With the final stretch of the college basketball season here, only three games remain for the Alabama Crimson Tide.

After a rocky, unpredictable season, the Tide still stay in the hunt for a bid to the NCAA tournament. Alabama rides a two-game losing streak to Kentucky (81-71) and to Auburn (90-71).

Despite the loss to Auburn, true freshman Collin Sexton recorded his eleventh 20-point game. Sexton had 25 points, with five rebounds and two assists. True freshman John Petty has been great playing at home, but struggles on the road. He only recorded three points at Auburn.

With consistency lacking, the Tide sit at (17-11, 8-7 SEC) and still in good shape.

With a record of (5-2) against ranked opponents, Alabama has the No. 7 ranked strength of schedule in the country. Securing wins against: Texas A&M, Auburn, Oklahoma, Florida and Tennessee. The throttling win against the Volunteers winning 78-50, was Alabama’s biggest win in program history.

The SEC has four teams inside the top 10 for their strength of schedule: Kentucky, Vanderbilt, and Texas A&M are the other three. Being considered a No. 8 seed by ESPN’s Joe Lunardi, they are projected to play No. 9 seed Seton Hall in Charlotte, NC.

With three games left, the Tide is running out of opportunities to take advantage of. Two of the final three games will be played in Tuscaloosa. Alabama will host Arkansas and Florida before the Tide travels to College Station to play Texas A&M.

Coach Avery Johnson despite several blowout losses believes the team resume speaks for itself, and they should be awarded for that. The Tide has shown they have the talent, and they have the skill. They are just weak with the experience.

Finding the pieces to the puzzle, figuring this team out could be the spark they need. If the Tide ends the season strong, they could be dangerous come tournament play.

Some analysts predict they could go as far as the Elite Eight. Making the Elite Eight would be the second time in school history and the first since 2004.

Alabama will host Arkansas at Coleman Coliseum, Saturday, Feb. 24. The first time the two teams will meet this season. Next Alabama will play Florida on Feb. 27 and then travel to Texas A&M on March 3.

The game against Arkansas will be the Tide’s fifth sell-out this season.