West Alabama Friday Briefing
Good morning West Alabama!! It is Friday, March 28, 2025. This is the 87th day of the year with 278 days remaining.
Friday Morning Observations:
Before the college basketball season began, most supposed roundball experts were predicting Alabama to return to the NCAA Final Four this season. With a few rough spots along the way, especially during that brutal seven games at the regular season, the Tide has proven those predictions for another stellar season correct.
Last night's 113-88 offensive explosion in the "Sweet 16" game against Brigham Young has every Bama fan envisioning a trip to San Antonio as one of the final four standing. The Tide rained threes from everywhere last night, breaking the NCAA record with 25. Superstar Guard Mark Sears left the game just one 3-pointer shy of the individual record. The defense wasn't bad either.
Before everyone books flights to Texas, let's not overlook a major potential roadblock, the 34-and-3, #1 seed, Duke Blue Devils. The perennial ACC powerhouse has 6-9 forward Cooper Flagg, the probable national player of the year and a solid supporting cast. However, their win over Arizona last night was not a cakewalk. Flagg posted 30 points, 6 rebounds, 7 assists and 3 blocks to lead the Dukies past the Wildcats100-93 (it was closer than the final score). He has almost single handedly willed Duke to several wins this season, including last night.
But here is a question that has been overlooked by all the plaudits handed the Blue Devils this season: Is Duke really as good as everyone thinks or was the ACC really as bad as they looked all year? This was not a normal ACC dominant year, the 2024-25 season was the year of the Southeastern Conference.
The SEC went 14-2 in the ACC/SEC Challenge in December, including 6-2 on the road. The ACC lost 11 games by double digits and five by 20-plus points. Its two wins were by four and six.
Alabama is a running, quick shooting team, Duke is a more traditional team with much of its offense coming from inside the 3-point line and that could be a problem for UA unless it is able to continue its torrid 3-point pace. Last night Alabama was outscored 50-16 in the paint — but still won by 25 points. It will take that again tomorrow night for the Tide to return to the Final Four for the second straight year.
Duke is a big favorite but here is hoping the Tide will roll!
(Opinions expressed in Morning Briefing are those of the author and not necessarily those of the ownership, management, staff or sponsors of Townsquare Media Tuscaloosa.)
Weather:
The Storm Prediction Center (SPC) has introduced an Elevated (3 in 5) Risk for severe weather in Lamar and northwest Fayette counties late Sunday night into Monday. There is a Slight (2 in 5) Risk over the rest of West Alabama.
All severe weather hazards will be possible with this storm system, including tornadoes, damaging winds, and large hail. Lightning will be a Significant Risk both Sunday and Monday across West Alabama. Excessive Rainfall is also possible Sunday and Monday.
Read More: ALERT: Tornadoes, Large Hail, and Dangerous Winds Expected in Alabama
The Forecast:
Alabama Senior Republican U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville has told NOTUS News he supports the arrest of UA doctoral student Alireza Dorodi by ICE Agents earlier this week. Tuberville says the Iranian’s visa had been revoked during the Biden Administration in 2023, but he remained in the U.S. illegally.
A small protest was held on the UA campus yesterday and various student organizations are posting their fear and concern on their social media sites.
Dorodi is being held in the Pickens County Jail.
Pickens County Gets Ambulance Donations
Since December, Lamar County has been providing ambulance services to Pickens County after its underfunded service folded. This has resulted in long response times and deaths according to county officials.
Last month’s Gordo tornado emphasized the need for an in-county medical response and the Alabama Fire College (AFC) in Tuscaloosa has come to the rescue. AFC, with the help of a $200,000 grant has donated a fully equipped ambulance.
A second ambulance is being provided through help from the State Legislature.
Vernon Mayor Glenn Crawford told the crowd at the handover ceremony he saw first-hand why Pickens County needs its own service because runs the first month were double what was expected.
A bill is progressing through the state house that would allow Pickens County residents to vote on a $10 vehicle license and registration fee to further fund the ambulance service.
Carrollton Mayor Mickey Walker said the next step is adding a third ambulance and getting an Emergency Room for Pickens County.
Fatality from Last Week Just Reported
34-year-old Mason L. Wood was fatally injured when the pickup he was driving left a Walker County roadway, struck a tree and caught fire. The crash happened last week but is just now being reported by ALEA. The crash happened about eight miles north of Jasper on Bennett Road.
German Logistics Company Employing 100 in Tuscaloosa is Critical of Tariffs
BLG Logistics USA is the North American subsidiary of the German BLG Logistics Group. They employee some 100 in Tuscaloosa and their leadership is voicing concern and criticism of President Trump's 25% tariff on automobiles.
On Thursday, in response to the tariffs, BLG's Global CEO Matthias Magnor issued a statement that said these tariffs "are not the answer."
