Crimson Red Sports

Tide puts home-court advantage to the test - Cecil Hurt

TUSCALOOSA | As the University of Alabama men's basketball team seeks to go further in the NIT, one of the best recipes may be not going too far at all.

That's because Coleman Coliseum continues to be an integral part of the Crimson Tide's success this season. Going into tonight's second-round NIT game with New Mexico, the Crimson Tide has an 18-game home winning streak, including a perfect 17-0 home mark this season.

Some of the reasons are easily understandable. Attendance has been good, especially as UA has improved over the course of the season, and supportive audiences seem to fuel this team's defensive intensity. Some of it is a little less easy to analyze. Certainly, shooters are more comfortable at home, but that can't completely explain the fact Alabama's best 3-point shooter, Charvez Davis, shoots over 45 percent from beyond the arc at home (48 of 104) and was just over 20 percent (17 of 82) away from Tuscaloosa.

Crimson Tide head coach Anthony Grant recognized the value of the homecourt advantage in his press conference last Friday.

"We had over 5,000 here for the first game, which was an outstanding crowd given the (spring break) circumstances," Grant said of the Crimson Tide's first-round blowout of Coastal Carolina. "It was great to see all the kids and families who were here for the game, and it was a tremendous atmosphere. Now, our students are back in town. We need all the support we can get, because it makes a big difference."

I expect over 10,000 for this one.

I'll be watchin'.  Is that 8pm eastern or central?

I wish I could be there. I just hope our Bama brothers and sisters that are there make it hard for the Lobos to even think tonight. This is going to be a tough game, but I have no doubt that this team can do what it takes to get to the quarters.