\n<\/p>\n
Happy Gump Day, one and all. Before we talk about hoops, we have to briefly mention That Other Sport. <\/p>\n
This was a concerning quote to me, having seen more than one Alabama team derailed by lack of leadership:<\/p>\n
\nSo who fills [Booker\u2019s] void for the Tide in 2025?<\/p>\n
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<\/a> of college eligibility.<\/p>\n
\u201cI just feel like maybe we don\u2019t have someone who\u2019s just over-the-top strong and one who commands all of it,\u201d DeBoer said earlier this month. \u201cBut I think all of them working together and just kind of picking each other up on top of themselves, I think it\u2019s in a good spot.\u201d<\/p>\n
Offensive line coach Chris Kapilovic believes his position group needs to set the tone for the rest of the team, which is why he\u2019s dubbed his room the \u201cjuice squad\u201d<\/a> at all of his stops. Undoubtedly, Booker was squeezing most of that juice last season.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Maybe kumbaya will work? I\u2019m not sure though. I\u2019ll settle for lack of locker room headcases and guys who think they\u2019re bigger than the program, much less the team. It feels like we\u2019ve been held hostage by the latter far too much recently. <\/p>\n
And while I\u2019m less certain that a leader will rise, someone\u2019s 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<\/em>. That kid already talks a big game, and oozes charisma like a hobo\u2019s seeping boxers after a week on Skid Row).<\/p>\n