Women’s Basketball makes WNIT Sweet 16, one of its best showings in nearly 20 years

All eyes are naturally on Nick Saban today entering his 11th campaign in Tuscaloosa, but, even so, there is another coach whose team should have you excited: Kristy Curry and the Alabama Women’s basketball team.

As usual, the Tide started off hot against a weaker OOC slate. Then, as conference play rolled around, it seemed as though an outmanned ‘Bama team was going to get demolished by the likes of Kentucky, Mississippi State, South Carolina, and, of course, Tennessee. For the first half of the conference slate, that would prove to be true. Going into Valentine’s day, Alabama was 4-9 in the SEC, and had just concluded a 5-game losing streak. On February 16th, the Tide hosted Tennessee, winning for just the second time since 1984 and making it two-in-a-row for Curry’s squad.

That victory turned the corner for ‘Bama. Alabama would go 6-3 down the stretch, beating the Lady Vols twice and making it to the SEC Quartfinals. When given an NIT bid, the ladies have done as good a job as you could ask. Led by veteran Meoshonti Knight, Ashley Williams, and SEC Newcomer of the year, Jordan Lewis, Alabama has won two games at home to advance to the WNIT Sweet 16, its best postseason showing since 2010. Aside from 2010, you’d have to go back to the end of the great Rick Moody era, 2002, to find another showing this good by the program.

Since Moody led the Tide to eight straight NCAA appearances, ending in 1999, Alabama has not made the Dance. Kristy Curry may just have the team to do it next year. Alabama is a younger team, with its three best players returning next year. Still, they could use some #ButtsInSeats this week: the 2016 season isn’t over yet.

This is a rare public plea, but if you can, please go out and support the women’s team this Thursday as they attempt to reach the WNIT Elite 8.

Best of luck to the ladies and Roll Tide

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Who: Alabama Crimson Tide (19-13, 11th SEC) versus Tulane Green Wave (18-14, AAC Tourney runner-up)

Date: March 23, 2017

Time & Place: Coleman Coliseum, 7:00 p.m. central

Ticket Information: $6 general admission; first 100 students enter free. Contact Rolltide.com or 1-205-348-3592 if you hate the monstrous new generic website Alabama wasted money on.

Television: CBS Sports, Fox College Sports

Streaming: CTSM On-Demand

Bracket: Right here.