Maybe I’m reading this all wrong, but I feel like the Auburn game took some of the air out of Alabama’s balloon.
Because ever since the final buzzer in biggest game in the history of the rivalry, Auburn—and not Alabama—has become the odds-on favorite to win the NCAA title. Auburn—and not Alabama—is the SEC’s Hungry Hungry Hippo, devouring whatever comes in its path.
Alabama—chomp. Arkansas—chomp. Georgia—chomp, chomp.
And while Auburn has become the media darling, Alabama has become…well, like chopped liver.
It makes some bit of sense. The home loss to the Tigers on Feb. 15, coupled with the Missouri debacle a few nights later, sent the Tide into a mini-tailspin. Which meant that Saturday’s game against Kentucky was pivotal for Nate Oats and Co. in terms of putting the two-game schneid in its rearview. Thankfully for the ‘Bama faithful, the Tide came out on top, and once again all is right in the world.
Despite the back-to-back setbacks, the Crimson Tide is still very capable of making a Final Four and—dare I say it (dare! dare!)—taking home a national title.
Still, Auburn is the hype (understandably), and few seem to be talking about Alabama making a deep bracket run. Here’s why you should be:
Mark Sears is playing his best basketball of the season.
Alabama guard Mark Sears scored 30 points in consecutive games for the first time in his career and is playing as good a basketball as he’s played as a collegiate athlete. But don’t just take my word for it; take it from Nate Oats himself.
“Sears is playing the best basketball I’ve seen him play since he’s been here, on both sides of the ball,” Oats said after the game on Saturday.
There you go.
Since getting benched in the second half against LSU, Sears has scored 17, 20, 11, 18, 18, 35, and 30, for an average of 21.2 points across that 7-game span. He’s demonstrated better leadership. He seems to be clicking on all cylinders. His confidence appears to be at an all-time high, which puts future opponents on serious notice.
Clifford Omoruyi is emerging as a force to be reckoned with.
Alabama big man Clifford Omoruyi reminds me a little bit of George Ackles, the 6’9” center on those great UNLV teams of the late 80s and early 90s. He’s not an elite scorer, but he’s a game changer with alley-oops, reverse dunks, and a few altered shots sprinkled in (1.1 bpg). Saturday, Omoruyi won the team’s “Hard Hat” award with 11 points and 15 rebounds, playing one of his best games of the season.
Which begs the question, “Has Omoruyi reached his full potential as a defender, or could he turn up the heat even more?”
The top shot blocker in the SEC is Auburn’s Johni Broome, who is averaging 2.58 blocks per game, and Arkansas’ 7-foot-2 center is posting 2.08 blocks per contest. Is there room for improvement in Omoruyi’s defensive repertoire? Sure. But Alabama must be awfully tickled about what the Rutgers transfer is bringing to their program.
The defense tightened up against Kentucky.
Kentucky got off to a hot start and it looked like the Tide defense was going to surrender another 100-point outing. It was 25-16 Kentucky with 10:41 left in the half, but then the Tide went on an 17-7 run over the next five minutes to take the lead at 33-32. Alabama never looked back.
Whether the cause of the Tide’s change of defensive heart was a challenge from Oats or simply the players recommitment to protecting the basket, Alabama seemed determined to close holes in its defensive sieve, so to speak.
“Our defensive efficiency numbers after the first four minutes were really good. We held them to a 0.8 (points per possession) and they only scored 24 points on their next 30 possessions. So, the defense, from that point on, was where we need it to be,” Oats said.
Alabama held the Wildcats to 43 points in the second half and 42.8 percent shooting for the game (29-for-68), and though the Crimson Tide had more turnovers (15) than the Wildcats (13), Alabama was able to convert those turnovers into scoring opportunities. Overall, the Tide had 24 points off turnovers to Kentucky’s 11. Finally, Alabama outrebounded Kentucky 39-35 with Omoruyi leading the charge.
The Tide played well at home.
The end-of-season tournaments won’t be played at Coleman Coliseum, so why is it encouraging that Alabama played well at home? The primary reason is that Alabama demonstrated it could break a trend. The Tide hasn’t played particularly well at home as of late (see Ole Miss, LSU, Auburn) and a big win on its home floor should raise the team’s confidence level.
Secondly, there are two big home games ahead for the Crimson Tide. Mississippi State is a bit of a trap game on Tuesday (Alabama is coming off a big win, State just suffered a big loss at Oklahoma) and No. 2 Florida (24-3, 11-3 SEC) comes to town on March 5.
An encouraging sign: Alabama overcame a 12-point home deficit against Kentucky to win by 13.
Another: The Tide shot 52.5 percent from the field (32-for-61) against the Wildcats.
Mississippi State-Alabama is a hard-fought rivalry, and we should be curious to see how Alabama responds on Tuesday.
Alabama has defeated good—very good—teams
Alabama set a program record this year with 8 wins against AP Top 25 opponents. On its way to a 22-5 overall record, the Tide has defeated the likes of Illinois, Houston, North Carolina, Texas A&M, Kentucky (twice), Vanderbilt, Mississippi State, and Arkansas.
Is Kentucky the Kentucky of old? Probably not, but to complete a season sweep against the Wildcats is no small feat. Buzz Williams has really started to put things together in College Station, and Alabama’s road win deep in the heart of Texas will look very tantalizing to the bracket putters-together in just a few weeks.
This next stretch is absolutely the toughest stretch the Tide must endure, and the team’s mettle will be tested over the next month and change.
No matter what happens from here, Alabama is in the tournament. It has the horses to compete—and to win. So, don’t be surprised if the tournament comes down to a photo finish and the Tide is one of the teams at the front of the pack. TG
All photos courtesy UA Athletics
