Alabama Basketball: Two-game test will tell a tale

Alabama Basketball has started a season better than its current 12-2 record. It happened in the 2006-07 season with Mark Gottfried as the Crimson Tide head coach. With a 15-point home win over Oklahoma, the 06-07 team raised its record to 13-1.

Days after the win over the Sooners the Crimson Tide opened its SEC regular season with a 27-point road loss to Arkansas. The team finished the season at 20-12, with opening game losses in the SEC Tournament and the NIT Tournament.

In the 2014-15 season, Alabama pushed its record to 12-1, with a road win over the Tennessee Vols. Anthony Grant’s team finished the season at 19-15, with John Brannen coaching the Tide in the last two games; going 1-1 in the NIT.

It is unlikely a single player on the 2022-23 Crimson Tide knows anything about the history reviewed above. It is better if they don’t. But if any of them do, the historical perspective should mean nothing to the outcome of future games.

In contrast, Nate Oats would be well served to fully understand what his Alabama basketball team must overcome. This season, the Crimson Tide needs to be the real deal. So far, they are, but December and January wins can be fool’s gold for teams not built for the long haul of a season.

Unlike some other SEC teams, Alabama has no must-win games looming. Kentucky had one Tuesday night, as the Cats edged LSU, 74-71 in Rupp Arena. Prior to the win, some in the Big Blue Nation were doubting the ability of John Calipari to mold his current team into a contender.

The Cats need an even bigger win and Saturday afternoon in Tuscaloosa gives them a chance. With the LSU win, the Cats, now 10-4 moved up to No. 38 in the current NCAA NET rankings (as of Jan. 4). Five SEC teams are ranked higher in the NET than Kentucky; Auburn (32), Missouri (30), Arkansas (10), Alabama (8) and Tennessee (2). 12-2 LSU, having played a less-challenging schedule, is No. 79.

Auburn will drop when the new NET rankings come out on Thursday, after a 76-64 road loss to Georgia on Wednesday night.

Before Christmas, Arkansas at 11-1 appeared to be one of the SEC’s top three teams. In early December, Arkansas lost for the season its top rebounder and shot-blocker, and third-leading scorer, Trevon Brazile. With a deep bench, Arkansas was expected to adjust. Later in December, the Hogs lost future projected lottery pick, Nick Smith Jr. to injury. Initially, it was stated Smith would be out indefinitely. Smith was not in Bud Walton on Wednesday night. Publicly Smith is said to be seeking further medical advice from a knee specialist. Some Arkansas fans are grumbling that Smith has no intention to return.

Without Brazile and Smith, Arkansas should still be an upper-tier SEC team and maybe in the top three or four league teams. Arkansas guard, Ricky Council IV led the Hogs to victory over Missouri Wednesday night, scoring 26 points.

Alabama Basketball Favored Over Kentucky

There are two important points to consider about Saturday’s game. Kentucky has its normal array of talent, including the best big man in the SEC. Atypically, the second point is the Crimson Tide has more talent than the Cats. Alabama should prevail through a solid performance but Kentucky should not be underestimated.

Beating Kentucky might not be a major statement win for the Crimson Tide. Next Wednesday will be if Alabama can take down Arkansas on the road. Injuries have held back the Hogs. With a healthy Arkansas roster, it is unlikely LSU would have knocked them off in Baton Rouge. Beating Arkansas on the road would be a huge win for the Crimson Tide.

Note: Crimson Tide team records provided by Sports Reference

If the Tide gets to 14-2, considering the quality of the opposition, it may well be the best start in Alabama Basketball history.