Despite a disappointing loss to Tennessee on Wednesday in Hoover, Alabama has done more than enough to host a regional in Tuscaloosa. There are still a lot of things to shake out during the conclusion of conference championship week, but out of the handful of teams in discussion as the final hosting teams, there aren't many who have a stronger resume.
The body of work from this team is impressive, including over 40 wins on the season, over .500 winning percentage in conference play, as well as not dropping a midweek game all season. To be fair, if Alabama were in any other conference, it would get more national recognition.
In addition to having a winning record in conference play, the Tide wasn't swept in any weekend SEC series. It would have been great to have won the final regular season weekend against Florida or to have at least made the quarterfinals of the SEC tournament. Either would have guaranteed Alabama hosting a regional, but this team still checks all the boxes when it comes to what the selection committee is looking for in at-large teams that will be hosting a regional series next weekend on the road to Omaha.
Hosting a regional would be huge for this Alabama team, which has an impressive 25-7 record at home in Tuscaloosa. In addition to possibly playing postseason baseball in the friendly confines of the Joe, playing teams outside of the SEC could do wonders for this team. I think the gauntlet you experience every weekend during the SEC regular season gets you ready for success in regional play.
It will be very interesting to see what the committee does on Memorial Day, but even if the Tide have to go on the road next weekend, I feel good about seeing Justin Lebron and company seeing the Super Regional round of the NCAA tournament.