Alabama plays for SEC Crown tonight...   

Nat Oates

   Let's be clear. Alabama is going to win the  SEC title. They may do it tonight when they travel to Fayetteville to play Arkansas or an upcoming game. Bama wants to do it tonight.  The Razorbacks are a one-point favorite. I'm surprised. I thought it would be 3. The last time Alabama played Arkansas, the  Tide whipped them 90-59. This isn't the same Arkansas team. They have won their last 7 SEC games. The entire basketball nation is going to be watching to see if Alabama clinch the conference crown tonight. For Alabama, this is a chance to keep that 2 seed. Nate Oates is making Alabama a powerhouse in basketball. Eric Musselman, the head Hog, is an excellent coach. He has taken a couple of high school recruits and hit the transfer portal to find a winning combination that has produced a 17-5 record. 

     

Eric Musselman

     Last season Musselman led the Razorbacks to a 20-12 record and an NIT bid. If it wasn't for the Alabama story, Arkansas's season would be the SEC's top story. Arkansas goes for their 18th win tonight. It is the biggest game in the SEC this season. I believe that Oats and Musselman are going to dominate the SEC in coming years. Both have unique recruiting philosophies. Each coach has a unique shot selection strategy. For Arkansas, they discipline themselves to take no bad shots. Alabama will take the first shot offered sometimes. Both teams like to run, and both teams play defense. 

 

Herb Jones 

       The Arkansas winning streak consisted of beating Auburn, Vanderbilt, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Kentucky, Missouri, and Florida. I'll leave it up to you to determine how good that stretch has been. Three games were played at home. Winning 7 SEC games is not easy regardless of who the competition might be. If Alabama wins tonight, the Tide is SEC Champions. If they lose,  they need to beat Miss. State, Auburn, and whoever they play in the makeup date. Arkansas has 5 SEC losses. Bama has 1 loss. There is a mathematical chance that the two teams could be co-champions, but that is not probable. LSU lost last night to Georgia, and that eliminates the Tigers. Now, LSU can move forward to firing Wade. Auburn can also fire Pearl if they choose. Let's hope the NCAA comes to a conclusion on these cheaters and the schools that protect them. 

    It will be interesting to see how much time Nat Oates gives Jordan Bruner tonight. He wasn't near 100% against Vanderbilt. This is going to be a slugfest inside, and  Rojas will get some time. I'd bet that Alex Reese gets the most minutes. There is a possibility that Juwan Gary plays tonight. My bet is he will be back for State or Auburn but ready to go full speed after that. I have been wondering why Keon Ambrose-Hylton has got some minutes lately. 

   

Petty needs to light it up tonight.

    It is imperative that Alabama dribble and dish tonight. Look for Jahvon Quinerly to take it to the hoop. We all know that Jaden Shackleford will do the same. Petty needs to have a big night. Primo needs to shoot some and stop being so tentative. Keon Ellis is ready for a big game as well.  He is deadly from the outside, and he is he'll steal your pride on defense. And then there is Herb Jones. He is getting close to 100%, and I'm betting Oats will let him man-up against Moses Moody, the 6-6 forward. Moody is the best freshman in the conference, and he is the backbone of Hog scoring. The addition of Justin Smith, 6-7, 230 lbs forward, transferred in from Indiana. The rise of Arkansas is thanks to Smith in so many ways. He can score, rebound, and defend. Smith is underrated. The Razorback backcourt is special. JD Notae, 6-1 point,  is fast, and he's quick. He loves to run the floor. Then there is Jalen Tate, 6-6 guard is a grad-transfer from Northern Kentucky. Tate has blossomed in the late-season run by Arkansas. Conner Vanover, post, 7-3, transferred from Cal and back home to Arkansas. He's improved under Musselman. He is a good rebounder and can even make the three-ball. Arkansas has no weakness that hurt them.

WHY ARKANSAS CAN WIN: They are at home, they are playing well, and they have gelled as a team. They may be better than Alabama. The Tide may not shoot well from downtown. 

WHY ALABAMA CAN WIN: They are the best team in the SEC and one of the NCAA's best teams. Alabama has the best three defenders on one team in the SEC. Jones, Petty, and Ellis are game-stoppers. Alabama may shoot the three well, and if they do, they will beat anyone. Alabama's defense is leading the SEC and # 2 in the nation. 

I think Bama can win. I'm not sure they will. Alabama has no rim-protector. Bama by 2.