Alabama Gymnastics 2016: Tuscaloosa Regional Primer - Who, When & Scouting The Competition.

What & when

Alabama, fresh off a season high score in the SEC championships, will make its 33rd straight regional appearance on April 2nd, 4:00 p.m. CDT in Coleman Coliseum.

This is the 14th time the Tide have played host to a regional qualifier. Overall, Alabama has won 30 regional titles in those 33 appearances, and the benefit of a home floor and a home crowd will be of great assistance as this surging team aims for the national semifinals and then the Super Six. To advance, Alabama will need to finish in the top two.

Television information is not available as of this writing, but when/if it becomes known, we'll pass that along.

Tickets are available by calling 205-348-BAMA. They are $12 for adults and $8 for children 18 and under.

How it works

In a nutshell, the top two teams from each regional receive an automatic berth to the national semifinals. Additionally, the top two individuals, who are not on a team advancing to the semis, also receive an automatic berth so that talented athletes can still have the opportunity to compete for an individual national titles.

Sizing up the Tide and its competition

Alabama is the clear favorite, and No. 1 seed, in this region for a reason. The number four team in the country ranks as high as third in some events, and no lower than T-6th in others. As inconsistent as the squad has seemed at times, Alabama has actually increased its average on vault, beam and uneven bars over last season's performance. The only area where the Tide has experienced a drop-off, such as it is, is on the floor, where Alabama fell from 4th to T-6th from 2015 to 2016.

Alabama has faced two of the teams in its region the past two season, powering past Boise State in 2015's Power of Pink meet and absolutely obliterating Kentucky this past February 196.775-195.525.  West Virginia (3-seed) looks to be on the outside looking in. Alabama was greatly assisted this year by facing a schedule that included eight ranked SEC teams (all of which made regional appearances) and opening the season in Westwood against No. 2 UCLA.

Below is a chart comparing the rankings and season high scores of the region and how the Tide stacks up. Season highs are in parentheses, while the team with the highest score is listed in bold.

The 3-seed, No. 15 Boise State Broncos can be very competitive, as they have a good team on the bars and floor, if the performances are sometimes uneven. If the Broncos can put it all together for one meet, they are a danger. Despite the fact the 10th ranked Cal Bears are the 2-seed and are probably favorites with Alabama owing to their consistency, if there is an upset, it will come at the 2-spot from Boise. Still, the smart money is on Alabama and Cal advancing. Kentucky has had its moments, but is the longest of longshots to advance. Bowling Green and West Virginia are likely outclassed in this one.

See you all on April 2nd, and hope for the best. Roll Tide.