Alabama
Roll ‘Bama Roll Bracketology: Can Alabama help itself with some wins in the SEC Tournament?
The SEC Tournament begins this week with Sad Wednesday. The Tide, as a Top 4 seed, has earned one bye and does not begin action until Friday night. Alabama has drawn a bit more forgiving path than if it had been the 4-seed.
The Tide’s half of the bracket features teams ‘Bama went 5-2 against, though both of those losses were road blowouts. And, perhaps worse, it has the other two best offenses in the conference on its side: Kentucky, and a team no wants to play right now, Florida.
Still, it has dodged a bullet by putting the two best defensive squads on the other side of the ledger, where Tennessee and Auburn will almost certainly face one another. ‘Bama went 1-3 against that lot. That Arkansas overtime win could not have been bigger.
And, for some good news: While there’s almost no chance that Georgia or Mizzou upend Florida, there’s a passing decent chance that A&M or Ole Miss can goonball Kentucky and bounce them out early.
Worst case scenario to claim the tourney title: Alabama has to fight through Florida, Auburn/Tennesee, and Kentucky. Best case: just get past Florida. Most realistic? That’s probably also the worst case: Florida, Kentucky, Barn/Vawls…in that order, in three days. The Tide’s record against them: 2-5 (though there were four true road games in there).
So, given the steep mountain ‘Bama has to climb, what are its postseason fortunes? Can ‘Bama play its way up or down on its seed line?
Let’s see where ‘Bama is projected, going into conference title week.
Well, the Tide’s fortunes took a bad turn this week, as Indiana State, one of Alabama’s good OOC wins, suffered a set-back. After Indiana State won the MVC regular season title, it dropped a heartbreaker in the conference final. So, the Sycamores — solidly a lock last week, are now praying that they get some help.
The NET really has screwed over midmajors, y’all. We’ve covered that before.
Also, two marginal teams — the Mississippi State Bulldogs and Texas A&M Aggies, both need to make some noise to solidify their shot at a bid. They’re on opposite sides, so that helps. But Aggie will certainly face UK in the second round, and ‘State draws Tennessee, assuming it can get past streaky shooting LSU.
An early bow-out by one or both eliminates three of the Tide’s quality wins over tourney teams, and diminishes the SEC to just a six-bid league.
Really, much rides on the tournaments in relation to the Tide’s fortunes. Four wins that looked great last week may suddenly become relatively meaningless outside of the NET by Sunday. Blogging the Bracket has moved ‘State to the Bubble as a bye team, and bounced A&M out, failing a good run by either.
Chris isn’t alone here either. MSU is a consensus 9-10 seed entering the SECT, but only a handful of bracketologists have Aggie making the Dance, and that as an 11-seed.
For Alabama’s fortunes, we really need a State win over LSU, and then pray for an upset of UK over the Wildcats. That bolsters ‘Bama’s SOS greatly, and it improves the conference standing as an 8-bid league instead of one where only the top third made it, which would be the second-worst among the Power 5 leagues.
Here are the projected seed-lines for the Crimson Tide:
CBS has ‘Bama a 4-line in the East, which is perhaps the least forgiving thing I’ve ever seen. Why? After a nasty trap game against red-hot shooting McNeese State, ‘Bama would face a defensive slugfest between App State or Texas Tech. That’s bad enough, but the East also sees Kansas as the 3, UNC as the 2…and everyone is staring up at No. 1 UConn.
For my money, gimme On3’s bracket. Sure, Alabama is a 4-line, and yes, it is in Houston’s region. But the teams are far more forgiving. For a start, the Tide faces App. State out of the jump, rather than a three-point mercenary. Said three-point mercenary gets to face Dayton, where Alabama could get an interesting matchup against an old face: The Flyers and Grantsketball vs. Nate — talk about a contrast in styles.
The rest of the pod is fairly gentle too: Florida is on the bottom half of the region, as is Marquette — with those teams projected to meet in Round 2. The other Big Bad, Duke, is also on the bottom half: 2/3rds of the very good teams take care of themselves before we even get to the Elite Eight.
Yes please.
Lunardi’s at ESPN is almost as bad as Jerry Palm’s.
The Tide gets carted to the Midwest, where overall No. 1 seed Purdue, and the fouling lummox, are the top seed. But, he’s also thrown in Florida, Duke, a potential rematch with Clemson in the second round, three-ball FAU, very frustrating Vermont and Utah State teams, and two Big 12 teams…just for funsies.
