Crimson Tide Faces Road Test Against SEC Rival

Alabama basketball head coach Nate Oats has led the Crimson Tide to one of the best records in the country, but tonight’s game presents a different kind of test. The third-ranked Crimson Tide host John Calipari and the Arkansas Razorbacks tonight in a matchup of two of the best coaches in the country.

Calipari and Oats have spoken well of one another as they’ve clashed in the SEC over the years, but when he spoke to the media about Calipari and his strengths as a coach, Oats was quick to praise the all-time great, calling him “one of the best motivators in college basketball.” Oats went on to compliment Calipari’s coaching style, saying “I think he knows how to put his guys in positions to win and they’re usually a hard-playing group,” when talking about the kind of play “Coach Cal” gets out of his players.

Coming into the matchup, both teams are playing well, with Alabama looking to add to a five game winning streak and Arkansas seeking their third top-25 win on the season.

Mark Sears and Alabama are 8-1 against SEC opponents this season and have been mainstays near the top of the AP rankings throughout the season. Sears is having another standout season, putting himself on the Wooden Award short list as March Madness approaches.

A win against a strong SEC team should bolster the NCAA Tournament resumes of both teams, but we’ll have to wait and see who takes home the win between two of the SEC’s top teams.