Live from Tuscaloosa: Rece Davis Talks Alabama’s Final Four Hopes, SEC Showdown with Auburn
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Rece Davis knows firsthand what it’s like to have bad seats at March Madness—a reality for ESPN employees since the network doesn’t hold broadcasting rights to the tournament. But last year, when his alma mater Alabama made its historic first-ever Final Four appearance, he wasn’t going to miss it.
“I was like, ‘No, I’m going in the building, and I’m going to see this,’” Davis said on Friday, reflecting on his experience at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
Despite Alabama’s loss to eventual national champion UConn, Davis sees a bright future ahead for Nate Oats’ program.
“It was an unbelievable accomplishment,” Davis said. “Actually, I say unbelievable – not with that dude you’ve got as a head coach here. That won’t be the last time that happens as long as he’s here.”
Alabama’s Road to Another Final Four
Nate Oats, now in his sixth season at the helm, has turned Alabama basketball into a powerhouse. After last season’s deep tournament run, the Crimson Tide enter this weekend ranked No. 2 in the AP Top 25, setting the stage for an epic showdown against top-ranked Auburn on Saturday, Feb. 15 (3 p.m. on ESPN).
The stakes couldn’t be higher. This is the first-ever No. 1 vs. No. 2 matchup in SEC history, with the winner seizing sole possession of first place in the nation’s toughest conference with six regular-season games remaining.
Davis believes this game could be a preview of something much bigger.
“There are three teams in the SEC equipped to win the national championship,” Davis said. “Two of them will play here tomorrow. And the other one is Florida. (Alabama) can do it. It’s a question of will they?”
Auburn the Team to Beat?
Davis didn’t shy away from giving Auburn its credit, calling them the best team he’s seen this year.
“I do think, in all complete honesty, the best team I’ve seen this year is Auburn. I think they’re the best team I’ve seen from start to finish,” Davis said. “It doesn’t mean they’re not unbeatable, as Florida proved. … This is a high-level team, and so is Alabama. Alabama can win the national championship, for sure. But that’s not gonna be an easy task for whoever does it.”
A Brutal SEC Gauntlet Awaits
Winning the SEC won’t come easy. Davis pointed out that Alabama’s upcoming schedule is grueling, with seven straight games against ranked opponents, including three against top-five teams.
“This feels like some type of championship game tomorrow, and it’s gonna be approached with that level,” Davis said. “And then they turn around and play another ranked team and another one and another one and another game with Auburn and Florida and a road trip to Tennessee, and I think they go to Missouri. It’s kind of a ridiculous thing.”
With the SEC Tournament and March Madness looming, Davis believes Alabama has the talent to win it all, but they’ll need more than just skill.
“They’re capable, but to win a national championship, you not only have to be capable and excellent, which they are,” Davis said. “You also have to have things bounce their way. Hopefully, for their sake, that’ll happen, and we’ll see how it plays out.”
Alabama vs. Auburn. No. 1 vs. No. 2. A game for the ages is set for Saturday.
