Tide is still alive for NCAA bid...
Seriously, Alabama is still included in most bracketologists prognostications for an at-large bid to play in the Big Dance. Like a drowning man, the Tide has already gone down twice in the last week. They will not survive the third sinking. This weekend the Tide goes to Fayetteville to play Arkansas. The Razorbacks destroyed what is left of Vanderbilt's year by whipping them 84-48. That is not good news for Alabama. The last thing the Tide needs is Arkansas to start playing good basketball. I am curious to see what the betting line on this game might be. I don't care how bad Vandy might be, when you get beat by 36 on your home floor it is a monumental beat down.
The fact that Bama is still in anyone's bracket says a lot about the SEC and not just Alabama. Right now, the Tide is riding on the tailcoats of other SEC teams. Alabama was good enough to beat both LSU and Auburn but just couldn't do it. In looking at the problems that Bama's have it is remarkable they still can come close. Look at the current situation. Alabama is getting destroyed with their lackluster backcourt. Kira Lewis has lost his luster from earlier in the year. Dazan Ingram hasn't been consistent and now has some physical problems. Don'ta Hall doesn't dominate the inside in the manner Alabama sorely needs right now. He is playing good basketball, but he is really a power forward in reality. John Petty and Tevin Mack are inconsistent, although Petty is working on improving in other areas, including defense. He deserves a lot of credit. Mack isn't there yet. I think we are a better team with Riley Norris in his place. That leaves us with Herbert Jones. He is a small forward, a power forward, and sometimes point guard. He has no real outside shot (he did make 2 the other night) that makes him a threat. Jones playing guard is proof that the Tide has backcourt problems. Junior seems to understand his playing time is limited now, and his outside shooting has disappeared.
Is the real truth that Avery Johnson is doing a pretty good job of coaching? I'm laying it out there for your opinion. Alabama has enough talent to win some big games but they live on a razor's edge. On slip and they are going to lose. If you are of the opinion that a coaches job is to put his players in a position to win is all a can do, he has for the most part done that. He can't go out and play. The lopsided losses show just how fragile this team has become. Astonishingly, the Tide could still play in the NCAAT. I hope so. Teams do strange things in March. A good finish is still possible. The bubble teams are not really establishing themselves yet.
If Alabama beats Arkansas a new season begins. If they lose to the Razorbacks the NIT is anxious to have them. The NIT is still a good tourney. It is a place where teams can get ready for next year, or repair some of the disappointment of the current season. At 17-13 the Tide's record is almost exactly where it has been for four years. Alabama could get to 20 wins this year if things fall into place. Don't hold your breath, but even a drowned man can be resuscitated. Roll Tide.
Seriously, Alabama is still included in most bracketologists prognostications for an at-large bid to play in the Big Dance. Like a drowning man, the Tide has already gone down twice in the last week. They will not survive the third sinking. This weekend the Tide goes to Fayetteville to play Arkansas. The Razorbacks destroyed what is left of Vanderbilt's year by whipping them 84-48. That is not good news for Alabama. The last thing the Tide needs is Arkansas to start playing good basketball. I am curious to see what the betting line on this game might be. I don't care how bad Vandy might be, when you get beat by 36 on your home floor it is a monumental beat down.
The fact that Bama is still in anyone's bracket says a lot about the SEC and not just Alabama. Right now, the Tide is riding on the tailcoats of other SEC teams. Alabama was good enough to beat both LSU and Auburn but just couldn't do it. In looking at the problems that Bama's have it is remarkable they still can come close. Look at the current situation. Alabama is getting destroyed with their lackluster backcourt. Kira Lewis has lost his luster from earlier in the year. Dazan Ingram hasn't been consistent and now has some physical problems. Don'ta Hall doesn't dominate the inside in the manner Alabama sorely needs right now. He is playing good basketball, but he is really a power forward in reality. John Petty and Tevin Mack are inconsistent, although Petty is working on improving in other areas, including defense. He deserves a lot of credit. Mack isn't there yet. I think we are a better team with Riley Norris in his place. That leaves us with Herbert Jones. He is a small forward, a power forward, and sometimes point guard. He has no real outside shot (he did make 2 the other night) that makes him a threat. Jones playing guard is proof that the Tide has backcourt problems. Junior seems to understand his playing time is limited now, and his outside shooting has disappeared.
Is the real truth that Avery Johnson is doing a pretty good job of coaching? I'm laying it out there for your opinion. Alabama has enough talent to win some big games but they live on a razor's edge. On slip and they are going to lose. If you are of the opinion that a coaches job is to put his players in a position to win is all a can do, he has for the most part done that. He can't go out and play. The lopsided losses show just how fragile this team has become. Astonishingly, the Tide could still play in the NCAAT. I hope so. Teams do strange things in March. A good finish is still possible. The bubble teams are not really establishing themselves yet.
If Alabama beats Arkansas a new season begins. If they lose to the Razorbacks the NIT is anxious to have them. The NIT is still a good tourney. It is a place where teams can get ready for next year, or repair some of the disappointment of the current season. At 17-13 the Tide's record is almost exactly where it has been for four years. Alabama could get to 20 wins this year if things fall into place. Don't hold your breath, but even a drowned man can be resuscitated. Roll Tide.
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