March Madness: Stephen A. Smith joins Dick Vitale, Charles Barkley in ‘rolling with the Tide’
Well, add Stephen A. Smith to the list of talking heads and analysts that are “rolling with the Tide.”
The “First Take” host is the latest to pick No. 1 overall seed Alabama to win the NCAA tournament national championship.
Both Charles Barkley and Dick Vitale explained why they were picking Nate Oats’ team to be the last team standing in March Madness.
On Tuesday, Stephen A. gave his 2 cents.
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“Alabama, and usually I’m saying that about Nick Saban, but wouldn’t it beautiful if the basketball program won the national championship?” Smith asked. “This brother can ball. Brandon Miller is special, OK? (Mark) Sears isn’t bad. (Noah) Clowney isn’t bad, but Brandon Miller is special.
He added he talked to Michigan State coach Tom Izzo who offered up that Miller might be the best player in the country.
“When you talk about that Cinderella ride, when you got that kind of stud, OK? That’s the kind of dude that can deliver the goods.”
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Alabama is No. 1 in the final AP Top 25 men’s college basketball poll of the season Houston is No. 2 and Big Ten champion Purdue was third. The Tide is fresh off an SEC Tournament title to go with its regular-season crown.
“I’m rolling with the Tide,” Smith declared. I’m picking Alabama.”
Mark Heim is a sports reporter for The Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Mark_Heim.