Jumbo Package: Softball advances, Saban sees problems with allowing underclassmen to return after declaring for NFL Draft

Happy Friday, everyone. We have a few links for you this morning, starting with the softball team’s walk-off win and berth in the SEC semifinals.

“Basically it was just get on base somehow and do whatever I needed to do,” Wallace said. “I knew (pitcher) Montana Fouts was working hard the whole game and I needed to start it off being the leadoff batter right there and swing hard. I kind of knew it was gone, but I was iffy about it because the wind was blowing in really hard. I didn’t want to get too crazy at the beginning think it was gone, but I kind of did know.”

The conference tournament is somewhat meaningless for the regular season champion Tide who will undoubtedly be hosting a regional regardless of outcome, but winning is always more fun than losing.

Nick Saban was asked about football following basketball’s model in allowing underclassmen who have declared for the NFL Draft to return if their stock seems lower than they expected it to be. He has some concerns.

“If we’re going to have this many people go out for the draft, that’s obviously a solution that some people should look at,” Saban said. “If that were the case in football, how many guys would go out for the draft? You could kiss spring practice goodbye. You wouldn’t know what kind of team … or who would be on your team for the next year. How would you know how many guys you could recruit if you don’t know how many guys are coming back to the team? I think when you have smaller numbers (as in basketball), that’s a little easier to manage.”

There are already too many juniors coming out, and this would just encourage more. No thank you.

Alabama football continues to shine in the classroom.

Alabama football matched its program record of 984, which bettered the national average for Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) teams by 20 points. UA ranked second in the SEC in APR behind Vanderbilt (991). Auburn (982), Arkansas (982) and Ole Miss (978) rounded out the top-five schools.

The Crimson Tide men’s basketball team posted a 995 APR, bettering the national average by 28 points. Baseball, with a 985 APR, bettered the national average by nine points.

Outstanding.

Curiously, Coach Kool never found a new job and is thus drawing severance.

Kuligowski’s termination was never announced by Alabama since coaches in this situation are typically hired elsewhere. His name was reportedly connected to a few searches for a defensive line coach but the time of year associated with job changes came and went without landing a new gig.

He should be working again soon.

Despite the 28-point loss in January, Danny Sheridan says Alabama would be favored over Clemson again.

We will probably get to find out.

Last, Kirby Smart was asked about some media folks suggesting that this is their year.

“Nah, I don’t get into the predictions,” Smart said. “I think they sell, I think it’s great for the media and it’s great for the offseason for everybody to talk about but our predictions are we’ve got to go practice, play good and get a good football team … good product on the field. That’s what we are working on right now.”

Both teams are heavily favored in their respective divisions, and another rematch in Atlanta would make for great entertainment.

That’s about it for today. Have a great weekend.

Roll Tide.