It's Georgia at Alabama...
Bama's last gasp at NCAA ...
The Crimson Tide is fighting for its NCAA Tournament life, and today at 3PM in Coleman Coliseum we'll find out if they are still alive. Alabama is also fighting to retain its second place standing in the SEC Official Standings. There's a wreck at the top for second place with four teams tied. Alabama, Missouri, Kentucky, and Ole Miss are fight to stay second and fighting to get the second seed in the upcoming SEC Tournament in Nashville. The trournament starts next week. Let's take a look at the possibilities. Right now a four way tie for second would give Tide a most unwanted 5th seed. Big games to watch today or Florida at Kentucky, Ole Miss at LSU, and MIssouri travels to Knoxville, and Georgia come to Coleman. What a great final weekend for the SEC. Florida has nailed down the top spot. The Gators have seemed to be head and shoulders above the remainder of the SEC. Can they knock of Kentucky at Rupp? If so, the Wildcats are likely NIT bound. LSU is hosting hated Ole Miss. That is a rivalry that has some bitter blood. An LSU win over the Rebels would be great for Bama. And then there is that little matchup in Knoxville. Missouri is fighting to retain its second place standing in the SEC and Tennessee might very well nail down an NCAA berth. What happens to Bama this weekend is a wild and mentally confusing formula of what ifs. Take two aspirins and read this:
Alabama is the No. 2 seed, if:
Most Bama fans believe it would be best for the Tide to get the number four seed. How in the world is it better to finish with the 4 seed than the 2 seed. That seems illogical. In the world where the NCAA touches anything isn't logical. The prevailing thought is that Bama would be forced to play teams with higher seeds, namely Kentucky, Ole Miss or Missouri. I dont' adhere to that belief. It is important to lower the RPI, but just keep winning Bama and the RPI takes care of itself. So much of the RPI is effected outside of the conference trying to use RPI as the sole selection criteria is foolish. My personal belief is that if Alabama wins today and then makes it to the finals of the SEC we are in the NCAA and may get a decent seed. I'd hazard a 12 seed.
Don't make the mistake of believing because we beat Georgia on the road this home game is a cinch. Georgia is coming off an uplifting win over an average Kentucky team without Noel. But it was Kentucky, and for once the Dawgs didn't crash and burn late with the lead. Kentucky looked lost. If an eye test is required for Kentucky they just flunked out.
According to Coach Grant:
“"The game against Georgia is a huge game for us,” UA head coach Anthony Grant said. “It’s our last home game. We get an opportunity to close out our SEC season at home undefeated with a very talented Georgia team coming in. They’re playing great basketball right now. They had a huge win last night against Kentucky. In my opinion, they’ve got a guy that’s probably a candidate for SEC Player of the Year in the league in Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. I think he’s had an outstanding year and has really led their team. It will be a great challenge. We had a great game against them in Athens. The last time we played it came down to the wire, which most of the games in our league have, so we expect a very highly contested game. Both teams are going to be fighting a good battle. It should be a lot of fun to watch.”
Not only does Bama have the pressure of the game itself, but over a 100 Alabama basketball legends will be on hand to be honored as part of the first century of Alabama hoops glory,. The Tide has the second most success of any team in the SEC, and that tradition sometimes gets lost because of football. I am looking forward to seeing Wimp Sanderson walk on the floor and I hope he has on a plaid coat. All this might inspire the team to a higher level. Throw in Senior Day two Bama players and the atmosphere is set for an exciting afternoon. The game is now a sell out.
The Players:
Alabama is going with their regular starting five. There has been some speculation that Jacobs might start in place of Moussa Gueya. Releford, Lacey, Randolph, and Cooper round out the Tide's starting five. Bama will also get some key minutes from the suddenly improved Retin Obasahan. If Retin was a little taller he would probably start in place of Randolph, who has seen a last season slump. Randolph is Bama's key defensive stopper and he'll likely draw the KCP when in a man. But look for the Tide to play a lot of 2/3 zone. Another key match up will involve Georgia's Namanjic Durisic. The 6 8, 230 pound power forward has an arsenal of unconventional moves around the basket. That's not good news for Jacobs, Cooper, and Gueye. Djurisic is much stronger than Cooper and quicker than the twin towers.
With Georgia, the team rises and falls with the play of Kentvious Caldwell-Pope. He is the Dawg's leading scorer and rebounder. He quick jump shot has proven almost impossible to stop, but Levi Randolph will try. Neither team has an impressive inside game, although the Bulldogs do have some depth in numbers. Alabama should have a decided advantage with Releford at the point, and due to the lack of quickness in Georgia big men he could have a nice day driving the paint. His Georgia counter part, Vincent Williams is shooting 40% from downtown, and had a great game against Kentucky. Georgia is going to start back court players going 6-7,6-9, and 6-11. It is going to be a guard oriented game vs. the inside game of Georgia in many ways. Alabama has some real match up problem size wise in the game. Throw KCP in the mix and you wonder how the Dogs have lost 15 games. Look for Trevor Lacey to get his moments on Caldwell-Pope because the Tide is going to need Randolph to get 7 or so boards. Bama is a surprising 8.5 point favorite.
For the Tide it is yet another do or die day. Being in the ICU is getting old. Maybe today will be the start of something good.
Bama's last gasp at NCAA ...
