Is Alabama Basketball "Fine" on The Joe Gaither Show

Lets talk about the Crimson Tide's loss on Saturday to the Tennessee Volunteers on The Joe Gaither Show | Episode 157: Jan. 22, 2024.

Let's kick off a new week on "The Joe Gaither Show on BamaCentral" by talking about the Alabama basketball's teams dismal performance in Knoxville over the weekend.

The Crimson Tide went into Thompson-Boling Arena looking to stay unbeaten in SEC play but were sent home with a 20-point loss. 

Why was this game so important for the Tide? In order to understand that we examine what the goals of the Crimson Tide program are year-in and year-out.

Alabama basketball wants to first, ensure themselves a spot in the NCAA tournament each year. Second, compete for and win the Southeastern Conference regular season championship. Third, go into Nashville and win the SEC Tournament and lastly, make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament.

Alabama basketball coach Nate Oats has virtually made the first goal a foregone conclusion as he's made three NCAA Tournaments in a row and is staring at his fourth. Oats has also won the league twice and the SEC Tournament twice in his four year tenure, showing that he has the program in a great position. 

Losing to Tennessee on Saturday doesn't doom the Tide's season, nor make it a failure, but it does show the college basketball world that Alabama may not have what it takes to compete with some of the nation's best teams this season. 

The Crimson Tide has an excellent opportunity to bounce back as they welcome No. 8 Auburn into Coleman Coliseum for the Iron Bowl of basketball. Can they put the loss behind them quickly and rebound against quality competition?

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