the Dodgers, they break the bank.

666
00:45:41,420 --> 00:45:43,580
 The Dodgers, they get a return on their investment.

667
00:45:43,800 --> 00:45:50,580
 But the Mets, if I'm the Braves, I'm subsidizing that management team up there to keep on making those decisions.

668
00:45:50,740 --> 00:45:56,880
 But speaking of that, your thoughts just about the brain trust with the Braves basically keeping this roster together,

669
00:45:56,960 --> 00:46:00,940
 a lot of poo-poo in the offseason, naming Walt Weiss was a bit of a gamble.

670
00:46:01,120 --> 00:46:04,900
 But your thoughts just about that standpoint and especially compared to the Mets?

671
00:46:05,440 --> 00:46:09,100
 Well, I think Walt was a good choice, and I said it when they made the choice.

672
00:46:09,340 --> 00:46:10,460
 I really do.

673
00:46:10,620 --> 00:46:20,880
 I mean, I think he's kind of continuing the Brian Snicker and Bobby Cox trend of having someone that knows what that uniform is all about,

674
00:46:21,560 --> 00:46:24,960
 knows what the front of the uniform is compared to the back name on the uniform,

675
00:46:25,100 --> 00:46:27,920
 unlike some people that play right field for the Braves.

676
00:46:28,040 --> 00:46:32,480
 But nonetheless, I think the – I mean, they're cheap, don't get me wrong.

677
00:46:32,480 --> 00:46:37,520
 They're still not spending the money they should compared to all the money they're making in that stadium.

678
00:46:37,840 --> 00:46:40,720
 It's ridiculous, I think, of how cheap they are.

679
00:46:40,900 --> 00:46:53,360
 And I'm telling you, if anybody in Alabama is kin to Elon Musk, get him to buy the Atlanta Braves because they need to be in the hands of someone else

680
00:46:53,360 --> 00:47:00,500
 instead of that publicly traded stuff that they did, which is just not good.

681
00:47:01,060 --> 00:47:06,380
 And it's – tell you what, maybe you don't know about this, but because they're a publicly traded company,

682
00:47:06,820 --> 00:47:12,280
 they've got an additional tax on their payroll, and I don't know what the exact rule is,

683
00:47:12,320 --> 00:47:17,920
 but it's something about the number of millionaires you have on your payroll when you're a publicly traded company.

684
00:47:18,300 --> 00:47:20,580
 Well, h***, for the Braves, that's awful.

685
00:47:20,820 --> 00:47:22,460
 That screws them horribly bad.

686
00:47:22,460 --> 00:47:30,640
 They're going to have to pay a huge tax bill that is not going to have to be a worry with other baseball teams

687
00:47:30,640 --> 00:47:36,020
 because of their stupid decision to go public with this team, which, you know,

688
00:47:36,200 --> 00:47:42,480
 to me, that takes away from the desire to be a winner first.

689
00:47:42,620 --> 00:47:45,080
 We've got to make sure our shareholders are happy.

690
00:47:45,200 --> 00:47:45,720
 Thank you.

691
00:47:45,920 --> 00:47:48,220
 You think Ted Turner gave a d*** about it?

692
00:47:48,300 --> 00:47:49,440
 He didn't have any of that.

693
00:47:49,480 --> 00:47:52,080
 He wanted to make his fans happy because he wanted to win.

694
00:47:52,600 --> 00:47:56,980
 And these guys are just – so don't get me started.

695
00:47:57,340 --> 00:48:01,380
 We'd preempt fine bomb, and, I mean, that ought to happen anyway, but still.

696
00:48:01,380 --> 00:48:04,500
 You bring up a good point, Bill.

697
00:48:04,540 --> 00:48:07,480
 For anyone who's ever worked for a big corporation, it's real simple.

698
00:48:07,520 --> 00:48:08,240
 It ain't complicated.

699
00:48:08,340 --> 00:48:09,920
 They live in a 90-day world.

700
00:48:10,520 --> 00:48:13,680
 They come out and they tell Wall Street what the number is in this quarter,

701
00:48:13,800 --> 00:48:17,760
 and if they don't hit it, then they're down here with us fishing for Brim on the bank of the lake

702
00:48:17,760 --> 00:48:18,840
 because they can't afford a boat.

703
00:48:19,160 --> 00:48:22,820
 So everything comes back to squeezing that dollar in that 90-day period,

704
00:48:22,820 --> 00:48:27,260
 and if it works fantastic, as long as they hit their numbers, they really don't care.

705
00:48:27,480 --> 00:48:29,000
 I'm not saying it may be the case there.

706
00:48:29,000 --> 00:48:32,560
 I'm not familiar, but I work for big corporations, and that's what it's all about.

707
00:48:33,020 --> 00:48:33,720
 Oh, it is.

708
00:48:34,600 --> 00:48:39,540
 And to have a baseball team under that umbrella like that, I mean, look,

709
00:48:39,580 --> 00:48:47,660
 I'm sure that when the decision was made to do that, I understand about, all right,

710
00:48:47,680 --> 00:48:49,800
 the more money we make, the more money we can put in the team,

711
00:48:49,860 --> 00:48:55,920
 but now the consequences of that tax are going to be pretty impactful because, well,

712
00:48:55,960 --> 00:48:59,880
 instead of spending another – I don't know how much it is, but let's just say it's $20 million.

713
00:49:00,440 --> 00:49:06,200
 You know, a $20 million tax a day you're going to have from the IRS that other teams

714
00:49:06,200 --> 00:49:08,520
 aren't going to have because they're a publicly traded company.

715
00:49:08,900 --> 00:49:12,580
 Well, if you had to bid a publicly traded company, you could have spent that $20 million

716
00:49:12,580 --> 00:49:14,040
 on a d*** starting pitcher.

717
00:49:14,600 --> 00:49:15,040
 Thank you.

718
00:49:16,600 --> 00:49:21,980
 Speaking of pitchers, your boys in the minor leagues, J.R., Ritchie, and Fuentes,

719
00:49:22,840 --> 00:49:28,460
 threw seven games in AAA, 4-0, 1.64 ERA.

720
00:49:28,460 --> 00:49:30,660
 May, does that also make you feel good?

721
00:49:32,220 --> 00:49:34,320
 Well, the pitching's in really good shape now.

722
00:49:34,460 --> 00:49:38,160
 I mean, Spencer Strider had a rehab appearance last night, Brad,

723
00:49:38,720 --> 00:49:42,680
 and so he's, you know, a couple weeks back, and they think early May,

724
00:49:42,740 --> 00:49:46,720
 that's what Walt said earlier this week, but that's two weeks away,

725
00:49:46,800 --> 00:49:49,340
 so he's going to have a couple more rehab starts,

726
00:49:49,340 --> 00:49:52,240
 and if the oblique continues to be okay, then he'll be fine.

727
00:49:52,660 --> 00:49:55,740
 That means you're going to have a pretty good rotation as long as those five,

728
00:49:56,300 --> 00:50:01,280
 Sell, Strider, Holmes, Lopez, and Elder can stay healthy.

729
00:50:01,880 --> 00:50:04,360
 And then you've got, at some point coming back, you know,

730
00:50:04,440 --> 00:50:07,240
 you've got Spencer Schwellenbach, you've got Hurston Waldrop,

731
00:50:07,320 --> 00:50:11,340
 you've got A.J. Smith-Schalber, who is starting to throw down in Florida now

732
00:50:11,340 --> 00:50:13,800
 from recovering from Tommy John surgery.

733
00:50:14,240 --> 00:50:20,400
 And then you do have Fuentes and Riley, so, you know, that's a great luxury to have.

734
00:50:20,540 --> 00:50:22,400
 I mean, they still still sign the starting pitcher,

735
00:50:22,580 --> 00:50:26,860
 but I think they rolled the dice on it, and so far it's worked out well.

736
00:50:27,340 --> 00:50:30,720
 I hope it'll continue for them, but, you know,

737
00:50:30,740 --> 00:50:34,260
 I'm still a little concerned about Holmes and Lopez surviving.

738
00:50:34,800 --> 00:50:36,100
 You know, they've made four starts.

739
00:50:36,180 --> 00:50:37,400
 Can they make 26 more?

740
00:50:37,460 --> 00:50:38,620
 I don't know the answer to that.

741
00:50:38,620 --> 00:50:42,280
 So, that's a big question that they have about that.

742
00:50:42,400 --> 00:50:45,440
 But I think right now we've got to look at the situation and say, okay,

743
00:50:45,840 --> 00:50:47,160
 are they okay in Atlanta right now?

744
00:50:47,220 --> 00:50:47,420
 Yeah.

745
00:50:47,700 --> 00:50:49,740
 Are they going to be better in two weeks with Strider?

746
00:50:49,860 --> 00:50:50,100
 Yeah.

747
00:50:50,380 --> 00:50:52,980
 Could they be better after the all-star break for those injured players?

748
00:50:53,320 --> 00:50:53,640
 Yeah.

749
00:50:54,000 --> 00:50:59,840
 Could they be even better if Riley, I mean, J.R. and Didier Fuentes come up?

750
00:51:00,180 --> 00:51:00,980
 Yeah, you know.

751
00:51:00,980 --> 00:51:06,220
 So, I mean, that's a lot of positives that can hopefully negate any type of injury

752
00:51:06,220 --> 00:51:09,200
 that pops up because you know it will at some point.

753
00:51:09,660 --> 00:51:09,900
 Oh, yeah.

754
00:51:10,500 --> 00:51:10,980
 Absolutely.

755
00:51:11,720 --> 00:51:16,600
 Well, listen, Harold and I and the majority of our listeners are certainly glad to know

756
00:51:16,600 --> 00:51:19,120
 Georgia's going to have a competitive football team.

757
00:51:19,420 --> 00:51:19,740
 Yes.

758
00:51:19,860 --> 00:51:23,460
 This coming fall, good luck with the spring game tomorrow.

759
00:51:24,060 --> 00:51:27,940
 The Braves hopefully will have a good weekend in Philly.

760
00:51:28,360 --> 00:51:34,700
 Now, if any of our listeners would like to call in and give their opinion of Georgia

761
00:51:34,700 --> 00:51:40,940
 football, baseball, the Braves, or how bad Alabama's going to beat Georgia in October

762
00:51:40,940 --> 00:51:43,240
 at Bryant-Denny Stadium, where can they go?

763
00:51:43,960 --> 00:51:48,740
 Well, I tell you, I think that all your listeners ought to listen to my show because I'm going to

764
00:51:48,740 --> 00:51:52,220
 be talking about the Atlanta Hawks, and they obviously aren't going to hear that on this

765
00:51:52,220 --> 00:51:54,800
 show, which is really a disappointment.

766
00:51:55,120 --> 00:52:01,600
 I'm so sure we have a breakdown of the Hawks and Knicks, and so, I mean, I guess y'all aren't

767
00:52:01,600 --> 00:52:03,720
 going to be watching tomorrow at 6 o'clock, but...

768
00:52:03,720 --> 00:52:04,980
 Maybe not.

769
00:52:05,720 --> 00:52:06,500
 Yeah, I know.

770
00:52:06,560 --> 00:52:07,240
 I know you're not.

771
00:52:08,720 --> 00:52:10,280
 TheseSuperstations.com, we'll be on.

772
00:52:10,340 --> 00:52:11,560
 We'll be talking a little Braves.

773
00:52:11,620 --> 00:52:15,220
 We'll be talking a little spring football, and we'll talk Hawks, too.

774
00:52:16,120 --> 00:52:17,160
 Well, you mentioned the Hawks.

775
00:52:17,200 --> 00:52:17,740
 You're right, Bill.

776
00:52:17,740 --> 00:52:21,280
 We could talk more hockey talk, but we'll work on that, okay, Bill?

