Gump Day: BYU Faces Sweet 16 Challenge Against Alabama

This quote raised concerns for me, particularly since I’ve seen Alabama’s teams struggle due to leadership issues:

So who will fill [Booker’s] role for the Tide in 2025?

There’s no clear answer, and it may end up being a by-committee approach with a group of returning players, including 15 veterans in their final year of eligibility.

“I just feel like maybe we don’t have someone who’s just over-the-top strong and one who commands all of it,” DeBoer mentioned earlier this month. “But I think all of them working together and just kind of picking each other up on top of themselves, I think it’s in a good spot.”

Offensive line coach Chris Kapilovic believes his position group needs to set the tone for the entire team, which is why he’s always referred to his room as the “juice squad” wherever he’s been. Undoubtedly, Booker was squeezing most of that juice last season.

Maybe a team-oriented approach will work? I’m not sure. I’ll settle for no locker room drama and players who don’t think they’re bigger than the program. It feels like we’ve been hostage to the latter far too often.

While I’m uncertain if a true leader will emerge, someone’s on-field performance will likely earn them respect from teammates and make their words more credible. For now, that’s enough. (Though I do think Keelon has it—he already talks a big game and exudes charisma like a homeless man’s leaking boxer shorts after a week in the streets).

Speaking of Keelon, of all the quarterback battles happening nationwide, none will be as captivating — or attract as much attention — as Alabama’s search for their starter. Three distinct players, each with unique strengths and weaknesses, will compete for the spot.

Let the rumors fly.

I think most Alabama fans will be satisfied with whoever wins the battle in August, as long as they play at a high level and maintain that performance throughout the year. Alabama’s SEC schedule this year looks very different from last year’s, and it includes a tough road trip to Athens early on.

Much of that, of course, will depend on the sidelines, and whether Nick Sheridan can be trusted to develop Russell, given his less-than-impressive track record at three programs when it comes to passing games. I remain skeptical that he’s the right man for the job.

I also don’t believe that the starter in the season opener against Florida State will necessarily be the same one in December. With limited (or no) meaningful reps for this trio, sometimes the only way to truly test someone’s resolve is through live action.

A good piece on Geno VanDeMark and the offensive line in general:

“I was ready for whenever my number was called and do whatever I could to help my team win a football game. I wasn’t worried about the reps I was getting here or how I was being viewed. I was just trying to do what I could to help this team win football games and be a great offensive line. That’s just how I mentally prepared. I said, ‘Look, I don’t know exactly when or how many reps I’m going to get, but if I do, I’m just going to play my best for my team,” VanDeMark explained when reflecting on his understanding of his role last season.

VanDeMark knows that success in the competitive SEC starts in the trenches and requires ongoing improvement. “I want to be better with my lateral movement and refitting hands in pass protection. I just want to be an all-around better player, but those two things specifically,” VanDeMark said, discussing what he hopes to improve on for the upcoming season. His commitment to refining his game reflects the mindset that Alabama linemen are known for: tough, disciplined, and relentless.

The ever-present temptation: “Potential.” It’s been years since Alabama’s offensive line has lived up to it.

Alabama made significant strides last week in improving their 2026 class, which currently ranks 15th in the nation and 8th in the SEC, according to On3’s Team Recruiting Rankings. The Crimson Tide hosted 11 prospects this week, and experts have already projected one of them after their visit.

Let’s take a look at some of the prospects who visited Alabama’s campus this past week.

2026 4-Star LB Nick Abrams

The 6’3”, 200-pound junior linebacker from McDonough, Maryland, kicked off a busy recruiting week for Alabama on Monday, March 17th. Caleb Abrams, ranked No. 6 in Maryland’s 2026 class, visited Alabama for the first time this week. He left with high praise for the Tide’s practice intensity, telling On3’s Blake Byler, “I wouldn’t want to be in any other environment.” Alabama is in Abrams’ top 10, which he announced in February.

