The Alabama Gauntlet Begins

The Crimson Tide have been sensational this season and carried their dominance from last season into this season. Mark Sears has been a true leader on this team while also leading the team in scoring with 18 ppg. This team is poised to go and win a championship this season after heart-breaking losses in the March Madness tournament. They have had the talent to win a championship for this program in the past but couldn’t get the job done. Coach Nate Oats has drilled this “blue-collar mentality” into his player’s heads, and Mark Sears talked about that after their impressive win over #14-ranked Mississippi State. Alabama has no choice but to maintain this mentality because their season will only get tougher from here on out.

Playing in the SEC is already tough as it is. But this season, in particular, the conference has dominated the entire nation and the numbers show it. The SEC currently has 10 teams ranked in the top 25 teams in the nation including Alabama ranked at number four. Alabama is finishing up conference play before the SEC tournament begins, but their remaining schedule could not be any more brutal. Their next three games include Georgia, at Arkansas, and at Texas. Beginning February 15th, they will have to play seven games with the teams being currently ranked in the top 25. That includes number one ranked Auburn twice, #20 Missouri, #12 Kentucky, #14 Mississippi, #8 Tennessee, and #5 Florida. This is possibly the toughest remaining schedule of all time.

People can look at it as a good thing and a bad thing. Yes, the schedule is going to be brutal, but with the SEC tournament around the corner, and March Madness following that, the Crimson Tide will be more than tested and ready to face any team they see. They will have faced teams who have been at their worst, and teams who have the potential to win it all. 

Alabama is looking to be the overall one seed when March comes around, and where they stand right now, they have the potential to earn that seed. Auburn holds that spot as of right now, but if Alabama can knock off the Auburn Tigers, and win the SEC tournament, that number-one seed will easily be theirs unless something unexpected happens. Alabama fans are tired of falling short every season. But they control their destiny and if they want to get the job done, then the road to San Antonio starts February 15th.

Geoffrey Huggins

DiSportsPhotoAgency

Writer