Alabama basketball is riding a two-game losing streak and is in desperate need of a win on Saturday at home against Kentucky. There are no "get-right" games left on the schedule so unfortunately Alabama will have to get right against a really good opponent.
The Crimson Tide shot poorly, going 5-of-26 from 3, in last Saturday's home loss to Auburn. They shot much better against Missouri, but a complete defensive meltdown caused them to leave CoMo with a second straight loss.
If the difficulties on the court weren't enough against Missouri, Alabama struggled to even get out of Columbia thanks to inclement weather. Alabama didn't get back to Tuscaloosa until 5 pm on Thursday.
As a result, the Tide didn't practice on Thursday and held a light practice on Friday as Oats hopes they can get their legs back and that might help cure the slow starts that plagued them in both recent losses.
Alabama started down 9-0 against Auburn and 12-0 against Missouri. They lost those two games by nine and 12 points, respectively. They also never led, and haven't held a lead since the end of the game against Texas 10 days ago.
Alabama hasn't seen its standing in NCAA Tournament projections change even after back-to-back losses. In Joe Lunardi's most recent Bracketology, the Crimson Tide remained a 1-seed and the No. 2 overall team in the bracket behind only Auburn.
That will change if Alabama drops a third straight game, and a second straight on its home floor, even against a quality opponent like the Wildcats.
Kentucky a must-win for Alabama basketball
Alabama needs a win tomorrow. The team knows it. So does head coach Nate Oats.
"We've gotta come out with our hair on fire, like the season is on the line because a lot is still riding on this game," said Oats.
Alabama's hopes of winning the SEC Regular Season title took a bit with Wednesday's loss to Missouri. It puts the Crimson Tide two full games behind Auburn. Assuming the Tigers lose one game between now and the season finale against the Tide at Neville, Alabama would need to win its next four games to have a shot at stealing a share of the crown against the Tigers.
It's a longshot, but it is still possible. Auburn has a difficult road stretch at Kentucky and Texas A&M back-to-back in a four-day span.
Alabama's standing as a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament is still solid, but it will be on shakier ground if the Crimson Tide can't pull out a home win over Kentucky. Alabama topped the Wildcats a month ago in Lexington, but you know Mark Pope will have his team ready to play in hopes of avoiding a season sweep.