TIDE HOPES TO START OVER IN SEC

Obasohan and Moody showdown in Nashville
Betting Line falls to +2
Tide projected at 4,5, or 6 in NIT 

     Alabama plays in the opening game of the evening rounds tonight. Ole Miss, the opponent, has gotten some injured players back on the floor and are on a roll. The Tide is lamenting a late season collapse of major proportions. The Crimson went from being a lock in the NCAA to just holding on and hoping they don't lose an NIT berth. Today is going to say a lot about what the Crimson Tide is all about. In would be unfair to say the Tide got pelted in their closing games except Kentucky game.  The Tide could have won each game they lost. It was a missed shot here, a turnover there, and heartbreak everywhere for Bama. When the Tide started the SEC season 1-5, they dug themselves a hole. They fought back and then dug themselves another deep hole. Will tomorrow be an extension of the latter part of the season, or will Alabama look at the SEC as a new start?

     The two best NIT projections have Bama at a four seed. A win could elevate the seed, or a bad loss might knock the Tide out of the Tournament.  When you see a team with a losing record win their conference tournament, it means someone gets bumped down to the NIT. The Holy Cross Crusaders finished their season at 14-16. Say what you want about the NIT but there will be no teams in the NIT. There is no way a team with a losing record should be allowed to play in the NCAA Tournament. I'm sure someone is going to say Cinderella, but It's just kissing a frog. 

       Alabama had the unfortunate luck of having to play Ole Miss the night they opened their new arena. The Tide held an eight-point lead at the half, only to see Ole Miss knock down the door in half two. There is not a team in today's game the Tide will have more match-up problems than the Rebels. Ole Miss is active inside; my bet is Alabama will have a tough night on the boards given their rebound problem.  Earlier, I said that I wished Avery would start Taylor and Hall to give us a chance on the boards. It's not like Kessens is going to score a lot of points, is it? I hope he proves me wrong. We have had another season of molasses ball. It has been a necessity because of the Tide's poor rebounding. Watching Taylor and Hall block shots is great. But it's better to see them get rebounds. It is a lot better to see our power players block out the offense to keep them from getting easy baskets. Rebounding has been the Achilles Heel for the Crimson and White this season. Playing with great effort and heart has been the hallmark of this team on the other side of the equation.

     The game is going to be a battle between two great point guards. Stephane Moody will shot the ball from anywhere. Alabama must rebound close to even, make free throws, and keep turnovers close to no more than ten. Bama needs three players to step up to score in double figures. I think Obasohan can penetrate on the Rebels. Hale needs another big game. Someone else must chip in as well. The winner of the game has the chance to upset Kentucky tomorrow. Never underestimate a team with a game under their belt. A win over Ole Miss and Kentucky would give Bama some NCAA votes again from the Committee. Ole Miss hasn't beaten anyone of any significance away from home this season. Bama has several wins over top 25 and top 50 teams. Today's  game is one the Tide can win. Alabama must keep Moody under control, and cover the boards. The real question is whether the Tide has packed it in and lost any confidence they can win. Alabama catches the Rebels at a time they seem to be playing their best game of the year. If Ole Miss can get the game into the 70 point range, I doubt Alabama can score enough to keep up. The Crimson needs Edwards or Riley (who has disappeared from the scoring columns) to give a solid scoring performance.