NBANCAA Football

What Happened Last Night: Aggies Upset Alabama, Jackson And Lakers Get Closer

Oh, what a night full of NCAA football and NBA action. Granted, we’re still less than ten games into the NBA season, and there aren’t many big stories in NCAA football unless there’s a major upset, but there are still two huge stories you missed while you were out getting hammered.

Without further ado, let’s get you caught up.

Texas A&M and Johnny Football knock of no. 1 Alabama

SEC rookies Texas A&M weren’t supposed to be able to compete this year. Not only have they competed to an 8-2 record, including 5-2 in the SEC, but last night they knocked off no.1-ranked and fellow SEC school Alabama. Led by quarterback Johnny Manziel, AKA Johnny Football, and his 355 yards of combined offense (253 yards passing, 92 yards rushing) the Aggies burst out to a 20-0 first quarter lead, ultimately winning 29-24.

Alabama’s AJ McCarron threw for 309 yards and a touchdown himself, but also threw two interceptions, including one in that disastrous first quarter, that proved to be the difference as the Crimson Tide matched the Aggies in most statistical categories, but turned the ball over three times (two interceptions, one fumble) to the Aggies’ zero.

Phil Jackson-Lakers reunion gets closer to becoming a reality

In the wake of Mike Brown’s firing, Phil Jackson nears a return to the Lakers. The Lakers have gone all in for Jackson and will reportedly meet all of his demands, including not forcing him to attend all road games and giving him more say over basketball decisions with the organization.

Jackson is expected to make a decision by Monday. In the meantime, the Lakers are interviewing other candidates, including Mike D’Antoni and Mike Dunleavy, but sources say it’s Phil Jackson’s job unless he doesn’t want it. Which makes sense considering he’s the only candidate that has not only won a championship, but has won 11 of them.

Just my two cents even though you didn’t ask for it: as much as a Jackson-Lakers reunion looks good on paper, I like Mike D’Antoni a lot more for this team if Steve Nash is healthy. I don’t think Dwight Howard is smart enough to run Jackson’s triangle offense without a training camp to learn it, and Steve Nash’s skills are wasted in a share-ball offense. He played in such an offense when he was with the Dallas Mavericks, and his averages were consistently in the 14 points-7 assists neighborhood. Certainly not bad by any means, but why have Nash if you’re not going to give him the ball and let him make everyone’s life easier? I don’t get it. Like having a sports car and only using it to go to the grocery store, or like having Magic Johnson come back from retirement in 1996 and having him play power forward. Stupid..

All statistics via ESPN.com, photo via John David Mercer, US Presswire

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