Gump Day: BYU is being fed all the delicious rat poison this week as they face ‘Bama in the Sweet 16

Happy Gump Day, one and all. Before we talk about hoops, we have to briefly mention That Other Sport.

This was a concerning quote to me, having seen more than one Alabama team derailed by lack of leadership:

So who fills [Booker’s] void for the Tide in 2025?

There is no obvious answer, and it ultimately could be more of a by-committee approach from a group of returning players that includes 15 veterans in their final year of college 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 said 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 rest of the team, which is why he’s dubbed his room the “juice squad” at all of his stops. Undoubtedly, Booker was squeezing most of that juice last season.

Maybe kumbaya will work? I’m not sure though. I’ll settle for lack of locker room headcases and guys who think they’re bigger than the program, much less the team. It feels like we’ve been held hostage by the latter far too much recently.

And while I’m less certain that a leader will rise, someone’s play on the field will at least elevate them in the eyes of their teammates and lend credibility when they speak. That will have to suffice for now. (Though, I do think that Keelon has it. That kid already talks a big game, and oozes charisma like a hobo’s seeping boxers after a week on Skid Row).

Speaking of Keelon, of all the ongoing QB battles in the country, few will be as intriguing — or generate as much press — as ‘Bama’s vacancy under center. Three very different players, who each do very different things, with their attendant strengths and weaknesses.

Let the speculation begin.

Alabama

Contenders: Ty Simpson, Austin Mack, Keelon Russell

Ty Simpson might have a full punch card for all the times he has been deemed a contender for the starting role as the former five-star prospect prepares for his fourth season of spring practice with Alabama. After running backup to Jalen Milroe, one would think he’s ready to finally ascend to the starter’s role, but he’s got some stiff competition that Kalen DeBoer and the current staff were responsible for recruiting to Tuscaloosa. Mack has impressive size at 6-foot-6, 235 pounds and followed DeBoer from Washington to Alabama after redshirting with the Huskies in 2023. With Ryan Grubb reuniting with DeBoer as offensive coordinator, that reignites yet another connection of familiarity that could give him an edge in the battle.

Then there’s Russell, who in a perfect world for the Tide probably spends this spring developing and getting accustomed to life in the program. An elite playmaker who has drawn comparisons to Jayden Daniels by talent evaluators, Russell was a five-star prospect in the 2025 class with a perfect 100 grade, but he could benefit from putting on weight before being thrown into the fire of SEC competition.

I think most ‘Bama fans would be content with whomever wins the battle in August, provided they play well at an elite level to hang on to it throughout the year. Alabama’s SEC schedule this year is practically the inverse of last year’s — and has that filthy road trip to Athens early in the season.

Much of that will of course depend on what happens on the sidelines, and whether Nick Sheridan is actually going to be entrusted to nurture Russell, after a less-than-sterling track record at three programs in developing a passing game. Color me amongst the skeptics that he’s up to the task.

I’m also not sure that the Game One starter in Tallahassee is necessarily the December starter either. There are limited (or no) meaningful reps between this trio, and sometimes the only way to test a man’s mettle is to put him through the crucible of live fire.

Good story here on Geno VanDeMark, and the offensive line generally:

“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,” said VanDeMark when asked how understanding his role for last season was.

VanDeMark knows that to find success in the competitive Southeastern Conference, it starts in the trenches and building on improvement. “I want to be better with my lateral movement and refitting hands in pass pro. I just want to be an all-around better player, but those two things specifically,” said VanDeMark when asked what he hopes to improve on going into the upcoming season. VanDeMark’s commitment to improving his game reflects the mindset Alabama linemen are known for: tough, disciplined, and relentless.

Geno VanDeMark: “I think we have a lot of potential as a group.”

There’s that damning temptress again: “Potential.” It’s been many years since Alabama’s offensive line fulfilled it.

Alabama took significant moves last week to improve 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 had a total of 11 prospects in town this week, and the Tide received expert projections for one of them after their visit.

Let’s take a look at 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 in Owings Mills, Maryland, kicked off an exciting week of recruiting for Alabama on Monday, March 17th. Caleb Abrams, the No. 6 prospect from Maryland in the 2026 class, made his first-ever visit to Alabama’s campus this past week. He left with high praise for the Tide’s intensity during practice, stating to On3’s Blake Byler, “I wouldn’t want to be in any other environment.” Alabama is currently in Abrams’ top 10 schools, which he announced back in February.

Alabama Football had a Big Week in Recruiting Last Week

I have nothing intelligent to add here, because I’ve been dialed in on basketball and hoops ‘crootin’. Thus, I’ve not evaluated these guys. But perhaps CB or Brent will fill us in on the state of recruiting soon. Or, one of you wizened crootin’ sages could let us know in the comments who stands out?

