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Sunday Pulpit: Alabama might not dance, but it will continue to fight

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Are you not entertained?

Excuse me for borrowing the famous line from the 2000 film “Gladiator.” It just seemed fitting after watching the Alabama basketball team fight, claw and scrape its way through three games in the SEC Tournament.

The Crimson Tide did not make it out of Nashville still standing. There will be no dancing this season, at least not of the NCAA Tournament variety. This year’s team could never seem to find a rhythm anyway.

Saturday’s semifinal game against Kentucky was Alabama’s fifth and final chance to string together three consecutive SEC wins this season. Just as it had on the other four occasions, the Tide came up short. Head coach Avery Johnson addressed the inconsistencies this past Monday, calling his group, “a team that can’t handle prosperity.”

While it’s true this year’s team was one that never found a beat, it’s important not to confuse it with one that couldn’t find a pulse.

Throughout its many frustrating qualities and unreliable play on the court, one thing remained constant for the Tide — it fought. That was clear in bounce-back wins at Georgia and South Carolina earlier in the season, and it was certainly clear in Saturday’s 79-74 defeat to Kentucky.

Despite being outmatched at nearly every position on the court, Alabama hung with the Wildcats. The Tide even brought a shade of white to the faces of the predominantly blue-clad attendance inside Bridgestone Arena, jumping out to an early 17-7 lead midway through the first half.

When Kentucky punched back, Alabama took every hit in stride. Following a 19-3 run that saw the Wildcats take a 26-20 lead, Alabama regathered itself, battling back to head into the break trailing 33-32. An 8-2 run late in the second half from Kentucky finally saw off any chance Alabama had at a comeback. Just don’t tell that to the Tide’s players, who kept hope alive until their NCAA Tournament hopes were officially pronounced dead by the sound of the final whistle.

That demonstration of heart and hustle has been the reward in a vexatious season for Alabama’s fans. Sure, the Tide had the Coleman Coliseum faithful tearing at their hair for most of the year. However, games and performances like the one Saturday served as the adrenaline shot needed to carry on.

Alabama’s two previous wins in the SEC Tournament should be enough to not only land it a third straight trip to the NIT but also ensure another chance to play in front of its home fans.

You can bet the Tide won’t take that opportunity lightly.

Following a disappointing 4 of 15 afternoon from the court Saturday, Alabama guard Braxton Key took to Twitter, stating his appreciation for Alabama fans’ “unwavering support” this season. The true freshman ended his tweet with three simple words: “Let’s bounce back.”

I wouldn’t expect anything less from Alabama this season. While some teams go through the motions during the NIT, treating it as more of a chore than a tournament, that mindset just doesn’t exist among the Tide.

If this weekend proved anything, it showed Alabama can excel, and even overachieve, in a tournament format. Don’t be surprised if the Tide builds on that and makes a serious run toward the finals in Madison Square Garden.

After all, this team might not be dancers, but it sure can fight.

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