Roll Tide, and VCU, too! 'Bama coach on wild ride

NEW YORK (AP) - All four coaches in the NIT semifinals gathered for photos Monday, three wearing snappy suits and ties. Anthony Grant sported a red Alabama pullover.

If the Crimson Tide coach wanted to remind everyone which team was his, there was good reason. Grant took as many questions, if not more, about his former squad at Virginia Commonwealth than his current one in Alabama.

Yes, March has turned into a wild and magnificent ride for just about anyone with ties to VCU, and Grant is no different.

Though his Alabama team was left out of the NCAA tournament, he quickly got his guys refocused and the Crimson Tide rolled into Madison Square Garden, where they play Colorado on Tuesday night.

Wichita State faces Washington State in the first semifinal.