On to hoops! #BOG

And, buddy, is there so much delicious rat poison being handed out in Provo! Like this re-seeding of the field:

BYU 12: Still white-hot after closing the regular season with eight straight wins, BYU threw the kind of haymakers at VCU and Wisconsin that have made it among the most highly-rated offensive teams in the country. Now, all 91 points against the Badgers were needed because of some shaky defense, but if the Cougars can trade paint with another offensive juggernaut 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 (in the Top 25 of both offense and defense), the Big 10 Champion Wolverines, or the equally lethal and better defensive Boilermakers. And Arkansas would bludgeon them with a broken bat. But, please, keep writing these.

Oh, there’s another one:

“BYU will HAMMER Alabama.”

And another one, from Jay Bilas:

“Alabama’s upset chances? High.”

More? Sure.

BYU stock is way up. The Cougars entered the tournament red-hot with nine wins in a row prior to the Big 12 championship game, and their offense continued to roll at a blistering pace in the Big Dance. Putting up 80 points and shooting well against a VCU defense that shined all year, especially against the 3-ball, was a dazzling start. Keeping it going against Wisconsin was a statement. Kevin Young has this team on fire, and the run sets up a battle with Alabama that projects to be a shootout. First team to 100 points wins?

Another? Yes, sir.

BYU’s found instant success plucking Young from the NBA ranks, evidenced by the many programs who have emulated that model since. BYU has won 11 of its last 12 games and rallied behind a top-10 offense that runs great actions and gets good looks — evidenced by a top-six 2-point shooting percentage. It’s not out of the realm of possibility that BYU evolves into monster in the coming years under Young.

Why you should root for the Cougars: Best team since the Jimmer days

BYU is back in the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2011 when former superstar Jimmer Fredette was leading the way. First-year coach Kevin Young has worked wonders in his short time in Provo. The program’s best days are yet to come under Young, with five-star AJ Dybantsa set to enroll this fall.

Last year, BYU finished with 11 losses.
This year, BYU — unless they run the table — will finish the year with…10. Helluva’ miracle!

Imagine ranking a first-year head coach ahead of Todd Golden or John Calipari or Chris Beard. The latter two have made seven combined appearances in Final Four, and Calipari has a ring and has been a member of the Basketball Hall of Fame for a full decade. Jesus, man. Without a true Cinderella to write about, these goobers have no clue how to substantively discuss sports, do they?

Wanna’ know why we’re seeing all of this? Because this sports reporter in SLC nailed it:

And it goes to something I alluded to today on the Tweeter machine. They’re complaining about high level basketball because they simply don’t know how to write about sports anymore.

I’m so happy for the many Godless Yankees Northern players on the ‘Bama bench 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 none has been quite as vocal in their joy as Queens native Mo D:

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

Then he turns and looks at 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 the whole way. Hard to blame him, really, because this week, he gets to go home.

Alabama’s 6-foot-7, 215-pound forward is originally from Queens, New York, which is just 20 miles by foot from the Prudential Center, where the Tide play BYU on Thursday (6:09 p.m. CT, CBS), but probably more like an hour away by car (New York traffic). It will be the first time he’ll get to play a game 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 going back home and play in front of my friends and family, the people that support me, that’s big.”

The latest target for the No. 2 seed Crimson Tide, set to face No. 6 seed BYU in the Sweet 16 on Thursday, is reportedly LSU’s Corey Chest, according to League Ready’s Sam Kayser.

Chest, a native of New Orleans, averaged 6.1 points, 6.6 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game for the Tigers this season.

Against Alabama, Chest was 4-for-9 for 12 points with 18 rebounds, marking his first and only double-double versus an SEC opponent during his freshman season.

Oats highlighted Chest as a budding talent for LSU ahead of Alabama’s 80-73 win on Jan. 25, and again when criticizing his own team’s efforts on the glass after the contest.

“Look, the rebounding was obviously an issue. I gotta give a ton of credit to LSU. Corey Chest with 15 rebounds in the first half, ends with 18. But he didn’t end up getting up an offensive board in the second half, I don’t believe,” Oats said.

Chest was the No. 6 PF in last year’s class, the No. 2 player in Louisiana, and an ESPN Top 100 guy. With Alabama losing a lot of beef in the paint, a player like Chest brings instant minutes and a lot of physicality to a position where the Tide needs to grow a lot tougher.

Finally, Happy Medal of Honor Day to the 3,536 men under arms who received the nation’s commendation for the most valorous, almost-superhuman acts of selfless heroism.

The MOH Museum opened this week to commemorate their stories, and most often their sacrifice.

Have a great day, and Roll Tide.