SEC Tournament: Five Questions for BamaCentral's Austin Hannon

HOOVER, Ala. — Tuesday won't be the first time that Kentucky and Alabama will have squared off this season, but the Wildcats will be seeing a much different version of the Crimson Tide.

Since the firing of head coach Brad Bohannon, Bama (38-17, 16-14) has won its last three SEC series, including its final five games of the regular season. To try and figure out what's driven the Tide to such a strong finish and now perhaps a spot as a Regional host in the NCAA Tournament, Wildcats Today caught up with BamaCentral's Austin Hannon for a new installment of Five Questions:

The SEC Tournament bracket can be found HERE.

Looking back at UK's series win over Alabama back in March HERE.

Where Kentucky stands in the rankings entering the postseason HERE.

Two Wildcats earn All-SEC honors. More HERE.

1. In your opinion, is it a coincidence that Bama has turned a corner after the firing of Bohannon? Or do you attribute it to that, or anything specific?

HANNON: I think it’s something you see often in sports when a coach gets fired. The team gets loose, plays with a lot of new energy — and it’s been that way for Alabama. I also think (interim head coach) Jason Jackson has done a terrific job keeping the players’ focus. They were in a great spot to make the NCAA tournament when Bohannon was fired and he made sure they still knew that. It’s been a great run so far.

2. On the field, what has been the driving force to Bama’s late-season surge?

HANNON: The offense has been there all season. From top to bottom, every guy in the lineup can get on base, get hits. I think the late-season surge has been due to starting pitching and the bullpen. The Crimson Tide was without some of its best pitchers all season — and is still without both Grayson Hitt and Ben Hess. Luke Holman, Garrett McMillan and Jacob McNairy have been giving Alabama great starts — and some young guys like Kade Woods and Alton Davis II have been great in relief.

3. Despite losing Hess and Hitt, the pitching staff has been borderline great. Is that surprising to you?

HANNON: It definitely is a little surprising. The starters and bullpen were both inconsistent early on in the season but they’ve definitely come a long way since then. It makes since with a lot of the guys in the bullpen being young and inexperienced. With the weekend series just wrapping up, I’m not sure who Alabama will go with on Tuesday. Luke Holman is the ace — but he threw on Thursday night. Has he had enough rest? If so, I think it will be him — at least for a few innings.

(Bama has since announced that LHP Hunter Furtado will start. Hannon has more on Furtado HERE.)

4. What’s the big X-factor for Alabama that could the difference between a win and loss?

HANNON: Here you go again. It’s the pitching — especially in a do-or-die game like this. It’s like the old MLB Wild Card Round — nine innings of baseball. That’s it. A good start and good relief is crucial in a Tuesday SEC Tournament single-elimination game. You have much more room for error once you make it to Wednesday.

5. How important is a win for Bama, as far as NCAA Tournament hosting implications go?

HANNON: I’ve seen different opinions. Some think that the sweep over Ole Miss was enough to lock up a host. I’m not so sure. I’ve been telling people that one win would go a long way and two wins would confirm it. Because of that, I think Alabama is going to put it all out there to beat Kentucky and get into the double-elimination round. Plus, with the way this team is playing — they want and believe they can be the team to lift the trophy on Sunday afternoon.

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