And, in a composite of brackets, The Bracket Matrix has ‘Bama a four-across the board.
Can UA play its way up to a 3-seed? Perhaps. But I’m not sure that Alabama even wants to do that, given that most project a meeting with Duke or Florida to even get out of the Sweet 16. Four may actually be Alabama’s best spot to make some noise.
It certainly beats ‘Bama’s women, where ESPN has projected the Tide to face No. 1 Iowa, even they can even survive a dread 8/9 game. Though, it would be cool to see Clark do her thing.
And, before we go, let’s take one final regular season look at the Tide’s metrics.
NET: 8th (4-9 Q1; 8-1 Q2); last week 7th
KenPom: 11th (Off. 2nd, Def. 102nd); last week 8th (Off. 1st, Def. 101st)
Evan Miya: 14th (Off. 4th, Def. 75th); last week 12th (Off. 5th, Def. 84th)
Bar Torvik: 15th (Off. 3rd, Def. 106th); last week 7th (Off. 1st, Def. 73rd)
SOS: 2nd
ESPN BPI: 8th, last week 8th
RPI: 7th, last week 7th
RPI SOS: 5th, last week 3rd
That puts a bow on it for now. We’ll be back later in the week with some game breakdowns, special point spread picks, SEC tournament analysis and open threads.
Roll Tide!
#EverythingSchool
#BTDAG
Poll
What would qualify as a successful season for you at this point?
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Given all the personnel and coaching losses, it’s already been a successful season; everything else is house money.
(0 votes)
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Win a few in the postseason on neutral courts, maybe get to the second weekend?
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At least a Sweet 16 or better
(0 votes)
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CUT DOWN THE NETS, OR WE RIOT
(0 votes)
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Fitter and Faster Swim Camps is the proud sponsor of SwimSwam’s College Recruiting Channel and all commitment news. For many, swimming in college is a lifelong dream that is pursued with dedication and determination. Fitter and Faster is proud to honor these athletes and those who supported them on their journey.
Wisconsin LSC Short Course Senior Champion Mazie Paradis has committed to continuing her swimming career at the University of Alabama in the fall of 2025. Paradis is currently a senior at New Glarus High School and trains with the Verona Area Swim Team.
I am so excited to announce my verbal commitment to continue my academic and athletic career at the University of Alabama! I first want to thank my family, coaches & teammates for helping me through this process. I also want to thank the amazing coaching staff at Alabama who have given me this opportunity. ROLL TIDE 🐘❤️🤍
Paradis earned her best 200 IM time of 2:02.99 last month at the Speedo Winter Junior Championship West (SCY) in Austin, Texas. At the meet, she qualified for the 2025 Futures Championship in Madison in four events: the 100 back (55.23), 200 back (1:59.46), 100 fly (55.95), and the 200 IM.
Earlier in the year, in March, Paradis secured her SCY 100 fly personal best of 55.71 at the NCSA Spring Championships in Orlando, Florida. She also set a personal best in another SCY event, the 50 breast, with a time of 29.45. She made it to the finals in both events, which were held in LCM.
Paradis was the 2023 Wisconsin LSC Senior Short Course Champion (SCY) in the 100 IM (56.76) and 100 back (54.68), with her 100 back time remaining her personal best. She was also a finalist in the 200 back (1:59.49), finishing 2nd, the 200 IM (2:04.69), earning 3rd, the 100 fly (56.90), placing 5th, and the 50 back (25.83), where she took 6th.
Paradis set her personal best in the SCY 200 back at the 2023 NCSA Spring Championships in March, finishing 20th overall in the finals with a time of 1:59.22. She also reached the finals in the 50 back (26.17), 100 back (54.85), and 200 IM (2:03.92).
In November 2023, at the IA IFLY A3 Midwest Challenge (SCY) in Iowa City, Paradis set a new personal best in the 50 free with a time of 23.37, placing 2nd. She also made it to the finals in the 100 back (55.37), finishing 2nd, the 200 back (2:00.82), also placing 2nd, the 100 fly (55.83), where she finished 3rd, the 200 IM (2:03.69), earning 2nd, and the 400 IM (4:27.68), where she claimed 1st.
