March Madness: Alabama’s survival guide to the SEC Tournament

Alabama isn’t considered an elite basketball team this season. That doesn’t mean they can’t have success in March.

The Crimson Tide are seeded No. 6, firmly in the middle of a jumbled pack of teams as it heads into the SEC Tournament. There are a handful of teams that look like strong contenders to win the conference tournament this week in Tampa. Then, there are a lot of teams that could shake things up. Alabama is one of them.

The Crimson Tide is 19-12 and expected to make the NCAA Tournament. Joe Lunardi has the Tide as a No. 5 seed in his latest projection. However, a poor showing in the SEC Tournament could give Alabama an incredibly tough draw when the big dance begins. That may already be unavoidable but a win or two — or maybe even 3 — in the SEC Tournament would undoubtedly help the Crimson Tide with the selection committee. If Alabama can win Thursday, then it will play Kentucky in Friday’s quarterfinals. Beating the Wildcats would boost any team’s résumé. Alabama is 0-2 this season against Kentucky and obviously has to win a game in order to see the Wildcats again.

Can it happen? Alabama has played well against some quality competition this season.

Here are 4 ways that the Tide could advance or thrive this week:

Play to the level of their competition … but not right away

Playing to the level of one’s competition is not always a good thing. However, that’s been the case for the Crimson Tide this season. Alabama has been one of the most befuddling teams in the nation. The Crimson Tide have beaten ranked teams like Gonzaga, Houston and Tennessee but lost to some woeful teams like Georgia, which might be the worst team in the SEC.

Alabama will face the winner of the Vanderbilt-Georgia game, which tips off Wednesday night. Neither team should be considered a quality opponent. The Crimson Tide will have the advantage of an extra day of rest before playing its first game of the tournament on Thursday night. Given Alabama’s history of slipping up against lesser opponents, that should be a scary game even though Bama will be favored.

If history repeats itself, Bama has the perfect opponent lined up on Friday if the Tide can advance. The No. 2 seed, Kentucky, awaits. Alabama has 5 wins against teams that were ranked in the top 15 at tip-off. Kentucky has been a problem the Tide haven’t solved … yet.

D up

Alabama is allowing a whopping 80 points per game. To put that in perspective, LSU leads the SEC in fewest points allowed. The Tigers are allowing just 63 points per game. No one is expecting Alabama to reach those defensive heights, but surely the Tide can be better on defense than they have been. Surely. Right? If not, Alabama won’t be in Tampa long. If Alabama can’t improve on defense, it could work to their benefit in the NCAA Tournament. Getting bounced early from the SEC Tournament will mean Alabama will be a high seed in the NCAA Tournament and face a challenging foe as soon as the event tips off. Alabama plays well against good teams. Look at the bright side.

Don’t live and/or die on the 3

Alabama has had nights in which they looked like one of the best 3-point shooting teams in the nation. The Crimson Tide also had days in which they looked like they were just shooting 3-point shots because it seemed like the easiest thing to do. If Alabama can get quality shots and they’re dropping, then lean on that by all means. If those shots aren’t dropping, then Alabama must have another plan.

Move on

Alabama didn’t end the season on a good note. It appears the Crimson Tide are dealing with a disgruntled player. Freshman guard Jusaun Holt didn’t make the trip to LSU because of an “internal issue,” according to coach Nate Oats. He’s back now, though. Speaking of LSU, that game didn’t go well. Alabama lost a heartbreaker in overtime. That game — and whatever the issue with Bolt was — needs to be firmly placed in the past. It’s tournament time.

Dave Hooker

Dave Hooker started covering Tennessee in 1998. He hosts an SEC radio show out of Chattanooga and covers the SEC for Saturday Down South.