Alabama plays for the SEC Tournament Championship at High Noon

     The SEC Tournament Championship tees off at noon today.  The Alabama Crimson Tide, the regular SEC Championship winner, tries to add another jewel to a kingly season crown. With a record of 23-6, Nate Oates will try to add one more SEC win to his record. The Crimson and White have won 18 SEC games this season. Alabama keeps its hopes for a one-seed alive with a win today.  In a Big10 insane media world, the Tide hopes to secure a better seed, an easier opening game in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, and playing the winner of the 8-9 seed game.  Today, the players have only one thing on their minds. They want to beat LSU  for the 3rd time in one season.  Tide fans are aware of the LSU football rivalry, but basketball fans feel the same about basketball. 

     There is an old saying in basketball. It's difficult to beat any team three times in one season. This one will be difficult. It will probably be war under the boards, but other things come into play.  Today, it doesn't matter that Will Wade and LSU have some real problems. Their players still want to win. We should all be thankful that Nate Oats and the University have avoided the pay-for-play scandals and sex abuse scandals plaguing LSU.  For Alabama, the season has been rebuilding and trying to establish a different mindset for the basketball program. This mission is not done, but great strides are being made.  In my mind, today's game is a step forward, showing that you can win without cheating, and having unselfish senior players still matter in a sport dominated by one and done.  So what does Alabama need to do today to win?

HOW BAMA WINS:

1. Alabama needs to stay committed to its game plan. First, make the twos around the basket, and then make the threes. If the Tide does this, it clears to the road for a chance to win.

2. If Alabama makes a high percentage of their three-point attempts, they will win.

3. The often stated, make your free throws.  The Tide won the game at the line against Tennessee.

4.  Control the defensive glass. Don't give LSU second chances. If Alabama can do this, they can run and score.

5.  Try to get some second-chance points off the glass. A dozen or so offensive rebounds would be huge for Alabama.  

6.  Keep the turnovers down to ten. Against Tennessee, the Tide's mistakes in the first half almost beat them. In the second half, the Tide had 5 turnovers, and it helped the scoring opportunities.

7.   Alabama needs to get off to a better start. LSU isn't the kind of team that is going to give up a big lead because they can score.

8.  The extra-pass on offense is so important. Alabama needs to stay committed to doing that.

9.  The scalded dog run for your life fast breaks are important. 

10. LSU may be more fatigued than Alabama. In the last game, several Tiger players played over 36 minutes. Alabama didn't have to do that. Keep the pedal to the medal is important to  'Bama.