Alabama Crimson Tide Basketball Leads the League at 5-1

After thumping LSU and a Florida loss on the road in Starkville, the University of Alabama Crimson Tide basketball team leads the league as we near the halfway point. It's shaping up to be a very good second season for Anthony Grant, but there is way too much ball to be played to be complacent.

The outright lead for the West may depend on the outcome of the game in Tuscaloosa on Tuesday night in Coleman Coliseum as the Tide takes on the Mississippi State Bulldogs. While the Bulldogs sit at 3-3 in the SEC, they are coming off a big win against Florida and were the preseason favorites to win the West.

If Alabama can defend the home court and beat Stansbury's pups, it would be unlikely that the Tide would lose enough ground in the final half of the season to not finish as the West Division Champion. But what follows after the home stand against Mississippi State is two back-to-back road games in the Volunteer State to take on UT in Knoxville and then cross the state westward to face the Commodores in Nashville.

It will be a wicked two-game stretch on the road that will set the tone for the rest of the season. If they come away with at least one for two in that stretch, they will have accomplished what no other Alabama team has done in nearly a decade.

It's time to rally behind this team and give them the support they need to make it down the stretch. After a dreadful 8-6 record to start the season, the Tide has hit their stride in SEC play and improved their overall record to 13-7 with tough defense and very good offensive play from young guards and veteran post players.

Alabama is 9-1 in their last 10 games, the loss coming on the road in a game that they led for 37-plus minutes and melted down in the stretch run against Arkansas. The Victory against UK at home was a turning point for this team, but they must continue to win, win, win.

After the run through the Volunteer State, the Tide will take on the Rebels in Tuscaloosa. The back on the road to Baton Rouge for a rematch with the Tigas. A two game home stand against Arkansas and Auburn is followed by a road trip to Grant's old stomping grounds in Gainsville. Alabama finishes the regular season against UGA at home.