Alabama Basketball: Nate Oats undecided on playing Herbert Jones

Alabama Basketball: On Monday Nate Oats talked about the tough Missouri loss and plans for the Tide road game against South Carolina Tuesday night.

After winning ten games in a row, losing two of three is not how Alabama Basketball expected to start February. With seven games to go in the regular season, the Alabama Crimson Tide still sits in a strong position for post-season play.

Bracketologist, Jerry Palm has the Crimson Tide projected as an NCAA Tournament No. 2 seed. The next Joe Lunardi bracket will have the Tide as a No. 2 or No. 3 seed. The Crimson Tide is close to being assured a double-bye in the SEC Tournament that would begin for the Tide on Mar. 12.

With all those positives, Nate Oats and the Alabama basketball team still must get back to winning. The Crimson Tide will be solid favorites in its next four games. Starting with South Carolina on Tuesday night, all four are close to being ‘must-win’ games. South Carolina is certainly a ‘must-win’ to regain momentum. Win-loss records indicate, among the next four teams, the Georgia Bulldogs are the best team. A closer look reveals the Gamecocks have the best chance to beat the Crimson Tide.

South Carolina is 5-7 and 3-5 in the SEC. Due to COVID-19 intervals, the Gamecocks shut down twice earlier in the season. Three of their games were canceled and the delays put them behind in being ready for SEC play. After losing three of their first four SEC games, South Carolina revived on Jan. 27, blowing out the Georgia Bulldogs, 83-59. They lost two of the three since, but the win was over Florida in Gainesville. The Crimson Tide cannot afford to take them lightly.

The Crimson Tide may have to battle South Carolina without Herbert Jones. Speaking on Monday, Nate Oats discussed the possibility of sitting Jones for a game,

"to help him “loosen up his back.” Oats said there is no final decision but “we’re going to re-evaluate that in the morning.”"

Jones has been on a limited practice schedule for the last couple of weeks. He takes part in drills but nothing that could lead to contact. There has been speculation the injury is hurting his jumping ability. A healthy Jones, getting more elevation, would have probably converted his two late misses against Missouri.

Speaking about the Missouri game and some of his players, Oats said,

"Keon Ellis is playing great. Keon is one of the highest leverage guys both sides of the ball when he’s in the game. We’re going to continue to get him more minutes. When he makes a mistake, he plays really hard and covers it.Jahvon Quinerly was a lot better in the second half. He was an integral part of that comeback. Aggressiveness, getting in the paint, moving the ball around, it was all key to us making that run."

If Jones must rest against South Carolina, Ellis and Quinerly will be keys to a Crimson Tide victory.

The primary reason the Crimson Tide must beat South Carolina is the NCAA NET ranking. The Gamecocks are No. 110. A Tide loss would be the worst blemish this season; more of a ‘bad loss’ than was No. 77, Western Kentucky.

That is the same reason the three games after Tuesday night are also near ‘must-wins.’ In the NCAA NET ranking, Georgia is No. 100; Texas A&M is No. 135 and Vanderbilt is No. 146.

These games are not ‘must-wins’ for the Tide to make the NCAA Tournament field. With eight to ten games left the Crimson Tide needs only a few wins to make the Tournament. About a week away from the normal time to discuss ‘bubble’ teams, the Crimson Tide will not be in the bubble conversation. What matters is finishing strong to solidify a top seed and the NCAA Tournament benefits gained.

Monday night news was Herbert Jones participated during the Alabama basketball shoot-around in Columbia, SC. No decision has been made to play or sit him Tuesday night.