777
00:52:21,900 --> 00:52:24,360
 Yeah, those Blackhawks are playing well right now, aren't they?

778
00:52:24,560 --> 00:52:25,260
 Oh, me.

779
00:52:26,480 --> 00:52:28,240
 The one, the only, Bill Shanks.

780
00:52:28,340 --> 00:52:30,980
 Check him out at TheSuperstations.com.

781
00:52:30,980 --> 00:52:37,120
 BB, quickly, good news for North Alabama going forward when it comes to softball in the SEC.

782
00:52:37,780 --> 00:52:42,640
 Harold, we'll talk about this more next week, but the Madison City Council literally voted

783
00:52:42,640 --> 00:52:51,580
 this morning on the resolution to bring the SEC softball tournament to Toyota Field beginning

784
00:52:51,580 --> 00:52:53,260
 in 2027.

785
00:52:53,620 --> 00:52:59,660
 It also helps to be five minutes away from an airport, but that is absolutely incredible deal

786
00:52:59,660 --> 00:53:08,560
 for North Alabama, the city of Huntsville, in Madison to be hosting the SEC softball tournament,

787
00:53:08,700 --> 00:53:11,620
 and we'll discuss it more in detail next week.

788
00:53:11,620 --> 00:53:15,620
 I call the Field a toy because it's Toyota Field, but if you've ever been there, you know

789
00:53:15,620 --> 00:53:17,280
 it is a jewel for a fan.

790
00:53:17,460 --> 00:53:22,740
 Easy in, easy out, and a great venue, so congratulations to the city of Madison.

791
00:53:23,240 --> 00:53:27,080
 Coming up the next hour, we're going to be talking the Auburn Tigers on the day before the spring

792
00:53:27,080 --> 00:53:28,240
 fling with Justin Ferguson.

793
00:53:28,400 --> 00:53:32,200
 Doug Seger is going to be talking about everything when it comes to Titan Tigers, and Larry Vaught.

794
00:53:33,040 --> 00:53:34,800
 Are they blue in bluegrass country?

795
00:53:34,900 --> 00:53:37,560
 We'll check in with Larry on that and more straight ahead of the Boom Up Bug Show.

796
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 1819 News.

860
00:56:45,500 --> 00:56:52,360
 U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville is calling out ActBlue, which is the online fundraising platform for the Democratic Party.

861
00:56:52,720 --> 00:56:59,200
 Tuberville was on Fox News on Thursday when the ongoing question came up about ActBlue's illegal foreign donations.

862
00:56:59,200 --> 00:57:02,760
 You know, there's people that have been interviewed that said, hey, your name was on ActBlue.

863
00:57:03,000 --> 00:57:10,620
 Said, I've never heard of it, but you gave, you know, $20,000 in a two-year period over months and months, and so I've never heard of that.

864
00:57:10,760 --> 00:57:17,560
 It is a complete scam, but there's no possible way they can raise the money they've been raising unless they go out of the country, use foreign money.

865
00:57:17,780 --> 00:57:19,480
 You know, they don't want to clean up their voting rolls.

866
00:57:19,580 --> 00:57:22,280
 They don't want the Save America Act, no voter ID.

867
00:57:22,280 --> 00:57:27,580
 This is just another piece of the puzzle of what the corrupt Democrats do when it comes to elections,

868
00:57:27,840 --> 00:57:29,380
 and ActBlue is crooked.

869
00:57:29,700 --> 00:57:33,380
 The problem is nobody will do anything about it, and they'll continue to do it.

870
00:57:33,480 --> 00:57:39,000
 So why complain about it if we're not going to put anybody's feet to the fire and make them pay the price for breaking the law?

871
00:57:39,280 --> 00:57:41,740
 I'll be back with more Alabama stories after this.

872
00:57:43,220 --> 00:57:46,160
 The news cycle can be overwhelming, to say the least.

873
00:57:46,680 --> 00:57:54,740
 Andrea Tice cuts you all the noise with the daily detail from 1819 News, Alabama and national news in just 10 to 15 minutes.

874
00:57:55,200 --> 00:57:57,240
 What you need to know before you start your day.

875
00:57:58,340 --> 00:58:01,040
 Find the daily detail wherever you get your podcast.

876
00:58:01,740 --> 00:58:07,280
 The principal at Berry Middle School in Hoover has returned to work after being arrested this past January.

877
00:58:07,740 --> 00:58:12,080
 Shontaria Culpepper was charged with a DUI by Birmingham police on January 1st.

878
00:58:12,260 --> 00:58:17,500
 The spokesperson for the Hoover City Schools told WBRC News that the administration is aware of the case

879
00:58:17,500 --> 00:58:20,580
 and that it occurred off campus and outside of work hours.

880
00:58:21,140 --> 00:58:25,220
 Oak Mountain State Park is offering the newest way to camp, which is called glamping.

881
00:58:25,220 --> 00:58:32,120
 This week, the Timberline glamping tents with a safari theme were officially opened up for use by the public at that park.

882
00:58:32,660 --> 00:58:33,340
 I'm Andrea Tice.

883
00:58:33,600 --> 00:58:37,220
 For more news affecting Alabamians, go to 1819news.com.

884
00:58:38,000 --> 00:58:40,220
 And while you're there, subscribe to the daily newsletter.

885
00:58:43,600 --> 00:58:49,300
 Valley Broadcasting Corporation, WITK FM, Rogersville, Athens, Decatur, The Shores.

886
00:58:49,480 --> 00:58:51,640
 Sports Radio 93.9, The Score.

887
00:58:53,680 --> 00:58:57,440
 Boomo Bugg on 93.9, The Score.

888
00:58:58,440 --> 00:59:02,480
 What do you say we go to, literally, the home of the champions?

889
00:59:02,840 --> 00:59:05,300
 Wife wins national championships in football.

890
00:59:05,460 --> 00:59:07,600
 Husband wins national championships in basketball.

891
00:59:08,740 --> 00:59:10,800
 Andrea Adelson from ESPN.

892
00:59:10,940 --> 00:59:14,540
 What's in the water at the Adelson House, though, in Orlando, Florida?

893
00:59:14,640 --> 00:59:15,380
 How are you?

894
00:59:16,120 --> 00:59:17,120
 Well, I'm doing great, fellas.

895
00:59:17,200 --> 00:59:21,220
 You know we're home to the two best universities in the whole entire world.

896
00:59:21,240 --> 00:59:22,120
 I've heard that.

897
00:59:22,240 --> 00:59:22,780
 I've heard that.

898
00:59:22,880 --> 00:59:25,600
 It's natural that those schools win championships, fellas.

899
00:59:25,600 --> 00:59:32,320
 By the way, you may not have heard this, but Arch Manning is the starting quarterback in Texas.

900
00:59:32,620 --> 00:59:33,680
 You can confirm that?

901
00:59:34,200 --> 00:59:34,380
 What?

902
00:59:34,500 --> 00:59:35,560
 You can confirm that?

903
00:59:37,220 --> 00:59:38,580
 The summer of March.

904
00:59:38,800 --> 00:59:39,760
 You heard it first here.

905
00:59:39,760 --> 00:59:40,940
 The summer of March.

906
00:59:43,040 --> 00:59:44,820
 Hey, Reese Davis, take that.

907
00:59:45,260 --> 00:59:46,000
 Oh, baby.

908
00:59:48,480 --> 00:59:48,920
 Yeah.

909
00:59:48,920 --> 00:59:53,140
 The Boomo Bugg Show, weekdays noon to 2 on 93.9, The Score.

910
00:59:54,060 --> 00:59:56,320
 93.9, The Score weather.

911
00:59:56,920 --> 00:59:58,700
 Today, sunny with a high around 90.

912
00:59:59,340 --> 01:00:01,480
 Tonight, mostly clear with a low near 65.

913
01:00:02,180 --> 01:00:06,200
 Tomorrow, partly sunny with a 50% chance of afternoon showers and a high around 85.

914
01:00:07,080 --> 01:00:11,120
 Tomorrow night, mostly cloudy with a 70% chance of showers overnight and a low near 45.

915
01:00:12,020 --> 01:00:14,640
 And for Sunday, mostly sunny with a high around 70.

916
01:00:15,000 --> 01:00:17,620
 Your weather from 93.9, The Score.

917
01:00:21,620 --> 01:00:30,560
 Now, get ready to roll, Shoals, Decatur, Athens, and all of northwest Alabama and southern Tennessee.

918
01:00:31,180 --> 01:00:34,500
 It's time for the Valley's exclusive FM Sports Voice.

919
01:00:37,400 --> 01:00:40,020
 The Boomo Bugg Show.

920
01:00:40,400 --> 01:00:42,500
 Your exclusive inside track to the Tide.

921
01:00:42,640 --> 01:00:45,600
 Tigers, Tennessee, and the rest of the SEC.

922
01:00:46,400 --> 01:00:51,780
 Now, your host, Harold Bugg, on 93.9, The Score.

923
01:00:52,380 --> 01:00:54,380
 Welcome back in our tour of the Boomo Bugg Show.

924
01:00:54,480 --> 01:00:56,000
 I'm Harold Bugg, alongside Brett Beaird.

925
01:00:56,080 --> 01:00:58,900
 Thank you so much for giving us a ride around the Tennessee Valley.

926
01:00:59,040 --> 01:01:04,580
 Maybe it's time to say hello to the man who's busier than the horses at Churchill Downs these days.

927
01:01:04,680 --> 01:01:07,960
 In Kentucky, Larry Vaught, 30 keepers.

928
01:01:07,960 --> 01:01:15,980
 Slash websites up in the Bluegrass State, on at WPBKFM, on UK Sports Minute, on radio stations for Edge Media.

929
01:01:16,440 --> 01:01:21,400
 They're at WLAP and also the feature man at Topps Magazine, Larry Vaught.

930
01:01:21,520 --> 01:01:22,100
 Welcome in.

931
01:01:22,180 --> 01:01:22,940
 How are you?

932
01:01:23,600 --> 01:01:24,620
 I'm doing fine.

933
01:01:24,700 --> 01:01:30,860
 And I just want to warn you guys, go ahead and enjoy poking fun at me and having all you can for the next few months.

934
01:01:30,860 --> 01:01:39,180
 But this fall, a basketball player from Huntsville is going to be attending Center College, and I'm going to find out all about you guys from him.

935
01:01:39,320 --> 01:01:42,420
 I'm going to get all the insights that I don't know, but I'm not on air.

936
01:01:42,740 --> 01:01:47,500
 We've got Tripp Mason coming up here from, I believe it is, Whitesburg, I believe it is.

937
01:01:47,680 --> 01:01:48,360
 That's correct.

938
01:01:48,620 --> 01:01:48,780
 Yeah.

939
01:01:50,140 --> 01:01:51,940
 We're looking forward to having him.

940
01:01:52,540 --> 01:01:54,620
 Yeah, in that case, Larry, it's been nice knowing you today.

941
01:01:54,700 --> 01:01:55,520
 Have a good one, okay?

942
01:01:59,200 --> 01:02:01,280
 I want to tell you what, Larry, this is no joke.

943
01:02:01,760 --> 01:02:07,240
 Huntsville may be the sleeper when it comes to, pound for pound, for high school talent, this place.

944
01:02:07,420 --> 01:02:09,020
 Brett, I don't think you would disagree with that.

945
01:02:09,100 --> 01:02:10,520
 I'm not saying it's the best in the world.

946
01:02:10,780 --> 01:02:12,400
 I'm just talking about apples to apples.

947
01:02:12,540 --> 01:02:14,080
 It's loaded over the years, Larry.

948
01:02:15,000 --> 01:02:15,960
 Yeah, it's true.

