Will 'Bama earn an NCAAT bid?
I am always interested in what Tide fans believe what it will take to receive an NCAA bid. Most have a pretty decent idea of the road ahead. The single most important game on the remaining regular season is Mississippi State. That game is a quadrant 1 contest and is the last chance the Tide has beat a team in that quadrant. An additional opportunity in the SEC Tournament might be possible.
Quad 1 wins are essential to team struggling to find their way to the Big Dance. If Alabama loses to Mississippi State, the road to an NCAA postseason becomes almost impossible. What do I think it will take for Alabama to make the field of 64? Remember, Alabama can only control what they do. The Tide needs some help from other bubble teams to see their own chances fall by the wayside. I think Alabama needs a minimum of 19 wins to secure a bid. I'd feel more comfortable with 20 wins. Let's assume the Tide beats State. The Tide has a decent opportunity to win their remaining regularly scheduled games. South Carolina and Vandy are home games. Then the Tide will travel to Missouri. Columbia is a tough place to win a game. Win those four games, and the Tide has 19 wins in the regular season. The Tide could finish no worse than 19-13. That isn't a guaranteed resume, but it's pretty good. Say whatever you want, but 20 wins is a lot better than 19. The road to the NCAA is a steep one for Alabama; however, it is complicated. The Tide is walking on the razor's edge. I know one thing. I'd hate to play Alabama in the opening round of the NCAA. If the "good" Tide shows up someone is going home early.
My late friend, Ben Cook, a great writer, and the most genuine human being I have ever known told me that getting an NCAA bid is rarely won at the end of a season. He said it is a season-long trek. If the Tide doesn't make it, three home losses did incalculable damage. The pre-season injuries and an NCAA decision hurt the Tide. The injury to Herb Jones, early on and recently, hurt the Tide. A stunning loss to Penn looks bad. Blown leads led to painful losses. If Alabama makes the NCAA it will be a memorable year for a team that wants to become relevant again. If the Tide falls short it is to returning players that small things not done might have disastrous results for your season. So the final question for all the fans, players, and coaches is whether being where we are today is a good thing or a bad thing. Roll Tide.
I am always interested in what Tide fans believe what it will take to receive an NCAA bid. Most have a pretty decent idea of the road ahead. The single most important game on the remaining regular season is Mississippi State. That game is a quadrant 1 contest and is the last chance the Tide has beat a team in that quadrant. An additional opportunity in the SEC Tournament might be possible.
Quad 1 wins are essential to team struggling to find their way to the Big Dance. If Alabama loses to Mississippi State, the road to an NCAA postseason becomes almost impossible. What do I think it will take for Alabama to make the field of 64? Remember, Alabama can only control what they do. The Tide needs some help from other bubble teams to see their own chances fall by the wayside. I think Alabama needs a minimum of 19 wins to secure a bid. I'd feel more comfortable with 20 wins. Let's assume the Tide beats State. The Tide has a decent opportunity to win their remaining regularly scheduled games. South Carolina and Vandy are home games. Then the Tide will travel to Missouri. Columbia is a tough place to win a game. Win those four games, and the Tide has 19 wins in the regular season. The Tide could finish no worse than 19-13. That isn't a guaranteed resume, but it's pretty good. Say whatever you want, but 20 wins is a lot better than 19. The road to the NCAA is a steep one for Alabama; however, it is complicated. The Tide is walking on the razor's edge. I know one thing. I'd hate to play Alabama in the opening round of the NCAA. If the "good" Tide shows up someone is going home early.
My late friend, Ben Cook, a great writer, and the most genuine human being I have ever known told me that getting an NCAA bid is rarely won at the end of a season. He said it is a season-long trek. If the Tide doesn't make it, three home losses did incalculable damage. The pre-season injuries and an NCAA decision hurt the Tide. The injury to Herb Jones, early on and recently, hurt the Tide. A stunning loss to Penn looks bad. Blown leads led to painful losses. If Alabama makes the NCAA it will be a memorable year for a team that wants to become relevant again. If the Tide falls short it is to returning players that small things not done might have disastrous results for your season. So the final question for all the fans, players, and coaches is whether being where we are today is a good thing or a bad thing. Roll Tide.
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