🏀 🏀 Florida vs Alabama: Tide Falls to the Gators, 99-94

[Rolltide24]

My what a difference a few weeks make. I watched an ESPN BB show one night where the pundits all agreed Bama was a first seed lock. They’re not saying that now. One pundit just said he “misjudged Bama”. I’m not a big basketball fan so maybe these things happen all the time? It just seems odd to me how far the Tide have fallen since they started the gauntlet of playing so many ranked teams in a row. Maybe it will turn out to be a good thing? They certainly won’t have a bullseye on their back.

I wonder if there’s ever been a 1 seed with 9 losses entering the Dance. I’d be surprised if so. I’d be surprised if there’s been a 2 seed with 9 or more losses.

 

[Brandon Van de Graaff]

 

[Kamikazi18627]

This team is beat up and worn out.

Playing like this, be lucky to make it to the second weekend of the tournament.

 

[TerryP]

This team is beat up and worn out.

Playing like this, be lucky to make it to the second weekend of the tournament.

Two things can be true. The way they are playing they could see an early exit. It all depends on the bracket. And, we can't simply dismiss, the way they are playing is also the makings of a Final Four team: look at last season.

 

[footballer]

Some games we play with pretty damn good fundamentals. Block out and rebound, get after loose balls, play sound defense and with few turnovers and have high shooting averages from up close and from 3. BUT, but some games, fundamentals seem to disappear from some players. Blow so many layups and short shots, low percentage from 3, poor foul shooting, look lethargic on both ends and let the other team have their way on the glass. Where is senior leadership? In recent losses and some prior, there will be a player or two or three that just does not show up. Is this all on the players? Or can some blame go toward the coaches? For not having the team Up and ready to play Quality teams. Poor game planning maybe? I suppose a fella could throw darts at the board and find several areas responsible for the losses we Should have won.

 

[bamafan4ever]

Two things can be true. The way they are playing they could see an early exit. It all depends on the bracket. And, we can't simply dismiss, the way they are playing is also the makings of a Final Four team: look at last season.

The very thing I was thinking as well.

This is a very good team that can make a big run into the NCAA bracket. This is also the most competitive conference that anyone has ever seen top to bottom in my opinion. Combine that with the non-conference schedule we played, the drag of a tough season is getting real. Hopefully we get Reid back and we will be primed for a good tourney run in the NCAA.

Would a SEC Tourney Champ be nice? Sure. I would rather make another run to the F4.

 

[Kamikazi18627]

Two things can be true. The way they are playing they could see an early exit. It all depends on the bracket. And, we can't simply dismiss, the way they are playing is also the makings of a Final Four team: look at last season.

I almost feel that an early exit in the SEC tournament would be more beneficial than playing in the whole thing. A few days of rest would do this team wonders, I think. I also think that a "reset" might also get this thing back in focus for the tournament that really matters.

Draw is everything in the big tournament for sure. This team is talented enough to play with anyone in the county.

 

[BamaFan334]

Most amazing stat of the night, Bama only committed 6 turnovers (and just 1 in the 2nd half). I stand by what I said after the Mizzou game... Bama would finish out 2-4 just like last season. Also stand by what I said after the Tennessee game... I'm actually pretty pleased with how the team is playing, overall. If Oats can reset some things and work some of his magic after the SECT like he did last year, I like where things sit. Somehow entice Reid to get back on the court? Icing.

The question is, you're happy with the way we are playing, but we just gave up 99 points, finished the game against Tennessee on a 7-0 run in their favor with multiple mistakes. I have a hard time being happy with that personally. My standards are not high where it's Natty or bust, or even Final 4 or bust, but we should be an Elite 8 team and I don't feel like that at the moment. I feel like a hungry and energetic Top 20 team can trip us up right now.

 

[UAgrad93]

Need some rest! If we are assured the double bye, then that’ll help. An early exit from Nashville wouldn’t be so bad either. This season and schedule has been a rougher grind and it is showing late. Nelson, Reid, Sears, Omuyri and others need to get their legs under them.

 

[TerryP]

Need some rest! If we are assured the double bye, then that’ll help.

Down to nine that are "healthy," and a few of them are banged up. They don't have depth

 

[Brandon Van de Graaff]

The question is, you're happy with the way we are playing, but we just gave up 99 points, finished the game against Tennessee on a 7-0 run in their favor with multiple mistakes. I have a hard time being happy with that personally. My standards are not high where it's Natty or bust, or even Final 4 or bust, but we should be an Elite 8 team and I don't feel like that at the moment. I feel like a hungry and energetic Top 20 team can trip us up right now.