949
01:02:16,040 --> 01:02:19,100
 I remember my first trip to Huntsville was to see Marvin Stone.

950
01:02:19,940 --> 01:02:22,660
 That's right, Grissel High School, back in the day.

951
01:02:23,760 --> 01:02:28,040
 Larry, let's talk a little bit about this Kentucky basketball team.

952
01:02:28,040 --> 01:02:33,020
 The commings and the goings, and obviously, some name from your neck of the woods caught

953
01:02:33,020 --> 01:02:36,220
 some eyes of Alabama fans over the last few days.

954
01:02:37,080 --> 01:02:40,080
 Brandon Garrison leaving the Bluegrass State for Tuscaloosa.

955
01:02:40,240 --> 01:02:42,900
 What can you tell us about one Brandon Garrison?

956
01:02:43,900 --> 01:02:45,560
 I thought you were going to actually have two.

957
01:02:45,660 --> 01:02:50,080
 I thought for a while Jasper Johnson might be coming also, but I don't think that has

958
01:02:50,080 --> 01:02:51,680
 quite worked out at all.

959
01:02:51,680 --> 01:02:58,080
 But Brandon Garrison, he's a guy that you can love, hate, and love all in the same game.

960
01:02:58,660 --> 01:03:02,380
 He can be spectacular at times.

961
01:03:02,920 --> 01:03:08,120
 He can be just, for lack of a better word, just lazy, getting up and down the court at times.

962
01:03:08,240 --> 01:03:10,260
 And he can turn right back around and be spectacular.

963
01:03:10,400 --> 01:03:12,900
 I mean, he can really guard all five positions.

964
01:03:13,460 --> 01:03:17,640
 And while he's not an outside threat, he can step outside.

965
01:03:17,780 --> 01:03:21,400
 And if you just ignore him, he can make the three-point shot or two.

966
01:03:21,460 --> 01:03:25,140
 And he'll probably get to take more of them with Alabama than he did at Kentucky.

967
01:03:25,340 --> 01:03:26,720
 And he's a good rim protector.

968
01:03:27,220 --> 01:03:34,180
 And I actually think that Nate Oates will probably be a better coach for him because I think when

969
01:03:34,180 --> 01:03:39,060
 he does some of his, if he tries some of the lollagagging and laziness that he got by with

970
01:03:39,060 --> 01:03:43,560
 under Mark Pope, I just don't, and maybe I'm wrong, but I just don't see Nate Oates putting

971
01:03:43,560 --> 01:03:43,960
 up with that.

972
01:03:44,020 --> 01:03:46,020
 And I think that'll light a kind of a spark in Brandon.

973
01:03:46,420 --> 01:03:48,460
 And I think he could be terrific in Nate's system.

974
01:03:48,920 --> 01:03:50,820
 Does that not drive you crazy as a fan?

975
01:03:50,960 --> 01:03:54,600
 For the life of me, if I had that much talent, I'd say, my goodness, thank you, good Lord.

976
01:03:54,600 --> 01:03:58,080
 I can't imagine having that much potential, that much talent.

977
01:03:58,180 --> 01:04:02,120
 You can't be on the SEC hardwoods, even on a bad team, and not have some talent.

978
01:04:02,240 --> 01:04:03,320
 Does that not drive you crazy?

979
01:04:03,420 --> 01:04:07,540
 What does it take, especially in this era when these kids, I like what John Somerhal said,

980
01:04:07,600 --> 01:04:10,860
 the new Florida football coach says, your employees, get busy, earn it.

981
01:04:11,560 --> 01:04:11,740
 Yeah.

982
01:04:12,180 --> 01:04:12,340
 Yeah.

983
01:04:12,520 --> 01:04:16,440
 Of course, it's kind of funny coming from coaches when I read their contracts and what they're

984
01:04:16,440 --> 01:04:18,100
 making, what gets me.

985
01:04:19,360 --> 01:04:24,580
 Let's say you get a coach and giving him $500,000, which my coach is true.

986
01:04:24,920 --> 01:04:25,500
 Salary's hidden.

987
01:04:25,880 --> 01:04:32,000
 But get this, if Kentucky makes the NCAA tournament or makes the Sweet 16 or makes the Elite Eight

988
01:04:32,000 --> 01:04:35,280
 or wins the SEC and all, he gets bonuses.

989
01:04:35,780 --> 01:04:37,840
 Yeah, well, they do a painting to lose 14 games.

990
01:04:37,900 --> 01:04:38,620
 That's right.

991
01:04:38,760 --> 01:04:40,000
 That's what you're hired to do.

992
01:04:40,080 --> 01:04:40,400
 Absolutely.

993
01:04:41,460 --> 01:04:44,680
 Mike, that'd be like saying, if you guys do your radio show, we'll give you extra.

994
01:04:46,860 --> 01:04:48,300
 How do you spell extra, Larry?

995
01:04:48,300 --> 01:04:58,620
 Larry, let me ask you about one more in basketball that, according to some reports, Alabama, Kentucky

996
01:04:58,620 --> 01:05:01,080
 may be battling for him at the portal.

997
01:05:01,900 --> 01:05:04,320
 Alex Wilkins from Furman.

998
01:05:04,500 --> 01:05:07,500
 He's a 6'5 shooting guard.

999
01:05:08,020 --> 01:05:11,300
 I believe he was averaging 16 points a game at Furman.

1000
01:05:11,580 --> 01:05:17,060
 And supposedly, at least there at Alabama and Kentucky may be in his top two.

1001
01:05:17,160 --> 01:05:18,740
 I don't know who the others are.

1002
01:05:19,280 --> 01:05:26,180
 Larry, what have you heard about Alex Wilkins in a, quote, battle between Alabama and Kentucky?

1003
01:05:27,180 --> 01:05:30,800
 Well, up here, the thinking is there's not a battle.

1004
01:05:30,980 --> 01:05:32,540
 The thinking is that Kentucky's got him.

1005
01:05:33,020 --> 01:05:34,920
 Kentucky's going to be a national championship team.

1006
01:05:35,220 --> 01:05:38,800
 Now, if he picks Alabama or somewhere else, he won't be that good anyway if we want the

1007
01:05:38,800 --> 01:05:40,900
 scenario that the Kentucky Panthers will be.

1008
01:05:41,120 --> 01:05:46,800
 But, yeah, I think Kentucky is really, really high on him and likes their positioning with

1009
01:05:46,800 --> 01:05:47,120
 him.

1010
01:05:47,340 --> 01:05:49,440
 But, again, I think it's like some others.

1011
01:05:49,600 --> 01:05:55,440
 Once he gets away from campus and doesn't commit, Kentucky's had a hard time closing deals.

1012
01:05:55,440 --> 01:05:58,940
 I mean, it's the same with Donnie Freeman out of Syracuse.

1013
01:05:59,100 --> 01:06:00,280
 They felt good about him.

1014
01:06:00,480 --> 01:06:02,160
 But they haven't closed the deal yet.

1015
01:06:02,380 --> 01:06:04,600
 So, I've still got to see it to believe it.

1016
01:06:04,640 --> 01:06:09,660
 Because if you just look at the systems and what system you think would fit Wilkins better,

1017
01:06:10,240 --> 01:06:11,560
 I mean, I'd be going to Alabama.

1018
01:06:11,680 --> 01:06:13,480
 If I'm a three-point shooter, I'm going to Alabama.

1019
01:06:13,840 --> 01:06:16,400
 Because they've shown me they're going to get me three-point shots.

1020
01:06:17,160 --> 01:06:21,740
 To me, it's not still shown he's got to run an offense that'll help you get open to get

1021
01:06:21,740 --> 01:06:22,120
 shots.

1022
01:06:22,120 --> 01:06:23,740
 So, I don't know.

1023
01:06:24,020 --> 01:06:27,660
 Kentucky's got a lot of eggs in his basket right now.

1024
01:06:27,760 --> 01:06:33,940
 Because if they don't get him, the big blue nation is going to be really, really upset with

1025
01:06:33,940 --> 01:06:34,840
 what's going on.

1026
01:06:34,900 --> 01:06:38,300
 They're putting a lot of faith in a player from Furman.

1027
01:06:38,480 --> 01:06:40,440
 And he may turn out to be the greatest thing ever next year.

1028
01:06:40,920 --> 01:06:45,180
 But to think that you're sitting here as a Kentucky fan, and right now you're feeling like the

1029
01:06:45,180 --> 01:06:48,520
 fate of your next year's team is hanging on a transfer from Furman.

1030
01:06:49,160 --> 01:06:55,640
 Well, Larry, of all of all views, to your point about the three-point philosophy of Tuscaloosa,

1031
01:06:55,820 --> 01:06:57,980
 you get called out and benched if you don't shoot it.

1032
01:06:58,100 --> 01:06:59,140
 That's a true story.

1033
01:06:59,260 --> 01:07:00,380
 That's not an exaggeration.

1034
01:07:00,540 --> 01:07:02,060
 But, Larry, you mentioned that.

1035
01:07:02,740 --> 01:07:03,540
 Let's face it.

1036
01:07:03,600 --> 01:07:07,160
 I would assume the honeymoon is definitely over in your backyard for Mark Pope.

1037
01:07:08,300 --> 01:07:10,000
 There's no mulligans going forward.

1038
01:07:10,040 --> 01:07:10,960
 Would you agree with that?

1039
01:07:11,020 --> 01:07:13,680
 If he doesn't hit the numbers next year, what happens to Mark Pope?

1040
01:07:14,340 --> 01:07:17,020
 No, the divorce court's already open.

1041
01:07:17,160 --> 01:07:20,180
 There's already been inquiries made about what it would take.

1042
01:07:20,760 --> 01:07:24,620
 I mean, they're going to have a new athletic director that will be announced sometime in

1043
01:07:24,620 --> 01:07:28,240
 the next few months, which would make it a lot easier for an athletic director that didn't

1044
01:07:28,240 --> 01:07:33,020
 hire you to let you go than what it would be for the athletic director that did hire you.

1045
01:07:33,400 --> 01:07:38,060
 So, yeah, I think Mark knows he just can't come in and lose 14 games again, no matter what

1046
01:07:38,060 --> 01:07:43,140
 he pays for the payroll, whether it's the highest paid, the 48th highest paid, or whatever.

1047
01:07:43,600 --> 01:07:48,500
 He just can't do that and have the disconnect that he has with players.

1048
01:07:49,400 --> 01:07:53,120
 And it's just some people don't want to believe it, but it's just a fact.

1049
01:07:53,220 --> 01:07:54,240
 He just had a disconnect.

1050
01:07:54,900 --> 01:07:59,540
 Now, what you don't know, is it a one-year thing, or is that a trend when he tried to

1051
01:07:59,540 --> 01:08:03,620
 go out and recruit a little bit higher-quality guy than what he did the year before?

1052
01:08:03,900 --> 01:08:05,400
 It just didn't work out with him.

1053
01:08:05,760 --> 01:08:09,700
 And so that's why I'm anxious to see what he's going to end up doing right now.

1054
01:08:09,780 --> 01:08:14,340
 I mean, he's got Zoom Diallo from Washington, who's been a really good player out there two

1055
01:08:14,340 --> 01:08:15,860
 years, but they've had losing records.

1056
01:08:16,280 --> 01:08:21,760
 So it's not like you're going into a top-level team and lured somebody from there.

1057
01:08:21,940 --> 01:08:23,020
 So I don't know.

1058
01:08:23,080 --> 01:08:27,440
 They've only got one out of the transfer portal so far, and it's been open a week and a half.

1059
01:08:27,800 --> 01:08:32,480
 So you're starting to kind of see other guys go other places, and the candidates are getting

1060
01:08:32,480 --> 01:08:33,360
 fewer and fewer.