However, United Auto Workers President Shaun Fain is backing the tariffs. He claims the NAFTA trade deal hurt American auto workers.
Read More: German Logistics Giant With 100 Workers in Northport & Vance Criticizes Trump Tariffs
Heavily Used Foster's Ferry Boat Ramp Closes for Months
The Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources announced the closure of the Foster's Ferry Boat Ramp in a Thursday press release.
ADCNR said the Foster’s Ferry Public Boat Ramp will close Monday and will remain closed the next couple of months for upgrades.
Read More: Fosters Ferry Public Boat Ramp to Close for Months for Upgrades
Edward Guy Collection Coming to Kentuck
According to a post on their website the public debut of "The Edward Guy Collection: A Major Gift to Kentuck Art Center" is scheduled for a week from today at the Kentuck Art Center on Warner Parkway.
The post credits Guy as an invaluable part of Kentuck for over 20 years—serving as a board member, volunteer, dedicated supporter, and friend.
The free event will run from 5:30pm until 8:00pm on April 4th at Kentuck at Queen City, 1901 Jack Warner Parkway.
Fayette County Receives SEEDS Funds
Fayette County has become the latest West Alabama County to receive a check from Gov. Ivey for economic development. $700,000 will be used to purchase 77 acres off U.S. Highway 43 in north Fayette.
Development of the industrial park will begin with the City of Fayette working on the roads, putting up signage, and preparing to create new jobs for residents by attracting new companies.
DOGE Cuts Impact Alabama
West Alabama Democrat Congresswoman Terri Sewell has announced a $190 million grant that helps fund about 140 Alabama county health department positions across the state has been canceled without warning by the Trump Administration.
Sewell, in a post made on social media, said the affected employees specialize in preventing the spread of infectious diseases.
In her post on X (formerly twitter), Sewell stated, “What this means is that investigations of outbreaks in prisons, in nursing homes, in day care centers are going to go without personnel to actually do those investigations,” Sewell stated.
Sewell also voiced concern that cutbacks will make Alabama vulnerable to the current measles outbreak because few personnel will be working to detect an outbreak in the state.
ADPH has stated it expected cutbacks to various programs and has made preliminary plans to deal with them.
Sports:
Bombs Away by Crimson Tide in Sweet 16
The Alabama Men's Basketball Team hit 25 3-point shots in last night's NCAA Tournament "Sweet 16" game in Newark, NJ. That is a new NCAA record.
Tide All-American Guard Mark Sears came up just one 3-pointer shy of breaking the individual record for 3-pointers. Sears accounted for 56 of the Tide's point total.
The rain of 3's led to the 20th highest scoring NCAA playoff game ever as Bama blasted Brigham Young 113-88.
Tide Coach Nate Oats told postgame media that last night’ 3-point offensive explosion by his team was the result of hard work as the players showed up for non-required shoot arounds and were dedicated to winning.
#2 seed Alabama plays #1 seed Duke in tomorrow’s Elite 8 game at 7:49 CDT.
Nate Oats post-game comments. NCAA Men's Bracket
Read More: Record-Breaking Shooting Sends Tide to Elite Eight
Read More: Nate Oats Makes Alabama History in Sweet 16 Win
Bama Baseball Opens Three Game Series with Oklahoma Tonight at "The Joe"
The 12th ranked Crimson Tide hosts the #9 Sooners for three games beginning tonight at 6:00pm at "The Joe" on campus.
Game times and TV:
- Tonight – 6 p.m. CDT – SEC Network+
- Saturday – 12 p.m. CDT – SEC Network
- Sunday – 1 p.m. CDT – SEC Network+
Probable Pitching Rotation:
- Friday, March 28
- LHP Zane Adams (UA) vs. RHP Kyson Witherspoon (OU)
- Saturday March 29
- RHP Bobby Alcock (UA) vs. LHP Cade Crossland (OU)
- Sunday, March 30
- TBA (UA) vs. RHP Malachi Witherspoon (OU)
The Crimson Tide is unbeaten in four previous games against the Sooners at Sewell-Thomas Stadium.
Big Softball Series with UGA Begins Tonight
The 25th raked Alabama Softball Team (23-12 overall, 2-4 SEC) hosts 15th ranked Georgia (24-8 overall, 3-6 SEC) tonight, Saturday and Sunday at the Rhodes House.
- Tonight – 6 p.m. CT
- Saturday – 2 p.m. CT
- Sunday – 11 a.m. CT (ESPN2)
The Tide offense leads the SEC with 82 stolen bases and is also in the top five in hits, total bases and batting average while the defense leads the league and is fifth nationally with 20 double plays turned.
Click TuscaloosaThread.com for the latest West Alabama news, sports and weather. Better yet, download the app.
Have a wonderful weekend and ROLL TIDE!!
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