The recent SEC gauntlet for this Tide team has been anything but friendly since mid-February. The competition level has gone up a notch and Alabama has been less than stellar in their recent performances. We've seen them get out muscled by Auburn, out hustled by Florida, and saw them self-destruct against Tennessee. And then of course there was the game in Columbia, where Missouri blitzed them from start to finish. Folks might be asking what is wrong with this team, but it may be more that they just aren't as good as Auburn or Florida.
As a fan it is frustrating seeing this team again limp into the SEC Tournament and not finishing the regular season strong. No matter what happens on the road in the season finale in Auburn or in the SEC Tournament Alabama appears to be locked in as a two seed.
There have been times when this team seemed invincible and with the incredible depth were well on the path to being the SEC Regular Season champs and a one seed in the NCAA tournament. Both those dreams have died, and now it is time for this team to rediscover the same mojo they had last March.
Again, I am asking for Grant Nelson to step his game up. For whatever reason he just hasn't been the guy we needed since that electric game in Lexington. Mark Sears has taken his game to another level over the last month, but others seem to be regressing at the wrong time. Chris Youngblood has been non-existent over the last two games and against Florida, Tuesday night, Mo Dioubate had possibly his most lackluster performance of the season. He is the energy of the team and when he isn't active on the glass or getting those hustle plays, this team struggles like we saw against the Gators.
On a bright side Labaron Philon has been much better over the last three games, after hitting a freshman wall, and the effort he had in the home finale for this Tide team will be needed for the rest of this season.
The other bring spot is the NCAA Tournament opponents that Alabama sees the first weekend won't be SEC teams. The sky is still the limit for this team, but the little things that make or break a team in the clutch have to start going Alabama's way. Free throw shooting has to be more consistent, getting second shots on the offensive end has to be better, and this team has to start being the most blue-collar team no matter who the opponent is.