1061
01:08:34,060 --> 01:08:39,680
 So if they lose Wilkins, then I think a lot of people up here, because he seems like he's

1062
01:08:39,680 --> 01:08:41,240
 kind of their top target right now.

1063
01:08:42,620 --> 01:08:44,640
 Larry, spring football tomorrow.

1064
01:08:44,740 --> 01:08:46,840
 In fact, there are eight games in the SEC.

1065
01:08:47,500 --> 01:08:50,060
 A lot of people get to see Will Stein's offense.

1066
01:08:50,220 --> 01:08:51,920
 I know they're excited about that.

1067
01:08:52,500 --> 01:08:58,840
 Larry, one of the things that I've noticed was the transfers got a lot of offensive linemen,

1068
01:08:58,840 --> 01:09:05,240
 two defensive linemen, one for Purdue and South Alabama, but they got Lance Hurd from Tennessee,

1069
01:09:05,440 --> 01:09:11,920
 Max Anderson from Tennessee, Shibola from Ohio State, Ola Selina, and I'm guessing they're

1070
01:09:11,920 --> 01:09:14,800
 trying to put the big blue wall back together again.

1071
01:09:15,340 --> 01:09:18,200
 Larry, what have you heard about the spring so far?

1072
01:09:18,380 --> 01:09:20,240
 Kenny Minchie from Notre Dame.

1073
01:09:20,760 --> 01:09:24,600
 Tell us his progress, and what are you hearing about this team in spring?

1074
01:09:25,480 --> 01:09:27,680
 Well, I'll be surprised if Kentucky loses a game.

1075
01:09:30,640 --> 01:09:34,220
 Just based on what I'm hearing from spring, I mean, I don't know how they're going to lose.

1076
01:09:34,580 --> 01:09:35,360
 There you go.

1077
01:09:36,060 --> 01:09:41,960
 I mean, it's just kind of, but I imagine it's that way everywhere, so it's just kind of,

1078
01:09:42,360 --> 01:09:45,000
 but they definitely are bigger in the offensive line.

1079
01:09:45,140 --> 01:09:46,200
 They pass the look test.

1080
01:09:46,640 --> 01:09:49,680
 Whether they pass the play test or not, we'll see, but they pass the look test.

1081
01:09:50,280 --> 01:09:54,420
 Kenny Minchie, we've heard great things about him, but let's be honest, the last two years

1082
01:09:54,420 --> 01:10:00,000
 we've heard great things about Van de Grift and Calvada, and that didn't exactly play out.

1083
01:10:00,460 --> 01:10:03,800
 So, supposedly we get to see some things tomorrow in the spring game.

1084
01:10:04,000 --> 01:10:07,580
 That'll give you a little bit better idea, but they've got 15 guys on the disabled list

1085
01:10:07,580 --> 01:10:11,620
 tomorrow, so you're not going to see some of the players that they're counting on

1086
01:10:11,620 --> 01:10:15,880
 the most, but the best thing they've got going right now, I think, is the momentum

1087
01:10:15,880 --> 01:10:16,840
 they've got in recruiting.

1088
01:10:17,500 --> 01:10:18,820
 You haven't played a game.

1089
01:10:19,140 --> 01:10:21,460
 You can kind of live off what Stein did at Oregon.

1090
01:10:21,620 --> 01:10:24,560
 You can live off what Joe Sloan did at LSU.

1091
01:10:24,860 --> 01:10:29,560
 You can live off what Jay Bateman did at Texas A&M, and they're getting some pretty good,

1092
01:10:29,980 --> 01:10:31,360
 really good players in.

1093
01:10:31,360 --> 01:10:36,200
 I mean, they got Tank Proctor that flipped from Auburn to Kentucky yesterday.

1094
01:10:36,400 --> 01:10:38,380
 I mean, how can you not want a football player named Tank?

1095
01:10:38,820 --> 01:10:41,980
 I mean, we've never had Tank at Kentucky, so I'm all for it.

1096
01:10:42,680 --> 01:10:45,000
 I like having a tank on my team.

1097
01:10:45,160 --> 01:10:47,200
 I mean, it just sounds like he can play.

1098
01:10:47,840 --> 01:10:54,920
 And they got the commitment from the number two quarterback in the 2027 recruiting class

1099
01:10:54,920 --> 01:10:59,780
 a couple days ago, and that's going to help them, I think, a bunch.

1100
01:11:00,180 --> 01:11:02,920
 But still, can Kenny Minchie play or not play?

1101
01:11:03,140 --> 01:11:06,720
 That's why we really won't know that until probably the second game of the season

1102
01:11:06,720 --> 01:11:10,340
 when they play Alabama, and that's going to be probably the biggest game of the year

1103
01:11:10,340 --> 01:11:11,460
 for Kentucky.

1104
01:11:11,580 --> 01:11:13,340
 And I would like to think they're going to be better.

1105
01:11:13,800 --> 01:11:17,780
 But at this time, really, if you try to be realistic and look at their roster,

1106
01:11:18,360 --> 01:11:22,500
 there's no reason today to think that their team is any better than what the team was

1107
01:11:22,500 --> 01:11:24,260
 last year at this same time.

1108
01:11:24,520 --> 01:11:27,920
 Now, that team last year kind of tanked, for lack of a better word,

1109
01:11:27,940 --> 01:11:32,440
 and it didn't play very well because the quarterback played, didn't start out very well.

1110
01:11:33,120 --> 01:11:37,000
 At this year, if Minchie comes out hot and is really good, maybe they'll be better.

1111
01:11:37,060 --> 01:11:39,400
 Because, I mean, I think the offensive line has to be better.

1112
01:11:39,960 --> 01:11:43,340
 And I've got to think that Minchie may not be better than Cutter Bowley,

1113
01:11:43,400 --> 01:11:46,260
 but he's going to be better than what Zach Calzada was when they started the season.

1114
01:11:46,680 --> 01:11:47,960
 And that's what I'm so far behind.

1115
01:11:48,040 --> 01:11:49,260
 I could never dig out of that hole.

1116
01:11:51,820 --> 01:11:54,540
 Well, listen, that's the minor sports.

1117
01:11:54,720 --> 01:11:59,120
 I know you're going to see the sport at Kentucky now, volleyball tonight.

1118
01:11:59,120 --> 01:12:02,720
 I know you're excited about that, to say the least.

1119
01:12:03,400 --> 01:12:04,460
 Larry, great stuff.

1120
01:12:04,580 --> 01:12:06,140
 Always a joy to talk with you.

1121
01:12:06,200 --> 01:12:09,220
 It's going to be interesting to see where Kentucky ends up in the portal.

1122
01:12:09,420 --> 01:12:13,400
 And I know there are a lot of people, unfortunately, it's not on TV,

1123
01:12:13,800 --> 01:12:16,420
 would like to see what Kentucky does tomorrow.

1124
01:12:16,900 --> 01:12:19,480
 But where can we get online to get all your great stuff?

1125
01:12:19,880 --> 01:12:22,380
 Well, you can follow me on X at VoxFuse.

1126
01:12:22,760 --> 01:12:27,480
 My website is, you can go to either VoxFuse.com or YourSportsEdge.com.

1127
01:12:27,680 --> 01:12:30,400
 And that's ironic, Kentucky scheduled their game for 11 o'clock.

1128
01:12:30,820 --> 01:12:33,140
 Believing that was going to give them the chance to get on TV.

1129
01:12:33,800 --> 01:12:38,340
 And now it didn't, so they're still sitting there with an 11 a.m. spring game time.

1130
01:12:38,480 --> 01:12:41,520
 But probably in your ideal time, but it is what it is.

1131
01:12:43,160 --> 01:12:44,840
 Larry's always good to hook up with you.

1132
01:12:44,920 --> 01:12:46,000
 It's September 12th.

1133
01:12:46,000 --> 01:12:47,580
 The tides should be rolling into town.

1134
01:12:47,580 --> 01:12:49,600
 But first, enjoy yourself some Kentucky Derby.

1135
01:12:49,680 --> 01:12:50,540
 What's that, a couple of weeks?

1136
01:12:50,600 --> 01:12:51,020
 That's all.

1137
01:12:51,580 --> 01:12:53,600
 If I'm looking at the calendar right here.

1138
01:12:53,940 --> 01:12:56,440
 So, a lot on your plate, man.

1139
01:12:57,140 --> 01:12:59,760
 It's time to start drinking some mint juleps just to get in shape.

1140
01:13:02,660 --> 01:13:05,520
 Larry, is it true that they say it's never too early in Kentucky, right?

1141
01:13:06,160 --> 01:13:06,960
 Never too early.

1142
01:13:07,040 --> 01:13:07,860
 That's exactly right.

1143
01:13:08,360 --> 01:13:09,160
 Hey, Larry, listen to that.

1144
01:13:09,200 --> 01:13:10,880
 In the meantime, have a great weekend, all right?

1145
01:13:11,280 --> 01:13:12,060
 All right, you all too.

1146
01:13:12,720 --> 01:13:13,340
 Thank you, Larry.

1147
01:13:13,340 --> 01:13:15,920
 Larry Vaught, amongst other places, Vaught's Views.

1148
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 Coming up, the Hall of Famer's Views.

1149
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 Doug Sigrist on deck.

1150
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 Stay with us.

1151
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1221
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1222
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1223
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1224
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1250
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 The Score.

1262
01:18:57,020 --> 01:19:01,820
 Now, back with Boomo Bugg on 93.9 The Score.

1263
01:19:02,340 --> 01:19:03,120
 Welcome back in.

1264
01:19:03,160 --> 01:19:04,720
 It is truly a treasure for us.

1265
01:19:04,800 --> 01:19:05,800
 Say hello to Doug Sigrid.

1266
01:19:06,040 --> 01:19:12,140
 He's busy these days down in Beham, former tri-host of The Zone, ABC 3340, down to the Magic City,

1267
01:19:12,240 --> 01:19:17,000
 named one of 50 legends of the Alabama Sports Writers Association.

1268
01:19:17,160 --> 01:19:19,400
 His book is called A Storm Came Up.

1269
01:19:19,480 --> 01:19:20,300
 Doug, welcome in.

1270
01:19:20,340 --> 01:19:21,040
 How are you?

1271
01:19:21,900 --> 01:19:22,660
 I'm good.

1272
01:19:22,760 --> 01:19:24,120
 We've lost basketball.

1273
01:19:24,380 --> 01:19:28,140
 We've had at least, you know, a few spring football games.

1274
01:19:28,140 --> 01:19:36,420
 I have moved on over to Braves, following the Braves, and just loving on them again because

1275
01:19:36,420 --> 01:19:37,020
 they're good.

1276
01:19:37,880 --> 01:19:40,640
 Do we realize what that team means?

1277
01:19:40,980 --> 01:19:42,160
 I'll say this, Doug.

1278
01:19:42,220 --> 01:19:48,020
 My late mom, and I've heard others since then, while we're on that topic, it's not necessarily

1279
01:19:48,020 --> 01:19:49,020
 the wins and losses.

1280
01:19:49,020 --> 01:19:53,760
 For a lot of folks, especially those shut-ins, and the fact that the Braves are on, for a lot

1281
01:19:53,760 --> 01:19:57,220
 of these folks, they adopt them as their sons, as their neighbors.

1282
01:19:57,340 --> 01:19:59,180
 Do people realize what this team means?

1283
01:19:59,400 --> 01:20:00,780
 And a credit to Ted Turner.

1284
01:20:00,820 --> 01:20:03,060
 We talked earlier with some of the folks who are on the inside.

1285
01:20:03,520 --> 01:20:07,320
 They're not big fans of the current model because it's now a publicly traded business.