Top SCY Times
- 50 Free – 23.37
- 100 Back – 54.68
- 200 Back – 1:59.22
- 100 Fly – 55.71
- 200 IM – 2:02.99
The Alabama women placed 6th out of 12 teams at the SEC Championships last season, down from 4th the previous year. Paradis’s best 200 IM time (2:02.99) could help strengthen the IM group at Alabama. The Crimson Tide’s fastest time last season, 1:58.24, was held by Olympic swimmer Diana Petkova, who competed in the 100 breast and 200 IM at the Tokyo Games, representing Bulgaria. She is currently a graduate student. Paradis is also strong in the 100 back (54.68). The fastest time last season, 52.11, was held by sophomore Ella Menear.
Paradis will join Madyson Hartway, Lili Ratzlaff, Sarah Parker, Isabella Chavez-Varela, and Lolly Milbaum as part of Alabama’s 2025 recruiting class. Chavez-Varela also shows strength in the 200 IM, with a time of 2:00.89.
If you have a commitment to report, please send an email with a photo (landscape, or horizontal, looks best) and a quote to [email protected].
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Another national title is coming back to Tuscaloosa.
The University of Alabama’s Co-Ed Cheer squad earned first place in the Universal Cheerleader Association’s College Championships on Sunday. It was Alabama’s first Co-Ed Division IA National Championship in 10 years, previously winning the top titles in 2015, 2011 and 1984.
The Tide beat out second-place finishers the University of South Florida and the University of Kentucky in third.
UA’s All-Girl Squad placed second in its division, finishing behind Ole Miss with its first national championship.
Other Alabama winners included Shelton State Community College of Tuscaloosa, earning first place in the Open Co-Ed Division.
The 2025 UCA College Nationals were held at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Walt Disney in Orlando.
In anticipation of severe winter weather and snow coming to most of the state, including the Gulf Coast, several school systems in south Alabama have announced changes to their schedule for this week.
Dangerously cold temperatures are expected to settle in tonight over most of the state. A winter storm watch has been issued for south Alabama and lower central Alabama starting Tuesday. Precipitation—snow, sleet, freezing rain, or a wintry mix—will begin in southwest Alabama Tuesday morning and continue through the day, moving eastward.
However, it’s still not clear how much snow can be expected. Transportation will still be hazardous, with forecasters warning that roads could be icy into Wednesday.
See the list of school closings and changes below. Most schools will be closed Monday, Jan. 20, in observance of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day holiday.
This list will be updated as more information becomes available.
Mobile County Public Schools: Closed Tuesday, Jan. 21
Baldwin County Public Schools: Closed Tuesday, Jan. 21 and Wednesday, Jan. 22
Washington County Schools: Closed Tuesday, Jan. 21 and Wednesday, Jan. 22
Escambia County Schools: Closed Tuesday, Jan. 21 and Wednesday, Jan. 22
Clarke County Schools: Closed Tuesday, Jan. 21 and Wednesday, Jan. 22
Monroe County Schools: Closed Tuesday, Jan. 21 and Wednesday, Jan. 22
Conecuh County Schools: Closed Tuesday, Jan. 21 and Wednesday, Jan. 22
Geneva County Schools: Closed Tuesday, Jan. 21 and Wednesday, Jan. 22
Choctaw County Schools: Closed Tuesday, Jan. 21 and Wednesday, Jan. 22. Students provided virtual learning information.
Houston County Schools: Closed Tuesday, Jan. 21 and Wednesday, Jan. 22
Henry County Schools: Closed Tuesday, Jan. 21 and Wednesday, Jan. 22
Wallace Community College: Closed Tuesday, Jan. 21 and Wednesday, Jan. 22
Orange Beach City Schools: Virtual learning Tuesday, Jan. 21
Gulf Shores City Schools: Closed Tuesday, Jan. 21
Saraland City Schools: Decision to be made by Sunday, Jan. 19, at 6 p.m.
Dothan City Schools: Closed Tuesday, Jan. 21 and Wednesday, Jan. 22
Geneva City Schools: Closed Tuesday, Jan. 21 and Wednesday, Jan. 22
Catholic Schools in the Archdiocese of Mobile (includes lower half of Alabama): Closed Tuesday, Jan. 21 and Wednesday, Jan. 22
UMS-Wright Preparatory School: Closed Tuesday, Jan. 21
St. Paul’s Episcopal School: Closed Tuesday, Jan. 21
Bayside Academy: Closed Tuesday, Jan. 21 and Wednesday, Jan. 22
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