As we move into the SEC Women's Basketball Tournament, what are the realistic expectations for the Alabama women's team? This is a team that has done quite well, maybe the most talented team of recent history in Tuscaloosa, including getting a huge program win against a top-tier team in LSU. Beating LSU last Thursday in Tuscaloosa was a huge win as this team has competed but not been able to beat any top-tier teams in the country before that.
Despite ending the season with a loss on the road against a tough Oklahoma team the Crimson Tide women get a first round bye in the SEC tournament and will play the winner of Auburn/Florida round 1 game. Alabama beat both teams and will be looking for them to do it again in Greensville, South Carolina on Thursday night.
With a win on Thursday, this team would advance to play in a rematch against LSU on Friday night. The Tigers didn't end the regular season very strongly, but it would be a tough task for the Tide to beat them twice in a week. Making the semifinals would be quite the achievement for this team, but even if they do lose to Kim Mulkey's team, a close game is needed. Another win over the Tigers or a great close game may be enough for this team to be a Top 16 team and get two home games to start the NCAA Tournament.
The next step for this team is to make the second weekend of the women's tournament and playing two games in Tuscaloosa may be the advantage this team needs to make that a reality.
There is more than enough talent with the likes of Sarah Ashlee Barker and Aaliyah Nye to make the second weekend, but of course, like any year, it will come down to matchups. Realistically, there is a certain level of teams that this talented Bama team can't beat, but hopefully they wouldn't see this type of team until the second weekend. It would be huge for recruiting and the transfer portal as the Alabama women's program looks to become relevant in the best women's basketball conference in America.