Alabama vs. Missouri in the national headliner game...          

(Columbia, Mo.)      Alabama tips-off in a game of national prominence. It's been a long time since the Crimson Tide played in a game that important. Alabama is 7th in the Coaches' Poll, and Missouri is 17th. The game-time is 11:00 CST. ESPN will broadcast the game. Karl Raviech and Jimmy Dykes will do the play by play and color commentary. KenPom and WarrenNolan both have Alabama as a two-point favorite. It's an opportunity for Missouri to pull off an upset to keep some hope of winning the SEC Championship. The Crimson Tide can go 12-0 in the and all but lock up the Conference crown. It will also keep the Tide ascending up the NCAA NET calculations for a better seed on Selection Sunday.   

     Alabama is still without Jordan Bruner. Oats said he will be sidelined for the next four games. Alabama has plugged in Alex Reese, who has played the best basketball of his career at 'Bama with Bruner's absence. Juwan Gary has quietly gotten more minutes and has responded. He can score, rebound, and play defense against much taller opponents. He shut down Trendon Watford in the last game.  James Rojas is slowly regaining his legs after being ill. The three of them will need to slow down big man Jeremiah Tilman, 6-10, who is averaging 13.5 ppg and 8 boards. Tilman averages 65% from the floor. The other Missouri inside player is Kobe Brown, 6-7 power forward, is averaging 6.2 ppg and almost 6 boards per game. Alabama needs to win the battle of the board to allow them to run. If the Tide can control the defensive glass, they can dictate the speed of the game. Bama wants to run and gun. I've seen Missouri play that style in a couple of games, but they struggled on defense. The Tigers only play seven in their rotation. If Bama could get Tilman or Brown in foul trouble, it increases their chances of winning. Reese needs to make a couple of three-pointers to draw Tilman always from the boards.  If Bama comes up big on the offensive glass, you'll see Nate Oats smile. 

     Yesterday, I set out ten things Bama needs to win, and I'll stick by them. Oats wants to see the outside shooting get back on track. If Jahvon Quinerly can dribble and dish, it will happen. If Bama reverses the ball, takes the extra pass, they'll get some good outside shots. Missouri will try to cheat on the outside. Alabam can unleash Shackleford to shake things up. I think we'll see Petty, Shackleford, Primo, and Reese get some chances to make the triples. If Quinerly keeps up the good play, it will help.

    I have to admit to having trepidation over this game. I'm still picking the Tide by a deuce.