'Bama's remaining season ... 

Tide # 6 in the AP poll 

       Let's go ahead and get this out of the way - Alabama's quest for non-bubble status is over. Things look better for hoops now.  It's been a long time since the Tide hasn't been wishing and hoping for some remote chance to go dancing. 'Bama went to the NCAAT in 2018. Before that, it was 2012 and then journey back to 2006. It was like some sort of communist six-year plan.  For long-time Alabama basketball fans, it has been a heavyhearted experience. There has been a small cadre of Tide basketball supporters for a long time.  Those in that group know each other well. We'd go on road trips together. We'd celebrate the wins and regret the losses. We were, and we are, a family. Nate Oats and his staff have done yeoman's work in getting this team to be the best team in the SEC. The regular season isn't over. The Tide has Arkansas and Mississippi State on the road and Auburn at home. All three of these games will cause Bama some real problems. Win one of these games, and Alabama is the outright champion of the SEC. 

    Right now, the Crimson Tide is the best team in the SEC. They can elevate their game and season with three wins. I've said this, and it bears repeating. If Alabama wins the SEC with only one loss, they'll get a #1 seed from the NCAA Selection Committee. The NCAA has historically awarded #1seeds to Power Five conferences undefeated or has only one loss. Alabama has the three games mentioned and then the SEC Tournament. That could give Alabama three additional games. The double-bye puts the top four seeds into the quarterfinals. The Tide is already assured of one of these seeds. 

    Regardless of what happens for the remainder of the SEC season, Alabama will get a good seed. There are no regions. All games will be played in Indianapolis. I don't think where the games are played is much of a factor. In the past, you'd always see Duke or UNC play in North Carolina. 64 teams in one state is going to be something to see. My opinion is Alabama won't be worse than a  #3 seed unless a late-season collapse occurs. The BIG 10 is going to put a lot of teams in the NCAAT. It appears that the SEC will have six teams selected.  Gongaza and Baylor are the two top teams in the nation.  I think Houston is an excellent team.  This could be a year where Cinderally might win a few early games but no glass slipper for the Final Four.  

     What kind of team can hurt 'Bama in the remaining games.  Arkansas is peaking at the right time. Mississippi State and AU have strong inside games, and those teams will always give Alabama problems. The truth regarding the Tide is poor shooting might get you by Vandy, but excellent teams will be another question. If Alabama shoots well from the outside, they can beat any team in the nation. Jordan Bruner's return can help, but only when he's back to full speed. 

     I think it is important to have the A%M game played on the makeup date.  A win helps Bama in seeding and the SEC race. I'm not sure what the SEC would do if two SEC teams have the same number of losses, but one team has an additional win.

UPDATE: Bediako will commit in the next two weeks unless something unexpected occurs, according to a "source" who called me this AM