Preview: Tide Returns Home After Rough Road Trip to Take on EKU

The Tide returns to Coleman Coliseum discouraged after going winless during their three-game road trip against three top-ten teams.

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The Tide held the lead at some point in all three games, but foul trouble and subpar defense led to Alabama's demise down the stretch.

A return home for a tune-up before the C.M Newton Classic and SEC play is precisely what they need, and they get that as they welcome the Eastern Kentucky Colonels (4-7) to Coleman Coliseum.

The Colonels are coming off three straight losses, most recently an 88-81 loss to the Troy Trojans. While the Colonels may not pose a serious threat to the Tide, an upset in Tuscaloosa would be detrimental to the Tide's season.

The Colonels are led by their center, Isaiah Cozart, who leads the team in points per game (15.4), rebounds per game (9.7), blocks per game (4.9), and field goal percentage (.670%).

While the Tide have struggled against dominant bigs this season, the kicker is that Cozart only stands at 6-foot-7, giving Mo Wague (6-10) and Nick Pringle (6-10) a significant advantage over the EKU big man.

The Colonels also feature two more double-digit scorers in sophomore guard Leland Walker and senior wing Devontae Blanton. Walker is also the team's leader in assists and steals per game.

The Tide should be able to take care of the Colonels, but they need to keep their head straight to avoid an upset while also using this as a 'get-right' game after three straight losses.

Where to Watch:

TV: SEC Network

Radio: Tide 100.9/1230 AM WTBC

Score Predictions From Around the Building

Ryan Fowler: 84-60 Alabama

Wyatt Fulton: 86-75 Alabama 

"Much needed win for Bama, the 3 point shot turns a corner in this game."

Noah Haynes: 82-84 Eastern Kentucky

Jalen Prince: 88-59 Alabama

JD Zasa: 100-81 Alabama

"The threes are finally going to start falling, and this is a confidence game going into SEC play."

Simon Besnoy: 92-61 Alabama

"Nate Oats' squad needs this to gain confidence. If they clean up on defense without fouling and the three starts to fall, they can cause problems in SEC play. The Colonels play it close early but the Tide run away with it down the stretch"

For more Alabama Basketball content from Simon Besnoy, follow him on X/Twitter at @SimonBesnoy and stay tuned to Tide1009.com for daily news.