TUSCALOOSA ?? The No. 8 ranked University of Alabama basketball team's season is 14 games old, but head coach Mark Gottfried says it all starts anew Saturday when the 13-1 Crimson Tide plays its Southeastern Conference opener. Alabama travels to Fayetteville, Ark., for a 1 p.m. CT game against the University of Arkansas Razorbacks, 11-3.
"Our guys are excited," said Alabama head coach Mark Gottfried about opening league play on Saturday. "We've done well in the non-conference, but now we're 0-0. We know that. Guys have come to Alabama to have a chance to win the SEC, so that's what we hope to do."
Alabama was voted the preseason favorite at the 2006-07 SEC Basketball Media Days in October to win the SEC's Western Division, but Gottfried says his Tide team will be tested immediately with Arkansas in the divisional match-up.
"I think they're a tremendous team," said Gottfried of the Razorbacks. "I think they are as talented as anyone in the country. Their inside guys are tremendous and I think they've added some great perimeter players. I think (Patrick) Beverley is very good, (Gary) Ervin is very good, Sonny Weems is excellent, Stefan Welsh is good. They've got four new perimeter players to go with along with all that talent inside, so we've got a lot of respect for their players and how well they play."
The trip to Fayetteville is one Tide junior transfer Mykal Riley says he has been looking forward to all season. Riley, who starts for the Tide at guard and is averaging 12.4 points and 5.8 rebounds this season, is a native of Pine Bluff, Ark.
"I've been really looking forward to this. I have a lot of family coming, so I'm looking forward to this trip, to this game," said Riley. "I've followed Arkansas basketball since I was a little kid. When I was little they were one of my favorite teams. They have a good program and talented players. It's going to be a challenge for us. From here on out in the SEC, every game is going to be tough because every team is good."
Riley, like his coach, has a great deal of respect for this Arkansas squad.
"I like their style of play," said Riley who is in his first season playing for Alabama after transferring from Panola JC. "I like their penetration to the basket. And they're quick. They have quick guards."
Alabama and Arkansas tied with one another for second place in the SEC's Western Division with 10-6 league records last season. The game marks the 43rd meeting between Alabama and Arkansas. The Razorbacks lead the overall series 22 wins to 20 by Alabama. Last year the two teams split with Alabama winning 78-75 in overtime in Tuscaloosa and Arkansas winning 65-63 in Fayetteville.
"We're all excited, looking forward to it," said Riley of opening league play and the conference race this weekend. "The season starts all over again for us Saturday. I'm excited about playing in the SEC. It's my first year playing in the league, so I'm curious to see how I'll do. I think as a team we've played really, really well so far, but you can always play better, and in the SEC, you have to play your best."
Alabama returns home from the Arkansas game to host 2006 Final Four team LSU on Tuesday, January 9 at 8 p.m. CT in a game that will be televised on ESPN2. A limited number of tickets still remain for that game and can be purchased on www.rolltide.com or by calling 1-800-TIDETIX.