1286
01:20:07,860 --> 01:20:10,440
 Ted Turner, back in the day, said, what do I need to make them a winner?

1287
01:20:10,560 --> 01:20:11,180
 Write them a check.

1288
01:20:11,240 --> 01:20:13,580
 If I have to get in the dugout and be the manager, I do that too.

1289
01:20:14,080 --> 01:20:17,100
 But this team is more than just a team for a lot of folks, is it not?

1290
01:20:18,040 --> 01:20:21,520
 Yeah, I mean, this is a generational connection.

1291
01:20:21,880 --> 01:20:27,100
 You know, when we were growing up, the Braves on TBS, the Cubs on WDF.

1292
01:20:27,340 --> 01:20:33,180
 You know, they were the only national regions out there, and that's how I grew up.

1293
01:20:33,480 --> 01:20:39,400
 I actually became a fan at seven years old because I was living in Mobile, and I noticed

1294
01:20:39,400 --> 01:20:42,500
 that the Braves had a right filter for Mobile, Alabama.

1295
01:20:42,900 --> 01:20:43,860
 What was his name, Doug?

1296
01:20:44,900 --> 01:20:49,100
 Henry something, and it turned out to be pretty darn good.

1297
01:20:49,340 --> 01:20:51,420
 So, I kind of caught on at the right time.

1298
01:20:52,460 --> 01:20:58,340
 Doug, I think a lot of fans in the South fell in love with the Braves in 82 when they won

1299
01:20:58,340 --> 01:21:00,160
 13 consecutive games.

1300
01:21:00,880 --> 01:21:05,700
 And people say, hmm, we don't have any other teams in the South, so maybe I need to start

1301
01:21:05,700 --> 01:21:06,320
 looking at it.

1302
01:21:06,360 --> 01:21:10,260
 Now, there are some bad years after that, but I agree with you.

1303
01:21:10,500 --> 01:21:12,220
 Auburn A-Day tomorrow.

1304
01:21:12,580 --> 01:21:12,640
 Yeah.

1305
01:21:12,640 --> 01:21:19,300
 We have a first look at Alex Golich's offense, and they seem to know their identity.

1306
01:21:19,300 --> 01:21:22,520
 They're going to primarily run the ball, play action, passing.

1307
01:21:22,680 --> 01:21:25,600
 Byron Brown is a tremendous addition to them.

1308
01:21:25,740 --> 01:21:29,400
 I'm still trying to figure out the offensive line, et cetera.

1309
01:21:31,200 --> 01:21:36,120
 Unfortunately, it's not on TV, but what do you want to see from Auburn tomorrow?

1310
01:21:37,120 --> 01:21:38,700
 I want to see a little explosiveness.

1311
01:21:39,360 --> 01:21:42,720
 I think when all is said and done, they'll be able to run the ball.

1312
01:21:43,420 --> 01:21:46,820
 I think they'll be able to put a confident offensive line together.

1313
01:21:47,900 --> 01:21:50,340
 The question is, what can they do through the air?

1314
01:21:50,500 --> 01:21:53,520
 Because, listen, he's a great dual-threat quarterback.

1315
01:21:54,360 --> 01:21:58,360
 Now, even the game where South Florida gave Alabama a scare, he did it with his legs.

1316
01:21:59,540 --> 01:22:02,260
 You're losing the best receiver in the portal.

1317
01:22:03,760 --> 01:22:08,020
 Just where are you going to find the big plays without Cam Coleman?

1318
01:22:08,320 --> 01:22:10,700
 So, that's kind of where I'd focus.

1319
01:22:10,860 --> 01:22:17,660
 You know, defensively, I mean, they've taken some hits in the draft and graduation the last few years.

1320
01:22:18,240 --> 01:22:22,080
 But they really haven't missed a tick, so I'm not as worried on that side of the ball.

1321
01:22:22,880 --> 01:22:29,780
 What's going to be considered, in terms of the fans, a successful year, numbers-wise, Doug, for Auburn?

1322
01:22:32,120 --> 01:22:35,900
 I know this sounds underplaying it, but I think you've got to be realistic.

1323
01:22:36,080 --> 01:22:38,880
 I think 7-5 and getting to the ball again.

1324
01:22:39,380 --> 01:22:41,340
 You know, you've got to look at these schedules.

1325
01:22:41,600 --> 01:22:45,360
 I mean, this nine-game schedule is a big chunk.

1326
01:22:46,340 --> 01:22:50,040
 Yeah, I mean, we've seen how tough it is the last few years just with eight games.

1327
01:22:50,300 --> 01:22:56,340
 And with the addition of Texas and Oklahoma, I mean, you've just got an extra potential loss there.

1328
01:22:56,460 --> 01:23:02,220
 So, what would have been eight and four or five years ago, you know, might be a decent season at 7-5.

1329
01:23:02,640 --> 01:23:05,360
 You know, if you get 9-3, you've got to shut at the playoffs.

1330
01:23:05,840 --> 01:23:07,320
 And that's how he's talking.

1331
01:23:07,420 --> 01:23:08,740
 I just don't think that's realistic.

1332
01:23:09,520 --> 01:23:10,480
 The schedule's tough.

1333
01:23:11,020 --> 01:23:15,780
 I just think you've got to walk before you can run.

1334
01:23:16,720 --> 01:23:18,060
 So, let's stay on that theme.

1335
01:23:18,200 --> 01:23:23,660
 What would be a successful record in the eyes of Alabama fans on the other side of the state next season, Doug?

1336
01:23:25,840 --> 01:23:31,460
 Again, they're not going to want to hear this, but I think 9-3 puts you in position again.

1337
01:23:31,460 --> 01:23:37,040
 You know, Alabama's, I'm not sure Alabama's schedule top to bottom is quite as difficult,

1338
01:23:37,420 --> 01:23:41,140
 but there's like a five-week stretch where everybody's a top-25 team.

1339
01:23:41,540 --> 01:23:46,820
 And, you know, one key injury, one bad break, and all of a sudden, you know,

1340
01:23:46,900 --> 01:23:48,980
 you're heading to November already with two losses.

1341
01:23:49,740 --> 01:23:57,260
 So, I just think, just being realistic, yeah, I think 9-3 is about what you shoot for.

1342
01:23:57,260 --> 01:23:59,240
 And then you hope it breaks better.

1343
01:24:00,420 --> 01:24:04,680
 What that stood out to you last week for Alabama AD?

1344
01:24:04,880 --> 01:24:10,780
 Obviously, Keelan Russell was the star of the show, 240 yards, four touchdowns.

1345
01:24:10,840 --> 01:24:14,520
 But, again, that was one scrimmage of 15.

1346
01:24:14,640 --> 01:24:20,280
 Alabama seems to have found a kicker from Ireland who had three of three nearly effortlessly.

1347
01:24:21,620 --> 01:24:28,580
 One of the things that stands out to me is they have quietly built a lot of depth on the defensive front.

1348
01:24:29,540 --> 01:24:35,280
 Terrence Green, Devin Tompkins, the kid from USC, London Simmons, Steve Bolo.

1349
01:24:36,280 --> 01:24:41,560
 They may have the best secondary in the SEC, one in the country.

1350
01:24:42,120 --> 01:24:43,420
 They still got to run the ball.

1351
01:24:43,560 --> 01:24:45,720
 They still got to develop an offensive line.

1352
01:24:45,860 --> 01:24:48,340
 What did you learn from Alabama last Saturday?

1353
01:24:50,500 --> 01:24:53,340
 I think Keelan Russell can do special things.

1354
01:24:53,580 --> 01:25:00,500
 At the same time, I don't think he – I think we go into the fall and probably maybe the first game of the season

1355
01:25:00,500 --> 01:25:04,260
 where both are still playing and still determining things.

1356
01:25:04,340 --> 01:25:10,140
 Because I think Austin Mack gives you maybe a little more sense of security there.

1357
01:25:10,240 --> 01:25:11,840
 Because he's seen more.

1358
01:25:12,340 --> 01:25:15,420
 He hasn't played a whole lot, but he's seen more now at two different programs.

1359
01:25:16,960 --> 01:25:20,400
 And, you know, the offensive line is going to be the biggest concern.

1360
01:25:20,860 --> 01:25:24,640
 You know, they've got to be able to run the ball, and it starts up front.

1361
01:25:24,900 --> 01:25:29,800
 And there wasn't much we saw last week that would convince you that it's fixed yet.

1362
01:25:30,000 --> 01:25:37,200
 But, you know, I think once you get healthy and you continue to develop that depth, we'll see if that changes.

1363
01:25:37,460 --> 01:25:40,180
 Because that's the biggest question, more so than quarterback.

1364
01:25:41,180 --> 01:25:47,360
 Doug Seeger is looking up with us, amongst other places, named one of the 50 legends of the Alabama Sports Writers Association.

1365
01:25:47,540 --> 01:25:52,460
 Doug, you're right there in the backyard, and who better to answer this question today than you?

1366
01:25:53,820 --> 01:25:57,940
 Hoover, in the backyard, everybody says the SEC baseball tournament's in Birmingham.

1367
01:25:58,360 --> 01:26:00,400
 Things down in Hoover, they say, no, it's not.

1368
01:26:00,480 --> 01:26:01,060
 It's in Hoover.

1369
01:26:02,000 --> 01:26:11,980
 Today, the news broke that a bedroom community of Huntsville, Madison, will be hosting the SEC softball tournament starting next season into 2030.

1370
01:26:13,880 --> 01:26:20,280
 Your thoughts, what has the SEC baseball tournament meant to Hoover in terms of revenue, putting it on the map?

1371
01:26:20,280 --> 01:26:26,280
 And your thoughts about the reaction of Madison, the future home of the SEC softball tournament.

1372
01:26:27,360 --> 01:26:30,360
 It's been a big economic driver for Hoover.

1373
01:26:30,600 --> 01:26:37,040
 And even with the Barons moving downtown, a lot of people thought that would be the death knell for the Hoover Met.

1374
01:26:37,720 --> 01:26:45,600
 Instead, they've kind of created this whole sports complex there now, and they've, like, tripled the number of homes.

1375
01:26:46,040 --> 01:26:50,440
 It's just been a great economic windfall and something, you know, you look forward to.

1376
01:26:50,520 --> 01:26:58,200
 People come from all over, and I think Huntsville has the same thing, has the potential to do the same thing with the softball.

1377
01:26:59,040 --> 01:27:05,940
 You know, you've got fans coming from Texas and Oklahoma, all over the traditional SEC.

1378
01:27:06,860 --> 01:27:15,040
 And now that they know they're going to be there, you know, you develop relationships, and you know where to stay, you know where to park.

1379
01:27:15,160 --> 01:27:20,600
 And it becomes a destination, and I think this is really huge for Madison and Huntsville.

1380
01:27:21,560 --> 01:27:22,820
 No question about it.

1381
01:27:22,940 --> 01:27:24,340
 Let me just add a curiosity.

1382
01:27:24,900 --> 01:27:25,760
 You're there.

1383
01:27:26,000 --> 01:27:35,240
 A.J. McCarron, Alabama's former quarterback, now the head football coach of the Birmingham Stallions, getting his feet wet there.

1384
01:27:35,780 --> 01:27:36,960
 Doug, how are they doing?

1385
01:27:37,100 --> 01:27:38,440
 How is the league doing?

1386
01:27:38,440 --> 01:27:46,840
 Again, I will watch a little bit of it later in the year once, obviously, the spring football and basketball is over with.

1387
01:27:47,680 --> 01:27:50,120
 But what kind of job is A.J. doing?

1388
01:27:50,380 --> 01:27:51,080
 What are you hearing?

