Since Alabama has the week off, I thought it would be a good time to give my assessment of how I feel about this basketball team now compared to before the season. Also, I will assess how the outlook is for Alabama moving forward.
Preseason, I had Alabama finishing the season 23-8 overall and 12-6 in the SEC. I had Alabama beating Ohio St, Clemson, and Creighton preseason so that's why that total is a little higher, but they're making up for that in SEC play. Going into the season, we thought Grant Nelson and Aaron Estrada would be superstars and Mark Sears would be solid. Well, flip that around and Mark Sears has become the superstar and the other two have been solid. Nobody could have predicted Mark Sears would be All-American good, but he has been the biggest development to this team. If he was just solid, this team wouldn't be where they are.
Jarin Stevenson has been decent, Sam Walters has been decent, and Rylan Griffen has been inconsistent, but overall the role players have played their roles pretty well. The one guy that has made the biggest difference is Latrell Wrightsell. Averaging 3 threes per game and 11 ppg in conference play has been awesome for a secondary scorer. Majority of people didn't know much about him, but he has always been an incredible shooter. The upgrade in competition has not phased him at all, and his defense has been a surprise as well. Guys like Nick Pringle and Mohamed Wague have been disappointments overall, but not much was expected from either. Maybe from Pringle, but that was more optimism than projections.
Alabama has played the #3 toughest schedule in the country and has been competitive in every game but 2 in conference play. Playing that tough of a schedule, being competitive with zero bad losses, and having the #1 offense in the country will combine and make great metrics. Which is why they are top 10 in every great metric ranking. Losing to Ohio St looks kinda bad now, but at the time they were really good and Clemson at home was very surprising, but losses like those happen. The big 3 of Purdue, Creighton, and Arizona were not surprises, but I thought they would steal one. In the SEC, they've had two blowout losses on the road to top 15 teams which isn't surprising either. Alabama has beaten multiple projected conference champions in the non-conference as well which also helps perception.
How does Alabama look moving forward? They have their toughest 6 game stretch of the year coming up in their final 7 games. If they finish 4-3, I think that would be a success and keep Alabama a top 4 seed in the SEC and NCAA tournament. They likely would not win the SEC, but the fact they're in this position is insane after all the turnover. Finishing 21-10 (13-5) would be a great season going into the postseason. Not saying they can't finish better or worse, but thats about how I think they will finish. I have really enjoyed watching this team and this has been a fun group, so just enjoy the season and whatever comes with it!
Preseason, I had Alabama finishing the season 23-8 overall and 12-6 in the SEC. I had Alabama beating Ohio St, Clemson, and Creighton preseason so that's why that total is a little higher, but they're making up for that in SEC play. Going into the season, we thought Grant Nelson and Aaron Estrada would be superstars and Mark Sears would be solid. Well, flip that around and Mark Sears has become the superstar and the other two have been solid. Nobody could have predicted Mark Sears would be All-American good, but he has been the biggest development to this team. If he was just solid, this team wouldn't be where they are.
Jarin Stevenson has been decent, Sam Walters has been decent, and Rylan Griffen has been inconsistent, but overall the role players have played their roles pretty well. The one guy that has made the biggest difference is Latrell Wrightsell. Averaging 3 threes per game and 11 ppg in conference play has been awesome for a secondary scorer. Majority of people didn't know much about him, but he has always been an incredible shooter. The upgrade in competition has not phased him at all, and his defense has been a surprise as well. Guys like Nick Pringle and Mohamed Wague have been disappointments overall, but not much was expected from either. Maybe from Pringle, but that was more optimism than projections.
Alabama has played the #3 toughest schedule in the country and has been competitive in every game but 2 in conference play. Playing that tough of a schedule, being competitive with zero bad losses, and having the #1 offense in the country will combine and make great metrics. Which is why they are top 10 in every great metric ranking. Losing to Ohio St looks kinda bad now, but at the time they were really good and Clemson at home was very surprising, but losses like those happen. The big 3 of Purdue, Creighton, and Arizona were not surprises, but I thought they would steal one. In the SEC, they've had two blowout losses on the road to top 15 teams which isn't surprising either. Alabama has beaten multiple projected conference champions in the non-conference as well which also helps perception.
How does Alabama look moving forward? They have their toughest 6 game stretch of the year coming up in their final 7 games. If they finish 4-3, I think that would be a success and keep Alabama a top 4 seed in the SEC and NCAA tournament. They likely would not win the SEC, but the fact they're in this position is insane after all the turnover. Finishing 21-10 (13-5) would be a great season going into the postseason. Not saying they can't finish better or worse, but thats about how I think they will finish. I have really enjoyed watching this team and this has been a fun group, so just enjoy the season and whatever comes with it!
