The Alabama men’s basketball team will conclude its 2010-2011 regular season against the Georgia Bulldogs on Saturday in Coleman Coliseum.
Coming off of a brutal loss to Florida, Alabama (19-10, 11-4 SEC) will be looking to end its season on a good note on senior night. With a win on Saturday and a Florida loss, Alabama could still earn a tie for the Southeastern Conference regular season title.
Alabama is still undefeated at home and will be looking to end the season that way. Head coach Anthony Grant credits the fans for much of the team’s home winning streak.
“The atmosphere here has exceeded my expectations and has been a great lift for our basketball team,” Grant said. “We have an early start and we need all of our fans here. We need them here early and we need them loud because they have been a huge boost for us.”
Despite losing two straight games, Grant said that the team would not get away from what they have done all season.
“We are going to be who we are and not change our identity,” Grant said. “We just have to play better. There are some things that we need to do individually and collectively to become better. We have to answer the bell because we haven’t answered it in the last few games.”
Grant sees mental, not physical, fatigue as one of the biggest reasons for the Tide’s recent two-game skid.
“I worry more about the mental fatigue, not so much the physical,” Grant said. “Everyone gets hit with that, because our league is such a grind. We have to be mature and focused enough to understand what we have to do on a game-to-game basis.”
For seniors, including Charvez Davis, Senario Hillman and Chris Hines, this will be their last home game in a Alabama uniform. The Tide will be looking to use the emotion of the night and the crowd to help them to a victory.
“Anybody’s senior night is going to be a special night,” Grant said. “I hope that our seniors come out and embrace the moment. I also hope that our fans will come out and show the appreciation and the support for not only the seniors, but our entire basketball team, with this being our final game of the year. With the goals and aspirations that our team has, combined with the fact that we are sending our seniors off for their last game, you would expect our guys to appreciate the moment.”
Hillman said, “It is my last game and it’s going to be very emotional. I still have to focus on the game. I’m excited about playing Georgia, and I hope we can get the win since it’s our last home game.”
Georgia (20-9, 9-6 SEC) will be looking to spoil the Tide’s night. They are coming in having won three of their last four games, including two blowout wins over South Carolina and LSU. The Bulldogs are led by junior guard Trevor Leslie and junior forward Trey Thompkins.
Tip-off is set for 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 5 in Coleman Coliseum.