1389
01:27:52,760 --> 01:28:00,700
 Well, normally, when Skip Holtz was here, I mean, they were one of the – they were either the team to beat or one of the top two teams.

1390
01:28:01,200 --> 01:28:04,520
 And I think they're more middle of the pack now.

1391
01:28:04,900 --> 01:28:06,640
 I don't know if that's because of A.J.

1392
01:28:06,640 --> 01:28:11,860
 I think they've just put an emphasis on, you know, developing new territory.

1393
01:28:12,120 --> 01:28:14,000
 So, they've got a game Saturday.

1394
01:28:14,160 --> 01:28:18,260
 This is their, you know, fourth week, but it's their home opener and expect a good crowd.

1395
01:28:18,740 --> 01:28:22,000
 But, you know, they're going to play an undefeated team.

1396
01:28:22,420 --> 01:28:25,520
 And I think Dallas and Neuheisel.

1397
01:28:25,780 --> 01:28:29,740
 And, you know, it's just – they've been in every game.

1398
01:28:29,840 --> 01:28:31,200
 They pulled out the first one.

1399
01:28:31,320 --> 01:28:34,100
 They let the other two get away late.

1400
01:28:35,040 --> 01:28:40,420
 So, I think it's going to be a little bit more of a nail fighter this year.

1401
01:28:40,820 --> 01:28:44,480
 You know, it's not a foregone conclusion that they're going to get the best season.

1402
01:28:45,440 --> 01:28:45,880
 Absolutely.

1403
01:28:45,880 --> 01:28:52,660
 But I'm interested to see, you know, what the crowd is because there's been a real emphasis by the new president of the league.

1404
01:28:53,420 --> 01:28:57,120
 You know, you've got to pack the stands or they'll go elsewhere.

1405
01:28:57,300 --> 01:29:04,220
 I mean, Louisville, Columbus, et cetera, Dallas, you know, they have moved franchises that weren't performing.

1406
01:29:05,260 --> 01:29:05,420
 Yeah.

1407
01:29:06,060 --> 01:29:13,160
 Well, that's going to be interesting to see, again, if Birmingham and the surrounding areas will continue to support them.

1408
01:29:13,160 --> 01:29:20,000
 Always enjoy the conversation, whether it's the Braves, baseball, or football, it is always fun with Doug Segrist.

1409
01:29:20,480 --> 01:29:21,860
 Listen, have a great weekend.

1410
01:29:21,980 --> 01:29:23,380
 Let's do this again real soon.

1411
01:29:24,160 --> 01:29:24,800
 Thanks, guys.

1412
01:29:24,860 --> 01:29:25,600
 Y'all have a good one.

1413
01:29:26,220 --> 01:29:26,800
 You too.

1414
01:29:26,920 --> 01:29:31,220
 Doug Segrist ready to put his game face on for Auburn's spring game this weekend.

1415
01:29:31,540 --> 01:29:34,580
 Speaking of Auburn, more details with Justin Ferguson on deck.

1416
01:29:34,640 --> 01:29:35,200
 Stay with us.

1417
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 Oh, we can actually get pizza delivered there from this brick oven place we love.

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1461
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1462
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 Progressive presents the Sports Flash on 93.9 The Score.

1478
01:33:14,720 --> 01:33:17,520
 Auburn Tigers fell in Gainesville yesterday on the baseball field.

1479
01:33:17,600 --> 01:33:19,500
 They fell to Florida 6-3.

1480
01:33:20,040 --> 01:33:23,120
 Those two teams will play game number two of the series tonight.

1481
01:33:23,660 --> 01:33:27,940
 Also tonight, game one, as North Alabama plays host to Lipscomb, Alabama.

1482
01:33:28,100 --> 01:33:29,280
 Crimson Tide on the road.

1483
01:33:29,360 --> 01:33:31,720
 They will play at Texas starting tonight.

1484
01:33:32,080 --> 01:33:34,700
 South Alabama is at home tonight as they host Marshall.

1485
01:33:35,100 --> 01:33:37,940
 Troy will entertain Louisiana this weekend.

1486
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 The Atlanta Braves are back in action tonight with a Braves play on the road in Philadelphia against the Phillies.

1487
01:33:44,120 --> 01:33:46,160
 The Braves are 12-7 on the year.

1488
01:33:46,160 --> 01:33:47,860
 Martin Perez will start four.

1489
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1490
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 Tywon Walker starts for Philadelphia.

1491
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 He's 1-2 with an ERA north of seven.

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1495
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 Ooh, not smart.

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1513
01:35:11,840 --> 01:35:13,380
 The Score.

1514
01:35:13,820 --> 01:35:18,520
 Now, back with Boomo Bugg on 93.9 The Score.

1515
01:35:19,220 --> 01:35:19,940
 Welcome back in.

1516
01:35:19,980 --> 01:35:23,480
 What do you say we head on down to the plains and say hello to Justin Ferguson.

1517
01:35:23,640 --> 01:35:26,860
 He's busy there covering the Auburn Tigers at the Auburn Observer.

1518
01:35:27,020 --> 01:35:27,780
 Justin, welcome in.

1519
01:35:27,840 --> 01:35:28,860
 Happy Friday to you.

1520
01:35:28,900 --> 01:35:29,400
 How are you?

1521
01:35:30,280 --> 01:35:31,300
 I'm doing all right, yo.

1522
01:35:31,980 --> 01:35:32,980
 Hey, we're doing all right.

1523
01:35:33,020 --> 01:35:36,200
 Are you ready for some football in your backyard this weekend?

1524
01:35:37,040 --> 01:35:37,860
 Yeah, looking forward.

1525
01:35:38,100 --> 01:35:41,580
 It should be a really interesting A-Day game.

1526
01:35:41,760 --> 01:35:44,980
 You know, the last couple years has really kind of diminished.

1527
01:35:45,580 --> 01:35:47,880
 It wasn't even really a game last year at all.

1528
01:35:48,880 --> 01:35:53,060
 And, you know, this comes out with so many new faces and so many new pieces.

1529
01:35:53,960 --> 01:35:57,740
 They want to really, you know, get fans excited about a new era.

1530
01:35:58,020 --> 01:35:59,100
 It's going to be free admissions.

1531
01:35:59,480 --> 01:36:01,300
 It's going to be a lot of new players out there.

1532
01:36:01,420 --> 01:36:02,640
 So, I think we have a fun day tomorrow.

1533
01:36:02,860 --> 01:36:07,860
 Let me ask you about the format.

1534
01:36:08,700 --> 01:36:15,660
 It seems to be a regular scrimmage game, four 15-minute quarters,

1535
01:36:16,020 --> 01:36:18,480
 actually a 20-minute halftime.

1536
01:36:19,120 --> 01:36:25,860
 I know the scoring is the offense can get extra points for explosive plays

1537
01:36:25,860 --> 01:36:31,520
 and first down and the defense for tackles for loss, turnovers, et cetera.

1538
01:36:32,380 --> 01:36:37,800
 Your thoughts on the format tomorrow, and will it be first-team offense

1539
01:36:37,800 --> 01:36:39,440
 versus first-team defense?

1540
01:36:40,520 --> 01:36:42,260
 It probably will be, yeah.

1541
01:36:42,420 --> 01:36:47,800
 First, you know, I would expect one versus one action, at least early on,

1542
01:36:48,280 --> 01:36:51,820
 to kind of give, you know, kind of the best-to-best kind of look.

1543
01:36:52,360 --> 01:36:58,560
 Yeah, I think the format makes a lot of sense for what Auburn's trying to accomplish today.

1544
01:36:59,260 --> 01:37:04,120
 Pretty much every position, except for a couple of them, have sort of injury concerns.

1545
01:37:04,340 --> 01:37:08,680
 So, it's kind of tougher to say, okay, we're going to switch in between first and second-team,

1546
01:37:09,180 --> 01:37:10,720
 you know, and do it twice.

1547
01:37:10,820 --> 01:37:13,200
 Offense versus defense makes a lot of sense.

1548
01:37:13,440 --> 01:37:16,900
 I think, yeah, the score may be a little bit different.

1549
01:37:17,020 --> 01:37:19,880
 It might be something that you need to kind of get adjusted to.

1550
01:37:20,040 --> 01:37:24,680
 But, you know, I think it's definitely a good way to kind of measure up what this team looks like right now

1551
01:37:24,680 --> 01:37:29,380
 because of, you know, some depth, some depth issues just with guys here in the spring,

1552
01:37:29,600 --> 01:37:33,340
 playing a minute, you know, if you're sitting or anything like that.

1553
01:37:34,460 --> 01:37:35,900
 Justin, I'll tell you what, let's do.

1554
01:37:36,020 --> 01:37:38,220
 We're having a little bit of a hiccup as far as a connection.

1555
01:37:38,380 --> 01:37:40,280
 Why don't we try to reconnect with you?

1556
01:37:40,360 --> 01:37:41,120
 Stay right there.

1557
01:37:41,180 --> 01:37:45,240
 We'll be trying to reconnect with you so we can get a little better connection there.

1558
01:37:45,320 --> 01:37:47,500
 That's Justin Ferguson, the Auburn Observer.

1559
01:37:47,500 --> 01:37:53,080
 In the meantime, BB, to me, the early word, the gut feeling that you get is this,

1560
01:37:53,180 --> 01:37:58,320
 that the offense at Auburn should be ahead of the defense for reasons that are pretty obvious,

1561
01:37:58,820 --> 01:38:01,720
 bringing up a ton of guys from South Florida.

1562
01:38:01,920 --> 01:38:06,140
 Basically, it's the same playbook that is going to be putting on a different jersey.

1563
01:38:06,300 --> 01:38:10,320
 So you've got to believe that tomorrow for the fans going to be watching this game,

1564
01:38:10,320 --> 01:38:13,200
 and again, no TV, welcome to 2026 football, right?

1565
01:38:13,720 --> 01:38:17,800
 But the offense should be a step or two ahead of the defense.

1566
01:38:18,280 --> 01:38:20,280
 Well, I think the other thing, and I mentioned earlier,

1567
01:38:20,520 --> 01:38:22,800
 is the Auburn offense knows who they are.

1568
01:38:23,000 --> 01:38:24,380
 They know who their identity is.

1569
01:38:24,440 --> 01:38:26,940
 I don't know if Hugh Freeze ever figured that out,

1570
01:38:27,020 --> 01:38:28,900
 but they know they're a running team.

1571
01:38:29,560 --> 01:38:30,240
 We'll see.

1572
01:38:30,360 --> 01:38:31,560
 There are a lot of new faces.

1573
01:38:31,860 --> 01:38:34,660
 They're mixing and matching a little bit on the offensive line,

1574
01:38:34,660 --> 01:38:38,120
 and they've had some injuries on the offensive line.

1575
01:38:38,620 --> 01:38:41,820
 They're going to do some play-action passing.

1576
01:38:42,420 --> 01:38:44,920
 But, yeah, it's going to be curious to see it.

1577
01:38:45,180 --> 01:38:49,540
 That's the number one thing, Harold, that I think most fans realize DJ Jerkin

1578
01:38:49,540 --> 01:38:51,820
 is going to put a good defense on the field.

1579
01:38:52,260 --> 01:38:54,900
 They're just going to see if the offense has turned the corner.

1580
01:38:55,200 --> 01:38:58,340
 You know, and the other thing that's always fun to me

1581
01:38:58,340 --> 01:39:02,220
 when you bring in a brand-new coaching staff is guys who have been on the roster.

1582
01:39:02,220 --> 01:39:05,540
 You know the guys coming in, how the coaches feel about them.

