Alabama Crimson Tide - NCAA Basketball Betting

Playing in a conference that produced two Final Four teams and the national champions, Alabama Crimson Tide returned three key players this season from a team that won 18 games before losing to UCLA 62-59 in the second round of the NCAA tournament last season.

Coming into this season, the Crimson Tide were ranked in many pre-season Top 10s, and it was easy to see why. With point guard Ronald Steele and 6-10 senior forward Jermareo Davidson, who both toyed with the idea of going pro, and big forward Richard Hendrix all back, Alabama looked like it might have its best team in nine seasons under head coach Mark Gottfried.

A 13-1 start seemed to give credence to the high expectations. But the Tide turned into a real Jekyll-and-Hyde outfit, beating Iowa, Oklahoma, and LSU (twice), but losing by 27 points to Arkansas, by 21 to Vanderbilt, and by 24 to Auburn. Even in a couple of games they won, Alabama had to come back from double-digit deficits.

Steele, a 6-3 junior playmaker regarded as one of the best point guards in the country, was hobbled for a good part of the season with ankle and knee injuries. In part because of Steele's problems, and in part due to the inexperience of everyone other than 'Bama's Big Three, this team suffered from an overall inconsistency.

Still, this is a dangerous squad as it gets ready for its sixth straight appearance in the NCAA tournament.

Solid guard play from Steele, who had two wonderful games in last year's tournament; good outside shooting from Alonzo Gee and Mykal Riley, and double-doubles on the inside from Davidson and Hendrix make the Tide a tough team to match-up against across the board.

Motivation has seemed to be part of the problem at times during the regular season, but one would think that would disappear when tournament time rolls around. This team is athletic yet a bit thin, and suffers from more than just the occasional defensive lapses.

Alabama could lose in the first round of the tournament, but could also make a run to the Sweet 16, and beyond. It's just hard to tell which team will show up on any given night.    

Ronald Steele – Runs the show, and usually does it very well. But health has been a problem this season.

Jermareo Davidson – Versatile at 6-10, and can be a force.

Mykal Riley – Junior guard has emerged as main 3-point threat.

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