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Alabama, Davidson deal with another tragedy

Dec 23, 2006 - 4:58 PM Coppin St (2-8) at No. 10 Alabama (10-1) 3:00 pm EST

TUSCALOOSA, Alabama (Ticker) -- No. 10 Alabama and star center Jermareo Davidson are enduring another tragedy. The scheduled game against Coppin State shouldn't seem all that important.

Dewayne Watkins, the brother of Davidson, died on Wednesday night at an Atlanta hospital. Watkins had been critically ill since November 7.

The death of Watkins comes just over a month after Nikki Murphy, Davidson's girlfriend, died in a car accident in Atlanta.

"I have never known any student-athlete, from the time I was a player to now, who has had to endure so much heartache in such a short period of time," Alabama coach Mark Gottfried said. "Our thoughts, our prayers and our hearts are with Jermareo, his mother Madonna, and his family."

After missing some time following his girlfriend's death, Davidson returned last Saturday and had 25 points and 11 rebounds against Southern Mississippi. He netted 10 points on Wednesday in an 82-75 win at North Carolina State.

The Eagles have lost three straight contests, including a 64-47 loss to Oklahoma on December 9. Leading Coppin State in scoring at 19.0 points per game, Tywain McKee was held to just one point in the loss.

This is the first ever meeting between the schools.