Talk about icing a shooter. Alonzo Gee had to wait over an hour before shooting a pair of free throws. State and Alabama threw everything at each other in regulation but the kitchen sink. Mother Nature returned the favor in spades as the roof of Georgia Dome was literally brought down while State and the Tide battled to the death.

Mykal Riley, who makes the impossible seem routine now, nailed a three pointer with 2 seconds left to send a nip and tuck job into overtime. Maybe nailed isn't the right word. The shot shook, rattled, and finally rolled into the net. The tie was a only a stay of execution as the Tide was beaten in overtime 69-67. I've criticized Gottfried for a couple of seasons now. But let's give credit where its due. Down only 4-0 the Coach called time out and looked his starting five in the eye and asked them twice –"do you want to play or not." Apparently the Tide did indeed want to play. The Tide fell behind 10-0 but the defensive effort was better. The Tide rolled to as much as a seven point lead before the half.

Let's call the game what it was – a roughhouse affair made even rougher by laughable officiating. Notice I said laughable not laudable. Even more laughable was the SEC decision to let the fans, players, and media stick around for over an hour sitting under a Georgia Dome that had survived a tornado.

The conditions were so bad that people were rightfully scared. They officials shouldn't have tossed the ball up. They should have allowed a coin flip to see who got the wind. No doubt that decisions made in hindsight are 20/20 but what were the SEC officials thinking. How do you justify allowing State and Bama to play, and then declare the arena unsafe for Kentucky? It was not a red letter decision on a night of darkness and wind. Each team was allowed ten minutes to warm up after returning to the floor. The players were clearly shaken and it took a minute of two for a flow to be established. This was after Alonzo Gee missed two free throws after waiting for over an hour to shoot them. Bama needed those two points. I'm not saying what could have been different but some thought was needed to let the kids come back on Saturday morning to finish.

The game was a close as the score indicated. How close was Bama to advancing? From anyone's angle it looked like Riley's last three point shot of his career was going in. It did and then didn't. The crowd seemed relieved they could then go back to their hotels. State didn't celebrate the way teams normally do. State had dodged a bullet, but both teams dodged something even more. This was only a game. What happened outside was life or death.

Kudos for Gottfried for figuring out a way to keep Jamont Gordon under control. Further kudos for making Hansbrough a non-factor until very late. All I want to know was where was this type coaching hiding. I sincerely believe the criticism leveled by so many might have shaken Gottfried out of a deep sleep. I'm sure that next season will be better if Steele is well, and Richard wants one more shot at the SEC. After next season it could get rough.

But for this writer it was a good two days for Bama hoops. In a league that is so close in talent the coach makes all the difference. Has Bama seen the rebirth of a coach? Or was it just a super senior wanting his career to never end? Perhaps it's both. Bama has reportedly turned down overtures from the NIT. With so many bubble teams beaten yesterday a bid might not have been forthcoming. That's a shame. This team was suddenly finding themselves in a position of respect. Better late than never. I say let's go to the NIT if asked. Or let's go to the CBI if asked. I want to see if Mykal Riley can keep playing Penn and Teller.