Bracketology 2021: Arizona State and Cincinnati highlight biggest losers

Alabama Crimson Tide

Is Alabama going to make the NCAA tournament?  Likely yes they are going to make the NCAA tournament but they have a lot of work to do as it pertains to their at-large resume. The Crimson Tide started off the week with a huge comeback win against the Furman Paladins,  and then followed it up Saturday with a loss to Western Kentucky on one of the craziest finishes we have seen this year.

Alabama has way too much talent and is coached way too well to be so Jekyl and Hyde and yet they are one of the programs that have shown the most inconsistency in the early going of the year. Some games they play like a tournament team and in other games they look lost, disengaged, and downright bad at times.

That is how the first half went against Furman, Alabama was not playing much defense and it saw Furman shoot 60% from the outside and putting up a ton of points in the first half. In the second half, they were able to lock in on the defensive end and senior leader Herb Jones caught fire and Alabama was able to survive.

The loss that puts them in the Bracketology losers this week was the home loss to Western Kentucky on Saturday. The Crimson Tide in heartbreaking fashion as they were whistled for goaltending, which led to the Hilltoppers securing a two-point lead late. Alabama would miss the game-tying basket and walked away heartbroken.

The inconsistency of this team may be its downfall. Alabama has also left themselves minimal margin for error as they have one win currently that will look good on the resume. It is a neutral site win over Providence. In every other opportunity they have had against potential top 75 teams they have lost.

Alabama will get many other opportunities in conference play, but if they maintain this inconsistency it may be tough sledding in the SEC conference. If they do not go over .500 in SEC play it may mean they are going to have to sweat it out on Selection Sunday.