By Elliott Propes | Staff Reporter
Thursday is a big day for Alabama women’s basketball.
The last home game of the season is always one of the games circled on the schedule at the beginning of the year. It is senior day and even more than that, it is the last time Alabama fans get to see their favorite team. It is the last time Alabama has a chance to ride home court advantage. It is the last time this 2014-15 team will walk out to the Alabama pep band. The last weekend of the SEC season will begin when the Crimson Tide tips off against the Florida Gators at 6 p.m.
“We feel like we have a two-game season. We have a great opportunity to start our two-game season with a win, and more importantly, we need to send out these seniors the right way who have worked hard and done everything we have asked them to do,” coach Kristy Curry said. “We have a lot to play for, and we need to make sure we take advantage of the opportunity”
For guard Sharin Rivers and forward Briana Hutchen, it will be their last game at Foster Auditorium. A senior day ceremony will be held following the game to honor both players.
The Florida Gators had a very similar season to that of the Crimson Tide. The Gators began the season well at 5-1 and played decently out of the conference, but once SEC play began the Gators have not played well. They are 4-10 in the SEC and 12-15 overall. Alabama is 2-12 in the SEC and 13-16 overall. Both teams are looking to gain some confidence before the SEC tournament.
“I think on any given night [Florida] can have a lot of different people step up and really hurt you in a variety of ways,” Curry said. “They’ve got great balance across their scoring.”
The season is coming to a close faster than many players would like to admit. After Thursday, Alabama will only have one more regular season game against Auburn on Sunday, March 1. The SEC tournament will begin the following Wednesday. If Alabama does not win the tournament a postseason birth is improbable.
“I would like to finish my senior season with a bang, saying that I gave it my all and my everything, just to leave with no regrets,” Rivers said.
