No. 7 Alabama isn't out of gas, even if the tank has looked closer to empty than full in recent weeks. Alabama (23-7, 12-5 SEC) has dropped four of its last six games and can't finish higher than third place in the Southeastern Conference standings. Despite the struggles, the Crimson Tide still has a lot to play for, particularly when they host No. 1 Auburn in the regular-season finale. A win over the Tigers would not only boost Alabama's NCAA Tournament resume but also give them momentum heading into the SEC Tournament.
Auburn (27-3, 15-2) has already clinched the SEC regular-season title and will be looking to cap off a dominant conference season with a win over their in-state rivals. The Tigers have been one of the most impressive teams in the country all season, with a high-powered offense and stingy defense. They'll look to ride that momentum into the postseason, where they'll be a favorite to make a deep run.
For Alabama, the task at hand is clear: find a way to slow down Auburn's potent offense. The Tigers are averaging over 80 points per game, led by star guard Jabari Smith, who is averaging over 17 points per contest. The Crimson Tide will need to be able to contain Smith and the rest of Auburn's shooters if they hope to pull off the upset.
On the other side of the ball, Alabama will need to find a way to get its own offense going. The Crimson Tide has struggled to score in recent weeks, averaging just over 70 points per game in their last six contests. They'll need to be able to get production from their stars, including Jaden Shackelford and Keon Ellis, if they hope to keep pace with Auburn's high-powered offense.
The matchup between Alabama and Auburn is always intense, with the two teams having a long and storied history. This season's finale promises to be no exception, with both teams having a lot on the line. The Crimson Tide will be looking to play spoiler and ruin Auburn's perfect season, while the Tigers will be looking to cap off a dominant regular season and head into the postseason with momentum.
As the two teams take to the court, all eyes will be on the showdown between two of the SEC's top teams. Will Alabama be able to find the extra gear they need to take down the top-ranked Tigers, or will Auburn prove to be too much for them to handle? The answer will have to wait until the final buzzer sounds, but one thing is for sure: this is a game you won't want to miss.