Alabama Basketball: What Experts Say About Crimson Tide's NCAA Tourney Chances

The Crimson Tide had to wait a while on Selection Sunday before hearing their name called, but those few extra minutes made the elation of getting their first NCAA tournament bid in six years all the sweeter.

Now that Alabama is back in the Big Dance, do they have a shot at making some noise or maybe even putting on the Cinderella slipper?  

Let's take a look at what a few of the experts are saying about the Tide's chances for March Madness glory.

When your school isn't Duke, it's hard to tell who Dick Vitale will favor in an NCAA tournament matchup. Unfortunately for Tide fans, Dickie V doesn't seem to optimistic about their team rolling on in March.

Despite being a huge fan of Anthony Grant, Vitale has Alabama losing in the first round to Creighton. Even though the Tide have the ability to completely shut down opposing offenses, he believes that the Bluejays' excellent shooting (led by Doug McDermott) will be too much for them to overcome.

Doug Gottlieb also has a lot of respect for Alabama's defense. He even thinks they have a definite advantage at point guard against Creighton, where the Bluejays' Antoine Young has struggled of late offensively.

Unfortunately, he believes that Creighton will beat Alabama in a low-scoring, hard-fought game.

Much like Mr. Gottlieb, Joe Lunardi foresees an ugly defensive battle in the first round of the NCAA tournament between the Tide and Bluejays.

Unlike Mr. Gottlieb, however, he sees Alabama prevailing against Creighton, but going down in the next round to North Carolina.

Dennis Dodd of CBS Sports has Creighton beating Alabama in the first round, but Tide fans shouldn't feel too slighted by his pick. He has the Bluejays going all the way to the Final Four.

Jeff Goodman, like Dick Vitale, is also a big fan of Anthony Grant. While he does go a step further than Vitale by having the Tide beat the Bluejays in the first round, he doesn't see them getting past UNC in Round 2.

Gregg Doyel has a lot of respect for Anthony Grant being willing to kick Tony Mitchell off the team (and still getting his team to the tournament).

Unfortunately, even though Doyel sees Alabama's trip to the Big Dance as one of March's best storylines, he doesn't see them getting past the first round. 

I reached out to Alabama superfan Jack Blankenship (aka "The Face") on his Twitter account for a prediction, but all he did was stare back at me with those terrible, soul-piercing eyes. 

For your printable bracket for the 2012 NCAA tournament, click here.

If you want to sing my praises, tell me that I am the worst writer you've ever read, or just want to observe my weird and offbeat view of things, follow me on Twitter @NickNafster79