Alabama Basketball: NCAA Net Ranking, Tide vs. Gators for SEC lead

This week’s competition is tough for Alabama Basketball. Visiting Tuscaloosa are the Florida Gators for a game that conflicts with the Heisman ceremony.

Nate Oats’ Alabama basketball team is on a roll. The Alabama Crimson Tide have won three games in a row. The Tide has elevated its disappointing 4-3 start to a respectable 7-3 record.

The first NCAA Net Ranking for the 2020-21 season was published Monday. The Crimson Tide sits at No. 36 It is important to remember ‘Power Five’ means nothing in basketball, at least when debating the strength of teams. The NCAA Net Ranking includes 340 college basketball teams. All play at the Division One level. It would be more except the Ivy League is not competing this season due to COVID concerns.

The team the Crimson Tide beat on the road Saturday, the Tennessee Vols are No. 3. Gonzaga and Baylor lead the rankings. After the Vols, the remaining top ten are Illinois, Villanova, Michigan, Iowa, Houston, Texas and Missouri.

The highest-ranked team to beat the Crimson Tide this season is Clemson. The Tigers are ranked No. 15. The NET Ranking, having taken precedence for the NCAA over the RPI, has several data points. A simple summary is beating top teams helps most; losing to bad teams hurts most.

The Tide’s other good wins, besides Tennessee, are over No. 56 Furnam; No. 62 Ole Miss and No. 78 Providence. At this point, the Tide wins over No. 140 Jacksonville State and No. 227 UNLV are better than losses but do little to enhance a NET resume. The two other Crimson Tide losses to No. 55 Stanford and No. 87 Western Kentucky are not major blemishes.

The NET Ranking for other SEC teams are Florida at No. 22; LSU at No. 23; Arkansas at No. 24; Auburn at No. 76 and the 2-6 Kentucky Wildcats at No. 144. Holding serve at home against the Gators would be the second boost in Tide fortunes within four days.

Nate Oats is primed for the Tuesday night challenge.

"We’re going to see what we’re made of tomorrow night after a big win against Tennessee, we have to come in and answer the bell. Stay locked in, bring even better energy. Great opportunity to get to 3-0 in the league.We’re just trying to get better every game. Better to be at NET #36 than outside of top 50-60, hard time playing way into the tournament."

Speaking of the NCAA Tournament. All games will be ‘bubbled’ in the state of Indiana. Two courts will be used at Lucas Oil Stadium. The other arenas are the Bankers Life Fieldhouse, Hinkle Fieldhouse, Indiana Farmers Coliseum, Mackey Arena in West Lafayette and Assembly Hall in Bloomington.

Alabama Crimson Tide fans must choose between the Alabama basketball game on ESPN2 and the Heisman Ceremony on ESPN. After DeVonta (or Mac) wins, there should be time to see the second-half in Tuscaloosa. The winner will lead the SEC standings.