1583
01:39:05,960 --> 01:39:09,640
 But if you've been on the roster and you've stayed on this team,

1584
01:39:09,760 --> 01:39:13,760
 it's going to be interesting to see of that group who's going to be raising their stock

1585
01:39:13,760 --> 01:39:17,140
 with this regime because, let's face it, Hugh Freeze,

1586
01:39:17,460 --> 01:39:20,620
 especially now when you reflect, I think even in real time,

1587
01:39:20,680 --> 01:39:24,460
 I think he had a greater focus on the golf course, wasn't really focused.

1588
01:39:24,580 --> 01:39:26,020
 He didn't like going out working extra.

1589
01:39:26,100 --> 01:39:28,540
 And let's face it, spring, like anything else in life, is work.

1590
01:39:28,900 --> 01:39:31,680
 It's going to be interesting to see who wants to sit here

1591
01:39:31,680 --> 01:39:34,080
 and raise their stock with this coaching staff

1592
01:39:34,080 --> 01:39:37,520
 when they couldn't basically get any significant playing time under the old staff.

1593
01:39:38,320 --> 01:39:41,200
 Well, I think that's another good thing about a new staff

1594
01:39:41,200 --> 01:39:44,440
 is for some of these players who've been there for a year or two,

1595
01:39:45,200 --> 01:39:47,800
 it's kind of starting over.

1596
01:39:47,940 --> 01:39:49,980
 They've got a chance to impress the coaches,

1597
01:39:49,980 --> 01:39:53,260
 and certainly they've been able to do that during the spring

1598
01:39:53,260 --> 01:39:55,020
 and for the spring game tomorrow.

1599
01:39:55,680 --> 01:40:01,140
 So, B.B., I think a lot of people have been asking as far as position focuses.

1600
01:40:01,680 --> 01:40:04,600
 Everybody knows that Brown is going to be the starting quarterback.

1601
01:40:05,020 --> 01:40:05,300
 Hello.

1602
01:40:05,920 --> 01:40:08,600
 The sun rises in the east and sets in the west.

1603
01:40:08,760 --> 01:40:09,780
 Tell me something I don't know.

1604
01:40:10,280 --> 01:40:13,660
 To me, the big question is who's going to be the backup quarterback

1605
01:40:13,660 --> 01:40:17,140
 and as far as the competition from that standpoint,

1606
01:40:17,280 --> 01:40:20,160
 because let's face it, as long as your quarterback's healthy

1607
01:40:20,160 --> 01:40:21,660
 and they live up to expectations,

1608
01:40:22,160 --> 01:40:24,940
 life, as I said back in the 60s, groovy,

1609
01:40:24,940 --> 01:40:27,820
 but what happens if you have to go to the bullpen, so to speak,

1610
01:40:27,840 --> 01:40:28,880
 and bring in number two.

1611
01:40:29,000 --> 01:40:31,240
 To me, that's going to be one of the more interesting things

1612
01:40:31,240 --> 01:40:32,280
 to focus on tomorrow.

1613
01:40:32,620 --> 01:40:35,540
 Well, I think that's what spring games are for, Harold,

1614
01:40:35,660 --> 01:40:37,640
 is to see who the backups are.

1615
01:40:38,160 --> 01:40:42,260
 Number one, again, I think everybody realizes

1616
01:40:42,260 --> 01:40:45,940
 what the pegging order is for the running backs,

1617
01:40:45,980 --> 01:40:48,360
 and I think Justin is joining us again.

1618
01:40:48,500 --> 01:40:50,240
 We can ask him that very question.

1619
01:40:51,060 --> 01:40:53,100
 Justin Ferguson, let's hope that everything,

1620
01:40:53,100 --> 01:40:54,920
 we've got the big iron out, got the wrinkles out,

1621
01:40:54,920 --> 01:40:57,400
 Justin Ferguson again, the busy there with the Auburn Deserven.

1622
01:40:57,520 --> 01:40:58,800
 Justin, are you back with us, buddy?

1623
01:41:01,900 --> 01:41:04,700
 Obviously, we've still got the iron steel is not hot enough

1624
01:41:04,700 --> 01:41:07,360
 to get that wrinkle out, but while we ever to get him back,

1625
01:41:07,480 --> 01:41:10,360
 your thoughts, everybody's focused on this Auburn offense.

1626
01:41:10,940 --> 01:41:14,200
 Your thoughts about the defense, because it seems like

1627
01:41:14,200 --> 01:41:17,240
 that this coaching staff didn't go and cast checks

1628
01:41:17,240 --> 01:41:20,820
 at South Florida to bring up folks on that side of the ball,

1629
01:41:20,820 --> 01:41:24,800
 but the fact that they did, if you look at it on paper,

1630
01:41:24,800 --> 01:41:28,140
 it looks like that the defense is in good hands, BB.

1631
01:41:28,640 --> 01:41:31,720
 Well, I think that, well, with Durkin, as I mentioned earlier,

1632
01:41:31,800 --> 01:41:32,340
 it is.

1633
01:41:32,460 --> 01:41:36,980
 Cody Sigler has had a tremendous, the transfer from Arkansas State.

1634
01:41:37,700 --> 01:41:39,420
 It's 6'2 and 3-0-2.

1635
01:41:39,920 --> 01:41:43,140
 I think he's going to be certainly one of the leaders there.

1636
01:41:43,400 --> 01:41:47,580
 And Quan Feagans, who had an amazing three interceptions

1637
01:41:47,580 --> 01:41:50,360
 in the practice last week.

1638
01:41:50,760 --> 01:41:53,200
 I think the secondary is going to be good.

1639
01:41:53,740 --> 01:42:00,800
 The defense, the front seven, I've been pleased with.

1640
01:42:00,900 --> 01:42:05,760
 Again, the biggest issue to me is going to be the offensive line.

1641
01:42:05,860 --> 01:42:10,540
 Derek Platt has shown a lot of people that he could play.

1642
01:42:11,420 --> 01:42:15,920
 And also, Aaron, Andre Jordan, the transfer from UCLA in the secondary.

1643
01:42:16,620 --> 01:42:19,480
 No, I think with D.J. Durkin and the kids they brought in,

1644
01:42:19,520 --> 01:42:21,760
 I think this defense is going to be very solid.

1645
01:42:21,760 --> 01:42:23,820
 We'll get that and more with Justin.

1646
01:42:23,920 --> 01:42:24,860
 Hopefully back with us now.

1647
01:42:24,940 --> 01:42:26,540
 Justin Ferguson, again, the Auburn Observer.

1648
01:42:26,700 --> 01:42:27,940
 Justin, are you with us now?

1649
01:42:28,680 --> 01:42:29,240
 Yes, sir.

1650
01:42:29,640 --> 01:42:30,460
 There we go.

1651
01:42:30,520 --> 01:42:30,940
 There we go.

1652
01:42:31,000 --> 01:42:32,080
 We got that iron out.

1653
01:42:32,080 --> 01:42:32,800
 I got the wrinkles out.

1654
01:42:32,860 --> 01:42:35,500
 We're just talking about some of the more interesting battles

1655
01:42:35,500 --> 01:42:38,060
 to the folks who make their way down because there's no TV.

1656
01:42:38,300 --> 01:42:40,280
 You got to see it in person.

1657
01:42:40,540 --> 01:42:43,940
 As far as position battles, obviously, like any camp,

1658
01:42:43,980 --> 01:42:45,180
 you're going to have them all over the board.

1659
01:42:45,240 --> 01:42:48,780
 If you're going to sit here and ask maybe the three position battles

1660
01:42:48,780 --> 01:42:51,440
 that you'll be watching, what would they be, Justin, tomorrow?

1661
01:42:52,300 --> 01:42:55,780
 I think the big one is kind of who separates themselves on the offensive line.

1662
01:42:55,780 --> 01:42:57,880
 So you kind of group them into one group.

1663
01:42:58,600 --> 01:43:01,580
 You know, no Stan Rimmel right now, the Michigan State transfer

1664
01:43:01,580 --> 01:43:02,540
 because he's been banged up.

1665
01:43:02,740 --> 01:43:06,240
 But, you know, Derek Plath has had a really good spring, you know,

1666
01:43:06,320 --> 01:43:07,800
 potentially a starter at left guard.

1667
01:43:07,920 --> 01:43:11,060
 Ty Buster's done a really good job as well of some of the young guys.

1668
01:43:11,280 --> 01:43:13,940
 You know, Joe Simmons, Cole Best are probably your best candidates

1669
01:43:13,940 --> 01:43:15,740
 to start of those transfers.

1670
01:43:16,020 --> 01:43:17,940
 So, yeah, just who kind of separates themselves.

1671
01:43:18,120 --> 01:43:20,660
 You've heard different names, guys moving out with the ones and the twos.

1672
01:43:21,060 --> 01:43:23,640
 I think that's going to be a pretty big thing there.

1673
01:43:24,300 --> 01:43:29,840
 You know, elsewhere, I'm really interested to see kind of who establishes

1674
01:43:29,840 --> 01:43:33,320
 themselves a wide receiver behind the USF guys.

1675
01:43:34,040 --> 01:43:37,120
 You know, Keyshawn Singleton, Jeremiah Coger, Chaz Nimrod, I think,

1676
01:43:37,480 --> 01:43:39,060
 are a clear top three for this group.

1677
01:43:39,180 --> 01:43:39,660
 But who else?

1678
01:43:40,960 --> 01:43:44,700
 You know, Deshaun Spencer has had a really good freshman, you know,

1679
01:43:44,720 --> 01:43:47,840
 as a freshman, did a really good job here this spring in the slot.

1680
01:43:48,220 --> 01:43:51,420
 Brian Williams Jr. has had a great spring as well, another freshman.

1681
01:43:52,240 --> 01:43:54,600
 You know, guys like Bryce Kane and Duke Smith are still around.

1682
01:43:55,100 --> 01:43:56,680
 Could they kind of establish themselves?

1683
01:43:57,080 --> 01:43:58,300
 So I'm really interested to see that.

1684
01:43:58,780 --> 01:44:02,200
 And I think the other one would probably be the safety battle, the battle there,

1685
01:44:02,480 --> 01:44:05,620
 the two safety spots and the nickel, because you've got a wide variety.

1686
01:44:05,960 --> 01:44:09,140
 You have Sylvester Smith and Caleb Harris coming back.

1687
01:44:09,260 --> 01:44:12,440
 You won't see Champ Anthony probably tomorrow because he's been, you know,

1688
01:44:12,440 --> 01:44:15,640
 kind of healing up from the injury he suffered late last season.

1689
01:44:16,240 --> 01:44:19,560
 But then you've got, you know, Eric Winters and new boy Fagans have done

1690
01:44:19,560 --> 01:44:23,060
 a really good job kind of building off their really good freshman years.

1691
01:44:23,760 --> 01:44:26,960
 You know, and I think those are guys who could potentially start for this crew

1692
01:44:26,960 --> 01:44:27,280
 this year.

1693
01:44:27,280 --> 01:44:30,460
 Fred Gaskins thrown in a nice wrinkle in safety as well.

1694
01:44:30,580 --> 01:44:31,900
 So there's a lot of options there.

1695
01:44:32,260 --> 01:44:35,360
 It's a good problem to have when you have all that kind of depth at those spots.

1696
01:44:35,960 --> 01:44:38,280
 So I think it's just a matter of who separates themselves.

1697
01:44:39,200 --> 01:44:41,160
 Let me ask you about the defensive front.

1698
01:44:41,300 --> 01:44:43,040
 We've talked about that throughout the spring.

1699
01:44:43,160 --> 01:44:45,940
 Cody Sigler has been a bear throughout the spring.

1700
01:44:46,260 --> 01:44:47,580
 He's had a really good one.

1701
01:44:47,640 --> 01:44:52,680
 Dallas Walker, St. Farrier, Malik Altry, Will Crawford,

1702
01:44:53,260 --> 01:44:57,220
 take a step forward, Deshaun Womack, Jared Smith.

