Pat Forde Weighs in on Anthony Grant's Future [AUDIO]

Alabama snapped a four game losing streak last night in thrilling fashion when Trevor Releford knocked down a late 3-pointer to seal a 67-64 victory over Ole Miss. While the win ended a four-game losing streak and breathes life back into an ailing basketball program, talks of head coach Anthony Grant's future have not ceased. Pat Forde of Yahoo! Sports joined The Game last night to make a case for Grant's future.

"If it were Kentucky-level expectations, he (Anthony Grant) would very much be on the hot seat if not gone," Forde told host Ryan Fowler on Tuesday. "I like Anthony personally. He has averaged 22 wins over the previous four years. That was better than the program he inherited the last three years or so under (Mark) Gottfried. So he brought the program up, but he hasn't taken it up far enough. So the question then is, you know, is there a future where you can see him getting the team back to the NCAA tournament or not?"

Forde believes this has been a rebuilding type of year especially after suffering a 74-55 loss to Auburn earlier this year.

"This year has been a big step back and getting thumped by Auburn doesn't play well, e
specially when Auburn is terrible. It is the kind of thing where I am sure Bill Battle is looking trying to decide: do they we make a change or do we give Anthony Grant another year? If they give him another year then next year I think he is very much on the hot seat."

Recruiting elite players has proven to be difficult for Grant's staff, but Forde does not think Alabama needs to recruit players from other states in order to be successful.

"I bet there a more college basketball SEC level prospects in the state of Alabama than there are in the state of Kentucky," Forde says. "I don't think Alabama is in a position where they're having to try to go to New York or Los Angeles to beat teams out there. They can get good enough players in the are to compete. Is it a tough sale? Sure. if you are going to compete with Kentucky for a player it is going to be hard. Kentucky went out and signed a top 25 football recruiting class. If Kentucky can do it football than Alabama can do it in basketball."

You can listen to the entire interview with Pat Forde here.