Tide plays at 2:00 CST on Thursday...

     Alabama takes on Texas A&M this Thursday instead of Saturday. I have been told by A&M people that this was to ensure an open window to allow an open window for departure from Texas.  The forecast in College Station is snow on Wednesday and snow showers on Thursday. We'll see how that goes. The Tide will then be home in Tuscaloosa on Thursday night. Alabama then plays Vanderbilt in Tuscaloosa at noon on Saturday. That's a short turnaround. Here's my take on the date change. It allows the Aggies to get everyone back off COVID protocol. 

       Bama continues their quest to win the SEC Crown. After Vandy, the team travels to Arkansas for the conference headliner on Wednesday at 8 PM CST in Fayetteville. The Razorbacks have four conference losses and play Florida tonight at 6:00 PM CST in Bud Walton. The Hogs should be an eight-point favorite. The loser of this game is finished in the SEC race.  The loser will have five losses and no hope of winning the crown but fighting for the double-bye. I like Arkansas. Arkansas is ranked 24th in the polls. Florida is unranked.

     Missouri travels to Georgia tonight for a 6 PM CST tip-off. Tilman is expected to return for the game. The 20th ranked Tigers would all but be eliminated with a loss to the Dawgs. This is going to be a dog and catfight. I like Missouri in a nail-biter. Georgia put up 82 against Alabama.  That will be enough to beat Missouri.  Georgia is 9-3 at home, and Missouri is 4-3 on the road.  I'm tempted to take Georgia in this one.

      By the numbers. Alabama is looking very strong.  The Tide is 4th in the RPI. The Selection Committee uses the NET as a guideline to compare teams. The Tide checks in at 8th.  In the SOS  category, the Tide is 9th, but here is a number to remember - Alabama opponents have more wins than anyone in the top 20. While the SOS isn't a defining factor it once was, it still gives some insight into who is playing the better teams. 

    Alabama has TAMU on the road. Home teams are tough, but the Aggies have missed games and practices due to COVID. Alabama should win. Then the Tide has Vandy at home.  Alabama should win that game. I'm looking forward to seeing Scotty Pippin, Jr. play. He's a great baller. Alabama then faces the defining stretch of their remaining games. Arkansas and Mississippi State on the road, and Auburn at home. If Bama wins all five games, they will win the SEC with only one loss and get a one-seed, in my opinion. Arkansas on the road is always thought.  Alabama doesn't match-up well with State or Auburn.  The Tide needs Bruner back ASAP. He needs to then get in game shape.  Without Bruner, five wins will be hard. Alabama will be a better team with Bruner back at full throttle. He will cut down on offensive rebounds, which give too many extra shots. 

    By the way, Bama is still number one in defense per Kenpom.com.

UPDATE: Missouri has announced that Tilman will not play against Georgia

                LSU vs. Ole Miss postponed until Friday, the 18th, at 4 CST