LOST IN THE SHUFFLE OF NSDAY

key game for Bama tonight on plains...
favored by 3 tonight

Where:  Auburn University
When:   7 CST
dial:      SEC Network
line:      -3 Bama

 

     I no longer bet on college basketball games.  That being said - I have to say that I do consult with a few close friends who are serious about placing big money bets. If it was my money on the line tonight, I'd leave it in my wallet. No way I'd bet on this game unless Auburn was favored. An old college coach and close friend of mine once said, "betting against the home team in the SEC is going to cost you money."  I agree. There is no future in betting against a home team, particularly when the home team is a dog. Ask Florida how good Arkansas is today and the Gators would say the best is Arkansas in the  SEC. Bud Walton is no place for anyone but the Razorbacks. Tonight the Crimson Tide travels to Auburn to take on the Auburn Tigers. This pair appears to be two teams going in opposite directions.

      The Tigers have lost six consecutive games.Tony Barbee has been so upset with the play of his Tigers he said he has been embarrassed coaching them. I didn't quite understand if he meant his coaching or his team's  play. Alabama has won 6 of their last 7 games, including a win at Vanderbilt. Winning in Nashville has been rare stuff for Bama in the last two decades. The one loss is a still controversial one point game against Tennessee. The Tide has had better results in Auburn, but it is still the lair of the Tiger. Barbee has taken an extreme course of action in calling his team out in public. I think that shows that Coach Barbee knows if he doesn't beat Alabama his season is over. A loss to Alabama on  Auburn's home floor might effectively put the Tigers out of business for the rest of the season. Barbee has purposely made this the biggest game of the season for his team. Whether that's good or bad remains to be seen. At 8-13 and 2-6 in the conference, postseason play is not going to happen. What better thing to do than hurt your arch rivals chances in the post season. This is the state of things between the two basketball programs.

      Despite losing 6 games in a row the Tigers have some good talent. In fact, it's difficult to understand how the Tigers have lost 13 games. That is what has Barbee in a funk about his team. The Tigers skid started with Arkansas and has continued unabated through their 91-77 loss to Missouri. In that six game streak the Tigers almost beat Ole Miss but the remainder of the losses were never in doubt. Alabama on the hand has found more ways to win than a cat has lives. Whether it is coming from behind or hanging on for dear life the Crimson has found a way. Bama's lack of physical size hurt them on the road at Tennessee. The Tide has managed to carve out 6 wins despite not having a good inside game. Alabama is almost the little engine that could. But now, the Tide has no latitude for error. A Bama win would put them one step closer to the NCAA or NIT. A loss however would maybe kill the Tide's chances for the NCAA. There just aren't RPI powerhouses left on schedule. A loss would be one of those "bad" losses that the NCAA will not favorably on Alabama. In short, the Tide has run out of bad wins, and good wins just aren't on the schedule except Florida and maybe Ole Miss.

     The Tigers are shooting 41% from the floor and 69% from the free throw line. Bama's numbers are 44% and 70% respectively. Alabama is led by the two Trevors. I haven't heard anything that leads me to believe that Releford will not be in the lineup tonight after an injury against Vandy that set him down the last five minutes.  Lacey has become the go to man for the Tide. Releford is averaging 15.3 ppg and Lacey is scoring 12.5 ppg. The Tide has no player pulling down five rebounds per game. Even though Bama isn't getting a lot of individual numbers inside, the duo of Gueye and Jacobs have cobbled together enough production to keep teams honest on the perimeter. Gueye has improved his games by leaps and bounds. He is scoring some and is a force inside on defense. He blocked 5 shots in each of his last two games. Jacobs has pieced together some decent offense lately. Bama needs a big game from Jacobs. It's getting awfully late in the season to expect a big game from Pollard. Let's hope he can.

    The longest drive in the SEC is back from Auburn with a L by your team. I hate picking against Alabama. I think Bama can win. I think Auburn is due for a win. think the game will go down to the wire. If Bama is ahead or close in the last 5 minutes I like our chances. Auburn is at home. That could be the difference in the game. Visiting teams win only 30% on the road over the last two decades. That is a hard number to ignore. The way the Tigers are approaching this game puts a lot of pressure on them. If Bama can avoid a slow start or not get to far being in the first half they will win. Otherwise, it 's AU. Bottom line is that I can't really pick a winner, but if hard pressed I'd say AU has the edge.