I don’t have much to add here, as I’ve been focusing on basketball and hoops recruiting. Therefore, I haven’t evaluated these recruits. But perhaps CB or Brent will fill us in on the recruiting situation soon. Or one of you seasoned recruiting experts could give us some insight in the comments.

On to hoops! #BOG

Meanwhile, BYU is getting all the rat poison this week! Just like this re-seeding of the field:

BYU 12: After closing the regular season with eight consecutive wins, BYU threw the kind of punches against VCU and Wisconsin that have made them one of the most highly-rated offensive teams in the country. Though all 91 points against the Badgers were needed because of some shaky defense, if the Cougars can keep up with another offensive powerhouse and get just enough stops to win, they can challenge any team in the East Regional. NCAA committee ranking: No. 21

I’m sorry, but BYU is not better than Ole Miss (a Top 25 team in both offense and defense), the Big 10 Champion Wolverines, or the better defensive Boilermakers. And Arkansas would beat them senseless with a broken bat. But please, keep writing these.

Oh, there’s another one:

And another from Jay Bilas:

BYU’s stock is rising. The Cougars entered the tournament red-hot with nine straight wins before the Big 12 championship game, and their offense kept rolling at a blistering pace in the tournament. Putting up 80 points and shooting well against a VCU defense that had been tough all season, especially against the three-pointer, was a great start. Continuing that momentum against Wisconsin was a statement. Kevin Young has this team on fire, setting up a battle with Alabama that looks like it’ll be a shootout. First team to 100 points wins?

Another? Sure.

BYU’s success after hiring Young from the NBA has been instant, and many programs have followed that same model. The Cougars have won 11 of their last 12 games, riding a top-10 offense that runs smart plays and gets solid looks, as reflected by their top-six 2-point shooting percentage. It’s not out of the question that BYU becomes a powerhouse in the coming years under Young.

Why you should root for the Cougars: The best team since the Jimmer days.

BYU is back in the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2011, when former star Jimmer Fredette led them. First-year coach Kevin Young has worked wonders in his brief time in Provo. The program’s best days are ahead under Young, with five-star recruit AJ Dybantsa set to enroll this fall.

Last year, BYU finished with 11 losses. This year, BYU — unless they win it all — will finish with just 10. What a turnaround!

Imagine ranking a first-year coach higher than Todd Golden, John Calipari, or Chris Beard. The latter two have combined for seven Final Four appearances, and Calipari has a ring and has been in the Basketball Hall of Fame for over a decade. It’s astounding how some people struggle to write about sports without a Cinderella story to focus on.

Want to know why this is happening? Because a sports reporter in Salt Lake City nailed it:

And this connects to something I mentioned on Twitter earlier today. The complaints about high-level basketball are because they simply don’t know how to cover sports anymore.

I’m thrilled for the many Northern players from ‘Bama heading to the Garden State for the Eastern Regional Semis and Finals. Naas is from Jersey, Cliff spent his first three seasons in Piscataway, but no one’s been as vocal about their excitement as Queens native Mo D:

“Chopped cheese,” Dioubate says with a grin. “I’m going to get it all.”

Then he turns to Mark Sears. “Mark’s going to try it, too,” Dioubate says.

Sears smiles: “Chopped cheeeeese!”

“He’s been wanting to try one all year,” Dioubate continues. “I’m going to get him right.

Dioubate smiles all the way. It’s understandable because this week, he gets to go home.

Alabama’s 6-foot-7, 215-pound forward is from Queens, New York, just 20 miles from the Prudential Center where the Tide play BYU on Thursday (6:09 p.m. CT, CBS), though it’s about an hour’s drive away with New York traffic. This will be the first time he plays this close to home in his college career.

“That was one of my biggest motivations,” Dioubate said on Sunday. “My family doesn’t come to my games often, so I looked at this as an opportunity to play in front of my family.

“Obviously, we want to win a national championship, but playing at home in front of my friends and family, the people who support me, is huge.”