Final Four Bound?
I know it’s way too early to talk about March Madness, but is it possible that Alabama (23-8 overall, 13-5 SEC) could make a Final Four run? (Let’s face it: that’s what Alabama fans are really thinking about as we move into postseason play).
Seven, eight years ago, fans were content with simply making the tournament; now, the discussion is, “How far can we go?”
And why not? The Tide has won 9 out of its last 10 games (its only demerit against Georgia in Stegeman Coliseum in Athens, Ga.) and is scorching hot heading into the SEC tournament. Labaron Philon Jr. is playing his best basketball of the season (averaging 22.6 PPG in his last five games), the team is having fun, and defense is playing better—in, ahem, spurts.
Positives for Alabama: this is a team that can score, and score in bunches. This is a team that, if the three-point shot is falling, can beat any team in the country. This is a team that has arguably the best backcourt in all the land. This is a team that is starting to get scoring help from players like Latrell Wrightsell Jr. and Amari Allen. This is a team that is enjoying the improved play and post presence of Aiden Sherrell, as well as the contribution of role players like Houston Mallette, London Jemison, and Jalil Bethea.
Negatives: defense – particularly finishing defense – is still an issue. Alabama allowed 31 first half points against Auburn (great), but then 53 in the second half (pitiful). Rebounding is a major issue as well for Nate Oats’ team. If you could find a common theme in Alabama’s 8 losses this season, it’s that it has gotten beat on the glass. In every loss except the Vanderbilt game, the Tide has been outrebounded. Here’s a look:
Georgia 40, Alabama 30
Tennessee 42, Alabama 33
Florida 44, Alabama 30
Texas 48, Alabama 38
Alabama 49, Vanderbilt 38
Arizona 52, Alabama 32
Gonzaga, 48, Alabama 36
Purdue 52, Alabama 28
With the Bediako saga in the rearview, Alabama seems to be playing its best basketball of the season and will be a dangerous tournament team if the kiln stays hot.
Winning the SEC tournament would likely mean a 2-seed for Alabama in the Big Dance, while a decent showing would likely mean a 3- or even a 4-seed, where the great and wonderful Bracketology wizard Joe Lunardi has the Tide currently (I disagree with his assessment).
But the answer is “yes”—a Final Four run is once again possible.
Is Auburn Still In?
As of Saturday, Lunardi has Auburn (16-15, 7-11 SEC) as his “Last Four In” the tournament despite the Tigers losing 7 of the last 9 games (now 8 of the last 10 after the Alabama loss on Saturday). The Tigers are seeded 12th in the SEC tournament and have drawn a favorable first-round matchup against a reeling Mississippi State team.
Auburn is one of the more perplexing Bracketology case studies. On paper, the team is certainly a team that can win and has a roster to make waves in the tournament. The Tigers have the top conference win this season – a (now) head scratching 76-67 win at Florida on January 24. Other key wins to bolster the resume include Kentucky, St. John’s, Oregon, N.C. State, and Arkansas. Add the toughest schedule in the country into the orange-and-blue bubbling cauldron and you’ve got quite the argument if you’re lobbying for Auburn to get in.
The flip side is that you want to see Auburn winning games as you move into mid-March. The Tigers are like an old Pontiac Firebird coughing up smoke as it chugs down Highway 280. Steven Pearl needs to take the team in for a tune-up, and Auburn will need to do some major work in the SEC tournament to show it deserves to be in the field.
A Big Hand for…..
Scott Ware and the Hoover Bucs. Although his team came up just short of a state title – losing in the 7A Championship Game 65-54 to Tuscaloosa County High on Saturday – the team’s run over the last four years has been nothing short of remarkable: three straight state titles and on the verge of a fourth. Which begs the question, “Has this ever been done before?”
Regardless, it’s been a good run, coach. Congratulations on your accomplishments, but more importantly, you deserve a big hand for your leadership of the Hoover program over the last few years. As we always say, “Not bad for a Sipsey, Alabama, native.” TG
