Alabama fan with Dreamland BBQ connection hits half-court shot, wins $200 to rival BBQ joint
Alabama student Hudson Underwood pushed one basketball away, then he flicked another off his wrist.
His right foot crossed over the half-court line after he released the second basketball as part of the "Shoot for the Moon" promotional contest. He started backing up as he watched the ball sail through the air and swish through the net. After hitting free throws and a 3-pointer, Underwood had just sunk a half-court shot.
“I got just enough on that," Underwood said. "You see me start coasting back. I had a really good feeling about it."
Coleman Coliseum erupted. Underwood, formerly a Mountain Brook basketball manager who threw up half-court shots in his free time, started jumping as he moved down the court during a timeout in Alabama basketball's 105-73 win over Morehead State on Monday. In the stands, hands flew in the air, and many fans rose as Underwood bounced, swung his arms then celebrated with spirit squad members.
Underwood had plenty of reasons to celebrate. He'd just won ... a $200 gift card to Full Moon BBQ.
Think that's underwhelming considering the accomplishment? You wouldn't be alone. And Underwood would have even less reason to be excited about the prize than most.
He's had access to BBQ practically his entire life; He's a member of the family that expanded and runs Dreamland BBQ. That means he gets to celebrate his accomplishment with BBQ from a competitor to the family business.
"All my friends got a kick out of it," Underwood said. "My dad got a really good kick out of it. I have nothing but respect for all BBQ restaurants. I still eat my fair share of all BBQ around the state."
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Underwood's aunt, Betsy McAtee, is CEO of Dreamland Holding Company. Her father, and Underwood's grandfather, was Bobby Underwood. He is the one who expanded Dreamland past the original location in Tuscaloosa after striking a deal with Dreamland founder John 'Big Daddy' Bishop and his daughter, Jeanette. There are now 11 Dreamland locations across Alabama and even in Florida and Georgia.
Underwood, the half-court shot winner, went to Dreamland all the time growing up. He remembers watching all the locations open and change. The sophomore sports management major also often brings back Dreamland ribs for him and his roommates to eat on weekends, for what they call "big rib Sundays." He's been Dreamland through and through.
"It’s been really cool," Underwood said. "I cherish it a lot. I love the brand (my aunt) has built. I’m proud of everyone in our family that contributes to it.”
Believe it or not, Underwood has been to Full Moon BBQ before, though it has been a "long, long time." He plans to use that gift card soon and bring it back to feast with his roommates.
Who can blame him? It's not good practice to turn down free ribs. Especially when a half-court shot earned $200 worth of them.
Nick Kelly covers Alabama football and men's basketball for The Tuscaloosa News, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at nkelly@gannett.com or follow him @_NickKelly on X, the social media app formerly known as Twitter.
This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Alabama basketball: Dreamland legacy wins gift card to rival BBQ joint with half-court shot
