Jaden Shackelford explains how Alabama must regroup for NCAA Tournament

The Alabama Crimson Tide’s Men’s basketball team did not and the SEC tournament the way they would have liked. Alabama lost to the number 11 seeded Vanderbilt Commodores 82-76 and where a one and done in the tournament.

After the game, Alabama coach Nate Oats and some of the Crimson Tide players addressed the loss and what the team needs to do going forward to get back on the right track as they prepare for a likely birth in the NCAA championship tournament. One, in particular, Jaden Shackelford made it perfectly clear what the Crimson Tide needs to do.

“Just staying together. That’s the number one thing for us. Knowing that we’re going to go on that floor and battle with each other one more time, hopefully more than once,” said Shackelford. “I feel like it’s just staying together, staying locked in. There’s more out there for us, and we’re capable of doing a lot of good things in March.”

Shackelford did all he could do against Vanderbilt scoring a team-high 21 points. Unfortunately for the Crimson Tide, it wasn’t their offense that was the problem, it was their defense or lack thereof. Alabama had no answer for Commodores’ star guard Scottie Pippen Jr, who had 26 points, and seven assists.

Oats wasn’t happy with Alabama’s turnovers in the second round of the SEC Tournament

As the remaining teams in the SEC fight for the tournament crown, Alabama is going home to prepare for the NCAA Tournament. One of the most frustrating parts to Oats from the loss to Vanderbilt was his team’s turnovers.

“I mean, some of the turnovers are just mind-blowing,” Oats said. “Just kind of handing the ball to the other team. Just mis-dribbled by some pretty skilled players. Definitely stuff we can fix. We have to fix it and see if we can’t get on a similar run to what some other teams have done in the past.”

Alabama entered the final week of the regular season on a hot streak, having won three out of their last five games, with the only loss coming against Kentucky. But the Crimson Tide dropped their final two regular season contests, losing to Texas A&M and LSU. Now, Alabama will have to re-gain some form of confidence and momentum, as the Crimson Tide are on a three-game losing streak entering Selection Sunday.

Entering Friday, On3 projected Alabama as a six seed in the NCAA Tournament. Now, all the Crimson Tide can do is wait and see when and where they will be playing next week.