Over a year ago, the Alabama men’s basketball team secured its 12th regular season conference championship. Now, a little less than a year later, the Crimson Tide find themselves in an unfamiliar territory.
Thus far, Alabama has struggled in big games. Auburn has shown up in almost every big game that they have played this season. The Tigers have looked virtually unstoppable as of late. Bruce Pearl’s squad is currently riding an 11-game winning streak.
Needless to say, Alabama will have their work cut out for them. However, home-court advantage proves to be one of the deciding factors. A sold-out Coleman Coliseum will certainly help Alabama’s chances. It is also worth pointing out that Auburn is 9-53 against the Crimson Tide when traveling to Coleman Coliseum.
With that being the case and Alabama being eager to pick up a top-10 win, I will give Alabama a slight advantage. I envision a loud, rowdy atmosphere that will only increase Alabama’s chances of coming away with a much-needed win.
Auburn has the superior frontcourt with Johni Broome, Jaylin Williams, Dylan Cardwell, and Chad Baker-Mazara. Alabama has the more proven backcourt with two scorers with over 1,700 career points in guards Mark Sears and Aaron Estrada.
In the end, I think that Alabama’s backcourt will be the deciding factor. Along with Sears and Estrada, the Crimson Tide have seen recent strides made by guards Latrell Wrightsell Jr. and Rylan Griffen.
It will be a close game, but Alabama will come away with a narrow victory. My score prediction is Alabama 79, Auburn 76.