After loss to the Cats where Alabama Basketball stands in the SEC and national rankings
By Ronald Evans
After the loss to Kentucky, Alabama Basketball coach Nate Oats used the word "awful" to describe the Tide's defensive effort. Another word, 'ugly' also describes Bama' s performance. While both words apply to the loss, they should be considered through a broader perspective. The Crimson Tide is a good team that had a bad game. Kentucky is a tremndous offensive team and a much-improved defensive one. The Cats played their best game of the season. Most importantly, it was just one game. There is much more basketball ahead.
The loss did little to tarnish the Crimson Tide's national prestige. In Sunday morning's NCAA NET rankings, the Crimson Tide dropped from No. 5 to No. 6. In Ken Pomeroy's respected team ratings the Crimson Tide is No. 7, two spots below Auburn and one below the Tennessee Vols.
More concerning for Alabama fans is that Pomeroy's important stats of Adjusted Defensive Efficiency moved the Crimson Tide from a poor No. 70 to No. 97. Alabama will need to reverse the course of that stat to win any championships this season.
The Tide may have lost its chance for an NCAA Tournament 2-seed in Lexington. But a 3-seed or a 4-seed can still be achieved over the next three weeks.
Alabama Crimson Tide Bounce Back
The Crimson Tide has played too much good basketball this season to not bounce back strongly from Saturday's loss. It will have to do so against a tough slate of remaining games. At 19-8, including three straight losses, Ole Miss is now a shaky bubble team. Wednesday night will be another tough SEC road game for the Crimson Tide. Every Tide fan knows that Saturday's home game against Tennessee is likely a make or break for the SEC Regular Season Championship. Next will be a road game against a good Florida team the Crimson Tide needed overtime to beat in Tuscaloosa. In the last regular season game, Arkansas could be dangerous if the Tide eases up.
Win the next four and the SEC Regular Season Champion Crimson Tide will be 23-8 overall. Two tournaments will then define whether Alabama has a good season, a very good one or a great one.
Even with its obvious weaknesses, Alabama at or near the top of its game can compete with any team. As was seen Saturday in Lexington, when not close to its best Alabama is vulnerable.