Considering they are without 2 impactful players and had to close the season with this type of schedule, yeah, I'm ok. Yes, the defense is bad, as is the effort at times (but I think some of that is a couple of guys look worn down). That does not make me happy. Still, they are more than likely about to earn themselves a 2 seed for the tournament... which over the last 5 years, would give the program an average overall seed of 3. Hard for me for me to be down about that coupled with the fact that I said they'd likely go 2-4 to close things out.

On that last point you made, sure. But when could they not? You could apply that to any team, especially come tournament time.

 

[BamaFan334]

Considering they are without 2 impactful players and had to close the season with this type of schedule, yeah, I'm ok. Yes, the defense is bad, as is the effort at times (but I think some of that is a couple of guys look worn down). That does not make me happy. Still, they are more than likely about to earn themselves a 2 seed for the tournament... which over the last 5 years, would give the program an average overall seed of 3. Hard for me for me to be down about that coupled with the fact that I said they'd likely go 2-4 to close things out.

On that last point you made, sure. But when could they not? You could apply that to any team, especially come tournament time.

You can definitely apply that to any team, but with a team that can't seem to minimize mistakes down the stretch, what makes us think they are ready for the biggest grind of the season in a much shorter period of time? Maybe I'm missing something, but how are we expected to get "healthy" in a week basically?

I guess I'm old school, because a closing stretch like that would have me licking my chops to destroy everyone in my path. I excelled in those situations, never felt sorry for myself and allow the mistakes to compile. We're talking about rivals in Tennessee and Auburn and we're gonna go 0'fer. That doesn't make me happy. I'm not all doom and gloom, because like you've said, we can do some big things. Not gonna bet money on it any longer, but it's possible. We need to let Philon handle the ball and allow Sears to simply shoot. I think we will only succeed if we force teams out to the three point line to guard us and then hammer them down low and then get those open threes with ball movement. The driving the lane crap and running into the defender, bending your back and looking like a dinosaur fossil while throwing up a shot that gets packed is not beneficial to us. I don't seem a very "team" environment a lot of the time, and that concerns me.

 

[TerryP]

Yes, the defense is bad, as is the effort at times (but I think some of that is a couple of guys look worn down). That does not make me happy.

We're a nearing a time where we ask the question is it effort or defensive scheme.

 

[Brandon Van de Graaff]

You can definitely apply that to any team, but with a team that can't seem to minimize mistakes down the stretch, what makes us think they are ready for the biggest grind of the season in a much shorter period of time? Maybe I'm missing something, but how are we expected to get "healthy" in a week basically?

I guess I'm old school, because a closing stretch like that would have me licking my chops to destroy everyone in my path. I excelled in those situations, never felt sorry for myself and allow the mistakes to compile. We're talking about rivals in Tennessee and Auburn and we're gonna go 0'fer. That doesn't make me happy. I'm not all doom and gloom, because like you've said, we can do some big things. Not gonna bet money on it any longer, but it's possible. We need to let Philon handle the ball and allow Sears to simply shoot. I think we will only succeed if we force teams out to the three point line to guard us and then hammer them down low and then get those open threes with ball movement. The driving the lane crap and running into the defender, bending your back and looking like a dinosaur fossil while throwing up a shot that gets packed is not beneficial to us. I don't seem a very "team" environment a lot of the time, and that concerns me.

Oats has his blind spots. I have little doubt that the staff turnover has hurt on the defensive side. That is coupled with the fact that some of in incoming guys haven't lived up to their expectations on that end (and some of that falls on the staff as well). Oats is the opposite of a process oriented coach, but yet he tries to lean into that when things aren't going well. He's numbers oriented which leads to him being outcome oriented. Personally, I think that trickles down to the players and leads to inconsistent play. But, he wants to win. Even when I'd probably tread lightly (in some ways like managing minutes) in Nashville next week and look focus on the bigger picture, Oats will be balls to the wall trying to win the tournament title, and won't concern himself with the toll. And that's fine, it's actually a good trait. I'd imagine it also comes with bonus check too, but I seriously don't think Oats cares about that side of it. Point is though, as good as he is, and he's one of the better coaches in CBB, he has areas that he needs to improve if he wants to reach the pinnacle. He's pretty stubborn with his system, on both ends, so that isn't ideal when changes are needed. But, he has shown in the past that he's certainly open to new ideas, he's not shy about visiting NBA staffs to try and learn. My hope is that this offseason he will continue to do that, but with a focus on the defensive end. And while I'll leave the staff changes up to him, I sure wouldn't be opposed to bringing in a different defensive coach.

