SEC Tourney Preview: Florida-Alabama

The Florida-Alabama match-up in the SEC Basketball Tournament is a must win situation for both teams.    For Alabama (16-15, 5-11 SEC), the Tide must win to even have a chance at the NIT and have to win the whole Tournament for a shot at the NCAA.    For Florida (21-10, 8-8), the Gators are sitting on a very fragile bubble after a .500 conference record in a very mild SEC.  Losses by Gonzaga and South Alabama don’t help Florida’s chances either.   But when these two teams meet Thursday Night in the Georgia Dome as the West #5 vs. the East #4, it will be a rematch of one of the best games of the early conference season.   Back on January 8 th , Florida visited Tuscaloosa for a nationally broadcast game on ESPN.  After trailing at half, the Gators posted 50 points in the second half for a 90-83 victory to start the conference season.   Florida held Alabama to 36% shooting in the second half while going for 56% themselves.  The Gators ... [link]