1703
01:44:58,020 --> 01:44:59,280
 There are some numbers there.

1704
01:44:59,380 --> 01:45:01,500
 There's some depth, and there's a lot of talent.

1705
01:45:01,500 --> 01:45:04,620
 Your thoughts on the progress of the defensive front.

1706
01:45:05,420 --> 01:45:08,440
 Yeah, I mean, I think they've got the veterans that they wanted to kind of build

1707
01:45:08,440 --> 01:45:09,260
 around this year.

1708
01:45:09,680 --> 01:45:12,700
 Cody Sigler's been really impressive, like you said.

1709
01:45:13,560 --> 01:45:16,320
 You know, getting Dallas Walker back for another year was big.

1710
01:45:16,460 --> 01:45:20,320
 Deshaun Womack's been advertised since he's jumped over from Ole Miss.

1711
01:45:21,160 --> 01:45:25,560
 You know, you've got Chris Murray back, you know, which I think is going to help them out

1712
01:45:25,560 --> 01:45:26,260
 at the edge rushing room.

1713
01:45:26,380 --> 01:45:30,220
 But it's that second wave of those younger guys that I think are going to really determine

1714
01:45:30,220 --> 01:45:31,480
 the ceiling of this unit.

1715
01:45:31,960 --> 01:45:32,960
 You mentioned Jared Smith.

1716
01:45:33,520 --> 01:45:35,180
 He's had a great spring.

1717
01:45:35,680 --> 01:45:38,120
 I really have been impressed with Darian Smith as well.

1718
01:45:38,600 --> 01:45:41,520
 He was more of an edge rushing, you know, kind of defensive end,

1719
01:45:41,700 --> 01:45:43,140
 pass rushing specialist as a freshman.

1720
01:45:43,300 --> 01:45:45,580
 He's kind of rounded his game out a little bit better.

1721
01:45:46,040 --> 01:45:49,620
 To be more around a guy this sophomore year, I like him a lot.

1722
01:45:50,180 --> 01:45:54,160
 And then, you know, Jordan Crawford and Malik Autry are just really super talented,

1723
01:45:54,300 --> 01:45:55,280
 physical young kids.

1724
01:45:55,540 --> 01:45:58,960
 It's just a matter of just, you know, getting more experience, more time there.

1725
01:45:59,140 --> 01:46:02,600
 So, it's a good group because you've got experience you can lean on,

1726
01:46:02,660 --> 01:46:05,940
 which I think, you know, gives you a pretty high floor for that defensive front.

1727
01:46:06,360 --> 01:46:08,440
 It's just a matter of how high the ceiling is going to be.

1728
01:46:08,780 --> 01:46:11,980
 And it's going to come down to, I think, those young guys taking a step forward this year.

1729
01:46:12,880 --> 01:46:14,740
 Justin Ferguson, the Auburn Observer.

1730
01:46:14,740 --> 01:46:18,300
 Before we jump off, it is Auburn in the basketball building.

1731
01:46:18,460 --> 01:46:20,920
 They got to raise the door jams to get everybody in.

1732
01:46:21,080 --> 01:46:24,960
 I mean, my goodness gracious, you've got some trees on the way.

1733
01:46:25,980 --> 01:46:27,660
 Yeah, so I was looking at this.

1734
01:46:27,660 --> 01:46:32,020
 This will be the first time I think maybe ever Auburn's had three seven-footers

1735
01:46:32,020 --> 01:46:34,800
 on the roster at the same time for next season.

1736
01:46:35,860 --> 01:46:39,100
 You know, Bruce Pearl only had two seven-footers his entire time at Auburn.

1737
01:46:39,580 --> 01:46:42,280
 You know, his son went out and gotten two already.

1738
01:46:42,920 --> 01:46:48,880
 You know, they get Narcisse Ngoi from France, a big, physical, just kind of traditional, you know,

1739
01:46:48,920 --> 01:46:52,460
 power guy, you know, at the five spot.

1740
01:46:52,560 --> 01:47:00,520
 And then today, Sanabuki Aboye from Santa Clara led the nation in two-point field goal percentage this past season.

1741
01:47:01,000 --> 01:47:02,440
 Really good shot blocker as well.

1742
01:47:02,900 --> 01:47:07,420
 I think if he can kind of cut down the foul rate he had at Santa Clara, he's going to be a really good weapon

1743
01:47:07,420 --> 01:47:13,420
 because he's a great rim runner, very athletic, jumps super well, just a great athlete for his 7'1 frame.

1744
01:47:13,700 --> 01:47:15,300
 So Auburn needed to do this.

1745
01:47:15,360 --> 01:47:18,840
 They needed, you know, their biggest weakness this past season, didn't have the rim protection,

1746
01:47:19,040 --> 01:47:24,560
 didn't have the big man presence consistently that they'd been used to having in the past.

1747
01:47:24,820 --> 01:47:28,700
 So their first two pickups they go, they go and get two of the biggest guys out there.

1748
01:47:29,100 --> 01:47:35,080
 So I think that's a really good sign for this early kind of portal socle here for the Auburn basketball program.

1749
01:47:36,240 --> 01:47:44,200
 I've been pleasantly surprised at so many other teams that didn't have this luxury of the core of this group coming back.

1750
01:47:44,580 --> 01:47:56,820
 Everton, Petterford, Williams-Adams, Walker, of course, from Huntsville, Aporum, and again, we'll see the transfer portal to enter it is next Tuesday.

1751
01:47:57,180 --> 01:48:00,880
 But that has got to make Steven Pearl feel much better.

1752
01:48:01,000 --> 01:48:09,000
 I know he's glad to bring these transfers in, but to have the core of that NIT team return is tremendous for him.

1753
01:48:09,580 --> 01:48:10,600
 Yeah, 100%.

1754
01:48:10,600 --> 01:48:15,140
 I think if you look at the best teams in the SEC this past season, Florida, Arkansas, Alabama,

1755
01:48:15,280 --> 01:48:19,260
 they all brought back multiple key guys from their previous years, and Auburn didn't.

1756
01:48:19,400 --> 01:48:20,520
 They only brought one guy back.

1757
01:48:21,080 --> 01:48:25,460
 So I think a lot of teams are hitting the reset button in the SEC this offseason.

1758
01:48:25,620 --> 01:48:28,240
 Auburn can get their starting two guards back.

1759
01:48:28,560 --> 01:48:34,360
 They can bring back a guy in Sebastian Williams-Adams, and it'll be very interesting to see, you know, Elijah Freeman jump into the portal.

1760
01:48:34,460 --> 01:48:37,280
 He hadn't landed on a spot yet.

1761
01:48:37,280 --> 01:48:42,820
 I mean, the door is still open for him to potentially come back to Auburn, and that would be a big-time pickup

1762
01:48:42,820 --> 01:48:45,940
 because he was such a good wing for them this season.

1763
01:48:46,060 --> 01:48:54,520
 But, yeah, it's just that continuity, that stability, that consistency, the chemistry that you get from returning players is big,

1764
01:48:54,620 --> 01:48:56,180
 and Auburn just didn't have that this past year.

1765
01:48:56,520 --> 01:48:57,860
 But that shouldn't be a problem for them.

1766
01:48:57,900 --> 01:49:02,100
 They're going to be one of the more experienced and kind of continuous teams in the SEC next season

1767
01:49:02,100 --> 01:49:03,620
 because those guys decided to come back.

1768
01:49:04,880 --> 01:49:05,360
 Absolutely.

1769
01:49:05,680 --> 01:49:07,220
 Auburn baseball going on.

1770
01:49:07,320 --> 01:49:09,840
 I know you've got some guests who cover that for you.

1771
01:49:09,880 --> 01:49:16,600
 By the way, the Board of Trustees approved the $323 million refurbishment of the stadium,

1772
01:49:16,920 --> 01:49:23,040
 which, again, for multi-purpose events, which is huge for future revenue.

1773
01:49:23,040 --> 01:49:32,880
 But basketball, football, pre-game, A-Day, post-game, spring game, 6 a.m. emails, Friday mailbag, podcast.

1774
01:49:33,400 --> 01:49:35,900
 Where can we get online to get all the great stuff?

1775
01:49:36,440 --> 01:49:37,560
 Yeah, AuburnObserver.com.

1776
01:49:37,620 --> 01:49:39,580
 Check it out there if you subscribe here.

1777
01:49:40,400 --> 01:49:45,760
 In the next hour or so, I'm going to have a full breakdown on Buki Aboya, who we talked about from Santa Clara.

1778
01:49:45,860 --> 01:49:47,040
 That will go out to subscribers.

1779
01:49:47,480 --> 01:49:51,200
 We'll have A-Day coverage all weekend and podcasts go up to date talking a lot of football.

1780
01:49:51,280 --> 01:49:54,980
 I've got plenty of notes and observations from Football Brightness this week.

1781
01:49:55,440 --> 01:50:00,280
 And then we have a roster tracker in basketball as well to make sure you keep up with everything.

1782
01:50:00,580 --> 01:50:04,260
 So, AuburnObserver.com, running our sale through the rest of the weekend.

1783
01:50:04,260 --> 01:50:10,780
 So, it's a great time to jump on, $40 a month or $4 a month for your first year of the Observer.

1784
01:50:11,680 --> 01:50:13,480
 Just go to AuburnObserver.com and check it out.

1785
01:50:14,760 --> 01:50:16,880
 Another busy weekend in your backyard.

1786
01:50:17,040 --> 01:50:17,700
 Enjoy, Justin.

1787
01:50:17,800 --> 01:50:19,200
 Thanks so much for your time today.

1788
01:50:19,880 --> 01:50:20,640
 Yep, appreciate it, y'all.

1789
01:50:21,040 --> 01:50:21,560
 Thank you, bud.

1790
01:50:21,620 --> 01:50:22,660
 Justin Ferguson, the Auburn Observer.

1791
01:50:22,760 --> 01:50:26,500
 By the way, the weather, 85 and cloudy, maybe a little partly cloudy.

1792
01:50:26,700 --> 01:50:31,580
 So, there's your forecast for tomorrow down in the backyard of Toomer's Corner.

1793
01:50:31,580 --> 01:50:34,880
 B.B., your thoughts about the Atlanta Braves tonight.

1794
01:50:35,560 --> 01:50:38,920
 They're playing well, but, Harold, this is going to be a test for them.

1795
01:50:39,060 --> 01:50:44,440
 They've had a very manageable schedule so far and won the series against the Marlins.

1796
01:50:44,600 --> 01:50:49,420
 In fact, they haven't lost a series the entire season, but the Phillies are a different animal.

1797
01:50:50,080 --> 01:50:56,800
 In Philadelphia, it's going to be a good test for them to see if the momentum will continue.

1798
01:50:57,200 --> 01:50:59,020
 Walker on the mound for the Phillies.

1799
01:50:59,020 --> 01:51:01,440
 Perez on the mound for the Atlanta Braves.

1800
01:51:02,060 --> 01:51:04,180
 And it's going to be on 93.9 The Score.

1801
01:51:04,340 --> 01:51:05,660
 Check it out later on tonight.

1802
01:51:05,780 --> 01:51:06,820
 It's going to take care of us for now.

1803
01:51:07,180 --> 01:51:09,780
 On behalf of B.B., Greg, James, Blair, the entire crew here.

1804
01:51:09,860 --> 01:51:11,960
 Parole Buck, thank you so much for your time today.

1805
01:51:12,480 --> 01:51:14,820
 That's doing it again Monday, noon to two for the Bumble Buck Show.

1806
01:51:14,920 --> 01:51:17,260
 Back here on Sports Radio, 93.9 The Score.