Jason Jackson makes case for Alabama to be top-16 seed, host regional

Alabama may have finished eighth in the SEC regular season but still have a legit chance of hosting a regional in the NCAA Tournament. The selection committee would have to rank them within the top 16 seeds in order to play in Tuscaloosa. Heading into the SEC Tournament there is a chance but things still need to fall in the right direction.

Interim head coach Jason Jackson gave his case for Alabama to host a Tuscaloosa Regional, with the team’s high RPI being his main point. The Crimson Tide have a winning record against top teams as well, mainly against SEC opponents. Overall, a solid resume put together by a program going through a lot.

“I think the fact that our RPI is at 12th,” Jackson said during Tuesday’s game against Kentucky. “We’re sitting there at 16-13 against RPI top 50. We led the league in run differential at +48. We were in the top three in the league in pitching and hitting — I think the only team to do that.”

History is on Alabama’s side as well. Jackson pulled out a stat dating back over a decade, proving the Crimson Tide deserved to be one of the 16 nationally ranked teams. Similar teams in the SEC have a long history of hosting in the NCAA Tournament.

“Also, since 2012, you’ve had 51 teams in our league with a top 16 RPI and of those 51, 45 have hosted. And then of the six that didn’t host, only two of those had 16 wins. I think that’s definitely a feather in our cap. I know it’s a tough job but we got some things working in our favor.”

Alabama has hosted a regional twice in its history, with the 2006 season being the last. Both were after an SEC championship of some sort. Only one resulted in advancement to a Super Regional but not a trip to the College World Series.

D1 Baseball provided an updated field of 64 heading into conference tournament week, with Alabama holding down a hosting spot. They even have some wiggle room, currently being projected as the No. 13 overall seed. Getting wins in Hoover against fellow SEC opponents can do nothing but help Alabama. The win total against RPI top 50 teams would likely get a bump if so.

Take care of business over the weekend and Sweet Home Alabama will be playing at the Joe during an NCAA Tournament game.

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