Alabama Basketball: Too Early to Crown the Crimson Tide Best in the SEC West?

By Taylor Sturm
Marvin Gentry – US Presswire

The Alabama Crimson Tide is a team on the edge of being an SEC title contender. The talent is there and so is the coaching, Last year, the Crimson Tide lost to Creighton by one in the opening game of the NCAA tournament. A majority of Alabama’s players return, and they will want to prove that last year’s early exit was a fluke.  The Crimson Tide is a lot better than most people realize and could raise a few eyebrows once March Madness begins.

Cincinnati and VCU are the strongest nonconference teams the Crimson Tide play; expect close games in both that Alabama could possibly win. Alabama should defeat Cincinnati with relative ease, but VCU matches up oddly and could pull off the victory. The conference schedule is tough; however, they only play Kentucky, Missouri, and Florida once. Unless Texas A&M is better than predicted, Alabama should run away with the Western SEC.

Player to Watch:

Trevor Releford. He was consistent last year; he will be consistent this year. He’s a solid scorer and can put this team on his back. Trevor Lacy and Andrew Steele also return. These three players are a solid foundation on which the Crimson Tide will build upon as the season continues.

Upset Alert:

The Crimson Tide should pull off a few upsets. The Kentucky game in January will be a good one, but their first SEC game on January 8th against the Missouri Tigers will be the most likely upset. Alabama, if Michael Dixon, Jr. is not reinstated, should rollover the Tigers with ease. If he is reinstated, then the game will be close, but expect Alabama to still come out on top.

Predicted Regular Season: 20 – 8

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