Alabama Basketball: Forget January, tonight like NCAA Tourney game

Alabama Basketball: Forget that January blowout, tonight will be different in Fayetteville as the Crimson Tide gets a chance to show its NCAA mettle.

Alabama Basketball has not played a game as big as the road trip to Fayetteville since … too far back to remember. The SEC Regular Season Championship is on the line, but the game has far bigger implications.

Wednesday night against the streaking Arkansas Razorbacks will be a glimpse into the Tide’s NCAA Tournament future. Beat the Hogs on the road and a Big-Dance 2-seed probably goes to the Tide whatever happens in future games. Beat the projected 6-seed Hogs and Tennesee or LSU in the SEC Tournament and the Tide has a chance for a 1-seed. There are, of course, other variables. Beating Mississippi State in Starkville and Auburn at home, plus maybe another SEC road game will be required. Not losing in the SEC Tournament until the Championship game would probably be necessary as well.

There is another, even more important reason the Tide needs to beat the Hogs. Late in the season, top NCAA seed teams go on the road and win. Forget the score from January 16 in Tuscaloosa. The Razorbacks will provide the Tide with its toughest game of the season. Many college basketball experts expect the winning margin will be a point or two.

Arkansas has lost once since the Tide blew them out in Tuscaloosa.; to Oklahoma State in a four-point road loss. The Cowboys are an NCAA Tournament team unless an NCAA penalty intercedes. Eric Musselman’s team has won seven straight SEC games. The two most recent of the seven were an overtime road win over Missouri and an 11-point victory over the Florida Gators.

Despite only scoring 59 points in Tuscaloosa, the Hogs are No. 2 in the SEC at 82.5 points-per-game. A three-guard system gives the Hogs balanced scoring. The most productive player for Arkansas is 6-feet-6 guard, Moses Moody. The freshman has a solid overall game and can get to the foul line, where he shoots 82.4 percent. Herbert Jones cannot let Moody put him in foul trouble.

Nate Oats was direct in his Vandy post-game, commenting on the Tide’s defensive effort.

"If our defense isn’t better than it was today, we’re not beating Arkansas."

Nate Oats knows the importance of beating Arkansas. No doubt every practice session since the Vandy game revolved around Oats challenging his Alabama basketball team to play tougher defense.

The lack of a packed Bud Walton Arena is a plus for the Crimson Tide. But after getting embarrassed in Tuscaloosa, the Hogs will not need crowd frenzy to pump them up for the game. The Razorbacks are well rested after a week off and have no injury issues. Jordan Bruner is working his way back and should get more minutes than he did against Vanderbilt. Juwan Gary might be healthy enough to play after hurting his shoulder against South Carolina.

Alabama Basketball has a showcase opportunity to show it has what it takes to win a tough, close game on the road.