I'm also not too proud to admit that auburn's success right now on their end of things has ratcheted up the stress and angst of Bama fans as this season winds down. If auburn was sitting at 8-8 in the league and not ranked, while some may admit it - or not -, there wouldn't be this level of anxiety and frustration over Bama basketball that we are currently seeing.

 

[Brandon Van de Graaff]

We're a nearing a time where we ask the question is it effort or defensive scheme.

IMO, the latter with a heavy dose of having some players who aren't skilled enough on that end to do what is asked.

 

[TerryP]

IMO, the latter with a heavy dose of having some players who aren't skilled enough on that end to do what is asked.

I look at LB's on shuttle time. Not 40's.

Look at lateral movement. They may be able to shoot but they can't stay in front of the ball.

 

[Brandon Van de Graaff]

I look at LB's on shuttle time. Not 40's.

Look at lateral movement. They may be able to shoot but they can't stay in front of the ball.

As outdated as the sun dial...

 

[BamaFan334]

Oats has his blind spots. I have little doubt that the staff turnover has hurt on the defensive side. That is coupled with the fact that some of in incoming guys haven't lived up to their expectations on that end (and some of that falls on the staff as well). Oats is the opposite of a process oriented coach, but yet he tries to lean into that when things aren't going well. He's numbers oriented which leads to him being outcome oriented. Personally, I think that trickles down to the players and leads to inconsistent play. But, he wants to win. Even when I'd probably tread lightly (in some ways like managing minutes) in Nashville next week and look focus on the bigger picture, Oats will be balls to the wall trying to win the tournament title, and won't concern himself with the toll. And that's fine, it's actually a good trait. I'd imagine it also comes with bonus check too, but I seriously don't think Oats cares about that side of it. Point is though, as good as he is, and he's one of the better coaches in CBB, he has areas that he needs to improve if he wants to reach the pinnacle. He's pretty stubborn with his system, on both ends, so that isn't ideal when changes are needed. But, he has shown in the past that he's certainly open to new ideas, he's not shy about visiting NBA staffs to try and learn. My hope is that this offseason he will continue to do that, but with a focus on the defensive end. And while I'll leave the staff changes up to him, I sure wouldn't be opposed to bringing in a different defensive coach.

I'm also not too proud to admit that auburn's success right now on their end of things has ratcheted up the stress and angst of Bama fans as this season winds down. If auburn was sitting at 8-8 in the league and not ranked, while some may admit it - or not -, there wouldn't be this level of anxiety and frustration over Bama basketball that we are currently seeing.

I can honestly say their success affects me zero. I'm more of tge thought of how do you go into a 1vs2 game in your house and get beat up? Not the opponent, just the situation. I am actually happier beating Houston than I was beating Auburn. Now, I'd rather have beaten a damn good team in Florida over Auburn and Tennessee combined. I can see how they smashed Aubuen and atennessee this year. Florida may have tge best resume in college basketball.

 

[mando]

I'm also not too proud to admit that auburn's success right now on their end of things has ratcheted up the stress and angst of Bama fans as this season winds down. If auburn was sitting at 8-8 in the league and not ranked, while some may admit it - or not -, there wouldn't be this level of anxiety and frustration over Bama basketball that we are currently seeing.

I never look to the Barn to impact what I think of Bama. Never have seen the Barn set any standard to measure up to in any sport. Now if they run off a streak of beating us x # in a row that would bother me in any sport.

 

[Brandon Van de Graaff]

I never look to the Barn to impact what I think of Bama. Never have seen the Barn set any standard to measure up to in any sport. Now if they run off a streak of beating us x # in a row that would bother me in any sport.

It's not a blanket statement for all Bama fans, but it's absolutely a thing with many. Usually the ones that have to hear from their auburn co-workers or family members or such... Hell, I'll freely admit, while it doesn't impact my anxiety over what Bama does (that I can tell), I hate that auburn is as good as they are. I want them void of joy and the mere thought that they have a team more than capable of winning it all irks me.

On the other hand, I also recognize that if auburn hadn't made a commitment to basketball with the hiring of Pearl 10 years ago, then Alabama almost certainly wouldn't have followed suit with a similar commitment. And I'd much rather the Bama program be at the heights it has reached now, even if it means auburn is going to be on our front or rear bumper year in and year out for the foreseeable future.