Beat LSU and Auburn and things will look a lot better...
If 'Bama wins its next two games they are in the NCAAT. Should Alabama win the Arkansas game and two SECT games their seed will be better than the 8-9 game of death. What happens if Alabama wins against LSU or Auburn but has two losses in the next three games? I think the Tide would need to win one or perhaps two games in the SEC. What is so difficult about any projections is the roller coaster ride that is Alabama basketball.
Joe Lunardi and Jerry Palm keep projecting eight SEC teams in the field. I just don't see that. Kentucky, LSU, Tennessee, Mississippi State, and Ole Miss are going to get a bid. I'd go ahead and put Auburn in that group as well. Alabama and Florida are each at 17-11. Lose a couple of games and their potential bids get to be pretty problematical. The gifted bracketologists are betting that 'Bama and Florida will make the Tournament. That's possible but each has some resume building to do. In Bama's favor is the SOS. If the Selection Committee is serious about scheduling importance the Crimson is in good shape. Their SOS is going to get even better with LSU and Auburn on board. Arkansas on the road is always a tough game. Florida has Georgia and LSU at home and Kentucky on the road. They should beat Georgia, might beat LSU, and will likely lose to the Wildcats.
Florida has won five straight games. Bama has won two of their last five. Let's give both teams the benefit of the doubt and say each gets a bid. There is a huge difference in receiving their dance card and having a good seed. Other than being a 16 seed, is there any worse seed that being an 8-9 draw? Let's go back and look at the eight from a realistic viewpoint. LSU, Tennessee, and Kentucky are going to eat from the fatted calf, Mississippi State might get up into the five-zone. Those teams are looking at getting into the Sweet Sixteen because of an easier seed. Auburn is slumping and Ole Miss is hot and cold. Those teams might win one game but two wins are unlikely. Florida and Alabama are hovering around 10/11.
Alabama fans would like to be more than just getting a bid most seasons. (although, beggars can't to choosers and I'd take a bid and cheer). I think Tide fans want to be relevant again. Is the Crimson Tide relevant right now? The best answer is kind of, but not really. Two bids in a row are better, however. Is Johnson the man? I'm not convinced he is, but he suddenly seems to have improved. A strong finish might even help him sign Trendon Watford.
If 'Bama wins its next two games they are in the NCAAT. Should Alabama win the Arkansas game and two SECT games their seed will be better than the 8-9 game of death. What happens if Alabama wins against LSU or Auburn but has two losses in the next three games? I think the Tide would need to win one or perhaps two games in the SEC. What is so difficult about any projections is the roller coaster ride that is Alabama basketball.
Joe Lunardi and Jerry Palm keep projecting eight SEC teams in the field. I just don't see that. Kentucky, LSU, Tennessee, Mississippi State, and Ole Miss are going to get a bid. I'd go ahead and put Auburn in that group as well. Alabama and Florida are each at 17-11. Lose a couple of games and their potential bids get to be pretty problematical. The gifted bracketologists are betting that 'Bama and Florida will make the Tournament. That's possible but each has some resume building to do. In Bama's favor is the SOS. If the Selection Committee is serious about scheduling importance the Crimson is in good shape. Their SOS is going to get even better with LSU and Auburn on board. Arkansas on the road is always a tough game. Florida has Georgia and LSU at home and Kentucky on the road. They should beat Georgia, might beat LSU, and will likely lose to the Wildcats.
Florida has won five straight games. Bama has won two of their last five. Let's give both teams the benefit of the doubt and say each gets a bid. There is a huge difference in receiving their dance card and having a good seed. Other than being a 16 seed, is there any worse seed that being an 8-9 draw? Let's go back and look at the eight from a realistic viewpoint. LSU, Tennessee, and Kentucky are going to eat from the fatted calf, Mississippi State might get up into the five-zone. Those teams are looking at getting into the Sweet Sixteen because of an easier seed. Auburn is slumping and Ole Miss is hot and cold. Those teams might win one game but two wins are unlikely. Florida and Alabama are hovering around 10/11.
Alabama fans would like to be more than just getting a bid most seasons. (although, beggars can't to choosers and I'd take a bid and cheer). I think Tide fans want to be relevant again. Is the Crimson Tide relevant right now? The best answer is kind of, but not really. Two bids in a row are better, however. Is Johnson the man? I'm not convinced he is, but he suddenly seems to have improved. A strong finish might even help him sign Trendon Watford.
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