Great Source tells me that 8-8 will get a bid...
A really great source who is close to the NCAA Selection Committee told me that barring a lot of unforeseen upsets in Conference Tournaments, an 8-8 record would probably be enough to get Alabama in the NCAA Field of 68. That includes the opening night play in teams who earn the right to get killed by the number one seeds shortly thereafter.
That means that 19 wins could be enough to make the post season dance. That doesn't include what might happen, good or bad, in the SEC Tournament. That sounds great. But getting that 2-2 split isn't going to be easy. Two road games with Arkansas and Ole Miss will be hard to win. Auburn, your arch rival is always dicey, and Mississippi State are in Tuscaloosa. Three of those teams know their own individual chances depend on beating Alabama. This is especially true for Mississippi State. The dead solid perfect cinch for a tournament bid just lost their fourth consecutive game, and that's not good. Arkansas is probably so far off the bubble they can't make it but beating Alabama would give some room to argue. Auburn would kill to beat Alabama in Tuscaloosa. Ole Miss in Oxford. That is never easy. You can argue 1-3 as much as you could 2-2 or 3-1. Grants's decision not to play Green in Arkansas could have some really negative results.
Last night in Starkville the Bulldogs jumped out to a 13 point first half lead and then got beat by 9. The final was 73-64. The Bulldogs played an almost over perfect first half. Kentucky played an absolutely perfect second half. The second half of that game was like watching a robot. The Kentucky team systematically and methodically beat the Bulldogs by taking away what was successful in the first half, and correcting what they did in wrong themselves in the first twenty minutes. The SEC is going to win another NCAA title unless Kentucky has an awful night. There might be a team that can beat the Wildcats but none comes to mind right off the bat. State gave the blueprint on how to whip the Cats, but in the end just didn't have the depth to do it.
It may be a force of habit but I just never expect an SEC team to win on the road against a good team. Arkansas is a good team with great young talent and coached by one of the best coaches in America. Marshawn Powell, the 6-7 junior power forward is averaging 19.5 ppg and 6 boards. Bama has no one who can match up with Powell, and will try to wear him down with Jacobs, Gueye, and Engstrom. It could work, but Powell has so much more talent and experience on the offensive end its a pretty tough row to hoe for the three Tide inside players. B.J. Young is a 6-3 guard who is averaging 15 ppg is a 40% three point shooter. Think Trevor Lacey with a killer shot and you have an idea of how he plays. I think that Levi Randolph will draw the assignment of keeping the ball out of his hands. That is going to be a great matchup to watch. Arkansas entered the Florida game with a 17 game home winning streak. Florida beat them by 30 points, 98-68. Now, the thoroughly embarrassed Razorbacks have a chance to protect their house against a Greenless Tide team.
I have no doubt that Alabama could beat this Arkansas team with Green. Without Green? I don't think so,but if there is a silver lining it is that the four guard Florida lineup killed the Hogs and Alabama will put four on the floor as well. I think this will be a very competitive game. If Releford plays as well he did as a freshman at Fayetteville (except the last 2 minutes) last year we have chance. If the Tide can slow down the pace and get away with their relentless defense they may pull off a big one. I'm surprised that Grant announced to the media that Green wouldn't play. I thought he would play but if not why let the Arkansas team know ahead of the game. You could say the same thing for the State game as well. Why not say one way or the other? I'm sure Grant has a good reason. I'm just saying...
Arkansas by 5.
 |
| Grant says Green will not play. |
That means that 19 wins could be enough to make the post season dance. That doesn't include what might happen, good or bad, in the SEC Tournament. That sounds great. But getting that 2-2 split isn't going to be easy. Two road games with Arkansas and Ole Miss will be hard to win. Auburn, your arch rival is always dicey, and Mississippi State are in Tuscaloosa. Three of those teams know their own individual chances depend on beating Alabama. This is especially true for Mississippi State. The dead solid perfect cinch for a tournament bid just lost their fourth consecutive game, and that's not good. Arkansas is probably so far off the bubble they can't make it but beating Alabama would give some room to argue. Auburn would kill to beat Alabama in Tuscaloosa. Ole Miss in Oxford. That is never easy. You can argue 1-3 as much as you could 2-2 or 3-1. Grants's decision not to play Green in Arkansas could have some really negative results.
Last night in Starkville the Bulldogs jumped out to a 13 point first half lead and then got beat by 9. The final was 73-64. The Bulldogs played an almost over perfect first half. Kentucky played an absolutely perfect second half. The second half of that game was like watching a robot. The Kentucky team systematically and methodically beat the Bulldogs by taking away what was successful in the first half, and correcting what they did in wrong themselves in the first twenty minutes. The SEC is going to win another NCAA title unless Kentucky has an awful night. There might be a team that can beat the Wildcats but none comes to mind right off the bat. State gave the blueprint on how to whip the Cats, but in the end just didn't have the depth to do it.
It may be a force of habit but I just never expect an SEC team to win on the road against a good team. Arkansas is a good team with great young talent and coached by one of the best coaches in America. Marshawn Powell, the 6-7 junior power forward is averaging 19.5 ppg and 6 boards. Bama has no one who can match up with Powell, and will try to wear him down with Jacobs, Gueye, and Engstrom. It could work, but Powell has so much more talent and experience on the offensive end its a pretty tough row to hoe for the three Tide inside players. B.J. Young is a 6-3 guard who is averaging 15 ppg is a 40% three point shooter. Think Trevor Lacey with a killer shot and you have an idea of how he plays. I think that Levi Randolph will draw the assignment of keeping the ball out of his hands. That is going to be a great matchup to watch. Arkansas entered the Florida game with a 17 game home winning streak. Florida beat them by 30 points, 98-68. Now, the thoroughly embarrassed Razorbacks have a chance to protect their house against a Greenless Tide team.
I have no doubt that Alabama could beat this Arkansas team with Green. Without Green? I don't think so,but if there is a silver lining it is that the four guard Florida lineup killed the Hogs and Alabama will put four on the floor as well. I think this will be a very competitive game. If Releford plays as well he did as a freshman at Fayetteville (except the last 2 minutes) last year we have chance. If the Tide can slow down the pace and get away with their relentless defense they may pull off a big one. I'm surprised that Grant announced to the media that Green wouldn't play. I thought he would play but if not why let the Arkansas team know ahead of the game. You could say the same thing for the State game as well. Why not say one way or the other? I'm sure Grant has a good reason. I'm just saying...
Arkansas by 5.
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