Bama Hammer
Fansided

Alabama Basketball: Feb. 22nd NCAA Bracket Watch

By Ronald Evans

TUCSON, AZ - DECEMBER 09: Head coach Avery Johnson of the Alabama Crimson Tide reacts during the first half of the college basketball game against the Arizona Wildcats at McKale Center on December 9, 2017 in Tucson, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
TUCSON, AZ - DECEMBER 09: Head coach Avery Johnson of the Alabama Crimson Tide reacts during the first half of the college basketball game against the Arizona Wildcats at McKale Center on December 9, 2017 in Tucson, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Check out where Alabama basketball stands in projected NCAA Brackets after the Auburn loss, plus the NCAA chances for other SEC teams.

For over a week we have been saying “Barring a near total, late-season collapse, Alabama basketball should return to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2012.” Wednesday’s performance against Auburn is a reminder a ‘late-season collapse’ could occur. It was not a bad loss, given Auburn’s record. The Tide’s RPI actually improved after the loss. But losing by 19 points to anyone is not a resume-building result.

Alabama basketball has three remaining regular season games, plus SEC tournament games. Finishing 2-1 in the regular season and winning in the opening round of the SEC tournament would get the Tide to 20 wins. Twenty wins would be great but even 19 wins without a bad opening loss in the SEC Tournament and the Tide should make the NCAA tournament.

Alabama basketball is in a strong position only needing two home wins. Not having to win another big game on the road gives the Tide breathing room. However, the home games against Arkansas and Florida will be tough contests. Both teams will be fighting to ensure their own NCAA tournament status. If the Tide goes 1-2 in this stretch and loses an opening round game in the SEC Tournament, it will be a Bubble team.

A closer look at current bracket projections

ESPN’s Joe Lunardi has eight SEC teams in the NCAA field and one SEC team, Georgia clinging to the edge of the bubble.

  • No. 2 Seed – Auburn
  • No. 4 Seed – Tennessee
  • No. 5 Seed – Kentucky
  • No. 7 Seed – Missouri
  • No. 7 Seed – Florida
  • No. 8 Seed – Alabama
  • No. 9 Seed – Texas A&M
  • No. 9 Seed – Arkansas

Jerry Palm has eight SEC teams in the NCAA field, with one team, Florida in a play-in game.

  • No. 2 Seed – Auburn
  • No. 3 Seed – Tennessee
  • No. 5 Seed – Kentucky
  • No. 8 Seed – Missouri
  • No. 8 Seed – Arkansas
  • No. 10 Seed – Alabama
  • No. 10 Seed – Texas A&M
  • No. 12 Seed – Florida

Teamrankings.com has the Tide a No. 8 seed after the Auburn loss. The projected probability for the Tide making the NCAA Tournament field decreased from 85 percent to 81 percent.

Finishing the regular season

Alabama basketball still has a tough closing run in SEC regular season play. Take a closer look at the three games and the current RPI for each team from live-rpi.com.

Feb. 24th – Arkansas in Tuscaloosa; RPI – 35
Feb. 27th – Florida in Tuscaloosa; RPI – 64
Mar. 3rd – Texas A&M in College Station; RPI – 26

The current RPI for Alabama basketball is 30.

Next: Longhorn fans still claim the Tide was lucky in 2010

Many Alabama basketball fans are disgruntled by the Auburn loss. They have good reason to be. Alabama basketball is close to having enough talent to compete with anyone BUT it can also lose to anyone.

Home/Alabama Basketball