Tide hosts Arkansas today at 2:30

        Alabama is 5-0 in the SEC right now. Tide fans would love to see 6-0 in the league. The last time 'Bama beat Arkansas was in 2014. Alabama won that game 83-58. Trevor Releford poured in 24 points. Levi Randolph backed him up with 11. Alabama had a 12 point lead at the half and withstood a couple Razorback comebacks to notch the win. It was a big upset. 

        How long has it been since 'Bama beat the Razorbacks? Florida won the SEC that season with a perfect 18-0 record. The 7-11 SEC record for Alabama was not dead-last in the conference, but it was close. Alabama finished 15-16 in Anthony Grant's 5th season.  

    Alabama currently has an NCAA Net score of 23, which is a drop from 22 despite beating Kentucky. Arkansas checks in at #30. Vegas wise guys have Bama a five-point favorite at this time. 

     Alabama will have to rely on Alex Reese and Keon Ambrose-Hylton in the post, and perhaps Juan Gary as well. I've learned that Ambrose-Hylton has been getting some additional time in practice this week. The point is another question as well. If Jahvon Quinerly returns that will solve a lot of the problem. In the last game, Jaden Shackleford stepped in and did a great job. We even saw John Petty at the point. Quinerly may not be able to get a lot of minutes due to his illness. 

     I think that Bama will be able to run their five-out offense regardless of the problems with injuries. If the Tide can shoot the ball as well as they did in Kentucky Bama can win. This is going to a tough game for the Tide. Let's hope 3,000 Tide fans can give Bama a home-court advantage. 

         I like  Bama by five. The line has dropped to 3 1/2 this morning.