Question: How good are we?

[CB4]

Watched the end of Barn’s loss to Memphis. Conversation was “so who is best in SEC?”

Of course Arky….Kentucky…Tennessee.. then Auburn. Alabama was mentioned almost as an “afterthought”.

Good…keep underestimating us…

 

[DzynKingRTR]

Watched the end of Barn’s loss to Memphis. Conversation was “so who is best in SEC?”

Of course Arky….Kentucky…Tennessee.. then Auburn. Alabama was mentioned almost as an “afterthought”.

Good…keep underestimating us…

So let me get this straight. We just beat the team that was considered the best team right now and we are an afterthought. auburn just lost to an unranked memphis team, and they are considered one of the best teams? Kentucky has lost to a team that we beat, yet considered the best? tennessee who lost to a really bad Colorado team is the best? Bacon bits? Okay they might be pretty good. Every team can just keep thinking we are a okay team as far as I am concerned.

 

[CajunCrimson]

I would much rather be underestimated all year. Traditionally, We never fare as well when expectations are high.

 

[CB4]

So let me get this straight. We just beat the team that was considered the best team right now and we are an afterthought. auburn just lost to an unranked memphis team, and they are considered one of the best teams? Kentucky has lost to a team that we beat, yet considered the best? tennessee who lost to a really bad Colorado team is the best? Bacon bits? Okay they might be pretty good. Every team can just keep thinking we are a okay team as far as I am concerned.

Yeah it was funny. After the two “yappers” doing the game had given accolades to Arkansas, Tennessee and Kentucky, they mention “Auburn is a step back from them until they find a “go to scorer in crunch time”.”

Then, in passing, it was “Alabama is a fun team to watch….”

I guess Alabama is “a fun team to watch” unless you are Michigan State, Carolina or Houston fans so far.

 

[CB4]

I would much rather be underestimated all year. Traditionally, We never fare as well when expectations are high.

Like you, I prefer being under the radar.

 

[oskie]

Good…keep underestimating us…

... Every team can just keep thinking we are a okay team as far as I am concerned...

I would much rather be underestimated all year...

... yep, I agree with you all - rather be underestimated.

But,... if we are still a one-loss team by this time next week, that notion is out the window.

... Traditionally, We never fare as well when expectations are high.

Yes, I think it is hard for any player/team to ignore their own "press clippings"

 

[BamaInMo1]

This team is a different animal.
This group is team oriented.
They communicate well together.
You can see that this team has a goal and is working hard to accomplish that goal.

 

[4Q Basket Case]

After nine games last year, we were in quite a similar position.

This team is clearly playing together better than last year's team was at the end of the season. But last year, at the same point in the schedule, things were looking pretty dang good.

We'll soon see how well we handle success. Memphis got some votes in last week's poll then took down #11 Auburn yesterday. There's a good chance they'll be ranked when we play.

Then we play Gonzaga in Birmingham. Yeah, they've lost 3 games, and aren't perceived as quite the juggernaut they were this time last year. But they're still Gonzaga and seem to be getting their act together lately. I'm also sure they vividly remember last year's game and want a piece of our hide.

After that is a game against Jackson State that we should win if we don't totally space out. Then the SEC schedule starts.

The question is not whether we have the ability to be better than good. We do. The question is whether we can avoid a repeat of last year's selfishness and total loss of focus that torpedoed a start as promising as this one.

IOW, we'll have to see.

 

[BamaMoon]

After nine games last year, we were in quite a similar position.

This team is clearly playing together better than last year's team was at the end of the season. But last year, at the same point in the schedule, things were looking pretty dang good.

We'll soon see how well we handle success. Memphis got some votes in last week's poll then took down #11 Auburn yesterday. There's a good chance they'll be ranked when we play.

Then we play Gonzaga in Birmingham. Yeah, they've lost 3 games, and aren't perceived as quite the juggernaut they were this time last year. But they're still Gonzaga and seem to be getting their act together lately. I'm also sure they vividly remember last year's game and want a piece of our hide.

After that is a game against Jackson State that we should win if we don't totally space out. Then the SEC schedule starts.

The question is not whether we have the ability to be better than good. We do. The question is whether we can avoid a repeat of last year's selfishness and total loss of focus that torpedoed a start as promising as this one.

IOW, we'll have to see.

We may be in a similar position (record-wise) to last year at this point, but I think we are a far different team. The way we defend is 100% better, our rebounding tenacity is like night and day and we have much, much better guard play (we are really better at all 5 positions).

You are correct, Sir, about the Zags. I'm friends with Drew Timme's granddad from Richardson, TX and he sees them about the way you describe. They've struggled early this year, but he thinks they are starting to gel.

Even if we drop one of these games to Memphis or Gonzaga, I think we are still more capable of having a better year in the SEC and beyond.

 

[OakMtn4Bama]

We had better be ready for Memphis. They will come in with their hair on fire.

 

[TexasBama]

The second half against UH I think demonstrates how good we can be if we take care of the ball.

 

[dayhiker]

Yeah it was funny. After the two “yappers” doing the game had given accolades to Arkansas, Tennessee and Kentucky, they mention “Auburn is a step back from them until they find a “go to scorer in crunch time”.”

Then, in passing, it was “Alabama is a fun team to watch….”

I guess Alabama is “a fun team to watch” unless you are Michigan State, Carolina or Houston fans so far.

To be fair, our game probably ended after theirs started, or at least well after they'd prepared their talking points before that AU/Memphis game.

 

[OakMtn4Bama]

We are up to 4 in the AP poll

 

[LittleLexi]

I think this may be the best Oates team at Bama so far.

 

[DzynKingRTR]

latest bracketology has us as a 1 seed in the west

 

[BamaMoon]

latest bracketology has us as a 1 seed in the west

That's pretty good but it would be cool to be able to see us get that kind of seed in the east, which would be huge!

 

[OakMtn4Bama]

Let's just make the dance

 

[dayhiker]

I hope everyone involved has our/their sights set much higher than that.

 

[BamaMike05]

That's pretty good but it would be cool to be able to see us get that kind of seed in the east, which would be huge!

Yes, it would be very nice to get a 1 seed anywhere but, it would be especially nice to get one at any of the other 3 regionals. The good news is that if we can get a 1 or a 2 seed, we will be playing in Bham for the opening weekend.

 

[BamaMike05]

Let's just make the dance

We would have to put forth a collapse of epic proportions to not make the dance.