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Alabama hopes Steele can return vs. Louisiana-Monroe

Nov 28, 2006 - 2:09 PM UL Monroe (3-3) at No. 7 Alabama (5-0) 8:00 pm EST

TUSCALOOSA, Alabama (Ticker) - Alabama easily won its last game without point guard Ronald Steele. Having him back would be a bonus.

Off to their best start in four seasons, the seventh-ranked Crimson Tide hope to have Steele in the lineup Tuesday when they try to remain undefeated in their first all-time meeting against Louisiana-Monroe.

Troubled by tendinitis in his right knee, Steele sat out Saturday's game against Texas-Southern as a precautionary measure. His consecutive-game streak ended at 67 and he is listed as day-to-day.

Jermareo Davidson scored 16 points and grabbed 11 rebounds and Richard Hendrix added 15 and 12 for the Crimson Tide, who scored the first 10 points and rolled to a 74-44 triumph over Texas-Southern.

Playing seven of its first eight games on the road, Louisiana-Monroe came off losses to Louisiana State and Southern Methodist with Saturday's 88-53 victory over Loyola-New Orleans.

Tony Hooper made 10-of-19 shots and scored a career-high 27 points. Jordan Payne added 15 and Afam Nweke grabbed 12 rebounds for the Warhawks, who limited Loyola to just 34 percent (17-of-50) from the floor.

Louisiana-Monroe has lost all three road games this season and 15 of its last 17 away from home.