Alabama Basketball missed out on the Big Dance for Five Reasons. Let's go in-depth with each one.

Alabama Basketball: Five Reasons Tide Postseason Is NIT And Not NCAA

Mar 11, 2017; Nashville, TN, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide guard Dazon Ingram (12) attempts a shot with pressure from Kentucky Wildcats guard Dominique Hawkins (25) during the first half during the SEC Conference Tournament at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports /

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Mar 1, 2017; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama basketball head coach Avery Johnson reacts to a call during the first half against Mississippi Rebels at Coleman Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports /

Poor Free Throw Shooting

For the entire season, only three Alabama basketball players were effective at the foul line. Armond Davis shot only 33 free throws but made 82 percent; Avery Johnson Jr. shot 76 percent and Riley Norris shot 74 percent. In fairness to Dazon Ingram, his free throw shooting was much improved in the second half of the season. Throughout the entire season, Ingram shot only 66 percent.

Dont’a Hall also improved late in the season, but his full season number was 60 percent. Other free throw numbers were: Braxton Key and Corban Collins at 63 percent; Bola Olaniyan shot 60 percent; Jimmy Taylor shot 49 percent.

As a team, Alabama shot 65 percent from the foul line for the season. Nationally Alabama basketball’s free throw proficiency was at No. 324.

Alabama lost to Kentucky in Tuscaloosa because of horrible free throw shooting Tide Shoots 34.6 percent at the line.

Add the Texas game to losses primarily incurred due to poor free throw shooting and those two “missed” wins were enough to keep Alabama basketball out of the NCAA Tournament.

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