What happens in LSU is big time big for Bama...

Grant has turned Hillman
into a defensive nightmare for SEC teams

Bama has road games left with LSU, Ole Miss, and Florida. It is a conclusive fact that one of those road games must be won. LSU seems the most likely candidate. Likely isn’t the same thing as certainty. The Tide then has home games with Arkansas, Auburn, and Georgia. Bama cannot lose any of those games and hope to win the SEC outright. Should Bama win the remainder of their home games and win one on the road I predict no worse than a tie for the Championship. Win three at home and two on the road and we win the whole shooting match.

Florida and Alabama are dead even in the loss column with two games. Florida has road games left at LSU, Kentucky, and Vanderbilt. They have the Tide at home along with Georgia.  The short turnaround hits the Gators who have to place in Lexington after a Thursday night game with Georgia. All things considered I think the home game and then the short turnaround travel game to Lexington will be too much for the Gators. Florida will be playing for the SEC Championship and Kentucky players will try to avoid being the most unpopular team in years in the border state.

I think it is amazing that we are even talking about Alabama winning the SEC.  Anthony Grant allowed this team to grow and mature into an intense bunch of winners.  Through hard work, some player discipline, and great defense his team has become a contender. It didn’t hurt that Trevor Releford has been playing All-SEC type ball either. Ennis Whately, Terry Conner, Anthony Murry, Robert Scott, Mo Williams, and Gary Waites have graced what has traditionally been a cornerstone of Alabama basketball. I’d throw the power forward position in there as well. Has anyone of the above great players been better than Releford?  I don’t think so.  I can imagine SEC coaches watching the Tide against Ole Miss and seeing Trevor slide to the two and bury a three. Bet none of the coaches was smiling. Perhaps one smiled a little.  

 So mission impossible has become mission possible for this team. A win in Baton Rouge might change that to mission probable.  And yes, if we win the regular SEC Crown we will go to the NCAA Tournament. If Cam Newton was allowed to play in the National Championship game I feel pretty good about the NCAA picking us to dance. Bama wins the regular season and picks up a couple of wins in the SEC Tournament I’d say we are a four or five seed in the Midwest.

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