The Alabama basketball game against Auburn was a potential defining moment because the college basketball world paid close attention. But in terms of the Crimson Tide's future success, the game was not significant. Almost every bracketologist still has Alabama Basketball as a 1-seed in the NCAA Tournament. ESPN's Joe Lunardi and CBA bracket expert Jerry Palm still have the Crimson Tide as the overall No. 2 seed. Both projections also have Alabama staying in the Midwest and headed to Lexington. It's almost as if this season's first Iron Bowl of Basketball (IBOB) never happened.
The circumstances are different for Alabama on Wednesday night in Columbia, MO. ESPN projects an Alabama win with a probability of 57.5%. Other computer projections favor Missouri. With Missouri or Alabama projected as the favorite, the margin is from one to three points. It is a game that Alabama badly needs to win. The Crimson Tide needs bounceback momentum after Saturday's disappointment. Starting what began as a brutal seven-game grind with two losses would affect the Crimson Tide's 1-seed chances.
Beating Missouri is more important in another way. Alabama and five other SEC basketball teams are contending for a double-bye in the SEC Tournament. Technically, it is six teams; but Auburn is a near-lock for a double-bye. The five teams are Florida (10-3), Texas A&M (9-4), Missouri (8-4), Tennessee (8-5), and Ole Miss (8-5).
Ahead of Tuesday night's games, ESPN projected the Crimson Tide's remaining Strength of Schedule (SOS) as No. 1 in college basketball. Ole Miss was No. 2, Texas A&M was No. 7, Florida was No. 14, and Tennessee was No. 23. Among the contesting double-bye teams, Missouri had the easiest path with a remaining SOS of No. 28. Mississippi State knocked off A&M on Tuesday night, while Florida easily beat Oklahoma.
If the Crimson Tide loses to Missouri, the Tigers have a solid chance to join Auburn, Florida and one other team with SEC Tournament double-byes. Alabama needs to be the other team. After finishing at Auburn on Sat. Mar. 8, Alabama needs every day of rest it can get before an SEC Tournament game.
Remaining Games SEC Basketball Double-Bye Contenders
- Auburn Tigers (11-1 in SEC play) - Arkansas, Georgia, Ole Miss, at Kentucky, at Texas A&M, Alabama
- Alabama Crimson Tide (10-2) - at Missouri, Kentucky, Mississippi State, at Tennessee, Florida, at Auburn
- Florida Gators (10-3) - win over Oklahoma, at LSU, At Georgia, Texas A&M, at Alabama, Ole Miss
- Texas A&M Aggies (9-4) - loss to Mississippi State, Tennessee, Vanderbilt, at Florida, Auburn, at LSU
- Missouri Tigers (8-4) - Alabama, at Arkansas, South Carolina, at Vandy, at Oklahoma, Kentucky
- Tennessee Vols (8-5) - at Texas A&M, at LSU, Alabama, at Ole Miss, South Carolina
- Ole Miss rebels (8-5) - at Vandy, at Auburn, Oklahoma, Tennessee, at Florida
Alabama plays Missouri at 8:00 PM CST on Feb. 19. The game will be on the SEC Network