Based on current Bracketology experts, the remaining Alabama Basketball regular season schedule includes only two NCAA Tournament bubble teams. They happen to be the Alabama Crimson Tide's next two opponents. Making the two contests more problematic is both are away games for Nate Oats' team.
Using Jerry Palm's most recent Bracketology, the SEC has four bubble teams. With Arkansas and Texas, the other two are the Georgia Bulldogs and the Vanderbilt Commodores. Among the four, only Arkansas is on an upward trend.
Computer models project a late-season collapse for the Commodores. Vandy has lost three of its last four games on either side of an impressive win over Kentucky in Nashville. Jerry Palm has the Dores projected as an 11-seed in the Big Dance.
Georgia, Texas, and Arkansas are more clearly bubble teams than are the Commodores. Palm has the Bulldogs as an 11-seed with a Play-In game. Georgia has lost five of their last seven games. Upcoming games against Texas A&M, Missouri, Auburn, and Florida could push the Dawgs well below the bubble line.
Palm has the Texas Longhorns as his first team out of the projected NCAA Tournament field. After good wins over Missouri and Texas A&M, the Horns have lost two of their last three games. A home loss to Arkansas by eight points was a good indicator of the trajectory of both teams.
Arkansas is in Jerry Palm's latest projection as a 12-seed with a play-in game. The Razorbacks have won three of their last four games. While Kentucky has been less formidable of late; John Calipari taking his new team to Lexington and winning was an eye-opener. The Hogs have won three of their last four games.
For Alabama Basketball Arkansas is the most dangerous Bubble Opponent
Arkansas is the SEC's most dangerous bubble team. Bud Walton Arena gives Arkansas a strong home-court advantage. Their last two games were road wins, with the Hogs making threes at a 47.6% clip. Somehow, after losing their lead guard, Boogie Fland to injury, Calipari has taught the Hogs what they are. Part of that is becoming a low-turnover team. In their last three games, they have averaged just 8.3 turnovers. Alabama's turnover count in its last three games is almost twice as high at 16 per game.
The consensus around computer models is that Alabama will beat Arkansas, but anyone thinking that means an easy win is likely mistaken. One stat that has no bearing on Saturday night's game is that Calipari has a 5-3 record against Nate Oats. Alabama might beat itself on Saturday night, but it will not be because Calipari outcoaches Oats.
Note: Team stats provided by Sports Reference