Alabama-Florida: A Must-Win for the Crimson Tide Basketball Team

The University of Alabama Men's Basketball Team has shown improvement in their defensive skills under new head coach Anthony Grant, but the offensive production has been erratic. On the season, they stand at 13-8, 3-4 in SEC competition, and are on the verge of elimination from postseason NCAA tournament consideration.

The Alabama-Florida match-up in Tuscaloosa, Thursday is a must win for the Crimson Tide if the preseason goal was to reach the NCAA Tournament. In fact, they must win every remaining home game (Arkansas, Ole Miss, Auburn) and pick up at least two wins on the road, and either end up in the semifinals or finals of the SEC Tournament to fulfill that goal.

They will be on the road to Oxford, Feb. 6, Lexington Feb. 9, Athens Feb. 20 and then to Starkville, Miss on Feb. 24. The Last chance for a road win will be March 3 in Columbia, SC. The schedule is very tough, the odds are not good for achieving the goal.

Is it possible? Without question. Probable? I haven't a clue.

The Alabama starting five have competed well in the first half of the game with every team on the schedule this season. They have stayed close through three quarters of the second half, for most games, including Top 20 competition.

Yet they have found a way to hand a victory to teams of better quality, and in my estimation, teams of similar or lesser quality in the last five to six minutes of the game. It does not have to do with endurance, competitiveness or desire. It primarily has to do with confidence.

They have put themselves in the position to win in nearly every game. The one game that they really did not threaten to win, yet kept close, was against Kansas State. Every other contest has been winnable for the Tide.

Coleman Coliseum has been great for the confidence of the Alabama basketball team. They are 11-4 at home this season. Since SEC play began, they have only lost to Vanderbilt and UT, both quality teams, and close games. The loss to UT was likely to happen, not unexpected. Alabama should have defeated Vanderbilt.

I hope the fans will give all they have on Wednesday night. The Coliseum should be full and the energy level high. The first match-up of Anthony Grant and Billy Donovan coached teams should be fun to watch. Lets hope the Crimson Tide comes out with a mission to keep their dream alive.

Maybe the chant from the Crimson Chaos should be: "Keep Hope Alive, Bama, Keep Hope Alive."