Alabama is the No. 2 seed, if:
- 1) It defeats Georgia; 2) Ole Miss loses at LSU; 3) Missouri loses at Tennessee.
- 1) It defeats Georgia; 2) Ole Miss loses at LSU; 3) Missouri loses at Tennessee
- OR 1) It defeats Georgia; 2) Ole Miss wins at LSU; 3) Missouri loses at Tennessee; and 4) Kentucky loses and Florida.
- OR 1) It defeats Georgia; 2) Ole Miss loses at LSU; 3) Missouri wins at Tennessee; and 4) Kentucky loses to Florida.
- 1) It defeats Georgia; 2) Ole Miss wins at LSU; 3) Missouri wins at Tennessee; and 4) Kentucky loses to Florida.
- OR 1) It defeats Georgia; 2) Ole Miss loses at LSU; 3) Missouri wins at Tennessee; and 4) Kentucky defeats Florida.
- OR 1) It defeats Georgia; 2) Ole Miss wins at LSU; 3) Missouri loses at Tennessee; and 4) Kentucky defeats Florida.
- 1) It loses to Georgia; and 2) Kentucky defeats Florida.
- OR 1) It defeats Georgia; 2) Ole Miss wins at LSU; 3) Missouri wins at Tennessee; and 4) Kentucky defeats Florida.
- 1) It loses to Georgia; and 2) Missouri loses at Tennessee.
- The No. 2 seed will play at 6:30 p.m. CST Friday against the No. 7-10 winner (going into Saturday, that would be Arkansas vs. Vanderbilt).
- The No. 3 seed will play at 9 p.m. CST Friday against the No. 6 seed or the No. 11-14 winner (going into Saturday, that would be Texas A&M vs. Auburn).
- The No. 4 seed will play at 2:30 p.m. CST Friday against the No. 5 seed or the No. 12-13 winner (going into Saturday, that would be South Carolina vs. Mississippi State).
- The No. 5 seed will play at 2:30 p.m. CST Thursday against the No. 12-13 winner.
- The No. 6 seed will play at 9 p.m. CST Thursday against the No. 11-14 winner.
Don't make the mistake of believing because we beat Georgia on the road this home game is a cinch. Georgia is coming off an uplifting win over an average Kentucky team without Noel. But it was Kentucky, and for once the Dawgs didn't crash and burn late with the lead. Kentucky looked lost. If an eye test is required for Kentucky they just flunked out.
According to Coach Grant:
“"The game against Georgia is a huge game for us,” UA head coach Anthony Grant said. “It’s our last home game. We get an opportunity to close out our SEC season at home undefeated with a very talented Georgia team coming in. They’re playing great basketball right now. They had a huge win last night against Kentucky. In my opinion, they’ve got a guy that’s probably a candidate for SEC Player of the Year in the league in Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. I think he’s had an outstanding year and has really led their team. It will be a great challenge. We had a great game against them in Athens. The last time we played it came down to the wire, which most of the games in our league have, so we expect a very highly contested game. Both teams are going to be fighting a good battle. It should be a lot of fun to watch.”
Not only does Bama have the pressure of the game itself, but over a 100 Alabama basketball legends will be on hand to be honored as part of the first century of Alabama hoops glory,. The Tide has the second most success of any team in the SEC, and that tradition sometimes gets lost because of football. I am looking forward to seeing Wimp Sanderson walk on the floor and I hope he has on a plaid coat. All this might inspire the team to a higher level. Throw in Senior Day two Bama players and the atmosphere is set for an exciting afternoon. The game is now a sell out.
The Players:
Alabama is going with their regular starting five. There has been some speculation that Jacobs might start in place of Moussa Gueya. Releford, Lacey, Randolph, and Cooper round out the Tide's starting five. Bama will also get some key minutes from the suddenly improved Retin Obasahan. If Retin was a little taller he would probably start in place of Randolph, who has seen a last season slump. Randolph is Bama's key defensive stopper and he'll likely draw the KCP when in a man. But look for the Tide to play a lot of 2/3 zone. Another key match up will involve Georgia's Namanjic Durisic. The 6 8, 230 pound power forward has an arsenal of unconventional moves around the basket. That's not good news for Jacobs, Cooper, and Gueye. Djurisic is much stronger than Cooper and quicker than the twin towers.
With Georgia, the team rises and falls with the play of Kentvious Caldwell-Pope. He is the Dawg's leading scorer and rebounder. He quick jump shot has proven almost impossible to stop, but Levi Randolph will try. Neither team has an impressive inside game, although the Bulldogs do have some depth in numbers. Alabama should have a decided advantage with Releford at the point, and due to the lack of quickness in Georgia big men he could have a nice day driving the paint. His Georgia counter part, Vincent Williams is shooting 40% from downtown, and had a great game against Kentucky. Georgia is going to start back court players going 6-7,6-9, and 6-11. It is going to be a guard oriented game vs. the inside game of Georgia in many ways. Alabama has some real match up problem size wise in the game. Throw KCP in the mix and you wonder how the Dogs have lost 15 games. Look for Trevor Lacey to get his moments on Caldwell-Pope because the Tide is going to need Randolph to get 7 or so boards. Bama is a surprising 8.5 point favorite.
For the Tide it is yet another do or die day. Being in the ICU is getting old. Maybe today will be the start of something good.
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