From the moment Tennessee’s Jahmai Mashack knocked down the game winning 3-pointer to beat Alabama this past Saturday, I’ve racked my brain about what do with the Crimson Tide.

In that one shot, the fortunes of not just Alabama, Auburn, and Tennessee changed, but now Florida has been thrusted into the conversation for a No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament.

On Saturday afternoon, Auburn wrapped up what eventually was an outright SEC title by beating Kentucky. With that win, the Tigers locked up a No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament. By the time Alabama lost, being a No. 1 seed transitioned into, “Are they the No. 1 overall seed?”.

That will most likely take another week or two to settle, but it seems to be a two-team race between Auburn and Duke.

But, what about the Alabama Crimson Tide?

How does Alabama lose (or keep) a shot at a No. 1 seed?

Saying that Alabama doesn’t have any pressure on them this coming week, would be flat-out lying.

Two games, against most-likely top 10 foes when they host Florida on Wednesday, then travel to Auburn for part two of the Iron Bowl of Basketball. Doing all of this while a Tennessee loss remains fresh and gets the Vols closer to passing the Tide for a No. 1 seed.

Meanwhile, a loss vs. Florida will give the Gators a win over Auburn AND Alabama on the road, in the SEC. From how the metrics measure out on Bart Torvik, KenPom, and other sources that the committee and bracket analysts use, that could be more than enough to give the Gators a No. 1 seed heading into conference tournament week.

How can Alabama keep a No. 1 seed? It’s pretty simple, just win one of their two resume-strengthening games. It doesn’t matter how it’s done. Just win, baby.

Games to Watch

Kansas at Houston (Mar. 3)

If you had Kansas traveling to Houston for what could be called a “season-saving” game, you’d assume that the sport was football, not basketball.

Georgia at South Carolina (Mar. 4)

South Carolina already did damage to one SEC’s tournament hopes this past weekend beating Arkansas, is Georgia next?

Auburn at Texas A&M (Mar. 4)

The SEC regular season is all wrapped up, but if you’re Auburn then you absolutely want your last road game of the season to end on a high note. Knowing that the IBOB looms, Texas A&M might be catching them at the right time.

Florida at Alabama (Mar. 5)

In any other league, a game of this stature would be the “Game of the Year”, for the SEC? It’s just another Wednesday night clash in arguably, America’s best conference.

AL.com Top 16 seeds

(Overall ranking in parentheses)

South Region (Atlanta, GA)

1. Auburn (1)
2. Michigan State (7)
3. St. John’s (9)
4. Arizona (16)

East Region (Newark, NJ)

1. Duke (2)
2. Florida (6)
3. Iowa State (10)
4. Michigan (14)

Midwest Region (Indianapolis, IN)

1. Houston (3)
2. Tennessee (5)
3. Texas A&M (12)
4. Texas Tech (13)

West Region (San Francisco, CA)

1. Alabama (4)
2. Wisconsin (8)
3. Kentucky (11)
4. Purdue (15)