Alabama starts the second half of SEC with LSU at home...

   

Shackleford 

     On Wednesday night, the Crimson Tide will play the LSU Tigers. For Alabama, it is a chance to extend their SEC lead. For LSU, it is something entirely different. The Tigers are now unranked in the AP Poll, and most bracket experts (if there is such a thing) have them a 10th or 11th seed. Alabama held steady as projected 2nd seed with Joe Lunardi but is three-seed with Jerry Palm on cbssports.com.   Alabama would love to win the remainder of their SEC games.  Getting players healthy is paramount for the Tide to continue their SEC win streak. Herb Jones at 100% will help Bama win out. It is hard to go undefeated for 18 games. We all need to remember that. A 'Bama win would put LSU four games behind in the loss column. Will Alabama be ready for a revenge game.

        One problem is Bruner's injury. In my opinion, Reese can fill the Bruner gap if he plays as well as he did against Oklahoma. Reese has improved this season. His hip surgery has given him more mobility and improved his jumping ability. If you noticed, Reese has been able to penetrate and dunk. He has also had some tremendous blocked shots. Alabama is losing paint wars. Jones's hip and back problems have limited his board work. The return of James Rojas would be huge for Alabama. Rojas hasn't been able to play up to his potential since being ill. Jahvon Quinerly has been sick as well. When he plays well,  he provides lane work and outside shooting. 

     LSU is coming into this game with its own set of problems. Darius Days have ankle problems. How Wade plans to adjust his starting lineup and rotation remains to be seen.  I have to wonder how the injury coupled with the collapse against Texas Tech will affect the Tigers. Adversity has a way of defining focus sometimes.  I'm betting the last minute of the T Tech game will have the Tigers breathing fire. I'm looking for the Tide to be a 5 point favorite. 

Tide has an RPI of 7 and a NET of 10. Great numbers heading into the second half of SEC